Most tourists travel to Croatia to enjoy its beautiful well kept beaches and wander around it unspoilt villages. But yet there are plenty of other things for one to do and see when visiting this country and which will provide you with further insight into the country's turbulent past.

Generally those visiting Croatia will visit the towns of Zagreb which is the country's capital and has been it since 1557. They also are now making trips to the cities of Split and Dubrovnik.

With Zagreb the Croatians have managed to successfully blend the old with the new. Today one is still able to look and enjoy the Austro-Hungarian architecture for which the city is famous. But also one can spend time wander around the many new boutiques which sell all the latest fashions to be found both in Paris and Milan.

Then there is Dubrovnik, this city remains much of its old world charm and certainly too really take in its architectural splendor you need to spend time wandering around the Stari Grad part of the city. The squares have been paved with marble, and there are steep cobbled streets for you to explore. All the time enjoying the architecture of its many convents, churches and palaces which may have been damaged during the war but which over the last few years have been lovingly restored to their former glories.

If you would really like to see the city in all its glory take time to wander along the city walls and climb one of the 16 towers that are part of its defensive structure. The walls themselves were constructed between the 13th and 16th centuries and are still as strong as they were when first constructed. But climbing up the towers is not for the faint hearted because they all reach a height of 25m (82 feet). But the climb is worth the views that you get of the city once you reach the top.

Most people when visiting Croatia to avoid the high temperatures of the summer will visit it in the spring or early part of the summer. However, it is advisable to bring some waterproof clothing as the chances of it raining are much higher at this time.

If you do want to visit Croatia in the summer then arrange a holiday to one of the country's many coastal resorts. You will still have plenty of sunshine to enjoy but also the breezes which blows in off the sea help to make the temperatures at this time of year much easier to bear. However, you shouldn't forget to pack your sun cream as well. Plus a visit in the winter may be worth considering as the heat the water retains during the summer is then released back into the air in the winter and so the climate remains relatively warm.