Croatia is a small EU country that declared its independence from the now-defunct, then-dying Yugoslavia in 1991. Despite being billed as a Mediterranean destination, Croatia actually lies across the Adriatic Sea on Italy’s eastern coast. Croatia has the longest coastline on the Adriatic outside of Italy, and is bordered by land on the other former Yugoslav states. Croatia’s coastal region is currently experiencing a large economic boom, as the area becoming incredibly popular with European tourists and expats seeking relocation.