With its clear waters and extraordinary landscapes, Croatia is the ultimate destination for a Euoropean getaway. Many unbeknownst visitors flock to the overly advertised locations like Dubrovnik and Split, then complain about the crowds and high prices. My suggestion? Swim in the cool, clear waters of the Adriatic Sea on Croatia’s Krk Island.

And since you’re just 3 hours away, you might as well visit Plitvice National Park. You’d be right to point out that Plitvice is one of those hyped up places I warned you about, but this spot is worth the hype, and it’s low in cost. Here’s how to plan your Croatia trip without breaking the bank or getting engulfed in the tourist mobs.

Day One

Hop in your rental car and drive—with your international driver’s license, since you need one in Croatia—to your stay near Plitvice National Park. Hit the pillow early, because you’ll likely need a goodnight’s sleep for tomorrow’s adventure.

Day Two

Drive to Plitvice National Park with walking shoes in hand and maybe even your hiking gear if you have it handy. Plitvice has a variety of trails with varying difficulty levels, and the easiest hike is not strenuous but still lengthy. Advance tickets are required for Plitvice and can be bought on the park’s website. I recommend booking the earliest time possible. The park is admittedly packed, but it’s even busier in the afternoon.

After parking, walk through forests, climb up stairs and cross over bridges to access the trail entrance. That’s right, you’ve walked all that way just to reach the trailhead.

Get your first glimpse of Plitvice’s clear lakes on a short but marvelous boat ride. Step off the boat into a magical place full of cascading waterfalls and crystal clear pools of water.

After your fantastical hiking experience, ride on the free bus back to the real world. Enjoy a much needed rest with some lunch at the restaurant. Don’t forget to grab a souvenir and snack from the shop located near the parking area.

Day Three

Enjoy the scenery as you cruise through Croatia’s rural and coastal areas to reach Krk Island. We stayed at Blue Waves Resort: the perfect beachside stay for families of all sizes. My parents tagged along on this trip, so I appreciated the apartment-style room we booked, but Blue Waves also offers single bedrooms as well. Our room’s porch stepped out onto the one of two outdoor pools and was a quick walk to the Adriatic seashore. The hotel also offers a spa area complete with a gym, indoor pool, locker rooms and masseuses. Breakfast is served at the Main Buffet Restaurant offering beautiful ocean views and outdoor patio seating.

At first sight and feel, I found the Adriatic’s severely rocky shores to be off-putting, but the crystal clear, refreshing waters made up for the smooth yet bulbous and bountiful rocks.

Days Four & Five

Enjoy your relaxing yet fulfilling stay on Krk Island. At one point during the trip, I found myself frantically searching for “things to do near me” online, only to quickly realize we were plenty busy at the resort and Adriatic coast. It felt effortless to fill our days with trips to the pool and sauna. We swam in the Adriatic, rented paddle boards from a SUP shack, and walked along the beachside paved walkway searching for scenic eateries and soaking in the coast’s natural beauty. I recommend waking up early at least once to feel the sense of peace that washes over you as you take in the calm, quiet waters of the Adriatic before your fellow tourists rise and flock to the beach shore as well. We reluctantly said our goodbyes to Croatia on the fifth day. Until next time.