My trip to Zadar, Croatia

Sometimes sightseeing vacations can get a little overwhelming no matter your age, your kids ages, or worldly experience. Visiting a big city, especially one with a lot of historical significance, creates a desire to see everything while you’re there and leaves little downtime to actually enjoy where you’re staying. (I lived in Boston for six years and STILL didn’t get to everything I wanted to do!)

Having travelled to many large cities and spent more miles walked and hours in museums than I can count, I resolved to visit a far-flung destination that had sights to see but relaxing scenery, a small distance to cover, and of course, good food.

Off to Croatia in search of a beach

While visiting my sister who lives in Ireland this May, we decided to visit Zadar, Croatia for a few days during my stay for some warmer weather. Trying desperately to find a “beach,” we only came across swimming coves and areas with more rocks than sand. Luckily, the town of Zadar offered many old churches, city gates, and ruins from the time when the Romans ruled in early the 1^st century BC and when the Venetians ruled starting in the 12^th century.

What to do in Zadar

With no cars and marble streets, we easily walked the small town and saw every corner and aspect of its history in three days, with time to sit at cafes and explore nearby islands.

We visited the Church of St. Donat, a circular monument build over the ruins of the Roman forum, where you can see the columns in the foundation of the church. We also walked the city walls, saw the Town Gate built under Venetian rule, and the artistic Sea Organ which is played by the sea as it washes against the pipes build along the promenade.

My sister and I visited the Sun Salutation, a collection of solar glass-panels in the promenade that collects the sun’s energy during the day and produces a fantastic light show at night.

Saving money along the way

Since churches or any of these outdoor sights don’t cost any money, we saved a ton just by printing out a guidebook and coming to terms with the fact that we were just there to see what Croatia and Zadar were like.

Also, as a low-cost adventure, we took a ferry to nearby islands Sali and Ugljan to catch some breathtaking and costal views. Renting bikes was a great way to get outdoors, cover more ground, and exercise while on vacation. Bikes are usually cheap to rent and the shop owners provide you with helmets. Biking also gives kids a familiar activity but in a great setting.

So no matter where you live, city or country, exploring a smaller town or city gives kids and parents alike the opportunity to comfortably sightsee on foot and feel relaxed while still learning about the area’s culture and history.

Allison Parker is an Account Manager at Mom Central’s New York office.

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Disclosure: Allison paid for all parts of her trip herself.

Stacy DeBroff

Stacy DeBroff, founder and CEO of Mom Central.com and social and digital consultancy, Influence Central, is a social media strategist, attorney, and best-selling parenting author. A sought-after expert for national media, she trend-spots regularly with national brands and speaks frequently to national and international audiences on a wide range of subjects, including influencer marketing, social media, entrepreneurship, and consumer trends. A passionate cook, gardener, reader, and tennis player, she adores this new chapter of post-college-age parenting.