When I visited the Slavonia region, I found it a very moving and emotional experience learning about the area's tragic past and experiencing the traditional, rustic character of its rural landscapes and the simple beauty of its towns and villages.
Osijek lies on the river Drava, and when you walk along the riverbank you quickly realise that this is where the city's young people come to meet and socialise, with the trendy bars and restaurants there quickly getting busy early in the evening.
Osijek is basically a university city with a young population, and I particularly enjoyed its lively atmosphere and seeing its various historic buildings and monuments. I discovered a great deal about some of the lesser know aspects of Croatian history here, both at the city's art museum and (especially) at the Museum of Slavonia.
If, like me, you happen to be a lover of nature, leave the city centre behind and head off to explore Kopački Rit nature park, which is located in one of the largest wetland areas in Europe. The boat tour through the marshes is simply wonderful.