{"id":5604,"date":"2021-05-21T07:15:05","date_gmt":"2021-05-21T07:15:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/croatia2go.com\/index.php\/2021\/05\/21\/head-on-east-to-slavonija-and-baranja\/"},"modified":"2024-10-15T18:33:51","modified_gmt":"2024-10-15T16:33:51","slug":"head-on-east-to-slavonija-and-baranja","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/croatia2go.com\/?p=5604","title":{"rendered":"Head on East to Slavonija and Baranja"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong><em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Head on East or Hedonist ?<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">In Croatia, in Slavonia and Baranja, it means the same!<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_38537\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-38537\" style=\"width: 1024px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-38537\" src=\"https:\/\/croatia2go.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Baranja-gatoriCroatia-photo-by-Nenad-Milic-photo-credit-by-Osijek-and-Baranja-TB-1024x576-1.jpg\" alt=\"Baranja gatori, Croatia, photo by Nenad Mili\u0107, photo credit by Osijek and Baranja TB\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-38537\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Baranja gatori, Croatia, photo by Nenad Mili\u0107, photo credit by Osijek and Baranja TB<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Much less recognized than some other parts of Croatia, Slavonia and Baranja are so overwhelming, generous, and hospitable.\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Let us take you to<a href=\"\/eastern-croatia\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> the East of Croatia,<\/a> utterly different than what you expect.\u00a0<\/span><strong><em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">HeadOnEast (of) Croatia<\/span><\/em><\/strong><em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0<\/span><\/em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">and let yourself be pampered by the best hosts Croatia can offer!<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_38535\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-38535\" style=\"width: 1024px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-38535\" src=\"https:\/\/croatia2go.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/the-confluence-of-the-Drava-and-the-Danube-photo-by-Denis-Despot-photo-credit-by-Tb-Osijek-sand-baranja-county-1024x682-1.jpg\" alt=\"The confluence of the Drava and the Danube, photo by Denis Despot, photo credit by Tb Osijek sand baranja county\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-38535\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The confluence of the Drava and the Danube, photo by Denis Despot, photo credit by Tb Osijek sand Baranja county<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Osijek-Baranja County is in east Croatia around the lower flow of the Drava River before its confluence into the Danube near Aljma\u0161.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0To make it more understandable and straightforward (if geography is not your cup of tea \ud83d\ude42 Croatian Baranja and a part of Slavonia are actually the<a href=\"\/osijek-area\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> Osijek area.<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><iframe src=\"https:\/\/player.vimeo.com\/video\/553001133\" width=\"1024\" height=\"720\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"><a href=\"\/croatia-nature-parks\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The last intact swamps in Europe,<\/a> vast wheat fields, fruitful vineyards, and centuries-old oak forests that&#8217;s Osijek-Baranja County, an abundance of magical natural beauties and scenery cultivated by man.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">It&#8217;s surrounded by two great Pannonian rivers, the fickle\u00a0<\/span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Drava<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0and <a href=\"\/ilok-cellars-the-place-where-wine-is-a-lifestyle\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">the mighty\u00a0<\/a><\/span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Danube<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_38532\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-38532\" style=\"width: 1024px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-38532\" src=\"https:\/\/croatia2go.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Ergela-Dakovo-Croatia-photo-by-Denis-Despot-photo-credit-by-Osijek-and-Baranja-county-1024x683-1.jpg\" alt=\"Stables \u0110akovo, Croatia, photo by Denis Despot, photo credit by Osijek and Baranja county\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-38532\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Stables \u0110akovo, Croatia, photo by Denis Despot, photo credit by Osijek and Baranja county<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h3>Head on East or Hedonist<\/h3>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The valley rises in the south towards the Krndija, the Papuk, and the Dilj hills. It barely noticeable blends with the Erdut and the Bansko Hill, also known as the &#8220;Mountain &#8220;of Baranja ( it&#8217;s only 243 meters high!!!!). It borders on North with Hungary and on East with Serbia.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">In\u00a0<\/span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u0110akovo<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0you&#8217;ll enjoy a herd of Lipizzaner horses galloping and enjoying their unconstrained freedom in the picturesque countryside. The horses are excellent performers during the &#8220;\u0110akova\u010dki vezovi &#8220;parade, a cultural and folklore performance with a long tradition. The horse&#8217;s neighing is united with the joyful singing of\u00a0<\/span><em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">be\u0107arac<\/span><\/em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">, a traditional Slavonian musical ensemble, and with clashes of sabers from a ritual dance of the Gorjani village beauties. They are also known as <a href=\"\/unesco-world-heritage-list\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">&#8220;ljelje &#8220;.<\/a> &#8220;Ljelje&#8221;<\/span><em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0are UNESCO&#8217;s protected as a part of intangible cultural heritage.<\/span><\/em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0An inevitable part of the parade in \u0110akovo is passing next to the Cathedral of Saint Peter, one of Croatia&#8217;s most famous sacral buildings.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_38533\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-38533\" style=\"width: 1024px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-38533\" src=\"https:\/\/croatia2go.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Osijek-Croatia-photo-by-Denis-Despot-photo-credit-by-Osijek-and-Baranja-TB-1024x682-1.jpg\" alt=\"Osijek, Croatia, photo by Denis Despot, photo credit by Osijek and Baranja TB\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-38533\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Osijek, Croatia, photo by Denis Despot, photo credit by Osijek and Baranja TB<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><a href=\"\/set-sail-from-osijek\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Osijek<\/span><\/strong><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0\u00a0is the center of Slavonia and Baranja! Nor too big, nor too small, rich with social and cultural events, airy and surrounded with natural beauties. Since ancient times, the area of the Pannonian Basin was\u00a0<\/span><em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">a hotspot<\/span><\/em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0of civilization.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>The historic Croatian wineries<\/h3>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The majority of<\/span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0<a href=\"\/wine-more-must-do-list-for-a-national-wine-day\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">historic Croatian wineries<\/a> and\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">the largest wine cellar, the largest vineyard, the biggest barrel in use, and top boutique wineries, unforgettable sights and aromas are in Slavonia and Baranja?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">I bet you didn&#8217;t know that!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Wine lovers will find their heaven! Four vineyards dominate the region: Feri\u010danci on the west, the \u0110akovo vineyards are southern, the northern are the vineyards of Baranja, and the eastern, the Erdut vineyards. Baranja and Erdut vineyards are considered the homeland of &#8220;the wines from the Danube &#8220;due to their unique location.<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_23710\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-23710\" style=\"width: 775px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-23710\" src=\"https:\/\/croatia2go.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/fish-stew-paprikas.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"775\" height=\"515\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-23710\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Fish stew paprikas.jpg<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The short journey from farm to fork is one of the primary reasons for the attractive colors, aroma, and flavors of Slavonia and Baranja. The local\u00a0<\/span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">culinary tradition<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0consists of venison, different fish delicacies (fish soup known as &#8220;fi\u0161 stew,&#8221; carp on a stick), different stews such as &#8220;paprika\u0161 &#8220;and &#8220;\u010dobanac, &#8220;also farmer&#8217;s food such as beans in a pot and dishes made from pasta. Preserved meat slices and homemade processed meat such as Kulen (Kulin), Kulenova Seka, sausages, pork rinds, and bacon are incredibly respected.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_31170\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-31170\" style=\"width: 502px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-31170\" src=\"https:\/\/croatia2go.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Delikroat-kulen.jpg\" alt=\"Delikroat, kulen Delikroat, products origin Croatia photo by Delikroat\" width=\"502\" height=\"360\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-31170\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Delikroat, Kulen Delikroat, products origin Croatia photo by Delikroat<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">They say that the energy of green color eliminates the feeling of restraint, creating a soothing effect. Why wait then \u2013 only ten kilometers from Osijek, in the far southeast of Baranja, there is a green oasis &#8211; the\u00a0<\/span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Nature Park Kopa\u010dki rit<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">, the oldest one in Croatia (1976). Swamps, damp lawns, river sleeves, meanders, and sandbars make the magic zone one of the last pristine European wetlands. The area of the Rit is the most extensive nursery and hatchery of fish in the Danube region, as well as an important ornithological reserve.<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_36477\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-36477\" style=\"width: 1024px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-36477\" src=\"https:\/\/croatia2go.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Kopacki-Rit-nature-park-in-Croatia-photo-by-Ivo-Biocina-photo-credit-by-Tourist-Board-of-Croatia-1024x308-1.jpg\" alt=\"Kopa\u010dki Rit, nature park in Croatia, photo by Ivo Biocina, photo credit by Tourist Board of Croatia\" width=\"1024\" height=\"308\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-36477\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Kopa\u010dki Rit, a nature park in Croatia, photo by Ivo Biocina, photo credit by Tourist Board of Croatia<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">About 140 bird species nesting at Kopa\u010dki rit every year, many of them linger here during seasonal intercontinental migrations.\u00a0<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">To explore Kopa\u010dki rit, guests can go canoeing, bird watching, a photo safari, listen to deer below, or rent boats and bikes, maybe even recreational fishing.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">As the center of the region, Osijek is well connected by a highway, railroad, and airport to the rest of Croatia and Europe.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_38531\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-38531\" style=\"width: 1024px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-38531\" src=\"https:\/\/croatia2go.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Erdut-Croatia-photo-credit-by-TB-Osijek-and-Baranja-county-1024x684-1.jpg\" alt=\"Erdut, Croatia, photo credit by TB Osijek and Baranja county\" width=\"1024\" height=\"684\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-38531\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Erdut, Croatia, photo credit by TB Osijek and Baranja county<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h3>A true hedonist<\/h3>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">But, if you are\u00a0<\/span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">a true hedonist-<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">adventurer, come by motorcycle, bicycle, or boat. Enjoy the roads of cyclists and cyclo-tourists towards nature parks, picnic spots, or Saturday lunches in the countryside.\u00a0<\/span><em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">It&#8217;s good to know: The region is bordered by two EuroVelo routes, no. 6 (Atlantic-Black Sea) and no. 13 (Iron Curtain Trail).\u00a0<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_38529\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-38529\" style=\"width: 1024px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-38529\" src=\"https:\/\/croatia2go.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Erdut-3-Efekt-media-utrka-WB-1024x684-1.jpg\" alt=\"Erdut, Croatia, photo by Efekt media, photo credit by Tb Osijek and Baranja\" width=\"1024\" height=\"684\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-38529\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Erdut, Croatia, photo by Efekt media, photo credit by TB Osijek and Baranja<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The most significant value of Slavonia and Baranja are<\/span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0people<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0\u2013 famous for their honest smile and wide open arms for a warm welcome. If you HEAD ON EAST, you&#8217;ll become, as we all do, the loudest PR agent of the Slavonija and Baranja&#8217;s flavors, scents, and colors.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The rhythm delightfully slowed down the astonishing symbiosis of traditional and modern. The big hearts of people in Slavonia and the charm of people in Baranja are <a href=\"\/eastern-croatia\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">the most excellent values of eastern Croatia.<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_38530\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-38530\" style=\"width: 1024px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-38530\" src=\"https:\/\/croatia2go.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Erdut-vineyards-Croatia-photo-credit-by-TB-Osijek-and-Baranja-county-1024x684-1.jpg\" alt=\"Erdut vineyards, Croatia, photo credit by TB Osijek and Baranja county\" width=\"1024\" height=\"684\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-38530\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Erdut vineyards, Croatia, photo credit by TB Osijek and Baranja county<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Head on East or Hedonist ? In Croatia, in Slavonia and Baranja, it means the same! Much less recognized than some other parts of Croatia, Slavonia and Baranja are so overwhelming, generous, and hospitable.\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Let us take you to the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":5615,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[35,542,2169,239],"tags":[1669,1246,189,2326,2327,528,324,2328,1226,1228,193,2329,2330,2331,2332,2333,1248],"class_list":["post-5604","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-croatia2day","category-eastern-croatia","category-osijek","category-slavonia","tag-baranja","tag-danube","tag-eastern-croatia","tag-erdut","tag-head-on-east","tag-headoneast","tag-kopacki-rit","tag-lipica-stables","tag-osijek","tag-slavonia","tag-slavonija","tag-the-cathedral-of-saint-peterlipica","tag-the-local-culinary-tradition","tag-the-slavonija-and-baranjas-flavors","tag-valpovo","tag-vineyards","tag-dakovo"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/croatia2go.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5604","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/croatia2go.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/croatia2go.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/croatia2go.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/croatia2go.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=5604"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/croatia2go.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5604\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/croatia2go.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/5615"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/croatia2go.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=5604"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/croatia2go.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=5604"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/croatia2go.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=5604"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}