IBC – Silver Generation testing – Pilot South

We are pleased to announce that testing of the package designed for the silver generation has been completed!

At the end of September, four enthusiastic participants tested the IBC project's multi-day cycling tourism package tailored to the silver generation, covering three countries. In five days, they covered 258 km from Súza to Mohács via Apatin and Sombor, crossing new borders every day and enjoying exciting landscapes, cultural attractions, and local delicacies. The aim of the trip was to test the services included in the package designed for the silver generation, the quality and length of the route, the infrastructure, and the sights and programs.

The most important stops on the tour included the Eco Centre Zlatna Greda, not far from Osijek, the Upper Danube floodplain in Serbia, the mini private zoo in Küllőd, the Busóudvar in Mohács, and the famous lookout tower on Batina Hill. The multi-day, cross-border cycling tourism package was tested by the partners of the South Pilot Area – the Municipality of Apatin, City of Sombor, Green Osijek and CROST Nonprofit Ltd.

After the partners handed over the electric bikes and equipment, the participants set off from Suza towards Osijek on the first day of the tour, stopping for a short break and walk at the Kopački rit Visitor Centre. The meadow borders the Danube-Drava National Park in Hungary and the Upper Danube Nature Reserve in Serbia. Its rich flora and fauna make it extremely valuable, and it is one of the few large river floodplains in Europe that has remained in its original, natural state.

On the second day, our Croatian partner, Green Osijek, welcomed the cyclists at the Eco Centre Zlatna Greda for an exciting and beautiful tour and bird watching. Zlatna Greda is a place where beautiful nature, gastronomy, and a thirst for adventure come together. It is a carefully designed concept that provides practical experience of the coexistence of man and nature, as well as a place for learning and entertainment. After the program, they continued on to Bezdan, where they spent a pleasant dinner and night at the Sebesfok Csárda.

3d day: Our partners in Apatin organised a tea party in the nature and a boat trip for the participants, with a beautiful view of the city. From the water, you can see the magnificent Orthodox church, built in the spirit of old Serbian traditions and in the famous Serbian-Byzantine style. The church was built from Apatin silicate bricks and painted with beautiful murals by masters of fresco painting.

4th day: Our cyclists started the fourth day at the local market, then our partner in Sombor showed them the famous, beautiful paintings on display in the Town Hall, including Franz Eisenhut's painting "The Battle of Zenta." "The Battle of Zenta" is a magnificent, realistic painting created by Franz Eisenhut in 1896 to mark the thousandth anniversary of the Hungarian settlement in the region. The huge 7x4-meter oil painting is the largest painting of its kind in the country. Afterwards, they visited the small private zoo in Kolut, then crossed the Danube and continued on to Mohács, where they ended the evening with a pleasant city tour and dinner.

5th day: The last day began with learning about local traditions at the Busóudvar in Mohács. Afterwards, the cyclists visited the monument on Batinai Hill, locally known as the Julka statue, and then, to conclude the test, they took part in a culinary wine tasting and lunch at the Josić winery in Suza.

We thank the cyclists for participating in testing our package and sharing their experiences with us so that we can put together the best possible tourism experience package for the silver generation.