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Converted to Roman Catholicism in the seventh century, the Croats established an independent kingdom during the 10th century, while the Serbs opted for the Eastern Orthodoxy of the Byzantine Empire, culminating in the Great Schism of 1054. In 1529, following the defeat of the Hungarians by the Ottoman Turks, the Habsburg and Ottoman Empires divided Hungary’s territories, thereby creating a militarised border in Croatia between the Islamic and Christian worlds, running roughly along the present border between Croatia and Bosnia & Herzegovina.

With 1778km (1111 miles) of mainland coast, emerald-blue waters, secluded pebble beaches and countless unspoilt islands, Croatia is an ideal destination for lovers of sea and sunshine who want to avoid the crowds. While the vast majority of tourists head straight for the Adriatic coast, inland Croatia also holds several places of interest, notably the capital, Zagreb, and Dubrovnik, considered the jewel of Croatia.