September 25, 2013 - Zadar, Sibenik and Split, Coratia

Our guide added an additional attraction to our itinerary.  He took us to Zadar which is a little town by the sea.  There is a world famous Sea Organ in Zadar.

Sea Organ is situated near the new cruiser port, as a part of Zadar's Riva, and can be observed as a differently shaped part of the coast which consists of several stairs that descend into the sea. The stairs extend for about 70 meters along the coast, under them, at the lowest sea-tide level, 35 pipes of different lengths diameters and tilts were built in vertically to the coast and they raise aslant until the paved part of the shore and end in a canal (a service corridor). On the pipes there are LABIUMS (whistles), which play 7 chords of 5 tones. Above the canal there are perforated stone stairs through which the sound comes out when the air pushed by the sea. This site is a blend of human ideas and skills and the energy of the sea, waves, tide and flood, a place for relaxation, contemplation and conversation while listening to an endless concert of mystic harmonies of the "Orchestra of Nature". Sea Organ is constructed according to the project made by architect Nikola Bašić. Our guide told us sometime the sea is very calm and it has to wait for a boat going by to make the wave and the Sea Organ will start to play music again.  

Next to Sea Organ, there is a “Greeting to the Sun” made by the same architect Nikola Basic. The Greeting to the Sun consists of three hundred multi-layered glass plates placed on the same level with the stone-paved waterfront in the shape of a 22-meter diameter circle. Under the glass conduction plates there are photo-voltage solar modules through which symbolic communication with nature is made, with the aim to communicate with light, just like the Sea Organs do with sound. The photo-voltage solar modules absorb the sun energy and then transform it into electrical energy by releasing it into the distributive voltage power network. It is expected for the entire system to produce around 46.500 kWh yearly, being, actually, a small power plant from which energy will be used not only for the Greeting to the Sun installation, but also for the lighting of the entire waterfront.  Since we visited it in the morning, we did not have a chance to see the wonderful light show.

Zadar is a historical center of Dalmatia as well as the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Zadar.  Zadar has important churchs such as Roman Forum, St. Donatus’ Church, and St. Mary’s Church.

We had some free time to wondering around Zadar, then we got on bus and continue to Sibenik.  We had a local guide to show us the Old Town. A lot of narrow streets and we climbed uphill to the Medieval Garden of St Lowrence Monastery.   Then we walked by the St James’ Cathedral which is on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Next, we went to Bibich Winery for wine tasting and tapas light lunch. They have produced award winning wines that are exporting to California and New York.  They provided 4 different wines for us to taste along with wonderful Croatian style tapas.  JC has his birthday that day and the owner gave a bottle of wine to him for celebrating his birthday.

We rode to Split and checked into President Hotel.  We had dinner on our own that night.  Therefore, we went to Konoba Varos (recommended by our tour guide) for a nice dinner to celebrate JC’s birthday.

September 26, 2013 - Split & Trogir, Croatia

We had city tour of Split in the morning. Split is a city on eastern shores of the Adriatic Sea, and it is centered around the ancient Roman Palace of the Emperor Dioceltain, its bay and port. On the way to meet our local guide to tour the palace, we passed the seaside cafes along with a mixed of old (ancient) and new building as backdrop.  

In 1979, the historic center of Split was included into the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites. Split is said to be one of the centres of Croatian culture. Its literary tradition can be traced to medieval times. The Dioceltain Palace is huge and impressive.  When we toured along many of the ancient halls, our local tour guide told us that one of the halls was actually used by one of the most popular electronic game's background.  Unfortunately, the workers at that hall did not allow us to take any photo there.  There are many interesting ancient buildings in the palace and we enjoyed it very much.  

We had a little bit free time here and then went back to the bus to Trogir.  Trogir is a UNESCO World Heritage site with 2300 years of urban traditions and a culture influenced by ancient Greeks, Romans and Venetians.  We had a walking tour of the old town passing its palaces, churches, tower and fortress.  

After the walking tour, we had lunch at Tragos Restaurant where we tried “pasticada”, a traditional Dalmatian dish.    

We returned to Split for a leisure evening.  We went to one of the seaside cafe for our dinner along with some music and performances showing next to the café. The relaxing seating and the sea breeze made our dinner very enjoyable.

September 27, 2013 - Ston & Dubrovnik, Croatia

Departed Split in the morning and continued along the Dalmatian coast to the town of Ston. On the way to Ston, we have to pass by a section of Bosnia and Herzegovina and we have to pass the border twice. We stopped briefly in Neum, Bosnia for rest stop and photo taking.  

Our guide also told us about some activities Croatia took in preparing their joining to European Union.  Since there is a control on what you own and you can increase in production as part of EU members, Croatia planted a lot more grape and olive trees to increase their existing counts prior to their joining of EU on July 1, 2013.  We was able to witness some of these additional trees on the way to Ston.

  

Then we continued to Ston where we visited the Milos Winery and did some more wine tasting.  This is a smaller winery than the Bibich Winery.  

After the wine tasting, we spent some time to see the Wall of Ston.  



Then we went to Vila Koruna to try some fresh shell fishes. On the way to Ston we did see a lot of oyster and mussel farms in the nearby cove.

After lunch we drove to Dubrovnik.  Before we get to Dubrovnik, our tour guide let us stopped at a scenery point to have a complete view of Dubrovnik which was breathtaking.  


Then we continue to our Hotel Dubrovnik Palace which is a 5 stars hotel and it was the best hotel of this whole trip.  It located by the seaside with walkway to reach the private seashore.  It has a seaside swimming pool and many seaside restaurants and cafes.  The sunset viewing from the hotel is breathtaking too.  

We also had a wonderful dinner at the hotel.