Šibenik - small stories about a great place

Couple of months ago me and my favourite 'crew' headed down  the royal city of Madrid, without much planning or preparations, at the spur of the moment. I was counting on free wifi as promised, planning to surf through some good blogs on our arrival and do the best we can with the 5 days we planned to spend in this truly remarkable city. To our disappointment, we found out there was no more free internet in our cute little apartment situated in the very centre of Madrid. Out of all people, it happened to me who always emphasizes how important it is to ask  around, read blogs and reviews. Completely uninformed, I managed to eat the world's worst paella, have drinks at the most tourist-crowded bars, wonder the streets hoping to find some cute piece of clothing made by some famous Spanish designer, just to end up feeling disappointed, with bags full of  Italian designer clothes  instead. In order to keep you from doing the same mistake  I did, I checked the streets of our little town and found some cool new places definitely worth mentioning.

In the close vicinity of St Ivan Church, right next to the well known concept store Vino&Ino, there's another gorgeous little store, Bibich Vinery (Vinoteka Bibich). I use the word 'store', cause they offer not only the wide range of famous Bibich wines, but also some 'useful' souvenirs which will thrill you with their taste as well as their design. Home-made lavender products by Sapunoteka, a company from Šibenik, cute cheese packages, home-made brandies, prosciutto packed in envelopes with a cool 'Greetings from Dalmatia' note.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Just across Bibich store you'll stumble upon a little art work gallery. Except it is not an ordinary gallery, and those are not ordinary paintings. It is actually a store supported by Udruga Kamenčić, an organization which helps mentally challenged people. For many years it has been organizing art colonies for professional and amateur painters at the island of Zlarin, whose works are given to the organization and sold in order to provide money needed to keep the organization working. It truly is a memorable souvenir with a warm message from Šibenik.   

                                                                                      

 

 

 

 

 

Few steps further, at number 5 Faust Vrančić Street, you'll find recently opened organization Škart, which gathers under its roof creative people of different age and profiles. Mostly they are just ordinary people who were finally given a chance to make progress and show it at that same place. Cool pieces of renovated furniture, precious and semi precious stone jewelry, hip chandeliers, designer clothes, hand-made dolls.

 

                                                                                  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tired from all the shopping? :)
I guess a good restaurant tip would be just what you need right now. Tomaseo Restaurant,  at the very beginning of the seafront, is nothing new, but it has been a good place to eat for a while now, and you simply can't go wrong by choosing it. My friend always points out that that's where he had the best steak ever. As for me, I would recommend  zvancet, and you should also try their orange cake which is like a bite of pure perfection.

                                                                                    
                                                                               

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you're wondering where's the best place to spend your evening, chilling out with a drink, listening to some good live music in a nice and cosy atmosphere right on the seafront, you don't have to go very far - just down the stairs from St James Cathedral is art and entertainment bar Azimut. Recently opened but already with an excellent reputation! The name Azimut suits it well cause it has completely changed the direction of social and cultural scene in our town. You can enjoy cultural programs and concerts on weekends and on weekdays as well. If you come here once, you'll definitely come back for more.

The best way to finish your day would probably be chilling out at Banj beach, where you can also have a swim under the moonlight, enjoying the unforgettable view of the old town and St James Cathedral . :)