At the spot where the mighty Danube leaves Hungary and enters Croatia and Serbia, while at the same time it connects and separates these countries, lies one of the last great flood areas in the European continent. Vast spaces of fens and forests, intersected with tributaries and canals, streaked with river islands, meanders, ponds, swamps and damp meadows, all create a unique mosaic of water, swamp and land eco-systems. This green oasis is home to many rare and endangered species of international importance that can be observed by sailing the canals in the Nature Park Kopacki Rit from the Croatian side, and Special Nature Reserve Gornje Podunavlje from the Serbian side. This entire area was named the European Amazon due to its richness in natural beauties. In its later flow through Serbia, Danube meanders and leaves behind all flows and tributaries, some of which were turned into nature reserves and adapted to tourist visits. This arrangement includes the most interesting parts of the Danube’s flow that lean upon Fruska Gora National Park.
Day 1: Group welcome in Osijek, sightseeing of the city center and Osijek Fortress – Tvrdja. Departure to Kopacki Rit Nature Park, where you can observe, on average, 35 to 63 kinds of birds. Lunch and a tour of Tikves Castle complex where Josip Broz Tito hosted great statesmen of the world and took them hunting. Accommodation in Didin Konak estate in Kopacevo, dinner and overnight stay.
Day 2: After breakfast the group departs on a tour of Eco Center Zlatna Greda, where you can test your agility in one of the largest adrenalin parks in Croatia surrounded by intact nature. The park boasts an artificial rock for free climbing, a zip line and adrenalin park with obstacles set to 3 and 9 meters height. Furthermore, it is possible to organise hiking tours, mountain bike tours and canoeing in the Eco Center. Lunch and return to Didin Konak. Free time; possible wine tasting in Zmajevac or Suza; dinner and overnight stay.
Day 3: After breakfast the group crosses the Danube and enters Serbia, followed by a visit to the Special Nature Reserve Gornje Podunavlje. During the warmer part of the year the reserve is toured by boat, where you can observe as much as 51 different types of mammals, dozens of birds, fish, amphibians, and reptiles. With a bit of luck, it is possible to see the protected white-tail eagle, black stork, otter, and the largest population of deer in Serbia. Upon the completion of the visit, we move on to Backi Monostor, a village located on an island surrounded by the Danube and canals on all sides, which is why it is also called “the village upon 7 Danubes”. This village is a sanctuary of all handicrafts, customs and ethno-legacy of Vojvodina. Lunch in ethno house, free time for village sightseeing, dinner and overnight stay.
Day 4: Breakfast. Visit to the households in Backi Monostor that have been nurturing the tradition of handicrafts for generations. You will have the opportunity to see the process of making fishing nets and wooden boats by hand, and to discover the secrets of blacksmithing and wood carving. Departure to Sremski Karlovci, accommodation and a visit to the Ecological center Radulovacki. Lunch with wine tasting of the best local wines. Free time, dinner and overnight stay.
Day 5: Breakfast. Tour of Sremski Karlovci – fountain of the Four lions, famous Gymnasium of Karlovci, Magistrate, Patriarchate Court and Seminary. Boarding onto catamaran and riding down the Danube to Koviljsko-Petrovaradinski rit Special Nature Reserve that consists of ponds, river islands, canals, distributaries and swamps. This is followed by photo-safari and lunch. Ride to Strazilovo excursion site located in Fruska Gora National Park. Hiking tour of medium difficulty to the mountaineering hut, followed by lunch and short rest. After completion of the hiking tour, return to Ilok, free time, dinner and overnight stay.
Day 6: After breakfast the group visits Principovac Manor, surrounded by vineyards. Ilok Wine Cellars tour including one of the oldest cellars in the central Danube region. Odescalchi Castle and Ilok Museum are close-by. After lunch, short trip to Vukovar and visit to the Vucedol Culture Museum. Ride to Osijek. End of programme.