ZADAR Located between Rijeka and Split, and not far from Šibenik, Zadar is the second-largest city in Dalmatia. This former capital of Dalmatia, is the administrative, economic, cultural and political centre of Zadar county today, and is accessible by air from various European countries. Its beauty, diverse tourism opportunities, rich cultural and historical heritage, and recent original architectural innovations attract an ever-increasing number of tourists. You can start getting to know the place by walking along the Kalelarga (also known as the ‘Wide Street’), a main and a well-known Zadar street which some say is older than the city itself. The street runs east-west, from the People's Square to the Forum, where you will find the church of St Donatus, the veritable trademark building of this city. This church, built in the 9th century, was named after the bishop who instigated its construction from the 15th century onwards. An international festival of medieval and Renaissance music has long been held in St Donatus. The bell-tower which dominates Zadar belongs to the Cathedral of St. Anastasia. Zadar locals believe that the sunsets from the Zadar waterfront are the most beautiful in the world, and that famous lover of Maraschino, Alfred Hitchcock, also remarked on them in a similar way. A tribute to those Zadar sunsets was made by the urban installation ‘Greeting to the Sun’, a light-play that begins with the sunset. This project, a model example for the use of renewable energy sources for the lighting of the waterfront, is the work of the architect Nikola Bašić, who is also the creator of the ‘Sea Organ’. The latter is constructed inside 70 metres of stone steps on Zadar’s coast, and with the help of the waves, is transformed into a real musical instrument. One of the symbols of Zadar is that of the barkajoli (boatmen), normal citizens who, in the Middle Ages, were given permission to transport people or cargo in their boats and were entitled to remuneration for doing so. Their tradition began in the 14th century, and since then it has passed from generation to generation, and it lives on today.
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PAG TOWN Where Zadar is associated with the Sun, the island of Pag is associated with the Moon. The bare karst and white stone surface has led to this island has being called the ‘lunar island’. But this is just the most obvious visible characteristic of the island’s surface, upon which there are many things to discover. So amongst the heritage of Pag town you will find the church of the Assumption. It is located on the main square and is the most valuable monument of sacral architecture in Pag, built by Šibenik and Zadar masters in the 15th century. The Rector's Palace from the 15th century also sits on the main square. The former Kamerlengo Fortress Tower houses the town’s administrative offices, and the hugely important Benedictine Monastery of Pag plays an important role in the preservation of the tradition of lace-making. Also very distinctive of Pag are the various historical salt warehouse buildings. The Pag sundial is the most accurate device of its kind: It shows Central European Time calculated in line with the 15th meridian, which intersects the island of Pag. A type of mud that is used for successful treatment of rheumatic and various dermatological diseases can be found in the southwestern part of Pag town, in the area known as Lokunj. Hosts might recommend to active holiday enthusiasts, especially climbers, the route to Sveti Vid (Saint Vitus peak) which is the highest peak on the island at 348 metres. Pag's bay is suitable for many water sports, especially for surfers who will be pleased with the wind there. Pag’s underwater world is well worth exploring too, as are the bike paths and trails. STARIGRAD PAKLENICA The Paklenica Riviera contains the town of Starigrad Paklenica at its centre, with Seline, Tribanj and Paklenica National Park also included. The Riviera is a part of the Velebit Nature Park, which, due to its particular relief, vegetation and landscapes, UNESCO included in the World Network of Biosphere Reserves. After just a few minutes’ walk from the coast you will find yourself inside the canyons of Velika (‘Great’) Paklenica and Mala (‘Small’) Paklenica, in one of the most beautiful parts of the Velebit massif. The Velebit mountain is the largest of Croatia’s mountains, and it is a famous European rock-climbing destination, as well as a