This morning, we visited the old city of Zadar, a real jewel of Croatia. The historic town, surrounded by surviving parts of the old Medieval walls, richly adorned gates, and protecting towers, is a mosaic of ages and styles: ruins of Roman times, churches and buildings of Venetian mixed architecture, including Romanesque and Renaissance features, Socialist edifices and modern houses, all framed by the most beautiful sea. In the distance, the Velebit Planina or Velebit Mountains, made of limestone and dolomite, provide the backdrop.
As we explored the cobbled streets, buildings, and monuments in guided groups or by ourselves, we also enjoyed cappuccinos, gelato, and Zadarski Maraschino, a traditional distilled spirit. Our final destination was the local museum of religious art, where we admired dozens of silver and gold crosses, liturgical objects, and Byzantine-traditional paintings of the Virgin Mary and child.
Once back onboard Sea Cloud II, the ship navigated through the Sedmovrace Channel, giving our guests and staff the opportunity to photograph the karst mountains and some of the numerous Croatian islands.
