Things to see and do Vojvodina & High Danube

The marvelous Raichle Palace is a Gaudi-like building, quite astonishing with alcove balconies, wave-like roofs and crazy colors, from azure blue to purple to orange! Built in 1904 in an Art Nouveau style by the Hungarian Ferenc Raichle, who made it his home, this building remains an example of innovation in architecture. Today it houses the contemporary Likovni Susret gallery.

On your way back from Vršac, you cannot miss to stop in this 354 km2 reserve, which is a unique phenomenon in this fertile region: a real desert in the heart of the Balkans! Indeed, this crescent of 30 km in length and 11 km in width is a wide expanse of dunes, covered with a pine forest, where normally should be extended, as far as the eye can see, fields of wheat. It is indeed here that at the beginning of the XXth century, the king of Serbia decided, following the example of Napoleon in the Landes a century before, to plant some coniferous forests, and to bring large quantities of sand: the goal was to offer to the aristocracy of Belgrade the same walks as in Biarritz or in Sologne. The result is beautiful: a desert landscape, with dunes and dry shrubs, alternates with large pine forests. In addition, more than 900 plant species thrive there, with some plants specific to the country called božur, pelen or šerpet. On the marked walks you can also see many birds, but also foxes and deer.

The most interesting place in the reserve is Devojački Bunar. In the village of Vladimirovac on the E70 road, turn right - coming from Belgrade - at the big sign "Plava Dama", then drive 8 km into the reserve. You will pass through very sci-fi landscapes and end up at a relay, with a few rooms and a terrace, the hotel Plava Dama.

Nature reserve and favorite hunting ground of the communist leader Tito. Established in 1885, it is one of the richest hunting grounds in Europe for fallow deer, stags, mouflons and wild rabbits. Moreover, Karadjordjevo is probably the best equipped in Serbia. You can rent guns, hunting dogs and gleaming 4x4s.

For accommodation and hunting permits , please contact the Military Institution in Karadjordjevo, Tel: (021) 765 254.

But before climbing to the fortress itself, we will dwell on her feet in the Štrosmajerova street, which commands the Suburbium, the small town. The oldest area of Novi Sad, still in the state, is a walk in another time. Baroque, its houses are on several floors and decorative facades. The Saint-Julien monastery dates back to 1701, in an authentic baroque style. When the Suburbium tour is made, you will go to the fortress by the staircase and the doorway of Ludwig. It is a long stone staircase of 214 steps that leads to Ludwig's bastion from where the view is superb on the Danube.

Finally, on the old road of Belgrade, some 200 metres further, we still drive by car under the portal of Prince Eugene de Savoie, the portal of Belgrade. Built in 1753, it represents the most monumental work of Suburbium in Classical style.

17 km south of Zrenjanin and a short hour's drive from Belgrade, on the way to the capital, is one of the most beautiful nature reserves in Europe. There is an information center at the entrance to the reserve, which is 3 km long. On 1,600 ha, a set of swamps, ponds and streams, offering splendid landscapes and colors, especially in autumn. It is the largest fish pond in the Balkans and represents a real reservoir for river fish. Some of the species preserved here are the delight of zoologists from all over the world. But Carska Bara is most famous for its protected areas where the birds stop before the winter migrations: it is a beautiful sight, because all the bird species meet here on their way to the north. The reserve has 250 species of birds fluttering freely: the stars here are the cormorants, pelicans and wild geese. The reserve is well laid out for walking, with many small wooden bridges along the way.

Carska Bara offers a wide range of activities: bird watching from wooden boats and watchtowers, photo safaris, boat trips from the landscape park to Stari Begej, and, for the more sporty, tours of the park on horseback or in a carriage.

Sport fishing is allowed, but only in certain areas.