Active Leisure in the European Amazon: Exploring by Water, Forest and Cobblestone Streets

Abstract:

"Discover, Experience, and Taste a Part of the Nature and Culture of the ‘Bačko Podunavlje’ UNESCO Biosphere Reserve – 'Village on 7 Danubes' – Bački Monoštor, Bezdan, Sombor, and Apatin" Explore the rich natural beauty and cultural heritage of the Bačko Podunavlje Biosphere Reserve, a region where the Danube River plays a central role in shaping both the environment and the local way of life. Visit the picturesque villages of Bački Monoštor, Bezdan, Sombor, and Apatin, each offering unique experiences that combine history, tradition, and the stunning natural landscape.

Activities:

Meeting craftsmen and traditional trades
Cycling around the surroundings
Nature walks
Discovering the life, traditions, and gastronomy of the Šokci, Roma, Bunjevci, and Germans
Exploring Sombor and nearby farms (salaši)
Strolling through Apatin and visiting a Swabian ethno-house
Discovering Bezdan and its waters

Tour description:

During these 6 days of vacation, you will discover the "Village on 7 Danubes" and get to know the Šokci, Hungarians, Roma, Bunjevci, Serbs, Germans, and others, each with their own unique dialects, traditions, and cultures, all of which make Monoštor a "little Europe." We will also take you to the "Venice of Vojvodina," and you will have the opportunity to walk through the most secluded corners of the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Bačko Podunavlje.

During this active vacation, you will walk, cycle, ride in boats, and even take a horse-drawn carriage ride, all at a leisurely pace.

Your hosts and guides during the stay will be enthusiastic members of the local association, who passionately introduce visitors to their village and make every effort to ensure that Monoštor will capture your heart. Bački Monoštor will become a true "Mecca" for nature lovers and those seeking a quality active vacation. Through their efforts, they aim to develop the local community, advocating for sustainable development based on the protection of nature and cultural heritage.

Day 1 - Bački Monoštor

Your stay in the "Village on 7 Danubes" will begin with a warm welcome from your hosts, who will introduce you to what awaits you during your stay. If you’ve had a long journey, you will appreciate a dinner featuring local specialties, such as fish, game meat, and fresh vegetables from the garden, served in one of the local restaurants or ethno-houses.

Accommodation is arranged in private homes, with hospitable hosts who will present their homemade culinary delights every day.

Day 2 - Bački Monoštor

Awake to the sounds of birds and frogs, and enjoy a hearty homemade breakfast at your accommodation. Afterward, we begin a leisurely walk through the village. First, we’ll visit a wonderful beekeeping family who have been in the business for generations, nurturing quality and infusing creativity with new ideas. You'll learn how to identify genuine, natural honey, how it’s produced, and the essential role of bees. You’ll also discover the melodious dialect of the local language, spoken in the unique "ikavica" accent.

After stocking up on some delicious honey (you can purchase their products), we’ll continue our stroll through Monoštor, stopping at the Church of St. Peter and St. Paul. Our priest will share insights about the church and the local parish. This church is of significant cultural importance, with parts designated as cultural monuments, and its history is closely linked to the village’s development. After the visit, you might want to return on a Sunday to experience a traditional mass, where locals still wear the Shokac folk costume.

For lunch, we recommend the ethno-house "Mali Bodrog." The kind hostess will serve you a dish of Monoštor specialties, such as fish stew with homemade noodles. You will also get a taste of how the village looked over a century ago, as the house is preserved to reflect the past. The fragrance of "clean rooms" and traditional artwork will transport you to another time. On the menu are other local delights: smoked fish appetizers (such as the homemade sardine), wild boar sausage (kulen), "yellow soup," meatballs, salads, or even a fish roast or wild game stew, all culminating in a traditional dessert such as the "gibanica" (strudel with poppy seeds or walnuts).

After lunch, a walk is in order, and we suggest a visit to the eco-recreational center, formerly known as "Tito’s Grove," which today hosts educational events, workshops for children, and offers a playground for the little ones. If you’re lucky, you may even catch a cricket match or practice session at the Monoštor Cricket Club (yes, you read that correctly!).

Afterward, you can enjoy an ice cream in the village center, and for dinner, we recommend the "Patak Restaurant," which was once visited by Tito himself.

Overnight in Bački Monoštor.

Day 3 - Bački Monoštor

After breakfast with your hosts, take your bicycles and comfortable shoes for a stroll. We’re off to explore the inseparable link between nature and local life. You’ll meet craftsmen who make wooden boats and even horseshoers who still craft horseshoes today. You’ll also have a chance to try your hand at one of the traditional crafts.

The UNESCO Bačko Podunavlje Biosphere Reserve, which spans five municipalities and two major protected areas, including the largest one, the "Upper Podunavlje Special Nature Reserve," is a unique blend of nature and cultural heritage. It opens its doors to you, guiding you through forest paths to its most secluded corners.

We will take a wooden boat along an old Danube oxbow, enjoy lunch at the "Švaba" tavern on the bank of the second Danube oxbow, and stroll through pristine nature. If we’re lucky, we might even spot the king of the forest, the red deer. After lunch, you can sit by the water and unwind, savoring the peace and sounds of nature.

On the way back from the forest and a short rest, we’ll have dinner at "Romska duša" – a Romani ethno-house, where you can enjoy a traditional "gypsy bread" and live tambura music.

Overnight in Bački Monoštor.

Day 4 - Bezdan

Now that you’re familiar with the Monoštor routine, after a local rakija and breakfast, we embark on a new adventure.

Cycling, we head to Bezdan, the village often called the "Venice of Vojvodina."

At the "Karapandža" Visitor Center, our guides will introduce you to another part of the Reserve, along the Bajski Canal, a peaceful haven filled with bird songs. You’ll have the option to walk or cycle through the area and explore the different ecosystems and residents of our forests.

After walking and engaging in nature activities, you’ll visit the legendary Ivan Kovač Kicet’s ecological classroom, the main character in "Wild Kitchen," where you can taste famous local specialties on the bank of this peaceful oasis.

History lovers will appreciate a visit to the Batina Battle Museum, which commemorates significant events from World War II, and learn the intriguing story of the "Eiffel Tower Translator" during a stroll through the area. The tour will end at another charming location, the "Pikec" tavern, the first tavern at the entrance of the Danube into Serbia, which is perfect for nature lovers and gourmets alike, making it an ideal dinner stop.

Return to Monoštor for the night.

Day 5 - Sombor

After breakfast in Monoštor, we head to Sombor. We recommend cycling again, though public transportation is also an option to emphasize environmental protection and minimize your ecological footprint.

Sombor, known as a noble town with a rich cultural heritage and often called "the greenest city," will captivate you with its charm. You’ll visit the largest historical building in the city, the County House, which houses the largest oil painting in Europe – "The Battle of Senta." Stroll down the main street, visit the famous Milan Konjović Gallery and Višinka Studio, explore the alleyways once walked by poet Laza Kostić as he thought of his beloved Lenka, and check the time on the old sundial.

Next, we’ll introduce you to the Bunjevci people. We’ll visit the famous Dida Hornjakov farm, where the hostess will show you the traditional Bunjevci room and serve a hearty farm lunch with turkey soup, three types of sauces, and both boiled and roasted meats.

Animal lovers, especially horse enthusiasts, will enjoy visiting Suzana Sekulić’s equestrian school, where they can groom and ride the noble horses.

Another attractive farm, "Naš Salaš," with its romantic interiors and relaxing outdoors, will welcome you for dinner.

Return to Bački Monoštor for the night.

Day 6 - Apatin

After breakfast, and perhaps a bit of a slower start, we’re off to Apatin.

You’ll enjoy a leisurely walk through the town, famous for its Jelen beer, and visit the historic "Swabian House," where you’ll learn about the way of life of the Danube Swabians who once lived here. You’ll also see how vinegar was made and enjoy Apatin’s local specialties during lunch in this lively house.

A stroll along the Danube, past the first monastery at the entrance of the Danube into Serbia, and through the Apatin marina, will bring our program to a close (unless you choose to extend your stay in the European Amazon).

Afterwards, it’s time for heartfelt hugs, kisses, and farewells, but don’t forget where we are – and we hope you’ll visit us again soon!

real_price_text200 RSD

Promo price conditions

The promotional price is valid for reservations made at least 14 days before the trip.