| Visitors from the USA are expected to flock to | | | | the mid-1990s, Croatia emerged with a spectacular |
| Croatia in record numbers this summer as a survey | | | | 1,100-mile coast and almost 2,000 islands. Add the |
| by U.S. Tour Operators revealed the country was | | | | imposing and historic city of Dubrovnik to the mix |
| tied at second for hottest places to visit this year. | | | | and you already have the basic ingredients for an |
| Only two years ago 200,000 Americans visited the | | | | enticing country. Inland is found one of the country's |
| beautiful country bordering the Adriatic Sea, and this | | | | biggest tourist attractions: Plitvice Lakes National Park. |
| year the Croatians are expecting double that number. | | | | A series of waterfalls joins 16 beautiful turquoise |
| So, what do the canny Americans know that us Brits | | | | coloured lakes between the Mala Kapela and |
| don't? | | | | Pljesevica Mountains. This gorgeous natural attraction, |
| Most obvious are the financial considerations. With | | | | mixed with the coastal hotspots, the friendly locals |
| the dollar taking a hammering in the international | | | | and the amazing value all make Croatia one of |
| money markets Americans are finding it increasingly | | | | Europe's great undiscovered destinations. It is easy |
| expensive, to the point of prohibitive, to visit their | | | | to see why the Americans are flocking here in their |
| traditional European stomping grounds of the Italy, | | | | hundreds of thousands; it is the antithesis of their |
| Greece and the French Riviera. Searching for cheaper | | | | crowded, busy and expensive culture. |
| alternatives has led Americans to Croatia, eager to | | | | To make the most of a trip to Croatia, especially |
| establish itself as a top European destination. | | | | those planning on island hopping or travelling up the |
| Outstanding quality food and drink at incredible value | | | | stunning coast will find that car hire is not essential as |
| combined with the clean water, less-than-crowded | | | | the country is well-served by buses and ferries. |
| beaches and friendly, helpful approach of the locals | | | | However, those who prefer to drive, like most things |
| immediately makes the Croatian Tourist slogan of: | | | | in the country, will find incredibly cheap car hire in |
| "The Mediterranean as it once was" ring true. It also | | | | Croatia. Most major airlines operate directly to Split |
| helps their ambition to be big on the European tourist | | | | which is centrally located on the Adriatic coastline, |
| map. | | | | and also has one of the highest concentration of car |
| Picking up the pieces from the horrendous four-year | | | | rental offices in Croatia. |
| conflict that saw the disintegration of Yugoslavia in | | | | |