Magic of Slavonia and Podravina

If you want to spend a weekend combining heritage, beautiful nature, and eno-gastronomic pleasures, head to Slavonia and Podravina. This destination tells the story of two picturesque parts of Croatia in a special way, which, when paired, provide unforgettable experiences for modern travelers. It is incredible how numerous authentic experiences, wonderful nature, enogastronomic offerings, and kind hosts, intertwined over one weekend, provide a wealth of experiences while also leaving something for you to see and experience next time. That is why, like many destinations around the world, explore the contents before arriving and design your weekend trip by putting what you want to see into your family itinerary.

Do you remember the poems by Petar Preradović that were learned by heart in Croatian language classes? So high quality that they still resonate in our memory today! That's exactly what you'll think when you enter the Birthplace of Petar Preradović, located in the peaceful Podravina village of Grabrovnica, representing one of the most important places of Croatian cultural heritage.

As the name suggests, this is where the famous Croatian poet, translator, and military officer was born in 1818. Although he spent much of his life outside Croatia, he expressed his love for his homeland, language, and people in his poems, and his works belong to the Croatian National Revival and hold great significance in Croatian literature. The birthplace is now decorated as an interpretation center where you can see old objects such as a school desk where you can master the art of writing with pen and ink, documents and photographs related to the poet's life and work, a replica of the military uniform he wore, which you can also wear. Next to the birthplace is a beautiful park dedicated to anthems from around the world. Here you can find interesting things such as the longest anthem in the world, the oldest anthem, and many others. A walk through this park turns into an interesting journey through the music, culture and identity of numerous nations.

Podravina also hides one of the most unusual places in continental Croatia - the Tea House. It may seem strange at first glance that the story of tea developed right here, in a region known for its wines and gastronomy - but you will soon find out why. At this time of year, traveling through Podravina, your gaze will stop at the vast fields of chamomile in full bloom. It is harvested at the end of spring, exported (Podravina is the second-largest region in the world in terms of production), and you can learn about chamomile tea, as well as other plants harvested in this region, at the unique visitor center, the Tea House - Oasis of Peace. It is located in the heart of Podravina, in the town of Špišić Bukovica, not far from Virovitica, and is a unique visitor center dedicated to tea, nature and relaxation.

"The center includes educational trails, tea tasting rooms, a souvenir shop, and a space for relaxing in nature, and what especially delights all visitors is the fact that this place relaxes in the ritual of drinking tea," said guide Veronika Špoljarić, revealing to us the world of medicinal herbs, different types of tea and interesting facts about the nature of Podravina. During the tour of the Tea House - Oasis of Peace, you will learn a lot about tea, see fragrant gardens of plants, but also take a peek into specially created houses that bear the names of plants whose tea you will be able to taste inside. In addition to classic chamomile, mint, nettle, and linden teas, wild rose tea is also attracting increasing attention, and its aroma leaves a special impression. This place is not just a tourist attraction - it is a real little wellness for the soul, a place where time slows down and nature takes over.

As Podravina slowly transitions into Slavonia, the landscapes change, but not the warmth of the hosts. At the entrance to the Slavonian part of this magical destination, you will be greeted by the smiling and always cheerful Andrea, owner of the Vineda cellar. The story of Vineda began in 2005 out of a love for viticulture and the creation of quality wines in Podravina. The Kaša and Kovač families decided to combine tradition, knowledge and experience to create a modern winery that nurtures local grape varieties. In 2008, they planted their first larger vineyards, mostly with the indigenous Graševina variety, which is today the trademark of their production. They pay special attention to the quality of the grapes, hand harvesting and modern wine production. Today, Vineda is an example of a modern family winery that successfully combines tradition and a modern approach to wine production. Andrea Kaša Kovač presents each label with special passion and brings the richness of Slavonian vineyards closer to guests. In the cellar, you can taste top-quality wines crafted with care and great love for the land, paired with authentic snacks that add a special touch to the wine experience. The wine cellar is open during the day, but to experience a guided tasting, you need to reserve your place on the official website https://podrum-vineda.hr/

When you are in Slavonia and Podravina, you will quickly realize that tradition and history live here at every turn. One of the most special experiences is certainly the Noble Route, which leads through the rich noble history of this part of Croatia. The award-winning route of the Virovitica-Podravina County Tourist Board is also an excellent guide for exploring this destination. A special place on this route is occupied by the Janković Castle in Suhopolje, an elegant building that evokes the spirit of bygone times. The renovated castle is now a visitor center with rooms for rent, offering accessible luxury, and its opulent interiors tell the story of the nobility that shaped the development of Slavonia. Within the castle, where you will sleep during the weekend, there is a modern interpretation center that presents the life of noble families, their culture, habits and influence on the development of this region in an interesting and interactive way.

"The Noble Route is a unique tourist product that combines restored castles, manors and natural heritage, ideal for lovers of history, architecture and preserved nature. Visitors have a Noble Route booklet with 8 locations to visit. At each location, you need to collect a stamp as proof that you have completed all the points on this route and send the booklet with all the stamps to the Virovitica-Podravina County Tourist Board office in order to win a prize - an overnight stay for two people in this castle" - said Martina Jakelić, director of the Virovitica-Podravina County Tourist Board, adding that the Noble Route is an increasingly common direction of travel for modern travelers who spend a quality weekend in this county by following the places marked on the route.

Among the most beautiful green oases in continental Croatia, the Drava Story stands out - an educational and visitor center located in the small town of Noskovci, along the Drava River. The area is part of the UNESCO Mura–Drava–Danube Biosphere Reserve. The goal of the Drava Story is to preserve nature, rare plant and animal species, and to introduce visitors to the richness of the landscape along the Drava River. The center features multimedia displays, educational workshops, and interesting content about the Drava River, forests, birds, and animals that live in this area. A special attraction is a walk along the educational trails and meeting the birds that live here. The Drava Story often organizes workshops for children, schools, and tourists to encourage them to protect nature, and is one of the most famous ecological destinations whose content can be enjoyed by the whole family.

Pustara Višnjica is one of the most famous tourist and excursion destinations in this destination and is definitely a place to visit. It is located in a peaceful natural environment not far from Slatina and represents a combination of tradition, rural life and modern tourism. Višnjica has a hotel, a horse stable, a restaurant, sports facilities and well-maintained promenades, and staying among domestic animals attracts families with children and nature lovers. When you are in Pustara Višnjica, you will smell the aroma of homemade soup, Slavonian bread rolls, roasts, and cakes, so be sure to book a table and indulge in an excellent gastronomic experience.

And when you thought that the nature of this destination had relaxed you, get ready for the special experiences of Papuk - without a doubt one of the greatest natural treasures of Slavonia. This Slavonian mountain hides incredible forest landscapes, geological phenomena and numerous viewpoints that leave both young and old visitors breathless. To learn a little about how this mountain was created, start the story of Papuk in Voćin, a place known for the Sanctuary and Basilica of Our Lady of Voćin, where the modern Geo Info Center is located, which, through multimedia exhibitions, models and interactive content, shows the formation of rocks, fossils and natural processes that shaped Papuk, and because of which it became part of the UNESCO Global Geopark community. The center also has an educational role and is intended for students, tourists and all lovers of nature and science. One of the most interesting attractions of this center is the 6D cinema - a multimedia experience that combines 3D images with seat movements and additional effects such as wind, water, scents and vibrations, which creates the impression of complete immersion in the film. The film depicts the formation of the Earth, volcanoes, fossils, and the development of nature over millions of years, which is interesting for entire families.

If there is a place that perfectly rounds off this Slavonian-Podravina story, then it is the Jankovac Forest Park, located in the heart of the Papuk Nature Park. It is located at approximately 475 meters above sea level, in the dense beech forest of Papuk, and consists of a mountain valley with lakes and a waterfall, known for its fresh climate and natural peace. Jankovac hides the highest waterfall in Slavonia, the 35-meter-high Skakavac Waterfall, also one of the most beautiful natural sights in the Slavonian mountains. It forms when the Jankovački stream cascades down a steep rock face into a wooded valley, and is especially impressive after rain or in spring, when the water level is higher, so the waterfall falls harder and noisier. In addition to the beautiful nature, romantic wooden bridges, and glades that look unreal in every season, the history of Count Janković further enriches the story and lends this place a special mystique. After the hike, a real treat awaits you at the mountain lodge where you will eat excellent mountain beans or traditional shepherd's pie.

Slavonia and Podravina today offer much more than a classic continental vacation. Here you will combine culture, nature, top-notch gastronomy, wine stories, and noble heritage in one trip. Here you will experience unforgettable hospitality and take a peek at restaurants that offer traditional flavors, as well as menus at extremely affordable prices. Slavonia and Podravina are an excellent choice for a romantic weekend getaway or a family weekend that you will all enjoy, but also as a one-day trip in which you will focus on just a few details of this region, knowing that you will return to this area at the first opportunity.

Photo: Nikola Zoko