BARANJA WITH BIKES
12.08.2008 Baranja, Darinka Širola
Although some may be looking for adventure and challenges driving Baranje does not seem attractive because of its idealized calmness, almost any time of year you will find the step where you expect surprises. Baranya is really suitable for driving for all types of cyclotourists - from those seeking cultural, historical or natural challenges to those seeking hedonističkog enjoyment. A few examples, instructions, experience, and decide themselves - it is not far, just 300 km from Zagreb, and opens the possibility for good, a good weekend on the bike and plan the return after seven days.

Osijek
Back four years, from when I was often in the area, tourist dock with my offer, but not just travel. Osijek significantly better because it looks a lot done on the infrastructure, that I am at places like Old Tvrđe or Copike almost jealous because they do not have to leave Zagreb for a coffee bike. With Zoo is located in beautiful and OC hotel with good daily menu and at the price and in quality, but do not accept animals. So, not a hotel for pets cocoa I am, and I hear many when they hear the name of the hotel, thought.

Not to mention the Bike Park, as my daughter was almost in love with this city because of Bike Park, but the team that it collects and that on their bikes (from a BMX to MTB's), skateovima and rolls creates undergraund scene in a European city.

See, for that day shall run away in Osijek, on the whole week because it maintains the traditional Pannonian Challenge. I sounds almost unbelievable, when he says that rather goes in Osijek, but the sea. The only thing not just something compelling prices of hotels in Osijek, but was similar in Slavonski Brod or Gradiška (skupooo). But why, near Osijek has a lot of private accommodation with very good prices.

 

Bilje
Bilje is a small bike village located only five kilometers from Osijek. Related to the Osijekom Mary bicycle paths, which is also part of the Danube, as well as the route of peace. Missing track lighting for night driving, but if you have good lighting on the bike is not a bed. Per day, you'll see a lake and Biljske prelude to Kopacki Rit. Specifically, the marginal Bilje place Kopacki Rita and almost to the door of civilization empire swamps.

The Bilje have a ten-Bike & Bed accommodation, and in five of them involved in agri-tourist cooperatives Plants Plus they offer a great bike for Rent at an attractive price. Also, if you need a guide, luggage transfer, or organize groups to get top service. No wonder that every time when I was there zatičem mostly foreigners who have recognized what we so often do not see even when we are under the nose.

 


Robin (agrotourism crvendać)
How is this more personal, my text, but the stories, I can not look, and not to name my first accommodations in Baranja and first encounter with the robin. After that difficult to imagine anywhere else to sleep when I'm there. January 2004. years now it looks like it was hundred years ago. I reserved a room by phone. I arrived by bicycle and train about eight evenings in Osijek. Sat on the bike (then there were no paths) and on the road came to plants. I met Mary. How am I already had plans to go further to the Udvar and Belo, there's my bike in a living room with a stove that morning, we would not be cold. To me to overthrow the feet.

How is this more personal, my text, but the stories, I can not look, and not to name my first accommodations in Baranja and first encounter with the robin. After that difficult to imagine anywhere else to sleep when I'm there. January 2004. years now it looks like it was hundred years ago. I reserved a room by phone. I arrived by bicycle and train about eight evenings in Osijek. Sat on the bike (then there were no paths) and on the road came to plants. I met Mary. How am I already had plans to go further to the Udvar and Belo, there's my bike in a living room with a stove that morning, we would not be cold. To me to overthrow the feet.


Wine cellars & Josić
Somehow, when I come in Baranja, if I had visited the track as a wine that I missed dessert after lunch. Specifically cellars "buried" in the sandy river dunes are a special experience. And almost all of "mountains" they freaked. Route that leads from Kneževih Vinograda to beatings constantly lures you to turn left (in fact, producers are on the left side). Although almost all the top offer of wine, and somehow my personal favorite Josić. Young, modest vintner whose excellent results, and almost incredible ideas become reality all opipljivija and more apparent each time you get back. From a few hundred bottles at the beginning, is now counted in tens of thousands of top quality wines that come out of his basement on the market. Soon, in the idyllic surroundings of the vineyard at the foot of Zmajevca open the restaurant, by then, and I am pleased with Tuninom kitchen with open fire. Last year, for Vincekovo cooker is čobanac, and for me is povadio all the carrots that I have a thick pojela (I will never forget it). This year we have prepared the best meal of vegetation would you expect to get him in a German restaurant vegetation, but it never nebih expect in the heart of Baranja. Behold, the surprise was complete. This year we have some driving as well as musical experience for Vincešku able to record, so look rather.

People
When I talk about driving through some of our regions, no matter what he said, a beautiful country - which in almost every fifty kilometers offers different traditions, gastronomy, reliefs, it is always the back and that leaves the deepest traces of encounters with people. Some do not meet any more, and some become every new encounter more and more friends, and that regardless of what worked and what they share is a love of roots and the work you do.

So when someone says I see Osijek Geba and Mary. Geba - Slaven Getoš is one of the founders of Bike Park as well as the man who has ridden all disciplines and all types of bikes, how I know. Spirited, young, successful businessman today with an excellent trade bikes in Osijek, Extreme sports. Mary Freelence were presented as the king of swamps; introducing ga I realized why, although we at first it was not clear. The most beautiful pictures of Kopacki Rita are his work. Days and nights spent in the swamp waiting for the moment, flying over it, and felt at any time that works. Gotten into the hands of last year izašlu Osijek monograph entitled "A love story" I thought that the "splash" a wave of love from each photo. Almost palpable feeling. It is therefore not surprising that his office, though not sitting in it is often located along the coast of Drava - every movement is a march followed the river until he stops the most beautiful moments and places where people are converted.

Mary and Ankica from robin I have already mentioned, but they are like signposts Baranja - with so much love for all that work and the talk. I Josić I mentioned, but I can not, not to say that I admire his perseverance and knowledge. I almost sounds crazy to me when some places sure to ask for wine? I say: "Do you have Josić?" And if they do not have, my answer is: "I'm sorry, I drink only Josić!" I know that sounds somewhat arrogantly, but I think that everybody should know for Josić wine. There are still people, of course that I mentioned, but leaves you space to continue the story...

 

See you in Baranja