You're strolling along white sandbeaches, your toes digging into the warmth. Sunshine is sparkling offwhitecaps on the crystal blue as you splash in the sea. Perhapsanother cocktail? A seaside concert? Dinner at a 4-star restaurant?Wow, surely you must be vacationing along the famed Amalfi Coast inItaly, or along the luxurious French Mediterranean, or maybe even oneof the tropical Hawaiian Islands, right? Wrong!

You?rein Croatia!

That's right ? this once war-torncountry that just recently won its final independence is quicklybecoming known as one of the best beach vacation destinations in theworld.

That's right ? this once pooreastern European country hidden under years of oppression is nowbeing revealed as the seaside gem that cannot be missed for the jetset and suburban traveler alike.

With some of the most well-known worldvacation beaches being overrun by crowds, exorbitant prices, andtourist traps on every corner, the time to find a new sandy retreatis desperately needed. Acclaimed as being more hospitable, morebeautiful, and more affordable than almost any other coastaldestination, Croatia offers a lot of everything for any beach lover.Let's take a look at the three best Croatian regions within whichto dip your toes into the Adriatic.

Istria

If you have never been to Croatia,there is no better place to start than Istria. Located in westernCroatia, Istria's coastline stretches on for miles and is dottedwith numerous gorgeous beaches, bays, and quaint villages that willmagically transport you to a better time. Bordering Italy, Austria,and Slovenia, Croatia is like a European smorgasbord of culture,cuisine, and cool sea breezes!

Because Istria was held by Italy beforeWorld War II, you will find colorful Italian traditions and culturearound every corner. Whether you want to eat authentic Italiantruffles, stay in a beautiful palazzo, or simply feel like you are inItaly for a fraction of the price, Istria the place for you.

If you want a break from sunbathing onthe beach or one of the countless offshore island paradises, Istriais filled with incredible historical and cultural attractions.Whether you want to take a tour of the medieval architecture in Pazinor take in a concert in Groznjan, Istria is the place to be (and, ifyou don't ever want to leave, lucky for you, there's never been abetter time to buy real estate in Istria either). It's hard toimagine any more romantic destination than Istria, but ? believe itor not ? you can find just that in nearby Dalmatia.

Dalmatia

One of my all-time favorite regions ofCroatia is the Dalmatian Coast. Located in the southern part of thecountry, Dalmatia is reminiscent of the most dramatic spots along theFrench or Italian Riviera ? but without nearly as many tourists aseither of these locations (or of Istria either).

The first thing you'll notice in thisregion is the water. It's the clearest, most sparkling blue you?llfind anywhere in the world. The entire coast ? all its islands,coves, and beaches - seem to glow with an enchanted feel.

Again, if you're looking for asightseeing break, historical cities like Sibenik, Zadar, Dubrovnik,and Split, along with the nearby spectacular mountain ranges likeBiokovo and Velebit, are just a hop, skip, and jump away. With itsrenowned national parks as well as the Krka rapids, the Kornatiarchipelago, and the Mljet Islands, you may just have to move here totake it all in.

After you finish your day ? whethersoaking in the sun or taking in the sights, you'll be happy to knowthat Dalmatia loves the Italian tradition of the midday siesta. Soeven if you become exhausted after your daily Dalmatian adventures,you can rest assured that you'll be able to take things slowly andlearn what rest and relaxation really means.

Kvarner

In northern Croatia you'll find theKvarner Gulf. With mild weather, exotic beaches, and amazing islands,this is one of the most popular regions along the coast ? made evenmore enjoyable because the ideal climate makes a visit enjoyable atany time of the year.

Spilling over with quiet seaside citiesand breathtaking scenery, Kvarner is the ideal place for a vacationor for peaceful living. For those seeking a more laid back trip,Kvarner was custom made for you ? relaxed, easygoing, andeverything at your pace.

Plus, with limitless activities to fillyour day or sandy beaches where you simply lay back and relax,Kvarner has a little bit of something for everything. However, if youchoose to sightsee, there is no better daytrip than the short tripacross the bridge to the beautiful island Krk, or to view theone-of-a-kind architecture in the heart of Rijeka.

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As you can see, Croatia ? this hiddengem that's tucked away along the Adriatic Sea ? is just waitingfor you. Don't delay ? the time to see Croatia, to tuck your toesinto its coastal sands, and to sip on a romantic cocktail as the sunsets over the sea is right now. Take advantage of favorable prices,small crowds, and untouched pristine coastlines that are guaranteedto be more beautiful than anything you could imagine.