Project “Bike&Wine”
Cross Border Routes „Bike and Wine“
Topic – Bike and Wine tourism that includes the parts of the EuroVelo 6 and EuroVelo 13 bicycle routes and tours around the wine cellars including wine tasting
Location: Eastern Serbia – Bor and Zajecar districts and northwestern Bulgaria – Vidin district
Route 1: Danube Wine Route
Donji Milanovac – Kladovo – Negotin – Bregovo – Vidin – Albutin
1st Day
Donji Milanovac.
- Kapetan Mišin Konak and Tenkina kuća. Renovated houses which origins from 19th century with authentic look and interior. The seat of the Majdanpek Municipal Tourism Organization is located in Tenkina kuća.
- Nicholas Church in Donji Milanovac. The church was first mentioned in the annals in 1730, and is widely known because of the possession of a cross from Jerusalem.
Lepenski Vir
- A prehistoric site of exceptional importance, representing the activity of the human community which dates from 8500 years ago. Within the complex it is possible to visit ethno houses with authentic houseware.
Iron Gate and Djerdap National Park
- The Iron Gate (Djerdap Gorge) is the largest gorge in Europe with a total length of about 100 km. Djerdap National Park stretches from Golubac Fortress to the ancient fort of Diana. The national park area is 636 km2, which makes it the largest national park in Serbia
Kladovo
- Diana Fort – the defensive fortress of the Roman emperor Trajan, built during the time of his invasion on Dacia.
- Fetislam medieval fortress, with a total area of about 18 ha, was an artillery base during the Turkish rule.
- Tour on the Djerdap Hydro Power Plant – a spectacular building of recent history, with hydroelectric units of a total power of 1068 megawatts. The heart of the energy of this region and Serbia.
- Wine cellar in the former “Ključ” company, now owned by French winemakers from Bourgogne, known for the production of white wine “Esprit du Danube” – Soul of the Danube.
- Mobility Info Center at Kladovo Tourism Organization. All information on sustainable transport, cycling as well as wine tourism in the region can be obtained here
2nd Day
Vratnjanske kapije (Vratna Gates)
- Vratna Gates or bridges of Vratna are tall stone arches that represent the remains of a once large cave and are located in the impressive canyon of the Vratna River.
Bukovo Monastery
- Bukovo Monastery is the endowment of King Milutin from the end of the 13th century and it is the first winery within the monastery to offer its wine in commercial packaging with continuous quality
Negotin
- Tour around the Old Town, visit to the house of Stevan Stojanovic Mokranjac, lodge of the prince Todorce and the Hajduk Veljko Museum.
Wine Cellars (Pivnice)
- They represent a unique architectural complex of the wine cellars of the Negotin region, dating from the mid-18th century to the 1930s, where grapes are processed and wine is keeping. They are made of stone and the most famous are Rajac, Rogljevo, Smedovac, Štubik and Bratujevac wine cellars.
Wine tasting in Negotin
- Wine tasting in one of the wine cellars – member of the Association of Wine Producers of Geographical Origin
Continuation of the trip to Bulgaria via the Mokranje border crossing
3th Day
- Novo selo wineries – Wine tasting in one of the oldest and most known wine cellars along the Danube – these of Vidinska gamza and Novoselska gamza. Gamza wine is very typical for this region of the Danube, well known for its delicate taste.
- Novo selo sightseeing. Visit of the clock tour of Novo selo, Novo selo beach – this is a famous for the locals – a place, very accessible for cyclists
- Visit of Dos Alamos winery in Negovanovtsi village
- Visit of Bononia estate winery in the village of Gomotartsi
4th Day
- Vidin – sightseeing tour around the town – Baba Vida fortress, the synagogue, the Mosque and library of Osman Pazvantooglu, the crucified barracks, the St. Petka and St. Pantaleymon churches half buried in the ground, the fortification system Kaleto, together with its gates, especially Stambol Gate
- Visit of Chateau de Val winery near Gradets, famous for its original wines – biturika and grand claret,
- Visit of Albutin rock monastery
Route 2: Timok wine road
Knjaževac – Zaječar – Vrška Čuka – Magura – Belogradchik – Borovitsa
1st Day
Knjaževac
- Knjaževac Homeland Museum – The museum has a unique exhibition of of wool socks.
- House of Aca Stanojevic, a hi positioned Radical Party member, close associate of Nikola Pasic. The house is a cultural monument, built in 1910
Banjica swimming pool
- Swimming pool „Banjica“ is a complex of sports and recreational facilities that consist of the Olympic thermal pool, children’s pool with a mini aqua park and a spa center.
Potrkanje Village
- Jović Winery – wine tasting in a family wine cellar with a tradition of several generations of famous winemakers in the village of Potrkanje. One of the top 10 Serbian wine producers.
Ravna Archaeo-Ethno Park.
- Within the park are numerous Roman monuments as well as exhibits from the Timacum Minus archeological site. There is also a cross-border wine museum with wines from 25 wine cellars from eastern Serbia and Bulgaria.
2nd Day
Zaječar
- The National Museum in Zajecar has permanent exhibitions in the museum building and in the Radul-beg’s Lodge. The museum also has an exhibition from the Imperial Palace Felix Romuliana.
- Mobility Info Center in Zajecar Tourism Organization. All information on sustainable transport, cycling as well as wine tourism in the region can be obtained here
- Felix Romuliana archaeological site. Late Antique Castle of Roman Emperor Gaius Valerius Maximilian Gallery. Since the June 2007 it is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List
- The Kraljevica ski trail is a unique city ski trail in Serbia. It is located in the Kraljevica Forest Park, it is 650m long and has a ski lift with a capacity of 1200 skiers per hour. It is equipped with lighting for night skiing and artificial snow blowing machines
- Popova plaža beach – sports and recreational center on the coast of the Crni Timok river includes courts for small sports, water football, skate park, mini-golf course and the beach on the river bank
Gamzigrad spa
- Gamzigrad hydroelectric power plant within the Gamzigrad spa is the oldest hydroelectric power plant built in the Timok region and has started operating in 1909.
Continuation of the trip to Bulgaria via the Vrška Čuka border crossing
3rd Day
- Rakovitsa monastery – situated less than 10 km from the crossing point of Vrashka Chuka this holy place is both a place for worship and an important historical place, where one of the biggest uprisings in Bulgarian against the Ottoman power breaks out in 1850
- Magura winery – the biggest winery in the Northwest of Bulgaria, situated very close to the Magura cave and even inside one part of it – the gallery of the Bats. An underground tunnel from the winery takes you inside, where wine tastings are made and where the sparkling wine ages;
- Magura cave – to visit the cave you’ll need to go back from the wine tasting hall inside the cave and enter through the main entrance. It’s the most famous Bulgarian cave with prehistoric drawings aging back more than 10 thousands of years ago. Magnificent formations and sacred cave fountains leave the visitors breathless after visit;
- Rabisha lake – just few hundred meters from the exit of the cave is situated the Rabisha lake – the only tectonic lake in Bulgaria. The clean water and nice places around the lake make it to a splendid wild camping territory. Dragon boats for 40 persons available upon request at the nearby tourist complex.
- Pool, camping site and hotel&restaurant are situated just nearby Rabisha lake and Magura cave, impossible to miss. An important overnight place for any bike travellers without strong sport ambitions;
4th Day
- Belogradchik – a nice little town situated in the heart of the Belogradchik rocks. Incredible nature phenomenon spreading on 100sq.km with 220 millions of years old rocks popping up to a height reaching nearly 200m. Discovering the rocks is an adventure itself for which one week may be too much, but one life is not enough to enjoy and admire.
- fortress Kaleto – On the top of the Belogradchik rocks and on a very small but maybe the most magnificent part of them is situated the stronghold Kaleto. A must-visit touristic site. A place with incredible energy and historical significance.
- Belogradchik sites – the Nature museum, Astronomical observatory, Museum of history, the Turkish mosque represent the most important historical and cultural sites inside the town
- E-bike center with 50 mountain e-bikes! Probably the best way to discover the rocks – by e-bike. This place is situated very close to the center of the town and apart from e-bike rent there is possible to receive information for the most sensational routes around the rocks.
- Balloon ride – adventure and awe. One hour of flight above the rocks is the most spectacular way of full of bliss and quick discovery of these heavenly formations. Balloon rides have to reserved in advance at balloonadventure.eu and are strongly dependent on the weather conditions.
- Jeep safari – another possibility of fast discovery of the rocks. More info at the tourist information center of Belogradchik and the e-bike center.
- Belogradchik rocks – ride around the rocks of Belogradchik, special attention deserve the following rock formations: Zbegove – close to village Dabravka, the rocks close to central rock group – tour from the center of Belogradchik to village Izvos and back to the fortress, the rock of Mother goddess and the fallen in love, Lepenitsa cave and other interesting rock formations in Markashnitsa area, Borov stone and the red church, the red canyon and Falkov stone
- Borovitsa winery – going further East at the foot of Borov stone formation you will find the most exquisite wines of the Northwest at Borovitsa winery. Wines with character as strong and typical as the red soil around. Inspiring wine-tasting experts make Borovitsa winery probably the best tasting place around, because of the personal touch and the high quality awarded with numerous medals throughout the years
- Venetsa cave – the jewel of the underground. A small cave but gifted with spectacular formations lightened in various colors to create a real world of magic
Route 3: Spa and wine
Sokobanja – Boljevac – Bor – Negotin – Bregovo – Vidin – Chateau de Val winery –Kula – Magura – Belogradchik
1st Day
Sokobanja
- Sokograd, a medieval fortress, 2 km southeast from the center of Sokobanja, on a rock above the canyon of the Moravica River. It was built at the end of XIII and the beginning of XIV century
- The Sokobanja Local Museum has exhibits in the fields of archeology, ethnology and history.
- Amam – old Turkish bath from the 15th century, built on the foundations of Roman baths. Very attractive building and one of the symbols of Sokobanja with great historical, tourist and medical value.
- The source of the Moravica River is a natural phenomenon. Near the source there is the Marko’s Cave and the Church of St. Ilya. Ripaljka Waterfall is on the way to the Ozren Mountain and is one of the largest waterfalls in Serbia
- Aqua park „Podina“ in Sokobanja is a complex that covers an area of 1.6 hectares and contains swimming pools for children and adults and a swimming pool with three slides with a total water surface of 1,380 m²
Boljevac – Rtanj
- In the village of Rtanj, which was built along the former mine at the foot of the mountain, there is an old mine shaft and a beautiful Greta’s Park. At the foot of a Mountain there is a health trail and an ethno settlement
- The Ilino Ethno House from 19th century, used to belong to the Savic family, has been transformed into the Homeland House of Ljubinka Savic – Grasi – famous sculptor and contains the hand crafted items by Ilina residents.
The Bogovinska cave
- It is located in the area of the village of Bogovina near Boljavac and is one of the most beautiful caves in Serbia. There is a 540 m path that provides easy access to the most beautiful halls of the cave.
2nd Day
Bor
- Panoramic sightseeing of Bor and one of the largest copper mines in Europe.
- Brestovac spa near Bor, characterized by the Turkish bath (hamam) with a source of thermal mineral water. Within the spa, there is the residence of Prince Milos
- Bor lake at the foot of the Crni vrh Mountain. With its clear mountain water, it is a favorite place for swimming and fishing
Negotin
- Mobility Info Center at Negotin Tourism Organization. All information on sustainable transport, cycling as well as wine tourism in the region can be obtained there
- Tour around the Old Town, visit to the house of Stevan Stojanovic Mokranjac, lodge of the prince Todorce and the Hajduk Veljko Museum.
Wine Cellars (Pivnice)
- They represent a unique architectural complex of the wine cellars of the Negotin region, dating from the mid-18th century to the 1930s, where grapes are processed and wine is keeping. They are made of stone and the most famous are Rajac, Rogljevo, Smedovac, Štubik and Bratujevac wine cellars.
Wine tasting in Negotin
- Wine tasting in one of the wine cellars – member of the Association of Wine Producers of Geographical Origin
Continuation of the trip to Bulgaria via the Mokranje border crossing
3rd Day
- Novo selo wineries – Wine tasting in one of the oldest and most known wine cellars along the Danube – these of Vidinska gamza and Novoselska gamza. Gamza wine is very typical for this region of the Danube, well known for its delicate taste.
- Novo selo sightseeing. Visit of the clock tour of Novo selo, Novo selo beach – this is a famous for the locals – a place, very accessible for cyclists
- Visit of Dos Alamos winery in Negovanovtsi village
- Visit of Bononia estate winery in the village of Gomotartsi
- Accommodation in Vidin;
4th Day
Visit of the Chateau de Val winery famous for its typical local wines.
- Visit of the nearby Albutin rock monastery dating back from the 13th century
- Visit of roman Kastra Martis fortress in Kula and the museum of ethnography of the town;
- Visit of the Magura cave, Magura winery and Rabisha lake
- Indulging in tempting spa procedures at spa and adventure complex Magura near the Magura cave
5th Day
- Visit of the Belogradchik rocks formation Zbegove.
- Visit of Belogradchik and Kaleto fortress
- Enjoying spa at Skalite hotel in the center of the town
- Visit of Lepenitsa cave;
- Visit of Borov Stone and wine-tasting at Borovitsa winery;
- Visit of Venetsa cave