"WHAT surprises tourists when they visit your country?" is the question that appeared on Quora, and one Croat launched a discussion.
"These are only my guesses, so I hope I got at least a few things right—the large number of people sitting in cafes in the middle of the day. Low prices, compared to Western Europe. However, there are restaurants and bars that offer ridiculously expensive meals, especially in Dubrovnik. People should always check the menu to avoid misunderstandings. PS - Croatia is not as cheap as it used to be. Trains are slow, often break down, and here's what's the worst - you may not even get a refund if they get stopped in the middle of nowhere. There are some exceptions. On the other hand, the buses are mostly okay and punctual. Croatia has great highways connecting all parts of the country and not so great local roads," wrote the Quora user from Croatia.
"There are traffic jams in the summer. Most people speak English (at least on a basic level), especially young ones. If you get lost, don't hesitate to ask for help. There are many abandoned houses both in the villages and islands on the coast and in rural parts of the mainland. People prefer living in cities or abroad, and it's mostly difficult to find work in smaller places. The food is tasty and the wines are great (there are exceptions). Every region has its own traditional and delicious meals, and tourists seem to love our food. There are bakeries on every corner. White bread is still more popular than the brown, seeded type. And Croats eat too much bread," she added.
"Croatia is rich in water. We drink tap water; we have some crystal clear rivers, world-famous waterfalls, and the beautiful Adriatic sea. One of the most beautiful, locally-produced souvenirs is coral jewelry. I see tourists are interested in checking them out. Rakija is loved by many locals but often despised by tourists. I've heard tourists saying that it tastes like rubbing alcohol, detergent and that sljivovica (a plum variety) has a horrible smell," she concluded in her post.
Some foreigners took part in the discussion and concluded: "It's such a shame that beautiful buildings like that are left empty." "I completely agree about low prices and English speakers and bakeries, and that your country is very beautiful," added one user from Egypt.
"I find Zagreb boring," one Indian, who currently lives in Germany, also joined the discussion. "And you guys have Modric," said the other Indian.