Besides meetings and workshops, the Amazon of Europe Bike Trail project partnership also attended two Study Visits around Osijek: 

1.) Cycling trip to Nature park Kopački rit (11,4 km away from Osijek): 

"The Kopački rit Nature Park covers the wetland area around the confluence of Drava and Danube rivers, near Osijek, covering a total of 238 hectares, and which, due to its inaccessibility, has remained in the intact state since the olden times. Kopački rit is one of the largest natural wetlands in Europe and as such has been recommended for inclusion in the UNESCO List of Natural Heritage. Large herds of deer are practically a trade mark of Kopački rit, despite the fact that herds of wild boar are just as large. There are other mammals in the park but far more numerous are birds, a total of 300 different species. The most important among them are the very rare and protected species: white tailed eagle and black stork. The park can be easily reached by car from nearby Osijek, the largest town in Slavonia, and visitors can abandon themselves to the primeval ambiances of the wetlands, forests and diluvial fields. The best way, however, to tour the park is on excursion boats which are able to reach even the shallow, swampy backwaters. The beauties of the park can also be enjoyed by the tourists sailing the Danube, the river which marks the eastern border of this truly magnificent nature park." (Source: Croatia Full of Life) 

All photos by ©Zarja Šinkovec

Group photo: 

We explored the beautiful natural park Kopački rit by boat, observed the many species of birds and beautiful nature. 

2.) Visit to House in nature Zlatna Greda eco center (22,6 km from Osijek): 

On the last day, we visited the Zlatna Greda eco center, that is located outside of Osijek and close to Kopački rit natural park. The eco center offers accommodation, educational programmes and many outdoor activities, such as cycling, canoeing, adrenaline park, zipline, etc. More info: https://zlatna-greda.org/

The bravest girls: 

Adrenaline park:

Zlatna greda:

Once again, it was great to see the area for ourselves, to imagine where our visitors are going to cycle and what they might experience along the Amazon of Europe Bike Trail. 

Our next SCOM meeting is planned for September, in the meantime, there are still a lot of tasks to finalize. We wish you an adventure filled summer. Go cycle!