Why do Croats feel such an affinity for Italy?

[Sikeliot]

When I was making the thread on Michael Buble I was reading that even though is father's family is Croatian, he claims they are Italian. There is no Italian on his father's side of the family, though they came from a region with Italian cultural influence.

There were Italians in Croatia, but this isn't what I mean. I mean a lot of Croatians FEEL close to Italians.

I have also read of other stories of famous Croatian Americans linking themselves to Italy, as if they're long-lost Italians and not Slavic. There also used to be a poster here named Rastko who came from Dubrovnik who said Croats, in general, feel close to Italians more than to other Slavs.

Is it because of cultural influence? Catholicism as the religion, when other Slavs in the area are Muslim or Eastern Orthodox?

[Mortimer]

yes because they dont want to be associated with serbs, russians, and such. they want to be western, they also feel close to germans.

[Jana]

What OP say is totaly untrue.

I have also read of other stories of famous Croatian Americans linking themselves to Italy, as if they're long-lost Italians and not Slavic.

Croats Americans never link themself to Italy. They are extremely proud Croats. I have Croatian-Americans in my family and know this well.

There is lot of aversion towards that country (historical reasons) despite their culture is highly appreciated.

Robocop loves Italy because he is partly Italian and because he comes from a city with huge Italian influence so for him it is natural.

[Jana]

yes because they dont want to be associated with serbs, russians, and such. they want to be western, they also feel close to germans.

False. Croats dont feel close to Germans either. You have no idea what are you talking about.

We do not need to want association with Italy or Germany not to be associated with Serbs, Croats are different to Serbs not because of Italians or Germans but because of Croatian history and culture itself.