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By developing new forms of tourism in Croatian inland, some destinations have improved their offer and took it a step further from classic sightseeing tourism.
Development of agro-tourism with rich choice of domestic food and wine is complemented with new forms of tourist products and offerings. For example, there are ten active equestrian associations in Bjelovar-Bilogora county and around the same number of “horse welcome” agritourism estates.
Bjelovar-Bilogora county is also a host for national and international competitions in endurance riding. Starting this year, in collaboration with the international equestrian association ENGEA, first 8 certified guides for tourist horse riding have been registered in this area.
It is also an interesting fact that Bjelovar-Bilogora county area contains 198 kilometers of marked equestrian trails, which connect it with neighbouring Virovitica-Podravina and Koprivnica-Križevci counties. Equestrian tourism became a part of standard tourist offer in this area, as a result of synergy between the work of Tourist Board of Bjelovar-Bilogora county, enterpreneurs in private sector and professional associations. There has been a significant increase in tourist traffic throughout 2015, which is further improved with new complex tourist products including active vacation with emphasis on equestrian tourism.
Within this initiative, Bjelovar-Bilogora county will host the Balkans championship in long distance riding in September 2016, in cooperation with the Croatian Equestrian Federation.
International equestrian tourism convention was held in May.
Bjelovar-Bilogora county has recently hosted an international convention of equestrian tourism, which took place between 13 and 15 May 2016 at several locations throughout the county. In the meeting of professionals several discussions were held – about rural development through system of equestrian trails in Italy and Croatia, safety on riding trails and the development of inland tourism through the prism of equestrian activities. In addition, an international team of experts carried out the inspection and certification of equestrian trails in county, which included these trails in international listings of equestrian tourist offer.
Agritourism estate “On a little hill” – family farm Vlajinić
This three-day event is important for all agritourism estates – family farms on Bilogora route, which have been intensely developing their attractive offerings for guests from Croatia and all over Europe. This is the way they can further promote their thematic tourist products – from enogastronomy to cultural and active tourism.
Photo: Wine road of Bilogora
Hotspots recommendation:
On the magical slopes of Bilogora hills near Bjelovar, there is an excursion site and a wine shop Vinia situated on Šapić family farm.
It is located four kilometers from Bjelovar city in the direction of Đurđevac. The precise location of this family farm is a small suburban place named Puričani.
Visitors can enjoy the ambiance of a fairy tale. They can also expect a number of different creative programs for standard holiday or active holiday, all held in the idyllic rural atmosphere. Programs include the offer of traditional dishes from this region, tasting of local wines from Bilogora hills, wine cellar tours and terrain horseback riding.
Terrain riding on family farm Šapić – excursion site Vinia
If you have horse riding license, if spending time in nature fills you with peace and harmony, if horses have been your love ever since childhood, we highly recommend this idyllic estate. Horseback riding can be done with or without the presence of the coach, but for the official tourist routes of Bilogora you will be escorted by a guide. For groups of riders and multi-day tours on the family estate Šapići, you will be provided with all the necessary infrastructure (accommodation in double bedded rooms, restaurant, parking for campers, catering on the field).
There is also a riding school for children and beginners with expert guidance provided.
By clicking on this link you can find a brochure with more info about the tourist offer of Bjelovar-Bilogora county and the richness of its diversity. Discover your own piece of green paradise, feel the tranquility and peace under the shade of old trees with the wind in your hair. Later you can invigorate yourself with top quality locally grown food and wine. Many consider this to be the ideal recipe for a summer happiness, far from the summer throngs and the tourist crowds.
Also, do not forget there are agritourism estates with tasty local delicacies, such as family farm and excursion site Mihoci – the door of Bilogora, which await for you on riding routes.
Photo: Restaurant Mihoci
Everything you need to know about the equestrian tourism offer in this county, you can find on this link.
Visit the Tourist Board of Bjelovar – Bilogora county and keep up to date with all the news about our offer and interesting happenings that we are preparing for this summer.
Welcome!
Photographs taken from: photos of family farm Šapić – resort and wine shop Vinia, family farm Mihoci (photos of food), Tourist Board of Bjelovar – Bilogora county (panoramic photos) and family farm Vlajinić
Photo: TZ BBZ
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This post is also available in: Croatian
