The Explorer Tour is successfully completed and our pioneers are full of impressions they gained while exploring the Amazon of Europe Bike Trail.
On the first day of the Explorer Tour 2021 the group had breakfast at the Wirtshaus Restaurant Pension Steirerland in Mureck. Then our pioneers made their way to the Mur-Drau confluence at Legrad. At Križnica, the river was adventurously crossed by ferry. The subsequent lunch then gave enough strength for the next 60 km of the exploration, where we also got to know more about the nature conservation program Cycling for Nature. In the evening the cyclists finally arrived to the wonderful area of Dvorac Jankovic in Suhopolje.
On the second day of the Explorer Tour there was a full program. Right in the morning the group went to the Dravska Priča (Drava Story) Visitor Center in Noskovci. Then they went on to the second stop: Zlatna Greda in Kopački rit Nature Park. They enjoyed a guided canoe tour. Finally they cycled from Zlatna Greda to Osijek. After the stopover at Tikve’š Castle, a former hunting lodge of Tito, they finally arrived to Osijek in the evening hours. A walk to the city beach on the Drava rounded off the day perfectly.
On the third day after breakfast in Sombor the group went via transfer to the Hungarian side to Cologne. They got back on the bikes and cycle along the Danube Drava National Park (Béda-Karapancsa). In between they took a break and a short canoe tour and a guided hike through the National Park. After a tasty lunch including wine tasting in the historic town of Mohacz, they continued via transfer to the stage station, then the well-known spa and thermal resort Harkany in Hungary. Here they were allowed to put our legs up and relax after the eventful day.
On the fourth day of the Explorer tour the group took a short trip to Nikola Tesla square before cycling towards Sombor. It was a relaxing morning drive over Kupusina and wonderful coffee break in Pçela Çarda. They got lunch in the impressive surroundings of Dida Hornjakov Salaš. Soon after they arrived in Sombor. Here tex paid a visit to the impressive town hall and the museum of the Donau-Swabia and left full of impressions – looking forward to what the next day may bring!
On the fifth day after breakfast in Sombor, the group went via transfer to the Hungarian side to Cologne. Here they got back on the bikes and cycled along the Danube Drava National Park (Béda-Karapancsa). In between they took a break and a short canoe tour and a guided hike through the National Park. After a tasty lunch including wine tasting in the historic town of Mohacz, they continued via transfer to our stage station for today, the well-known spa and thermal resort Harkany in Hungary.
The sixth day of the Explorer tour was all about culture. After breakfast at the accommodation in Harkany the group visited the castle of Siklós. Afterwards they cycled to the wine city Villány and enjoyed the delicious food from local farmers as well as the visit of the sculpture park Nagyharsány. Finally the group arrived in Villány and ended the day at the starting point Harkany. An impressive day with a total of 40 kilometers.
On the seventh day the group was taken to the Balaton National Parks visitor center. Afterwards, they started to explore an especially beautiful section along the Drava on the Amazon of Europe bike trail – the wonderful river landscape. Of course, the gastronomic enjoyment could not be missed. At the end of the 65 km on the bike, Barcs in Hungary was the final destination where the group said goodbye.
In the end of such an impressive week, the participants left with many impressions, many wonderful encounters, discoveries and new acquaintances. But above all, the unique opportunity to dive into a scenic and culturally extremely diverse habitat and to experience this diversity by bike. The Explorer Tour team would like to thank all partners and of course also participants for the joint journey of discovery.
Photos: Györgi Emőke, Hans Terler