With the recent rise in popularity of Croatia you might be wondering how in the world you’re going to get to experience this amazing country on a budget and still have the time of your life.  Well we have found your answer:  ROAD TRIP!  On the road you’ll get to experience this amazing place like a local as you move along the well maintained highway system of this cute little country.

Start your trip by flying into ZAG (Zagreb) international airport.  Use cars.com or kayak.com to find your rental car (they aren’t expensive but you need to triple check that the company you’re using doesn’t charge you to return the car at a different airport).  After picking up the car, head out.  Your first stop is going to be a little drive but its one of the most beautiful places on earth:  Plitvice Lakes National Park.  Stop along the way to grab some snacks and possibly lunch.  Once you are the lakes, there are small restaurants as well as coffee shops.  You’ll need some time to hike around the lakes.  Entry includes the boat rides to get you to different parts, but make sure you don’t miss the big falls along the lower lakes.  Its pretty spectacular.  You’ll probably spend the majority of your day here, so hopefully you booked your air b&b close by.  We suggest a small town called Korencia.  There you can stay in a Guest house hosted by Maja on a farm.  A small herd of sheep will be grazing nearby as you enjoy this somewhat remote and very charming little home. The town boasts a few small restaurants and a grocery store.  We are always fans of the store and the fact that you get a full kitchen in your house helps you save more as you go.  Get a good nights sleep as you head off to more excitement in the morning!

In the morning enjoy a good breakfast before you head out.  Program into the gps the town of Zadar.  It takes a little doing but head into the old town area and find a place to park on the coast line.  The walk along the water is fun and you’ll get to experience the sea organ towards the north side of the peninsula.  The inner part of old town is full of historic places, coffee shops, souvenir shops, tour locations, and restaurants.  Don’t miss the city wall either as its a unique and beautiful place to see.  Next head off to the town of Split.

While in Split we stayed at an Air B&B that was very well priced, quite nice, and close to old town.  An apartment just outside of old town that had good parking nearby.  It was hosted by Sanja who did a great job with it.  Only a short walk to downtown head down and experience this very interesting area.  Explore it for the afternoon and evening.  Get lost in the historic streets and browsing the fun shops.  There are some amazing places to eat in Split, we had great luck at Restaurant FIFE, just outside of old town and near the apartment.  If you’re up for an adventure then book some extreme canyoning.  Iris Adventures will pick you up near Old Town, take you to experience an amazing adventure and bring you back.  Not sure what extreme canyoning is?  Take a look at the website, its really fun and doesn’t require any experience.  Be sure that you jump off of all the rocks, thats almost the best part!  When you get back, go clean up and spend a night down by the water enjoying some of the amazing street food offered there.  The next morning get up and grab a bite at Trattoria Tinel, their breakfast is well priced and very tasty.

Jump in the car and put Varnjaca Cave in the gps.  Its a short drive from Split and on the way to Dubrovnik (your final stop).  The cave is a show cave so don’t worry about getting dirty.  Once you find it, you’ll have to pay a small fee but the reward is amazing.  The inside of the cave is something to behold with all sorts amazing formations.  You’ll be impressed!  Make sure to talk with the owner who runs it, his story is something you should hear.

After jump back in the car and head to Dubrovnik.  Make sure you have  a little extra time as you’ll be driving through Bosnia and the sea side town you pass through is an interesting pit stop.  You’ll be able to walk along the water and see the area as its the only seaside resort town in Bosnia.  Continue on to Dubrovnik.  While we were there we stayed inside the walled city.  Totally worth the experience.  However cars aren’t allowed inside the city, so you’ll have to park at one of the local hotels for a small fee.  We parked at Hotel Excelsior.  We stayed right in town at the Budget Old Town listing on Booking.com.  It was a small but well positioned place.  Not the nicest place we have been but the location can’t be beat and its certainly clean and nice enough.  Enjoy the town that night and find a nice place to eat.  Take in some of the street performances.

Enjoy the evening.  In the morning there are many opportunities to have some fun.  First get lost in the city.  Spend the cooler morning hours exploring the city.  Have some lunch at Lokanda Peskarija for some fresh seafood and good prices.  After lunch do something in the water, get a sea kayak, sea doo, or take a boat ride.  When you get back enjoy more of the walled city.  You need to walk around the city wall and see the town from the highest points.  As the sun begins to set there are amazing views to be had all around.  Finally head down and get some dinner.  If you can get in try Lady Pi-Pi.  Its always crowded so go early.  In the evening enjoy the culture of the city.  The street performers, the music bars, the foods, the stores… Its an amazing place to be.  Finally find a spot sit down and take in your last moments in the city.  Enjoy a nice walk down the main street and see all the people.  This is Croatia at its finest.  Enjoy!

In the morning grab a bite to eat and head off to return your car at the airport.  No matter where you’re headed you’ll leave knowing you got to have an amazing Croatian Road Trip!  If you haven’t had enough road tripping then take an inexpensive flight from DUB to TSR in Romania and get started on your next Eastern European Adventure!