Zadar and Sibenik

Zadar sunset selfie

Day 18 - Sibenik and Evening in Zadar

We left busy Split with a short day of driving ahead. After only an hour, we arrived in the smallish town of Sibenik. I had heard great things about the charming town built up a hill along the sea. After finding fairly easy parking in a nifty modern garage, we set about to explore the town. The little streets and fancy cathedral were beautiful.

It didn't take long to get hungry and find lunch. Buffet Simun was a great choice outside of the touristy center. We are getting more skilled at discovering the more local restaurants. The shrimp risotto and octopus salad were particularly good.

I ditched the family so I could climb up St. Michael's Fortress above the city. They don't seem to share my obsession with climbing up loads of stairs to the top of old things. The views were impressive even if I was stuck taking my own awkward selfies!

What a cool place for a concert!

This turtle fountain was a highlight in Sibenik. Real turtles right in the middle of town!

We drove another hour or so to Zadar, our home for the next two nights. We stayed in a cute almost tree-house-like apartment not far from the old town.

After we settled in and cooled off, DH and I found a fun place for happy hour.

We wandered around, took some pictures and got a nice overview of the town.

The highlight was finding the famous sea organ along the sea walls. Organ pipes were built into the concrete with blow holes. The sound reminded me of whales. It was such a relaxing yet somewhat haunting sound. Hundreds of people were gathered to watch the sunset. It was gorgeous! Just as the sun left the horizon, everyone started clapping. It was the sweetest thing and it even brought tears to my eyes.

We walked over the now well-lit bridge back to our apartment for some sleep.

Day 19 - Exploring Zadar

I started the day with a sunny run along the water before stopping at Mlinar, a Croatian bakery chain, and finding a fancy-ish place for coffee. Cogito Coffee hit the spot! We enjoyed our coffee next to an old church where the Zadar Chamber Orchestra was rehearsing for an evening gig. They sounded great on Brahams 3.

DD#1 and I wandered around the produce and fish markets. We snacked on some raspberries and marveled at the wide variety of fish.

Eventually, DH and I climbed yet another church tower. More beautiful views and awkward selfies!

We bribed the kids with a fancy cake lunch and walked through a pretty park and much of the town. Cake for lunch has become a little tradition on some of our European trips!

We relaxed in the apartment for a while feeling like we saw much of Zadar. Even though there were tourists, it had a more relaxed vibe than other towns we had visited. We enjoyed watching the boats, tourists from countries all over Europe, and wandering the relatively flat old town.

Naturally, DD#2 and I had to jump into the sea. We wandered back to the sea organ and dived right off the steps. Felt amazing! We vowed to do the same thing in the morning before leaving town.

We found a soul food restaurant in town that had pulled pork. Why not?

We scored a few jewelry items in this little church converted to a store.

One more beautiful sunset in Zadar.

DD#2 and I stayed out later into the evening and enjoyed the solar powered "Greeting to the Sun" art installation. So mesmerizing!

I'll save Day 20 for the next blog in Rovinj, Croatia. To be continued!