Situated adjacent to the mainland on the Croatian Adriatic Coast, Zadar derives its name from its ancient roots asIadera, evolving through Roman, Byzantine and Venetian influences. Its strategic coastal position made it a pivotalhub for trade and cultural exchange. Zadar is celebrated for blending ancient history with modern innovation. Thecity’s Sea Organ, a creation by architect Nikola Bašić, is particularly unique. It features a system of pipes and whistlesintegrated into perforated stone steps descending into the sea, producing haunting sounds as waves move airthrough them. Nearby, Bašić also designed a pavement with 300 glass plates, which illuminate in an enchanting lightshow after dusk. We sail after sunset this evening, so that you may enjoy this technological marvel, which is only ashort stroll from our berth at Zadar’s port.Personalise your exploration with our included ‘Your Choice’ experiences.Option 1 – Morning experience: Walking Zadar’s Old TownWe start our walking tour of Zadar at the stunning Cathedral of St Anastasia, dedicated to the city’s patron saint. Asyou stroll through the historical streets, you will encounter the iconic Church of St Donatus, believed to have beenconstructed by Bishop Donatus on Roman foundations in the early 9th century. This monumental circular church,with its three naves, stands as a symbol of Zadar’s unique architecture.Our local guide introduces us to the Benedictine convent of St Mary, home to the museum of gold and silver, whichhas been safeguarded by nuns since the end of World War II. This museum is part of the Permanent Exhibition ofReligious Art, showcasing one of Croatia’s most significant cultural collections. Our tour continues to the BastionHotel, where we indulge in a delightful cake and maraschino liqueur tasting. Zadar has a long history of liqueurproduction, dating back nearly 400 years. The renowned maraschino, a bittersweet liqueur made from local marascacherries, is a true Croatian treasure. Celebrated by historical figures like Napoleon Bonaparte, who enjoyed it aftermeals, maraschino was officially recognised as an authentic Croatian icon by the Croatian National Tourist Office in1999.Option 2 – Morning experience: The Unique Story of Maskovica Han and Karaba WineryOur morning starts at the unique property of Maškovića Han. This monumental building was commissioned in 1644by Jusuf Mašković, a high dignitary at the Turkish court and a supreme admiral of the Turkish fleet, during theregions reign of the Ottoman Turks. The construction of Maškovića Han, designed to be a grand summer residencefor Mašković. It was conceived as a lavish structure, complete with all necessary comforts, including a Turkish bath(hamam, however, Maskovic’s career took a dramatic turn when he led a 60,000 strong attack on Crete in 1645.Sadly, despite his military successes his actions angered the Sultan, leading to Mašković’s execution. Following thefinal liberation of Vrana in 1699, the inn was assigned to the Borelli family. Today, their descendants reside in theinn, preserving this historical monument.After a mid-morning snack, we continue to one of the region’s famed wineries. At Karaba Wines, the passion forwinemaking runs deep. The winery combines traditional winemaking techniques with modern technology, whileprioritising a sustainable future. Vines are cultivated using natural methods, and each grape is handpicked. KarabaWines offers a warm and inviting tasting room where we sample their award-winning wines, including Maraština,Debit, Crljenak, Pošip and Merlot, while overlooking their vineyard and the Adriatic Sea. The knowledgeable staffeagerly share the stories behind each wine, providing an engaging experience.Option 3 – Full-day experience: Nin, the Story of Salt and Škaulj Winery VisitAround 48 kilometres north of Zadar, the historical town of Nin lies on a small island in a shallow lagoon, connectedto the mainland by two stone bridges. Founded in the 9th century BCE, Nin became a major centre of the RomanEmpire in this region and was later the seat of the first Croatian kings and a significant ecclesiastical hub.After a brief walking tour through its ancient streets, we continue to the Nin Salt Works, where our guide explainsthat this unique salt is produced naturally by the sun, sea and wind. Historically crucial for food preservation andexploration, sailors were able to venture across the globe, with salt preserving their provisions.Next, embark on a scenic drive to the picturesque Ravni Kotari region. Enjoy a traditional lunch before visiting ŠkauljWinery. Renowned for its quality, Šime Škaulj’s wines are produced under strict organic standards. The wineryboasts accolades such as a silver medal at the 2012 Decanter London Wine Fair, and the honour of hosting Swedishroyals King Gustav XVI and Queen Silvia. Conclude your visit with a tasting of their award-winning wines beforereturning to Zadar mid-afternoon.
Dalmatia's capital for more than 1,000 years, Zadar is all too often passed over by travelers on their way to Split or Dubrovnik. What they miss out on is a city of more than 73,000 that is remarkably lovely and lively despite—and, in some measure, because of—its tumultuous history. The Old Town, separated from the rest of the city on a peninsula some 4 km (2½ miles) long and just 1,640 feet wide, is bustling and beautiful: the marble pedestrian streets are replete with Roman ruins, medieval churches, palaces, museums, archives, and libraries. Parts of the new town are comparatively dreary, a testament to what a world war followed by decades of communism, not to mention a civil war, can do to the architecture of a city that is 3,000 years old. A settlement had already existed on the site of the present-day city for some 2,000 years when Rome finally conquered Zadar in the 1st century BC; the foundations of the forum can be seen today. Before the Romans came the Liburnians had made it a key center for trade with the Greeks and Romans for 800 years. In the 3rd century BC the Romans began to seriously pester the Liburnians, but required two centuries to bring the area under their control. During the Byzantine era, Zadar became the capital of Dalmatia, and this period saw the construction of its most famous church, the 9th-century St. Donat's Basilica. It remained the region's foremost city through the ensuing centuries. The city then experienced successive onslaughts and occupations—both long and short—by the Osogoths, the Croatian-Hungarian kings, the Venetians, the Turks, the Habsburgs, the French, the Habsburgs again, and finally the Italians before becoming part of Yugoslavia and, in 1991, the independent republic of Croatia. Zadar was for centuries an Italian-speaking city, and Italian is still spoken widely, especially by older people. Indeed, it was ceded to Italy in 1921 under the Treaty of Rapallo (and reverted to its Italian name of Zara). Its occupation by the Germans from 1943 led to intense bombing by the Allies during World War II, which left most of the city in ruins. Zadar became part of Tito's Yugoslavia in 1947, prompting many Italian residents to leave. Zadar's most recent ravages occurred during a three-month siege by Serb forces and months more of bombardment during the Croatian-Serbian war between 1991 and 1995. But you'd be hard-pressed to find outward signs of this today in what is a city to behold. There are helpful interpretive signs in English all around the Old Town, so you certainly won't feel lost when trying to make sense of the wide variety of architectural sites you might otherwise pass by with only a cursory look.
