European Sojourn

See the highlights of Vukovar and Osijek, and stop to meet a Croatian family along the way. Join your guide and make the short drive to Vukovar, passing the Vuka River, the palace of the former Count Eltz and the city’s main street, lined with buildings that carry echoes of Northern Europe. As you arrive in Osijek, pause to visit a local family in their home and learn about their daily lives. After, continue to the Osijek Citadel complex for a walking tour. Enjoy a concert in the Rising of the Holy Cross Church. Then explore Holy Trinity Square, see the town’s only surviving gate and stroll the picturesque promenade along the Drava River. See more of the town by motor coach, passing green parks and driving along European Avenue, the most scenic street in Osijek, lined with elegant baroque and Belle Époque buildings.

Discover the rich and varied history of northern Croatia and sample some of its delicious wines. Since Roman times, this region of the country has been coveted, thanks to its strategic location on the Danube. During this enlightening excursion, you will drive with your guide to one of the area’s renowned museums, a castle with fascinating medieval origins, where you will browse a rich and revealing collection of artifacts dating back centuries. As you tour the castle chambers and halls, Croatia’s past comes alive in priceless relics that have survived the ages. You will also turn to the fruits of the earth when you descend into a wine cellar in the historic town of Ilok. In these dim corridors, you will taste a combination of five red, white or rose wines and experience for yourself why its prized grapes and hearty vintages have helped put Croatia on every oenophile’s map.

Delve into recent history and discover the events that contributed to the breakup of the former Yugoslavia. From 1991 to 1995, the Croatian War of Independence was fought. Starting in August 1991, the 87-day Battle of Vukovar commenced. With your knowledgeable guide, you will visit the Homeland War Memorial Center and view military equipment that was used by the Croatian army, including armored vehicles, tanks and aircraft. After time to explore the open-air and housed exhibits, continue to the Ovčara Memorial House. Here, you may pay tribute to the Croatian veterans and civilians that lost their lives. Cap your tour with a stop at the Vukovar Water Tower. Built during the 1960s, it became an iconic symbol of resistance when images emerged of the ruined city with only its water tower still standing. Today, it serves as a reminder to those who bravely fought for their independence.