Croatia is now set for accession to EU sometime in 2014 and the process of harmonisation is now well under way. The capital Zagreb is a busy city with a distinctive style and outlook. It is not unlike Vienna with its mix of cafés, taste for syrupy coffee and gorgeous chocolate cakes and other “pastry based wee luxuries!”

Visitors are struck by the youthful demographic and the amount of cigarette smoke in bars and cafés – the concept of smoke free public areas has not yet caught the public mood but some bars are partitioned with glass into smoking and non smoking sections.

And in the capital Zagreb, the most striking contrast with the UK and Ireland is the availability of and reliance on public transport. Tram travel is inexpensive and trams are clean, safe and very frequent. Less than €1 takes the traveller almost anywhere in the city and these trams are driven by some of the most stunning looking female tram drivers anywhere in the world.