Our second port of call was Zadar, Croatia. WoW what a place. Unfortunately we only had one day here.
The Tour
Azamara usually has a couple of interesting tours on offer in each port and the one that took my eye was the Royal Vineyards & Nin Salt Plains tour. Though our itinerary was different to the one described below. We started in Zadar, then the Solana Nin, Nin and then the Royal Vineyards before heading back to the ship.
Royal Vineyards & Nin Salt Plains
Journey to the picturesque hills above Petrcane and Punta Skala, where you find vineyards in a special micro-climate near the sea. Arrive to Royal Vineyards, where you are treated to a tasting of three delectable wines produced from the top-quality grapes that thrive in this region. Indulge in some canapes, including tuna pate, filet anchovies, and award-winning Pag cheese to accompany your wines. Your next stop is the town of Nin, located on a small island in the middle of a shallow lagoon with its old center connected to the mainland by two stone bridges. Arrive to the Nin Salt Works, where the salt is produced by the sun, sea, and wind. Learn about the ecological, therapeutic, and bio-dynamic salts and see the fascinating production. Afterwards, continue to the town of Zadar, for an informative walk through the town that has been settled since the Neolithic period. You are then free to explore the town on your own before returning to the port.
Zadar
Zadar is a city of about 75,000 people and is oldest continually inhabited city in Croatia. It is a bit of quirky place with a few very interesting installations, not sure what else to call them.
The old city is listed as an UNESCO World Heritage Site due to the Venetian Defense Works that were built on the same spot as the original city.
Evrima
After a short bus ride from the wharf we were dropped off near another wharf on the edge of the old city where the Evrima was docked. Nice looking ship.
Looks expensive (and it is!)
The Greeting to the Sun
The first point of interest we came across was “The Greeting to the Sun“. A solar powered installation that, unfortunately for us as we will not be in town, lights up at night.
Zadar Sea Organ
This was next to the Greeting to the Sun and is pretty cool, well it is if you don’t live near by, the Zadar Sea Organ. A wave powered organ and therefore “on” 24 x 7 so if you live near by the sound of the organ is always there.
The Sea Organ and the The Greeting to the Sun installation were by designed by the Croatian Architect Nikola Bašić.
Zadar Old City
After a brief walk along the waterfront, our guide took us on a tour of the old city. A nice town to wander around.
After the guided tour we had some time to check out the place on our own.
Whilst wandering the streets of Zadar, I saw this guy.. He was very camera shy, unfortunately I was not able to catch him with his anti-camera device… A black umbrella, but I was able to sneak a couple of shots of him
After our free time in Zadar, it was time to head to Solana Nin, though our departure was delayed due to one of the passengers not listening to where to find the bus. I expect he got a bit of grief from his wife when we returned to the ship, he did not re-join the tour.
Solana Nin
Salt has been harvested, not sure that is the right term but better than mined, in Nin since 1500AD.
At the Nin Saltworks the salt is not produced by the machines. It is not produced by the man either. The salt is produced by the sun, sea and wind. The salt from Nin is ecological, therapeutic and biodynamic because in its production, besides people, participates diverse wildlife, plenty of beaches and healing mud. From https://www.solananin.hr/en/home/
Salt Harvesting
The Grounds
Solana Nin Museum
When you have as much history as this place you need a museum to tell your story. Whilst it is a smallish facility, it does include a lay out of the salt plains that makes it easy to understand how they harvest the salt using just the sun, sea and wind. Well worth the time to checkout.
The gift shop is a trap, so many different types of salt to choose from. Glad I had space in my bags..
Oz’s Useless Trivia
The word salary is derived from the Roman for Salt, Sala. People were paid in either Salt or gold as they were the same value in Roman times.
Nin
After an interesting visit to Solana Nin it was time to visit the Nin township.
Nin was built on an island that is only 500m in diameter and is connected by two bridges to the mainland. People have apparently been living in the area for over 10,000 years, the township was first settled around 3,000 years ago.
Next trip to the area I would like to grab a meal or two in Nin, looks like a great place for meal..
Royal Vineyards
After Nin it was time to get back on the bus and head to the Royal Vineyards for some well deserved wine tasting and a few light bites.
Kraljevski Vinogradi (Royal Vineyards) is one of the largest vineyards in Croatia with 300,000 vines.
The winery was founded after the Croatian King Petar Krešimir IV donated to the Benedictine Monastery of St. Mary in Zadar a large tract of land on the slopes above Petrčane near Zadar.
Kraljevski Vinogradi Winery (Royal Vineyards) has continued the tradition of grape cultivation for arounds 870 years.
The majority of the grapes cultivated are local grapes, Pošip, Plavac, and Crljenak (Zinfandel), which we got to taste.
Along with the wine we tasted some local bread and dips. The bread was very good, so were the tuna pate, tomatoes and olive oil. The other dips were tasty as well.
The Wine
2022 Kraljevski Vinogradi Rose Scuro Plavac Mali, Plavina and Cabernet Sauvignon
| Appearance: | Light bright apricot |
| Nose: | An interesting combo of strawberry, cherry and herb aromas |
| Palate: | Refreshing, light |
| Finish: | Medium length with a trailing residual sweetness |
| Oz’s Rating: | 2.5 to 3 out of 5 Good for a warm summers day |
2023 Kraljevski Vinogradi Pošip
Pošip is a native Dalmatian white wine varietal that apparently dates back to Roman times.
| Appearance: | Bright pale lemon |
| Nose: | A nice mix of citrus, passion fruit and stone fruit aromas |
| Palate: | Medium bodied, balanced and refreshing |
| Finish: | Medium length with a slight spritz and a hint of sweetness |
| Oz’s Rating: | 3.5 out 5 Enjoyed this |
2017 Kraljevski Vinogradi Plavac Mali
Plavac Mali is the result of crossing the Crljenak and Dobričić varietals. This is the native grape that Croatia hopes will be what raises Croatia’s profile in the wine world.
| Appearance: | Youthful garent |
| Nose: | A pleasant combo of white pepper, cherry, plum and a hint of forest floor aromas |
| Palate: | Medium to full bodied with firm tannins. Needs decanting for a good while |
| Finish: | Medium to long, a bit of heat |
| Oz’s Ratings: | 3 out 5 Definitely needs a decant |
Kraljevski Vinogradi Winery (Royal Vineyards)
This was a nice place to visit, the wines were not bad and it has a great view. I would return here again and see what else they have to offer.
Zadar
The day in Zadar was a very enjoyable one, and it is definitely a place I would like to return to and spend more than a day exploring it and its surrounds. I would also recommend the tour we took or to visit the locations we went to on your home.
Zadar Sunset
I posted earlier what was the best sunset of the cruise and possibly the best I have been lucky enough to witness. I agree with Alfred Hitchcock.
” Zadar has the most beautiful sunset in the world, more beautiful than the one in Key West in Florida, applauded at every evening. ” Those were Alfred Hitchcock’s words during his stay in May 1964.
Itinerary
Our next port of call will be Šibenik, Croatia
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4 thoughts on “2024 Day 3 – Zadar Croatia”
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Zadar looks like a lovely place, all the more interesting because they had a vineyard!!!!
More than one I expect… Definitely a place to return to.
I love your useless trivia. Had no idea the word salary derives from salt. I will win the next trivia bar challenge, for sure! Haven’t had a Plavac Mali in AGES. Agree, it’s probably Croatia’s best shot at a break-out wine. And thanks for the map – I can’t think without one! Cheers!!
Thanks, the things you pick up on a cruise…
Grabbed a couple of bottles of the Plavac, will see how the stand up without the cheer of a cruise.
Glad you like the map.