Zagreb From Our Window

Croatia's history from the seventh century onward has included periods of stability and periods of upheaval. It was part of the Habsburg Monarchy and after World War II part of Yugoslavia. It has only been an independent country since 1991 and a bitter war in the 1990s included the shelling of the presidential palace in Zagreb by Yugoslav forces.

In 2011 Croatians voted overwhelmingly in favor of joining the European Union. It is set to join this year, although some don't consider it a good idea.

In the meantime, all we notice immediately as tourists are the border controls entering and leaving the country, and the country's currency. About five kuna equal one American dollar, making last night's dinner in an elegant restaurant (for which we were under-dressed) a fairly reasonably $60 including tip.