What are your intentions of going to Croatia if i may ask? Are you a first time traveler to Europe? IF yes, then i suggest you start from Western region and travel going East. You can make Madrid your POE from Manila. Side trip to Lisbon Portugal (by Bus), take a train ride going to Barcelona and moved along the med coast and end up in Italy. From Italy you can take a ferry ride crossing the Adriatic sea going to Croatia. I got to tell you its a breathtaking experience. And also your exit point will now be from Italy. It will not be practical if you travel back to Madrid for your flight back home.
But then again money is not an issue here. If you are on a limited budget i suggest you stay home for now and save for later. But if you insist travel during the off season, March and September.
Europe is a good place for sight seeing but an unforgiving place for budget travelers.
(Baon daghan noddles like me...

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