Sibenik
Today we had a driver take us up the coast to Sibenik, about 1 hour drive from Trogir. It's a beautiful coastline, inlets and islands. A perfect area for sailboats,and we see many. Sibenik has a very well protected harbour with a small entrance. It's been an important port since the middle ages. Like most of Croatia it's been under many rulers, and still shows a lot of influence from Venice. It's a beautiful city, and the old town is much larger than Dubrovnik, and also much less crowded. Tourists are just beginning to discover Sibenik. We had a wonderful guide, Ante, who gave us a run-down of the history and told us about the many wonderful buildings including the magnificent cathedral built of interlocking limestone. The baptistery is a beautiful round room with lots of carving, and stonework allowing the morning sun to shine in. The town has many old palaces once owned by noble familys. They look very ordinary from the outside, the only way to tell it was owned by nobles is the crest over the door. This town is very friendly to animals, there are special places near the old wells for cats and dogs to drink!
In the afternoon we are taken to Roca, a restaurant on a farm north of Sibenik. Our driver has a little trouble finding it, as it's a small place and he hasn't been there before.
It's a beautiful location with vineyards, olive trees and fruit trees all around. They have a large outdoor seating area, and a huge indoor oven room where they cook the meat. We have a set pre-ordered meal which is really fantastic. First a welcome drink of grappa or sweet sherry. The a soup with cornmeal dumplings. Then sardine, tomato, arugula salad, pickled cabbage and lettuce salad, swiss chard, frittata, a plate heaped with ham, prosciutto, several types of sausage, pate and cheese, and wonderful bread. We ate and ate, but couldn't finish everything. Lots of family groups there, and people celebrating birthdays etc. They also have a shop selling their products.
An hour and 15 minute drive back, arriving about 5pm. We all need a little nap, and I don't need any dinner.
About 8pm the others need a small dinner, I just have a glass of wine and taste some of the other's meals. Then we go for a walk through town and have a fig-cheese gelato. Must be tried to be believed! We'll try and have a little earlier night tonight.
In the afternoon we are taken to Roca, a restaurant on a farm north of Sibenik. Our driver has a little trouble finding it, as it's a small place and he hasn't been there before.
It's a beautiful location with vineyards, olive trees and fruit trees all around. They have a large outdoor seating area, and a huge indoor oven room where they cook the meat. We have a set pre-ordered meal which is really fantastic. First a welcome drink of grappa or sweet sherry. The a soup with cornmeal dumplings. Then sardine, tomato, arugula salad, pickled cabbage and lettuce salad, swiss chard, frittata, a plate heaped with ham, prosciutto, several types of sausage, pate and cheese, and wonderful bread. We ate and ate, but couldn't finish everything. Lots of family groups there, and people celebrating birthdays etc. They also have a shop selling their products.
An hour and 15 minute drive back, arriving about 5pm. We all need a little nap, and I don't need any dinner.
About 8pm the others need a small dinner, I just have a glass of wine and taste some of the other's meals. Then we go for a walk through town and have a fig-cheese gelato. Must be tried to be believed! We'll try and have a little earlier night tonight.
