Photo 1:Sunset in Diklo-Zara (photo by @mariacristinafossa my travel partner by bicycle)
First day of our trip. From Vicenza to Zadar 580 km, obviously by car. The project is to explore some Dalmatian islands by bicycle. We will reach Zadar and within a radius we will explore various islands that can be reached by the ferries that circulate this season. Then we will go to Sibenik and explore some other southern islands, and then on the way back to Lošinj. We will then touch these islands: Lunga, Ugliano, Pasmano, Pag, Puntadura, Zuri, we will pass through the islands of Rab, Krk and Cres, and last we will explore Lošinj. A little less than 500 km but, continuous ups and downs, even if I was careful not to put climbs that exceed 100 meters in altitude, also because I am afraid of losing my girlfriend !! We will have fun as always Mariacristina !!!
The hotel “Delfin”, written with an f and not a ph, is A beautiful three-star hotel by the sea with a spectacular view of the Zadar gulf and the islands in the background that we will visit in the next few days. We unloaded the bikes from the car and went for a ride in the old town of Zadar about 7 km away. Venetian-style city with Roman remains and I must say that I was impressed and thrilled. The most particular thing is undoubtedly the organ of the sea. The waves that break on the steps of the port enter under the steps themselves and through the movement of the sea and the air, organ pipes emit sweet sounds. At one point we saw a lot of people going to the organ; the ferry was passing. Clearly the organ makes much louder sounds when the waves are more powerful and the ferry was ideal for doing this. We include some photos and also a small video where you can hear the organ. Enjoy yourselves!
Photo 2: Croatian motorways run inland, beyond the mountain ridge that sometimes drops sheer to the sea for almost the entire northern Dalmatian coast, even reaching heights of about 1300 meters
Photo 3: The highway leaves the interior and descends towards the sea near Zadar. The spectacle is incredible, mountains and sea mix so much that the sea appears to be a series of large mountain lakes.
Photo 4: The small port of Diklo in front of our hotel
Photo 5: Our marine style hotel, we felt like we were inside a cabin of a yacht
Photo 6: The Delphin hotel’s quaint outdoor dining room. Note the attention to detail, such as the small paintings made by the owner that recall marine themes or the city of Zadar.
Photo 7: First bike ride in Zadar. We skirt the sea until we reach the bridge that connects the peninsula where the ancient city stands.
Photo 8: Like other Dalmatian cities the influences of the various dominations are very evident. From the Roman domination, which can be found in some archaeological remains, to the Venetian one still very present as an architectural style in the houses of the center, to the Austrian one found in the buildings of the end of the 19th century. Loggia della Gran Guardia, work of San Micheli, built in 1562, the clock tower was built above.
Photo 9: Palace in Piazza dei Signori. As in practically all Venetian cities, the main meeting point was the Piazza dei Signori and there is no shortage of Zadar too.
Photo 10: The church of Santa Maria. It was founded in 1066 and rebuilt in the Venetian Renaissance style in the 15th century.
Photo 11: Land gate of the Venetian defenses of the city. All ancient Venetian walls with Dalmatian defense buildings are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Photo 12: The square of the sea organ
Photo 13: Mariacristina, silent listening, on the steps that make up the sea organ. The sea with its wave motion makes the pipes of an organ placed at water level vibrate, emitting a sweet and continuous sound.
Photo 14: Statue of Spiridione Brusina zoologist and malacologist born in Zadar. He doesn’t seem very happy, too bad, we are very happy!
Photo 15: Sunset in Diklo looking towards the islands of Ugliano, Rivani and Sestrugno
!!!
Bellissimo 
Ciao buona giornata
