July 17, 2025 - Split, Croatia

We booked an Vacationstogo’s excursion to visit Trogir and Klis Fortress.  When we met our guide, she informed us that we were the only two on this tour, so it turned out to be a private tour for us.   

She took us to Trogir first.  Trogir is a town on the central Adriatic coast of Croatia. It's a preserved old town, known for its mix of Renaissance, baroque and Romanesque buildings, lies on a small island connected to the mainland and the island of Čiovo by bridges. The 13th-century Cathedral of St. Lawrence houses the Renaissance Chapel of St. John and offers sweeping views from its bell tower. Parts of the medieval city walls remain intact.  Since 1997, the historic centre of Trogir has been included in the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites for its Venetian architecture. Nestled on a small island, Trogir’s charm lies in its narrow medieval streets and beautiful architecture.

In Front of the Bridge Connecting to the Island of Ciovo

She showed us a lot of different parts of this small and beautiful old town. She also explained to us that the way they re-cycled their historic finding of stones and placed them as part of a new building structure to show the old and new building materials in a very interesting way.

The Narrow Alley in Trogir

With Our Private Tour Guide

The Courtyard of the Tragir City Hall

We visited Trogir briefingly in our 2013 Croatia land tour.  We can still remember the Obama Bana Berislavica (a waterfront promenade that runs along the Riva in Trogir).

The Riva in Trogir

Then, she took us to Klis Fortress which is an ancient fortress with a long history, being the site of multiple battles with the Knights Templar, Ottomans, and the Mongols.  Now the ruins of the fortress sit high on the hillside overlooking Split. It was built on an imposing cliff at the mountain pass between the Kozjak and Mosor Mountains, Klis had a uniquely strategic position. With its strategic position between the mountains and the coast, Klis was known as the Key to Dalmatia. Klis was built into bare rock on an imposing peak. The only entrance was to the west, and the path was deliberately built to keep invading armies looking at their feet.

In Front of the Klis Fortress

The view of Split from the Top of Klis Fortress 

With Klis Fortress in the Background

Due to traffic on our way to Klis Fortress, the tour took longer than our original schedule.  Therefore, when we got back to Split, we felt that we would not have time to visit Marjan Hill as we originally planned.  We just went back to Pursuit and rest a little bit before dinner.  

Azamara had a surprise for all their guests tonight with an AzAmazing Evening Event in the Croatian National Theater in Split.  They took all of us to a dynamic, visually stunning, and musical rich performance that bring the most captivating elements of Croatian culture to life.They did not mention it on their itinerary and only informed us the night before.  It was so sweet of them to offer this surprise.

In Front of Croatian National Theater

In Front of Croatian National Theater

Watching the Show in Croatian National Theater

The video of the Croatian National Theater dance performance.

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July 18, 2025 - Sibenik, Croatia

We had an Azamara excursion to visit the Krka National Park.  Krka National Park is situated along the Krka River in southern Croatia. It's known for a series of 7 waterfalls. In the south, Skradinski Buk waterfall is flanked by traditional watermills. The park offers a diverse landscape with lush vegetation, crystal-clear waters, and unique flora and fauna. There are numerous trails and boardwalks within the park, allowing visitors to explore different areas and viewpoints. The tour guide took us to walk on well built boardwalks and ending near Skradinski Buk waterfall.  Then we had some free time to take many photos with the waterfall.

Krka National Park

Boardwalk in Krka National Park

Skradinski Buk Waterfall in Krka NP

Skradinski Buk Waterfall in Krka NP

Skradinski Buk Waterfall in Krka NP

After we finished our lunch at Windows cafe, Mimi and us walked along the waterfront promenade to visit Sibenik.

The waterfront promenade of Sibenik

The waterfront promenade of Sibenik

Sibenik is a charming coastal city in Croatia with a rich history, stunning architecture, and beautiful natural surroundings. Its unique blend of historical sites, like the St. James Cathedral (a UNESCO World Heritage site). We were wandering and shopping a little bit in the old town.

Main Entrance to Sibenik Old Town

St Barbara Church

By St. James Cathedral

After wandering in the old town and did some shopping, Fei and Tony went up to Fortress of St Michael. Fortress of St Michael was built to control and defend the Šibenik lagoon and the mouth of the River Krka. The strength of the ramparts made the fortress the dominant protector of the area. Today St. Michael’s Fortress is important cultural and historical monument. The fortress is mostly recognizable by its outdoor stage which became one of the most prestigious regional stages in a short period of time.

View of Sibenik from Fortress of St Michael

View of Sibenik from Fortress of St Michael

View of Fortress of St John from Fortress of St Michael

Outdoor Theater at Fortress of St Michael

Form there, you had a beautiful view of the Sibenik lagoon and the mouth of the River Krka. We can also view Fortress of St John from distance.  After many Kodak moments, we came down to find Mimi and walked back to Pursuit.

Sibenik Lagoon

View of Sibenik lagoon from the top of Fortress of St Michael.

After dinner, we went to see Grace O’Donnel-Clancy in: the Voices I Love show.  Grace is our Cruise Director who MC all other evening shows.  She is a very pleasant, beautiful and entertaining staff at all time.  It was an exciting and upbeat evening show.

July 19, 2025 - Zadar, Croatia

We planned and did our own touring in Zadar.  There was a shuttle bus took us all the way to the famous Greeting to the Sun and Sea Organ attractions.  There were a lot of tourists there, however, we managed to take nice photos and enjoying ourselves.  Greeting to the Sun is a giant solar panel design to absorb the sun’s energy by day and then release it in a vidid graphical display as it starts to get dark.  We were not there when it gets dark, but it was still beautiful and impressive during the day.  Sea Oegan is a unique blend of architecture and music.  The sounds that the Sea Organ produces are a result of the release of sea energy, or rather waves and tides. It stretches out over about seventy meters of the Zadar waterfront, below which, at the level of the lowest low tide, 35 pipes of various lengths, diameters and slopes have been installed to create the music of the sea.

Greeting to the Sun

Sea Organ

Greeting to the Sun

Music from the Sea Organ.

Then we walked to Forum which was built by the first Roman Emperor, Gaius Julius Caesar Octavian, as witnessed by the stone inscriptions dating back to the 3rd century, when the construction was finished.

In Roman Forum with St Donates Church in the Background

Pillar of Shame

Roman Forum

Roman Forum

St Anastasia Cathedral

Then we strolled along the old town to The Five Wells Square in front of the Queen Jelena Madije Park.  It was on a hill, so we could look back on the medieval part of the town and down to the sea.

Main Street of Zadar

The Five Wells Square

Fosa in Zadar

Then we went to walk on top of the Zadar City Walls. Since 2017, by the decision of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, the famous Zadar city walls that the people of Zadar call Muraj, have been included in the World Heritage Site list. The walls were renewed and revitalized in 2020 with the support of the EU funds. The walls were built in the 12^th and 13^th centuries, and reinforced in the 16^th century for the purpose of the Venetian defense against Turkish conquerors.

On Zadar City Walls

On Zadar City Walls

Tonight was Azamara’s famous White Night Party. It was held on the pool deck. The White Night Party onboard Azamara is inspired by the glamour and elegance of the French Riviera, with passengers encouraged to dress in all-white attire.There were a lot of good food, nice music and a lot of dancing.  It was a pleasant evening party.  

With Cruise Director Grace during the White Night

The White Night

The White Night

Food in the White Night

The dancing during in the White Night.

July 20, 2025 - Pula, Croatia

Pula is the largest city in Stria County, Croatia, and the seventh largest in the country, The City is renowned for its numerous ancient Roman structures, with the Pula Arena being the most notables one of the best-preserved Roman amphitheaters.  Erected between 27BC and 68AD, it stands as a testament to the Roman Empire’s grandeur during the reign of Emperor Vespaison, the same emperor who commissioned Rome’s Colosseum.  The arena could hold over 20,000 spectators.

We had tender services to pier right next to the Pula Arena (Pula Amphitheater).  We walked around the arena and took many photos.

Pula Amphitheater

Pula Amphitheater

Pula Amphitheater

Pula Amphitheater

Pula Amphitheater

Pula Amphitheater

Then, we moved toward the old town trying to see Arch of the Sergii (Trg Portarata).  At this point Mimi and Olive want to take easy via shopping.  Fei and Tony then walked to Pula Fortress Kastel. It is a landmark that highlights the city’s rich history and its historical strategic significance.  Often referred to simply as “Kastel”, this fortress provides not only a glimpse into the past but also stunning panoramic views of the city and the sparkling Adriatic Sea.  After we entered the Kastel, there are tunnels leading to different parts of the Pula.  One of the entry takes one to wall and the observation deck, which provides a stunning view of Pula and its surrounding regions.  We were throughly impressive by it.

Tunnel in the Pula Fortress Kastel

Tunnel in the Pula Fortress Kastel

Cannons at Pula Fortress Kastel

View of Pula from the Top of Pula Fortress Kastel

Observation Deck of the Pula Fortress Kastel

Then, we went to Arch of the Sergi.  We still remember it when we visit Pula in 2013.  We tried to do some shopping in the old town, however, we did not find anything worth to buy.  The main street of the old town led us to the Temple of Augustus.

Arch of the Sergi

The Temple of Augustus

After touring the old town, we went back to Pula Arena to visit the inside.  It was much more impressive than looking from outside.  We had many Kodak moments.

Inside of the Pula Amphitheater

Inside of the Pula Amphitheater

Inside of the Pula Amphitheater

Inside of the Pula Amphitheater

Inside of the Pula Amphitheater

Then we took the tender back to Pursuit.  After dinner, we went to see the Club Crooner evening show.