Balkan Tour

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THE BALKAN TOUR ( 9 June - 22 June 2010 - Expert)

This is a special must do tour - Don’t believe us then click here to read the diary of one of our June 2008 customers - Many thanks Paul.

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We have run this tour 6 times now and it has always been absolutely fantastic; unspoiled scenery, fantastic roads, generous and hospitable people, great hotels and food. The tour has been refined over the years and now we believe that in its latest 2010 format we have created a truly unique touring experience. Just imagine traveling through nine countries in thirteen days, over some of the most famous mountain passes in the world. Then traveling down one of the most unspoiled coastlines in the world before riding through genuine primeval forest which is the home to Wolves, Bears, Ibex, Lynx. Limited time spent on motorways, good family run hotels, fabulous roads, great company, mountains, beach, snow and sand – this tour has it all.

DAY 1: Calais to Alsace-Lorraine (270 miles).

We readily admit to hating motorways. Motorways and motorcycles are a bad mixture. Our tours are based on using little used local roads which enable you to enjoy your motorcycling experience on challenging roads and where you get to see the country you are traveling through in its proper light. Unfortunately, traveling through Northern France and Belgium is not that interesting - how else can I put it! Therefore on this tour we will, for the first and last days, use motorways to get us quickly out of Northern France.

DAY 2: Alsace-Lorraine to Germany to Switzerland (250 miles)

Day 2 and the proper twisty roads begin. Our route will take us through and over the Vosges, through the heart of the German Black Forest and then into Switzerland for our overnight stay. These roads should hopefully get you in the mood for what is to come!

We will pass over the Feldburg which at just under 5,000 ft is the tallest mountain in the Black Forest before heading through Swiss Kanton of Schaffhausen. At Schaffhausen we will visit the mighty Rheinfall which at over 150ft wide and 75ft high is the largest plain waterfall in Europe.

DAY 3: Switzerland to Italy (270 miles)

Day 3 and the start of the high mountain passes. This is the day we tackle the mountains of Austria and cross into Italy for our overnight stay.

On the Swiss side we will pass through the heart of the Swiss National Park (Schweizer National Park) and into Austria. This is the only National Park in Switzerland and is home to the European Wolf (re-introduced 2001) and Ibex. From the Schweizer National Park we will pass into Italy’s Stelvio National Park.

We will travel over the infamous Stelvio pass which many consider to be the finest of all the Alpine passes. The road itself is also a marvel of engineering skill, the huge rises on both sides being overcome by some fifty hairpin bends on either approach, the 48 on the north side between the summit and Trafoi being probably the finest continuous hairpin sector in the Alps.

DAY 4: Italy to Slovenia (250 miles)

Up early for our trip through the glorious Dolomites - we hope you have a head for heights. Then its down into Slovenia. We will be heading for the Kirst area of Slovenia and the town of Postojna. This is a busy day, spent high in the mountains - it is a challenging days ride but is so rewarding.

DAY 5: Slovenia to Croatia (Plitvice) (125 miles)

Up early and then off to Postojna Cave. Postojna Cave is one of the most famous cave systems in the world. The caves stretch for some 21km and have been open to visitors since the 1819. It is also the only cave system in the world which operates a cave train which enables visitors to visit the most interesting areas of the cave some 2km from the entrance.

Then its back onto the bikes for the relatively short ride (130 miles) into Croatia and to Plitvice National Park. The beauty of the National Park lies in its sixteen lakes, inter-connected by a series of waterfalls, and set in deep woodland populated by deer, bears, wolves, boars and rare bird species. The National Park covers a total area of 300 square kilometres, whilst the lakes join together over a distance of eight kilometres. The lakes are renowned for their distinctive colours, ranging from azure to green, grey or blue. The colours change constantly depending on the quantity of minerals or organisms in the water and the angle of sunlight. A place not to be missed.

DAY 6: Plitvice Lakes - Rest Day (0 miles).

You have a full day to enjoy the wonders of Plitvice. A true natural gem. Words cannot describe this fantastic natural phenomenon. Take a look at the pictures in the gallery to gain a brief insight into this magical place.

DAY 7: Plitvice to the Dalmatian Coast (200 miles)

Back into the mountains for our journey from Plivice to Split. Our route will take us over the Velebit mountains which are the tallest and longest mountain range in Croatia before heading down towards the beautiful Dalmatian coast. The Dalmatian coast is probably one of the most unspoiled areas of coastline in Europe. Full of Roman ruins, medieval towns, gorgeous Riviera views and hundreds of beautiful islands. We will take our time riding down the coast road to Split – it is a journey which should never be hurried.

DAY 8: The Dalmatian Coast (130 miles)

We will continue along the Dalmatian coast to the beautiful town of Dubrovnik.

There are few cities in the world that have had such a turbulent past as Dubrovnik. However, in spite of the ravages of earthquakes and war, Dubrovnik is described by many-locals and tourists alike-as being even more breathtakingly beautiful than before. Down the ages, the city has risen like a phoenix, time and time again, from the ashes of wars and earthquakes. Napoleon's forces, the 100-year-long Austro-Hungarian occupation, the Fascist forces that came in 1941, as well as the 1991 shelling by Serbs and Montenegrins, have all shown that this city can probably never be truly vanquished.

DAY 9: Dubrovnik - Rest Day (0 miles)

We will spend two nights at a beach hotel resort. Lie by the pool or the beach during the day and then explore the narrow streets of Dubrovnik in the evening. Great restaurants, good bars, plenty to see and do. The choice of what you do is all yours.

DAY 10: Bosnia (200 miles)

Day 10 and we are leaving the coast for the mountains. A true biking day on deserted roads through Bosnia.

We will pass over the border into Bosnia and Herzegovina. In this area of B & H, bear and wolf sightings are common. Before the war Bosnia had the second-highest concentration of brown bears in the world, after Canada, and perhaps the greatest number of wolves in Europe. Many of the animals were killed in the war but it is still estimated that there are 1000 brown bears in this area alone.

We will go and see the re-built bridge at Mostar which symbolised the spirit of resistance during the siege/war in Bosnia. On the way, we will pass minefields and numerous destroyed buildings. The full impact of the war is clear to see.

In the evening we will pass back into Croatia and stay in a hotel on the beach.

DAY 11: Dalmatian coast to Ljubljana (270 miles)

More beautiful roads as we travel up the coast, through the Velebit Mountain range, Paklenic National Park and Krka National Park. Then its into Slovenia and the lovely capital city of Ljubljana.

DAY 12: Ljubljana to Germany (300 miles)

We return to the high Alps for more twisty roads and stunning Alpine scenery. We will make our way to the Southern Austria through the more remote parts of Slovenia. We will climb over the Karawanken (great name!) Alps using the Loibl pass which has been used since prehistory.

Today we will be heading across Austria and into Southern Germany. Austrian roads are fantastic but the Police can be a bit over-zealous. We will head towards the Austrian Tyrol and over the infamous GrossGlocknerPass. The GrossGlockner Pass aims to be the most motorcycle friendly alpine pass and even has a web site to promote itself!! http://www.grossglockner.com/highalpineroad/motorcycle

DAY 13: Germany to France (280 miles)

Our penultimate Day and we are definitely on the way home. Across Southern Germany, we will pass back over the Northern part of the Black Forest around Stuttgart and back into France. This day will be a combination of motorway and twisty roads as we near our overnight destination at Metz. Here we will have our farewell meal in one of the numerous restaurants.

DAY 14: Metz – Calais – Home (270 miles)

Onto the motorway I am afraid, for our 4 hour journey to Calais and home. Hopefully you will have had the experience of a lifetime and will already be planning for new adventures!! We certainly will be.

What You Get and Costs.

The basic cost of the tour is £975 for a single rider in a shared room; £1300 for a single rider in a single room and £1800 for a rider and pillion. For these prices you will get the following:-

Return ferry crossing (Dover- Calais)
Thirteen nights accommodation in good quality hotels including two nights in Dubrovnik.
Breakfast each morning.
Service throughout the trip of a British Bike Tours guide.
Route maps (paper based and/or digital - Garmin Mapsource)
Hotel parking

The following is not included:

Petrol
Travel Insurance
Breakdown cover insurance
Evening Meals

You need to budget around 20 euros for a decent 3 course evening meal. For lunchtimes we try and use local bakers for sandwiches/baguettes etc. Evening meal costs are very much dependent on how much wine and beer you drink!!

Schedules

In 2010 the Balkans tour is scheduled for Wednesday 9 June - Tuesday 22 June 2010.

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