SAND DUNES OF SAUTHERN BANAT Special nature reserve „Deliblatska peščara” is located in the southeastern part of the Pannonian Plain, in southern Banat between the Danube and the southwestern slopes of the Carpathians. The area of about 35,000 ha is a unique natural phenomenon in Europe, formed during the Ice Age from the layers of silica-carbon sand. The wind formed a clear dune relief, rising between 70 and 200 m, creating the largest oasis of sand, steppe, forest, and wetland vegetation, without surface water. Deliblatska peščara is one of the most important centers of biodiversity in Serbia and Europe, as well as the most important steppe in our country. The remains of the typical steppe of the Pannonian plain are former pastures. Concerning protection, they are the most valuable parts, covering 20% of the reserve. Today, herds of Podolian cattle (gray-steppe cattle) can be seen on them, the most typical representative of the working type of cattle in Europe in the past. Due to the presence of a large number of bird species, many of which are rare and endangered, this area was designated as an Important Bird Area in 1989 (IBA). DID YOU KNOW? The unique mosaic of the ecosystem contains extremely rare and protected species of flora and fauna. Rich flora with over 900 species, abounds in rarities such as Banat peony, steppe peony, Pančić wormwood, juniper tree, and about 20 species of orchids. There are also numerous fauna species, and among them are our most beautiful birds, such as bee eaters, pupavac, waterfowl, bald eagle, Banat falcon, and many others. While the banks and islands on the Danube are the only stable nesting grounds in Serbia for rare species such as swallowtail, little egret and little cormorant. The reserve is a habitat for deer, roe deer, and wild boars, as well as small steppe mammals, such as the blind dog and the steppe hopscotch, which can be found only in the area of Deliblatska peščara. The climate is humid continental with a specific microclimate. It has been determined that the air in the special reserve has exceptional properties, and that is why staying in this specific area is recommended for children, convalescents, athletes, and everyone who wants quality and complete vacation. School-recreational center „Čardak”, surrounded by a pine forest is located in the central part of the Special Nature Reserve „Deliblatska peščara”, only 7 km from the village Deliblato near Kovin. It is surrounded by untouched nature, forests, and meadows. The ideal place to stay in nature because it provides education and recreation, as well as the opportunity to enjoy the natural beauty of Deliblatska peščara. The complex is intended for student and sports-recreational tourism, with a central building, pavilions for accommodation, and a restaurant with a capacity of up to 400 people. Pavilions for accommodation "Nera" and "Brzava" have a total capacity of 130 beds in multi- bedrooms and shared bathrooms. For accommodation of students, athletes, and camp participants, there are 12 four-bed and 12 six-bed rooms with shared bathrooms (separate rooms with showers). For accommodation of teaching staff and coaches, there are 6 single and 2 double rooms with private bathrooms. On each floor, there are living rooms with TV. Facilities and outdoor sports fields for indoor soccer, handball, volleyball, basketball and outdoor eco-gym are suitable for organizing stays, sports and youth camps, children's groups as well as interested individuals and groups seeking an active stay in nature. In the central building, there is a reception and a classroom for the needs of teaching and organization of educational workshops, as well as a smaller sports hall equipped with mats and tables for table tennis. Sports and recreational activities, entertainment, and educational program are realized by animators and educators, for lower grades of primary schools and groups of preschool children, during the multi-day stay, morning, and afternoon activity plan. The facilities of the Educational Center "Čardak" are intended for educational activities that are organized for the visitors of SRP "Deliblatska peščara". HOW TO GET HERE? Deliblatska peščara can be reached from several directions. It is located 50 km from Pančevo and Bela Crkva,65 km from Belgrade, 75 km from Vršac, 120 km from Zrenjanin, and 150 km from Novi Sad. Romanian border is 40 km away. To Deliblatska peščara it is possible to reach from Belgrade via Pančevo (road direction European level E-70), across Bovanište and Kovin, where you reach the village of Deliblato. The other direction of arrival is through the villages Dolovo and Mramorak to Deliblato, and then towards SRC „Čardak”. Access is possible by all means of road transport, and the arranged parking space is suitable for tourist buses and passenger vehicles. The distance from the roads is an important advantage of the SRC „Čardak” complex, which enables the safe stay of children and other visitors. GPS coordinates: 44.855670 21.093498 HOW TO SPEND TIME? Start your active vacation on one of the Walking Trails, head through the forest, across the pastures to the lookouts and observatories, get to know the diversity of flora and fauna of the sandstone. The trails are circular, clearly marked with appropriate signposts, different lengths, and equipped with information boards, benches, and tables. The terrain is slightly wavy with smaller or larger ascents and slopes and requires different levels of preparedness. Trail number 1 - Čardak-Vrela is a circular 12 km walking trail, intermediate demanding for walking. The trail is also suitable for cyclists, and there is also the possibility of joining the international bike path Eurovelo. Trail number 2 - Borovi breg is a walking trail in the shape of an eight, 15 km long. The trail is intermediately demanding for walking, and it is also suitable for cycling (off-road), as well as for fitness running. Trail number 3 - Koprivić is a circular walking trail 7 km long, which requires intermediate demand for walking. Trail number 4 - Joy trail is a circular walking trail 5 km long, which requires intermediate demand for walking. Trail number 5 - Eco trail is a 3.5 km long circular trail that is suitable for preschool and school-age children. The trail is suitable for walking in the winter as well. Trail number 6 - Health trail is a 3.5 km long circular trail that is also suitable for preschool and school-age children. The trail is suitable for walking in the winter as well. Passing through the coniferous forest and continuing over the dunes, the landscapes slowly merge into grassy meadows bordered by deciduous forest. Note: no matter which direction you choose, it is important to follow the path (or know exact destination, using GPS or other orientation tools). Sandstone is intersected by countless paths and trails that they can easily drag you to the completely wrong side. Large forest and steppe areas of sandstone, especially during the dry summer months, are endangered by forest fires that can be caused by unintentional actions. Therefore, we appeal to all visitors to behave responsibly in nature, not to light a fire in the open if the place is not provided for, visibly marked and secured. School in nature - We organize an educational program, all as part of recreational classes in the school-recreational center "Chardak" for preschoolers and students of lower grades of primary schools. With certain changes, the program can be organized for other groups, students, and pupils. It is a trip-walking tour with an expert guide, up to 2 hours, and includes an educational program adapted to the age. The expert guide presents the richness of flora and fauna, introduces the participants with types of medicinal plants, ecology, and environmental protection. Organizes various activities such as afforestation, tree dimension measurements, and orientation. The trip is planned for groups of 15 to 25 people. Actively participate in the entertainment Eco-workshop that we organize for interested groups of preschoolers and students in recreational classes, as well as for associations of movements of mountaineers, scouts, young researchers, students of ecology, biology and similar natural sciences. With an expert guide, the workshop lasts up to 2 hours and includes a promo film about Deliblatska peščara as well as educational and creative workshops on various topics. Morphological measurement of different leaf species, identification of plant and animal species, making fossils, masks, and decorations from natural materials, workshops on recycling and energy-saving are just some of them. A planned group for the eco-workshop is up to 25 people. Visit the feeding ground for protected birds of grey „KORN” Korn is a steppe area where the feeding ground "Orlovac" is one of the five feeding grounds in Vojvodina where food is regularly brought out, to attract and keep endangered bird species. Until the end of the 1980s, Deliblatska peščara was the most important habitat of the crusader eagle in Serbia. In the last ten years, habitat remediation projects have been implemented at the Korn, including regular cleaning of areas as well as extensive grazing of sheep of vitoroga žuja, Balkan goats, and Podolia cattle. The trip lasts 5 hours, includes a tour of the feeding grounds for birds of prey, a herd of pastures, lead by an expert guide (an off-road vehicle or minibus is used), as well as promo film about Deliblatska peščara. The trip is planned for individual visits and smaller professional groups of up to 15 people. From sand dunes to the „LABUDOVO OKNO” Labudovo okno is one of the largest migratory stations for migratory birds in Europe. About 300 thousand birds, various species of wild ducks, geese, and swans spend the winter on the frozen Danube.