Zadar, Croatia

I worked my way up the coast of Croatia in August. Yes, it was hotter than Hades, but it was totally gorgeous. Dubrovnik seems to be a new hot spot with travelers- although when cruise ships roll in to town, it can become unbearable. While Dubrovnik is well worth a visit, throngs of daytrippers can ruin the experience. Zadar, further up the coast, is not as well known. Its old city isn't nearly as remarkable as Dubrovnik's, but it has something unique that is definitely worth seeing: the Sea Organ and Sun Salutation installations. The Sea Organ is an installation along the sea wall steps that has openings of varying lengths. As waves hit the sea wall, they push air through these openings (with whistles on them) and, just as an organ works, music is created. Bigger waves produce louder music. The result is haunting notes that never stop, and match the rhythm of the ocean. 

These openings function the same as pipes do on a pipe organ. Wind is forced through when waves hit and music is created. Installed in 2005, artistic architect Nikola Bašić knew what he was doing.

Impressive flips off the wall into the Adriatic at sunset. 

People congregate on the steps at sunset because it's not only in the prime location to watch said sunset, but it's next to the other installation, Sun Salutation. Sun Salutation is a set of solar panels that absorb the sun's energy during the day and then use that energy throughout the night to create a flashing light display on the ground. It's big- over 70 feet in diameter. After sunset, people walk over to it to check it out. The darker it is, the better the show.

One small solar panel that is part of a path of other panels that lead you to the Sun Salutation.

If you're near Zadar, you should definitely plan on catching the sunset on the Sea Organ steps.