4 Best Sights in The Golden Valley, Slavonia

If you only visit one winery in the Golden Valley, make it Krauthaker. Vlado Krauthaker was one of the first private wine producers to emerge after the fall of communism, opening his winery in 1992. He is still widely considered one of the best (and most humble) winemakers in the country, producing a dozen varietals including award-winning Chardonnay. The location is lovely, with a terrace overlooking the town, a small pond and bridge, and colorful wine barrels scattered around the premises. Call ahead to arrange a visit.

There are 30 different wineries to choose from around Kutjevo; the biggest, and oldest, is Kutjevačko Vinogorje. The story of this winery is the story of Kutjevo itself; its cellars date back to 1232, when the town was founded by Cistercian monks from Hungary. Over the years, it passed into the hands of Ottomans, Jesuits, Habsburgs, and private families, and the stories of each of these eras and the influence they left on Kutjevo are etched chronologically onto the Slavonian oak barrels in the cellar. Ask your guide about the legend of Maria Theresa Habsburg and her dalliances on the circular stone table (where wine tastings are done). Call ahead to reserve an appointment.

A paradise for hikers, bikers, and nature enthusiasts, Papuk Nature Park was the first geopark in Croatia to be recognized by UNESCO for its geological, biological, and cultural diversity. Within its 336 square km (129 square miles) are beech, oak, and fir forests, fresh rivers, lakes, and waterfalls, along with hiking and biking trails, swimming spots, and a ropes course. There are also archaeological sites from the Sopot and Starčevo cultures (5500–3500 BC), as well as Ružica Grad, an abandoned medieval castle that was built in the 15th century during Hungarian rule; it can be reached by hiking 15 minutes uphill from Lake Orahovica. The lakes and Ružica Grad can be reached in 30 minutes from Kutjevo. Guided tours can be arranged from the visitor center (ask your hotel to call in advance to organize).

One of the prettiest cities in central Slavonia, Požega is worth visiting for an afternoon. The striking Holy Trinity Square has a 19th-century Franciscan monastery to one side and the massive Bishop’s Palace at the other end. There is a plague column (built in memory of the nearly 800 citizens who died from the plague of 1739) in the middle of the square; an inscription explains that the pillar was sculpted by one Gabriel Granici at a cost of 2,000 eggs and 300 forints. He didn't eat the eggs or give them to his relatives; they were used to cement the pillar's marble sand. Tucked away in the corner of the main square is the City Museum, whose collection ranges from regional ethnography, history, and art to archaeology, from prehistoric times to the present day.