If it is available in the US: try the Settlers of Catan card game. It is actually much better than the board game, but it is for 2 players only.
Personally I prefer Carcassonne to Catan.
The Catan Dice game is actually also pretty funny. A clever variation of another famous game principle that does not require too much thinking. I like how they milk the trademark but still come up with quality ideas.
My wife and I love Carcassonne! One of it's big points is that we can play with only 2 players. Plus the infinite possible arrangements of the board means no two games are ever alike. :-)
The worst feeling in the world is when someone finagles a second hunter or hut onto an area/river you previously controlled. 'Course, that's one of my strategies...
I bought the Card Game before I bought the board game. That was back in 1997 when I was a cash-strapped pre-teenager. The card game went for 20 Deutsche Mark and the board game was 40 Deutsche Mark.
All in all I prefer the board game, since there's no use in trading in the card game, when you think about it. There's no use in cooperating in a two-player game, unless you have objectives other than winning.
Personally I prefer Carcassonne to Catan.
The Catan Dice game is actually also pretty funny. A clever variation of another famous game principle that does not require too much thinking. I like how they milk the trademark but still come up with quality ideas.