8 Night Croatian Treasures Voyage – September 2018

Consisting of more than 100 islands, Venice is Europe’s largest urban car-free area. So the only means for getting around (on dry land, at least) are your own two feet—unless, of course, you travel by water taxi or gondola. And let’s face it: If you don’t go on a gondola ride when you’re in Venice, you’ll never hear the end of it back home!

Fortunately, we’re about to cut back on your walking time considerably: As of 2015, Azamara will be docking at the San Basilio cruise terminal, a mere 25-minute meander away from Venice’s city center. Which means you’ll have even more time for doing things like people watching in the Piazza San Marco, sampling Veneto wines, and shopping for everything from Murano glass to swathes of silk.

The Governor’s Palace offers grand views over the harbor and views of the grand Hapsburg interiors inside. Next climb the 16th century Petar Kruzic Stairway to the top of Trsat hill to visit the Church of Our Lady. All along the Stairway, there are chapels dedicated to saints. Wear comfortable shoes, there are over 500 steps to the top.

Finally, ferry to the islands around the bay, which Conde Nast Traveler calls “little haikus of holiday”: cycle around Kirk, then stop for a bit at Baska beach – beautiful sand, clear water and “ice cream stands galore.”

Take the work of architect Nikola Bašić for example. He’s the mind behind two of Zadar’s most fascinating man-made attractions: the Sea Organ and the Greeting to the Sun. The former harnesses the power of the wind and the sea to make beautiful music, while the later collects the sun’s energy during the day to create a spectacular light show at night.

But if you’re more into finding harmony created by good ol’ Mother Nature, the Croatian countryside is just a short drive away. The nearby Krka National Park and Plitvice National Park contain stunning natural wonders like cascades, waterfalls, canyons, lakes, and rare flora and fauna, not to mention an extremely wide variety of bird and animal species.

Of course, life is really all about balance, so be sure to sample the local libation, Maraschino, while you’re here. Made from marasca cherries, distilleries in Zadar have been producing this traditional liqueur since the 16th century. Cheers, or as they say in Croatia, zivjeli to that!

One place you have to find your way to, though, is the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Diocletian’s Palace, which dates back to the 4th century. It’s just one amazing part within the walls of a historical complex that also houses 12th century churches, medieval fortifications, and 15th century Gothic palaces. So let intuition be your guide as you spend the day meandering through the cobblestone streets, while discovering the many restaurants, cafés, and shops that are tucked away in every nook and cranny.

Wander down to the water’s edge and stroll along the Riva, the spectacular white marble-esque promenade. Dalmatians (the people, not the 101 variety) are extremely fashionable people and this is the place to see and be seen, so get ready to strut your stuff.

And if you do lose your bearings amidst such an array of distractions, one of the friendly locals will be more than happy to point you in the right direction.

Even the walls themselves are spectacular and a “must walk” along the top. Not only will you get wow-worthy photos, but you can also scout the pedestrian-only Old Town for the stalls you’ll want to visit on your next adventure: shopping.

Look for shoes, leather, and traditional Konavle embroidery—and with a goldsmith trade that goes back to the 13th century, the quality and price of gold, coral, and filigree silver jewelry here is outstanding. After a little retail therapy, go to the Franciscan Monastery Museum, home to one of Europe’s oldest pharmacies where many of the lotions and potions are still made from ancient recipes. Take the cable car up to the top of Mount Srd, then relax at the end of the day with a glass of rakija.

(By the way, if you’re a Game of Thrones fan, you may be experiencing a little déjà vu, since Dubrovnik stands in for King’s Landing, capital of the Seven Kingdoms in the popular TV series.)

And speaking of cobblestone streets, the maze-like arrangement can confuse even the locals, so don’t be too concerned if you take a wrong turn or two. Luckily, landmarks like the 12th century St. Tryphon Cathedral, and the Church of Our Lady of Health stand tall in the sky and can help guide you. When in doubt, just stick to the left (or right); the triangular layout will eventually lead you back to the main entrance, marked by the 16th century Sea Gate.

If you’re up for a challenge, climb the 1,350 steps to the top of the upper town walls. Standing nearly three miles above the city, you’ll be rewarded with spectacular views of the entire city and bay, as well as the medieval St. John’s fortress.

So the first thing you’ll probably want to do upon arrival here is check out all things Marco-related: Visit the Marco Polo Museum and climb the steps of the Marco Polo Tower, believed to be the house where you-know-who was born in 1254. Next up, Croatian snack time!

In Korcula that would mean a glass of locally made white wine or a glass of grk—fun to say, even better to drink. Produced only in the hills near Lumbarda, this rare wine is the perfect match for the local artisan cheeses found in market stalls. And if you must, you could “settle” for the more common pošip varietal.

Then it’s time to do a little exploring of your own of Korcula Town. Surrounded by walls, towers and gates, the medieval town is very pedestrian friendly, and spans out like a fishbone, with marble streets that branch off. And just like the great adventurers of the past, you can regale your friends and family with tales of exotic lands once you return from your journey at sea.

This is particularly evident in the old part of Sibenik, with its many churches, palaces, Dalmatian houses, as well in the city’s stone walls and four fortresses: St. John, St. Michael, St. Nicholas and Šubićaevac. A must see is the Cathedral Sveti Jakov, and if you love the great outdoors, then visit Krka National Park or Kornati National Park.

One of the best ways to see Sibenik is to lose yourself (but not really!) in the side streets and alleys that lead to charming shops and squares. Since the countryside around Sibenik is a major wine-producing region, be sure to take a break at one of the city’s many restaurants and enjoy a local red babićpaired with some fresh Adriatic seafood.

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