Fair Trails® Explorer Tour River Journey – Review

“Here we go! The canoes are already in the water, on a shallow and low-flow side arm of the Drava, which is perfect for getting to grips with our new water activity for the next few days. Excitedly we grab our waterproof bags in various colors, in which we have stowed a change of clothes, camera and other valuables. In pairs we take our seats in the canoes. Jure, our experienced canoe guide, who is also the co-developer of this Fair Trails® Explorer Tour, shows and explains to us how to steer the canoes and everyone obviously enjoys trying out the maneuverability of our faithful companions right away.

Immediately after the short introduction, we moor again and walk to the nearby confluence of the Mura and Drava rivers. Although the two rivers currently have very little water, it is an impressive sight that we are offered. Once back at the canoes, we really get going. Everyone quickly figures out how to paddle and steer. Motivated and in a good mood, we head downstream on the Drava in several daily stages towards the confluence of the Drava and the Danube.

Our total of 7 explorers set out on their journey. Motivated and trained, we set off on the first stage, at the confluence of the Mur and Drava rivers © Fair Trails®/Gabriele Singer

After the initial excitement of us explorers has subsided, we begin to pay more attention to our surroundings. Such silence! Only the gentle lapping of the water, caused by our paddle movements, can be heard. Almost meditatively, we dip the paddle into the water in a steady rhythm. All concerns about being too weak or not being in enough condition disappear. It is simply beautiful!

We will be provided with half board this week. The quarters are very different. From the luxury suite to the very simple, narrow, small room. But they all have one thing in common, the landlords are very friendly and cordial. One of the quarters has remained in my special memory! On Tuesday we are in the nature park resort, educational center Dravska Priča. Before dinner we get a guided tour of the outdoor area and after dinner we are still introduced and explained in detail the interior, with all its interactive exhibits. The former elementary school and its outdoor area are prepared with great attention to detail. Fairies and other mythical creatures are set up in the hallway. Fairytale forests decorate the walls. The 3D floor painting is also ingenious, which can only be seen properly when looking through the camera. You can also feel the pride and joy of the nature park staff to be able to show and present all this.

Happy with the weather, the cloud moods were also a beautiful change in the sky © Fair Trails®/Gabriele Singer

Steering the canoe has to be practiced. At the latest on the second day of paddling all of us had the hang of it © Fair Trails®/Gabriele Singer

Twice we are also treated to lunch. Once there is a picnic at Lake Soderica and another time we are picked up for lunch, directly from the shore, by a slow train pulled by an old and well-maintained tractor. So we bring our boats ashore and are asked to get into one of the trailers of the slow train. Rumply we go into the hinterland to a very nice, lovingly maintained place. Our “train driver” is also the owner of this neat site. It is comparable to an open-air museum. He collects everything related to farm work and his grandparents’ cottage now serves as a museum. He himself, has built a new house on this property. In an arbor we are fed with very good wine and cheese. Afterwards we sit up again in a good mood at the “train” and jerk back to our boats.

The other days we just keep taking breaks at the numerous sandbanks, where we can also go swimming. During one of these breaks on a sandbar, I discover interesting tracks. Otter footprints! I am thrilled! And then there is an eagle track, as he apparently claws a smaller bird. The eagle must have stretched its claws forward in its approach to the small bird and then grabbed it. A longer “skid mark” of the rear claw can be seen. In front, where the eagle has grabbed, the sand is pushed together. Many “excitedly” jumbled tracks of smaller birds can also be seen at this spot. Here a nature drama has taken place.

One “dock” to take a breather more beautiful than the other. Numerous opportunities to cool off in the cool water or to explore a round of the forest © Fair Trails®/Gabriele Singer

In these days we can make many other nature observations. A deer at the edge of the forest, a wild boar bathing on the shore, white-tailed eagles circling above us, lots of the different heron species that exist here and even a black stork, which has already become very rare, I can observe through my binoculars.

Viewed from the right angle, we were still sitting in the canoe after our tour – although with even calmer waters 😉 © Fair Trails® Explorer Tour

On Friday it will rain permanently. Therefore, it is decided to go already today, Thursday, the last stage of canoeing. Today’s goal is the place where the Drava and the Danube meet. The whole week already signs at the bank, with the still remaining kilometers up to the Danube mouth, accompanied us. Today we are only about 18 kilometers short of the Danube. We will paddle this after lunch.

But in the morning we still get a city tour in Osijek. A really beautiful town with impressive history. Together with our city guide, we eat in an elegant boat restaurant directly on the Drava. Afterwards we return to the van, which brings us directly to the start of our final stage of our Explorer Tour.

The proximity to the city and civilization is audible and visible. We are no longer alone with nature on the river. Nevertheless, we see again many birds, such as the white-tailed eagle, the kingfisher and different herons. We paddle and count down the kilometers to the Danube. On the one hand, we want to reach the destination quickly, but on the other hand, we delay the moment a bit. Because the arrival at the sandbank between the two rivers also means the end of this tour.

3, 2, 1…sandbank! On the other side of this flows the Danube. So cool! So exciting!

Canoe Team Jure is the first to arrive. He is waiting for us with a bottle of champagne, called “Champions”. That’s how we feel after successfully arriving at the finish of this tour.”

And we have made it! Our explorers have arrived at the final destination, the confluence of the Drava and Danube rivers. The grins speak for themselves © Fair Trails®/Jure Cucek

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