In the easternmost tip of Croatia, far from mass tourism and the modern world, lies the region of Slavonia. It's probably an unknown region to many, which is understandable, as you won't find large cities here. Slavonia is a region you go to enjoy the peace, nature, and local culture. The landscape here is flat and wet due to the many rivers such as the Danube, Sava, and Drava that flow through the region. The area on the northern side of the Drava River, within Croatia, called Baranja, is also conveniently included in Slavonia.
The rivers here make the soil incredibly fertile and ideal for wine production. Slavonia is therefore one of Croatia's most famous wine regions, and a visit to one of the many wineries is a must. Slavonia also has a lot to offer culinary-wise, as the famous Kulen wines originate here. To experience authentic Slavonian cuisine, you can sample many other local dishes in addition to Kulen wines at one of the small, authentic restaurants found throughout the region. There's plenty to do in Slavonia!

This route through Slavonia begins in the city of Osijek on the Drava River. Osijek is a cozy, lively city with a rich history and impressive architecture. From Osijek, you can drive straight into the rolling Slavonian countryside. Besides rivers and forests, you'll also encounter charming villages and interesting sights.
Osijek has a beautiful old town, an impressive fortress (Tvrđa), a magnificent cathedral, a striking pedestrian bridge, and interesting museums. Start with a visit to the fortress and/or the cathedral. Parking nearby with your motorcycle or car is difficult.
During the 1991 war, Osijek once again experienced the disadvantages of its strategic location. Thanks to Vukovar's resistance, the city avoided occupation by the federal army, but for more than a year, Osijek was heavily bombarded from the left bank of the Drava River, where the Serbs had positioned themselves after capturing Baranja.

Valpovo is one of the oldest Slavonian towns and one of the few with preserved material heritage from the medieval period. In the 18th and 19th centuries, the Baroque-Classical castle of the von Prandau family was built here, following the example of the medieval fortress. An interesting architectural blend of styles and eras from the early 19th century is also enhanced by a large English-style park. Here you can stop for a coffee and perhaps combine it with a visit to the castle, as the town has many coffee shops.

Belišće isn't just about factory chimneys and steam engines. The trigger selfie in front of the prestigious palace of the same name will prove that the Gutmanns did a good job here. The workers lived a much more modest life, which you can best experience when you visit the street with its seven preserved workers' houses from the late 19th century.

After Belišće, you cross the Drava River and enter the Baranja region, which extends largely into Hungary. The Croatian part of Baranja is an agricultural landscape, wine and hunting region, and the eastern part along the Danube is primarily a very marshy area. Here, on the Danube, in the border region between Croatia and Serbia, several mini-states were formed for ideological reasons after the Balkan War (1990). Several still exist today, such as Liberland and Verdis. They are thwarted by Croatia and therefore have limited access. Kopački Rit Nature Park is also located here.

Tikveš Castle is a complex surrounded by a forest park with several buildings: a new castle with an annex, an old castle, a chapel, and other facilities including a restaurant. Throughout history, the castles served as hunting grounds for guests of the court and princes, and they became famous throughout Europe and the world. Today, Tikveš Castle has been reconstructed, furnished, and converted into an information center aimed at educating visitors about nature parks.

Kopački Rit Nature Park is one of the most beautiful places in all of Slavonia. This wetland area comprises a cluster of lakes and marshes where the Danube and Drava rivers meet. It covers almost 180 km² and boasts a rich flora and fauna, including tens of thousands of birds representing several hundred different species. It is one of the largest wetlands in all of Europe and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. There is a walking trail through the park with wooden walkways and bridges, and you can also take a guided boat trip. Visitors can go birdwatching, take a canoe tour, or rent bicycles. There are also educational programs and an interactive exhibition.

Via Bilje, where the elite built a hunting lodge at the beginning of the 18th century, you leave Baranje again via the large bridge over the Drava River and follow the river east. The fortified village of Erdurt lies in a meander.

Grapevines, a castle on a hill with the mighty Danube in the background. And all of that in a single view. What more could you need? This is Erdut, one of the oldest wine regions in Slavonia. Here you can walk to the medieval towers, remnants of the old city destroyed by the Danube in ancient times. The landscape of the Danube meander in the Erdut municipality is a protected landscape. Here you can visit the Erdut Vineyards winery, which houses one of the largest wine barrels in Europe, with a capacity of 75,000 liters, made of Slavonian oak. The vine has been cultivated and worshipped here since the time of the Roman Empire. The Erdut Agreement was signed in Adamovich-Cseh Castle on November 12, 1995, which led to the end of the war in eastern Croatia.

The next village is Aljmaš, which means "apple" in Hungarian. In the center of the village is the Marian Shrine of Our Lady of Refuge, and not far from the village lies the mouth of the Drava River into the Danube. The path takes you along a panoramic road and up the crest of a small hill through orchards and vineyards.

The Baroque town of Vukovar is also worth a visit. It lies at the confluence of the Danube and Vuka rivers. This is also the heart of Croatian independence, having played a significant role in the war of the 1990s. Fortunately, the town has since regained its old charm. You'll find many interesting sights there. As you leave the town towards Ilok, you'll find the famous water tower on the left. Before the war, a revolving restaurant was located at the top of this water tower. Now it's a symbol of the city's resistance. During the siege, the Croatian flag was raised here every day. Every day, the besiegers shelled the tower. Now, the flag can fly freely, but it's a miracle that this structure is still standing. The Vukovar Memorial Center, a cemetery and memorial, is located 1 km south towards Llok, on the right side of the road, and contains the remains of over a thousand victims of the siege and occupation of the city. Some graves are unmarked.

Don't miss the Vučedol Cultural Museum. This museum is built on an archaeological site where the Vučedol people lived 3,000 years before Christ. They were among the first peoples in Europe to make a living from agriculture. In the museum, you'll find not only artifacts but also skeletons, in their original locations.

The end point of your route is Ilok, a fortified town on a bend in the Danube River, with a castle and museum housed in a magnificent building. It is located on the border with Serbia. In the Middle Ages, Ilok was a castrum, a town with high walls, towers, and fortifications. In the 15th century, a church and monastery were built in the fortress, dedicated to St. Ivan Kapistran. In the 16th century, Ilok became an important administrative and military center for the Turks, who added Turkish baths and mosques to the fortress. It is the longest military fortification system preserved in continental Croatia, measuring almost 1.5 kilometers. The church and monastery were recently renovated. A section of the walls between these two buildings has been preserved and can still be seen today. The old wine cellars near the castle are famous throughout Croatia; Ilok wines are produced there, especially the dry white Traminec. After this trip, it must taste good!