Krnjak, a place through which one of Croatia's main roads passes, has its hidden charms that you won't discover if you simply rush through on your way to some distant destination. Stop, stay, be the explorer of this small place, whose hamlets are scattered across a hilly area intersected by the canyon of the Korana River, the Radonja River, and the streams of Budačka Rijeka and Trupinjak.

Yes, we all need a break from the constant rush. Sometimes an unplanned or planned detour from our usual routine is the luxury we deserve. Krnjak offers an escape from the world, a small getaway into the quiet of the forest, the murmur of the water, and waking up at one of the rural estates, where the sun's rays greet you instead of a frantic alarm clock. If you decide to spend the night in this idyll, you may even be awakened by a rooster's crowing; today, it's an exotic privilege for those who choose to take a break. Pay attention to the coat of arms of Krnjak—on it, you'll see corn and horns, let that stir your imagination.

The Korana River and its tributaries offer a peaceful atmosphere, unless you're an angler, in which case you'll enjoy the vitality and richness of the fish world. If you're a hunter, the sight of the hilly, wooded terrain will ignite a desire to explore the wealth of forest fauna. And where there are forests and water, there are also mushrooms. And where there are mushrooms, there are mushroom hunters. In autumn, these forests can get quite crowded.

But the most fascinating world, one we don't often see, is hidden beneath the earth. Here, you'll find the Jopićeva Cave system-Bent, better known as Jopićeva Pećina. A protected cave, like all caves in Croatia, Jopićeva Pećina is nearly 7 km long and among the longest caves in Croatia. An endless labyrinth of underground channels, halls, and passages, its lower levels also hide an entire underground river. Sometimes we forget how valuable our karst rivers are, whether they flow underground or above ground.

Embark on an adventure. Go on a retreat. Stop in Krnjak and enjoy. Big advertisements for famous tourist destinations aren't the recipe for relaxation. True rest awaits you in small places where rivers still flow freely.