52 Weekends - April
Fruška Gora – towards Erdevik
The road to Erdevik is one that is less traveled, but also one that is truly a joy to traverse. First, you should pass along the Srem side of the Danube: Beočin, Čerević, Banoštor, Koruška. On the way, you can stop to see the sights, buy some wine, take good photos, or just take a break. The second part of the road will take you to the center of Fruška gora, via Sviloš to the intersection on the main road of Fruška gora, from where you should turn towards Šid and reach Rohalj Bases. Stop here and remember that Fruška Gora was the center of resistance against fascism, with abundant evidence of the brave resistance of the Srem youth. The many lives that were then laid down for freedom are woven into our present.
The road will take you further to the Kuveždin Monastery where you can also book a time for a tour. After Divoš, you will arrive in Erdevik, a well-kept town in Srem with lots of greenery. The Erdevik region is rich in natural attractions, with various monuments and, of course, wineries (http://www.tourismsid.rs/).
On the outskirts of Erdevik, look for the Brestovački salaš – wine house. Brestovački Winery is located in the immediate vicinity of Moharač Lake. Wine lovers can arrange a wine tasting before hand and hear the story of Brestovački wines with appropriate snacks: homemade kulen, bacon, sausages, bread, goat cheese from Kukujevci, cheese in chestnut leaf, lamb sausage, venison stew, homemade baking, various delicacies including tašci, the somewhat forgotten Vojvodinian sweet served with bermet[1]. All this is accompanied by the story of the wine tradition of the Erdevik region, and visitors who decide to stay all day can walk to the Moharač spring near the dam or choose another activity in nature around Erdevik.
(https://novisad.travel/vinarije-single/salas-vinarija-brestovacki/).
Text: Gordana Stojaković
[1] Dessert wine made on Fruška Gora.
Ferries across the Danube
The almost forgotten modes of transport across the Danube, the ferries near Novi Sad, can also become a tourist attraction. Crossing the Danube by ferry is a pleasant and authentic experience that is not expensive.
You can cross this route by car, but also by bike. You can start your ferrying journey in Futog. This old settlement preserves exceptional beauties in its places of worship – the Church of the Heart of Jesus and the Church of Saint Cosmas and Damian. Futog also has the well-known čarde where you can complete an excursion with good fish broth and matching wines. Still, you might decide to move on. There is a ferry on the Danube bank that transports passengers to Beočin. Futog-Beočin ferry runs every hour, and Beočin can be reached in about ten minutes of easy cycling. Those who move on to Čerević and Banoštor will not be disappointed. In addition to visiting the churches of St. Joseph and St. Sava, and the Heritage Museum, you can get to know the Čerević wineries (Belo Brdo, Verkat, Žabić), and after the tasting you can decide to stay at the Čerević Eco-Ethno-Club.
Banoštor is a village of winemakers, wine cellars and good stories, but also full of history of life here, as evidenced by the Church of St. George and the ruins of the Church of St. Rudolf. In Banoštor, there is a ferry that will take you back to the Bačka side of the Danube, to Begeč. Banoštor – Begeč ferry runs as needed. The first thing you will see is the Čarda kod Braše where you can start (and maybe finish) the exploration of Begeč beauties. Others can continue to the Begečka Pit Nature Park and to Čarda na jami.
Text: Gordana Stojaković
Begeč and Begečka Pit
If you want to explore the surroundings of Novi Sad, an excursion to Begeč and Begečka Pit can be a good choice. Begeč is a suburban settlement of Novi Sad, and people of Begeč are one of the largest carrot producers in Serbia. In 2017, Begeč carrot was awarded the Protected Geographical Indication, as a confirmation of the quality and commitment of local farmers.
Begeč is also known for its čarde, and the famous Begeč “Čarda kod Braše”, on the Danube, right next to the Begeč – Banoštor ferry, is the right place for a family lunch, to the delight of lovers of fish broth and other fish delicacies.
Just one kilometer from Čarda kod Braše there is the Begečka Pit, a picnic area, a fishing ground, a bathing area and a weekend settlement of Novi Sad residents. Begečka Pit is a nature park and protected area, a particularly important bird habitat. There is another čarda – Čarda na Jami.
Begeč is also the home of Vojnović Winery, a small family winery founded in 2016. It has a tasting room with a capacity of up to ten people, as well as a small sample vineyard within the winery that can accommodate up to fifteen people. In addition to visiting the winery and vineyards, you can taste the wines of the house, but also participate in wine education organized by the winery, regarding the basics of tasting and pairing food and wine.
Text: Gordana Stojaković, Miloš Dunjić
Stražilovo and Branko’s grave
You don’t have to go far to get away from the city and everyday life. Only 4 km from Sremski Karlovci and 16 km from Novi Sad, within the Fruška Gora National Park lies the popular excursion site Stražilovo. At the glade at the foot of Stražilovo, on the bank of the Ešikovački (Stražilovački) brook, you will be greeted first by a monument – a sculpture of the famous Serbian romantic poet Branko Radičević with a lyre in his hand, the work of sculptor Jovan Soldatović. There is also the Čardak restaurant, a log cabin with a large terrace, where you can taste gastronomic specialties. The restaurant is open only on Saturdays and Sundays.
A short and not so demanding ascent along the wide and well-maintained serpentine path leading through the forest leads you to the place where Branko Radičević eternally rests, on a 295 m high hill. On the way to the top of the hill, the ideal places for short breaks are information boards with verses of Branko’s poems and data on plant species of Fruška Gora.
The monument to Branko Radicevic, pyramid-shaped, six meters tall, consists of three steps and an obelisk. The third step consists of eight stone cubes, brought from various mountains: Avala, Plješivica, Velebit, Klek, Dinara, Lovćen, Vršac Mountains and Fruška Gora, as a sign of the love of the Serbian people for this poet.
Nearby are also the Stražilovo mountain hut, which offers guests accommodation, bicycle rentals, the use of artificial rock, and with prior notice, they can organize team building and seminars, walking and cycling guides, forest cinema and many other facilities.
For lovers of accommodation under the open sky, there is also the Fruška Gora Eco-Camp nearby, which, in addition to camping, is suitable for organizing events and team building.
NP Fruška Gora recommends two circular routes in this area:
1) Stražilovo Health Trail: Stražilovo – Veliki kusak – Grebenski put – Brankov grob (8 km long)
2) PD Stražilovo – Brankov grob – Đinđoš – Bukovačke ledine (7km/309m elevation)
Given that there are different markings along the route, as well as that parts of the route are not marked, we advise you to be sure to follow the treks, which you can download at the following link https://www.npfruskagora.co.rs/lat/planinarenje/ (route 1 and 2).
On the way back from Stražilovo to Sremski Karlovci, there is the Veritas winery, where, with prior notice and arrangement, you can enjoy wine tasting in the vineyard or in the tasting room, tour the vineyards and wine cellars, and take part in specially designed workshops such as the “Weekend Wine School”.
Text: Miloš Dunjić, Slavica Lončar
Irig wine stories
Tourist attractions of the Irig area, with monuments of culture of exceptional value – Serbian Orthodox monasteries Krušedol, Novo Hopovo, Staro Hopovo, Vrdnička Ravanica, Velika Remeta, Mala Remeta, Grgeteg and Jazak, natural riches, including the Vrdnik spa, lakes Međ, Dobrodol and Borkovac, protected area within the NP “Fruška gora”, numerous excursion sites, marked walking paths, viewpoints, Perkov salaš, Vrdnička Kula ethno-village, are just some of the places to visit in the area.
In recent decades, wine and the offer of wine houses and rural wine households have increasingly become the part of the tourist offer that attracts most visitors to the Irig area. Irig, Rivica, Mala Remeta and Neradin are more clearly profiled as wine centers, because the slopes of Fruška gora, in addition to nurturing the old vineyards, new ones are now intensively planted. Following grapes are cultivated: Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Rhine and Italian Riesling, Pinot Gris, Neoplanta, Traminac, White and Black Tamjanika, Morava, Slankamenka, Gewürztraminer, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Vranac, Probus, Prokupac, Portugieser, Marselan, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Muscat Hamburg, etc. Today, the tradition of producing famous Iriš wines continues: Kovačević Winery, Mačkov Podrum and Krstašica Winery in Irig, Deurić Winery in Mala Remeta, Odrovački Winery in Rivica and Komuna Winery in Rivica.
In celebration of grapes and wine, events are held every year: Days of Vineyard Keepers, Young Portugieser Day in Irig and Wine Days in Rivica, where winemakers and wine lovers gather, the former to evaluate wines and exchange experiences, and the latter to enjoy the fruits of their work and skills.
More details: https://novisad.travel/vinski-put-6/
Text: Gordana Stojaković
Cycling route – Rumenka
Rumenka is a settlement in the vicinity of Novi Sad. The town has three churches, the Serbian Orthodox Church of Saints Peter and Paul from the 18th century, the Hungarian Reformed Church (1836) and the Catholic Church of Saints Peter and Paul (1780). There is also the Rumenka Cultural Center, which organizes numerous cultural and art programs. The most famous local event is the “Rumenačka pihtijada”.
Rumenka has recently been connected to the city by a bicycle path that follows the Danube-Tisa-Danube canal.
To get to the bike path, we recommend the following route through Novi Sad:
Futoška Street (Futoški Park, Jodna Banja, Catholic Cemetery) – Hajduk Veljkova (Novi Sad Fair) – Rumenačka – Bulevar Evrope (to Ativa) – bicycle path along the DTD canal to Rumenka.
The path that follows the DTD canal is about 10 km long.
After the ride, we suggest a visit to Sašin salaš for refreshment. It is located at the exit from Rumenka to Kisač and has a famous slogan: “If you’re in a hurry, please don’t stop here”. Upon entering, you will be welcomed by the beautifully landscaped courtyard and the bichon Lilika and Lenka the fawn. There are also other numerous animals, a kind of a mini zoo, with different species of geese, ducks, pheasants and parrots. In addition to their own animals, the salaš is pet-friendly, and it also has a playground for kids. Sašin salaš is also recognizable by its weekly menu, and its venison stew.
Route length: 26 km (13 km one-way)
Ride time: 90 minutes
Difficulty: easy
Text: Miloš Dunjić, Gordana Stojaković