Balkan-Carpathians-Albanian Alps Tour 2 - 26 days

Day 2 - Stage 1: 188 km!

After breakfast at the hotel and a brief orientation, we'll begin our journey.

We'll pick up the motorcycles at our starting point Meet&Greet location in Trogir and prepare them for the ride. The clock is set to 9:00 at the start.

Get ready for an adventure!

We'll take it easy on our first stage, covering a short distance to get used to the motorcycle. Our first stop is Mostar, a city in southern Bosnia and Herzegovina crossed by the River Neretva. Its landmark, Stari Most (Old Bridge), a reconstructed medieval arch bridge, is particularly well known. The nearby alleyways are packed with stores and market stalls, and the bridge museum traces the bridge's long history. A narrow staircase leads up to the minaret of the Koski Mehmed Paša Mosque, from where there is a magnificent view over the city.

As we make our way there, we take the well-maintained and winding roads along the Adriatic to the south, following the famous coastal road Jadranska Magistrala until we reach Omiš. There, we turn left into the mountains, crossing the border into Bosnia and Herzegovina and continuing to Mostar.

Day 3 - Stage 2: 284 km!

Get ready for a new day of adventure.

After a hearty breakfast, we'll hit the road at 8:00 on two wheels.

Today, we're heading east, towards the Danube, on our way to Romania, through Serbia. We'll cross the border from Bosnia to Serbia today, as our primary destination is the Carpathian Mountains.

Join us as we experience the natural beauty of Serbia's west on a motorcycle ride to Zlatibor. This resort transforms into a vibrant hub during the winter months, but in the summer, it's our playground.

Serbia, with its waterfalls, majestic rivers, and imposing mountains, is a land of natural splendor.

Zlatibor isn't just about stunning nature; it's also a food lover's paradise. Join us at our hotel in the evening to savor the region's authentic cuisine, accompanied by the finest cheeses and kajmak.

The area is also home to original houses and courtyards from the early 19th century. Partly reconstructed but often not reconstructed!

Day 4 - Stage 3: 241 km!

Today, too, we have an exciting journey ahead of us.

We are approaching the mighty Danube, Europe's second longest river (by the way, the longest river would have been the Volga). We are on our way to Smederevo, a fantastic and cultural city in the very east of Serbia, located directly on the Danube.

And of course, the perfect geographical location for wine growing. Even the ancient Romans knew this, which is why the Smederevo region is probably one of the oldest and best-known wine-growing regions in Europe today.

So, if you love wine, you've come to the right place.

The wine doesn't always have to come from France, Italy, Germany or anywhere else.

Before that, however, we make a stop at the Risovača Cave.

The cave is another famous site in Europe and dates back to the Palaeolithic Age. Archaeologists have found various fossils here, including the remains of mammoths, cave bears, prehistoric lions, rhinos, buffalo, and other animals from the Palaeolithic period.

So don't be fooled because Serbia is always good for something! Not just for wine.

Day 5 - Stage 4: 299 km!

Today is the day we cross the border into Romania.

A large part of our route takes us north-east, on the Romanian side, along the Danube to the Iron Gate. A gorge and small water passage forms the border between Serbia and Romania. This gorge also separates the Carpathian Mountains from the Balkan Mountains.

Let's go to Transylvania! Let's rock and roll!

Here we already get a taste of what lies ahead of us, dreamlike and pristine landscapes. We ride through typical small and dreamy villages, places where not so long ago steam locomotives were used to transport everything necessary (such as animals, food and goods) back and forth between the surrounding villages.

However, the locomotives have since been taken out of service and the locomotives have simply been left where they were and today the locomotives look like monuments in the countryside.

We will spend the night in Apa Neagră, idyllic, quiet and surrounded by an enchanting landscape.

Day 6 - Stage 5: 230 km!

A new day dawns. We set off as usual at 08:00.

Our destination for the day is Alba Iulia (Karlsburg) in Transylvania and thus the crossing of the Southern Carpathians. We take the Transalpina.

This pass crosses the Transylvanian Alps, connects Little Wallachia with Transylvania and reaches an altitude of 2145 meters.

Guaranteed to be the best opportunity to ride the most beautiful panoramic road south of the Swiss Alps, through the Southern Carpathians.

The view of the sheer endless expanse, over the rugged peaks of the Transylvanian Alps, will take your breath away.

Down in the valley, the fascinating barren and rugged landscape of the Southern Carpathians spreads out in its pure and grandiose beauty.

At a stop, locals will sell you buttery polenta in a spicy sauce, wrapped in cabbage and steaming coffee with sweet pastries in their self-built wooden huts.

Enjoy your meal!

The first snow often falls in some places at this altitude at the end of September.

This atmosphere is absolutely fascinating and also typical of the country.

Day 7 - Stage 6: 255 km!

Our tour is only now really picking up speed and gaining momentum!

Because today we are already heading south again through the breathtaking Cozia National Park, before conquering the Transfăgărășan from the south-west towards the north-east.

Another spectacular and extraordinary panoramic road that you should definitely not miss!

This route is in no way inferior to the previous one.

The Transfăgărășan has a total length of almost 150 km and connects the Argeș Valley in Great Wallachia with Transylvania. This pass road is only open for four months of the year - from July 1 to October 31. The rest of the year, it is not possible to cross due to snowfall and icing!

The history of its creation: Following the invasion of the former Soviet Union into Czechoslovakia in 1968, the then dictator Nicolae Ceaușescu had this road built between 1970 and 1974 in response to a Soviet invasion in order to ensure quick military access across the Făgăraș Mountains.

The absolute highlight of this day is the glacial lake Bâlea, in the middle of the Făgăraş Mountains, where we will also spend the night.

So somewhere in the middle of nowhere.

Day 8 - Stage 7: 171 km!

Today we can take it a little easier, as we have a somewhat shorter route ahead of us.

Today we'll ride the remaining and probably more beautiful part of this extraordinary panoramic road, the northern section, and then continue on to Bran, the actual center of Transylvania.

Once we arrive in Bran, we will take a short breather and treat ourselves to our first day off.

After checking into our room, and only those who want to can join us on a visit to Bran Castle, better known as Dracula Castle.

Although it is advertised as the castle of Count Dracula from Bram Stoker's stories, there is no evidence that Vlad the Impaler, on whom the stories are based, ever lived there. Not even the storyteller Bram Stoker himself was ever in the place.

Instead, the castle has been renamed Dracula's Castle by the Romanian tourism industry.

But who cares about that.

They are and always will be fond childhood memories.

Day 9 - Stage 0: 0 km!

As promised, today is a rest day........., more or less.

Relaxation is on the agenda all day today:

In short, you decide what you want to do with this day off.

• Sitting together with your new friends and sharing what you've already experienced,
• have a beer together at lunchtime
• or explore the town of Bran yourself

The motorcycle is of course at your disposal on this day.

Alternatively, experienced riders with enough energy can use the day for an additional ride to the spectacular Bicaz Gorge (Cheile Bicazului). This is a serious full-day ride of approx. 260 km each way, so it is definitely not the easy version of a rest day. But for those who still have enough power, this is an extraordinary route and, as a tour guide, exactly the kind of ride I would personally not want to miss.

If you prefer to take it easy, no problem at all: this day is officially your rest day.

Day 10 - Stage 8: 354 km!

Unfortunately, this day is already over and so is our visit to the Carpathians.

Our journey continues in the direction of Albania, although this involves an even greater distance.

On our way there, we visit one of the most beautiful Romanian towns, located directly on the Danube.

We ride to Drobeta-Turnu Severin, not far from the Iron Gate.

A place that still holds many memories of the “good old” Roman times.

Our accommodation there gives us a magnificent view of the Danube.

The place itself and a subsequent dinner together in one of the typical restaurants on the Danube will stay in your memory for a long time.

Day 11 - Stage 9: 422 km!

We head back towards the Adriatic coast and through the heart of Serbia.

We cross the border into Serbia, and how could it be otherwise, over the Iron Gate, following the route south of the Danube and not, as on the journey into the Carpathians, the northern side of the Danube.

We pass Lake Vlasina, near the Bulgarian border, and Kosovo.

You can certainly call this area the poorest region in Serbia, BUT definitely not poor in culture and poor in indescribable landscapes and natural beauty.

Not to mention the opportunities for motorcycling there.

This Serbian plateau is simply worth a visit.

Our goal is to reach Lake Ohrid, probably the most beautiful and best-known lake in North Macedonia.

However, we must make a stopover for the night in a small town called Surdulica, very close to Lake Vlasina.

Come with us and don't miss out on these experiences.

Day 12 - Stage 10: 314 km!

Macedonia is on the menu today.

To harmonize, a detour to the quirkiest capital in Europe, Skopje!

On the north side, on the Vardar River, is the old town and the Old Bazaar, an absolute highlight. In the Ottoman-influenced quarter, there are countless restaurants serving Macedonian and Turkish food, teahouses, stores AND mosques. Mosques as far as the eye can see.

Each street is dedicated to a specific theme, so on one street, for example, there is one jeweller after another and on the other street a barber, and so on and so forth.

The locals go shopping there, eat and drink tea or meet for a chat at the barber and when the muezzin calls to prayer, the carpets are rolled out on the street for prayers. Let yourself be surprised.

Our destination for the day is Lake Ohrid. The blue-green lake with its crystal-clear water is picturesquely nestled between the green, forested mountains of the Galičica Mountains, which are up to 2,200 meters high and form part of the border between Macedonia and Albania. It is one of the oldest lakes in the world and the oldest lake known to us in Europe.

We will stay overnight here in Ohrid with an incomparable view of the lake.

Day 13 - Stage 11: 291 km!

Unfortunately, we must leave this beautiful place and make our way to Gjirokastër, one of the oldest towns in Albania.

A picturesque small town from the Ottoman period and also known as the “city of a thousand steps” or “city of stones”.

On the way there, we ride almost completely around Lake Ohrid and cross the border to Albania.

Here too, incomparable landscapes and friendly and always helpful locals who are always up for a chat await us. Even if we sometimes have trouble communicating with them.

We visit the Llixhat e Bënjës, a thermal bath in the middle of a unique landscape. We take a longer break at this place and those who want can of course also use the open-air thermal baths to really relax.

Imagine taking a bath in the open air and enjoying a view that you won't soon forget.

We reach our overnight camp in Gjirokastër in the late afternoon.

Day 14 - Stage 12: 84 km!

We prepare ourselves for another day of rest, and perhaps a necessary one.

And since we are already here in this area, we should know how to make the most of the beauty of the Albanian Riviera.

We head off to Butrint, very close to the Ksamil peninsula.

Another hidden gem of the Balkans!

This place is a ruined city that impresses with its rich history and culture. The archaeological park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and also offers you the opportunity to explore ancient ruins from different eras.

The nature around Butrint is breathtakingly beautiful, with the lagoon, the river Vivar and the forest providing a unique backdrop.

But before we get there, we make a longer stop at the Blue Eye (Syri i Kaltër). This is a karst spring where the water gushes out at high pressure.

The exact depth of Syri i Kaltër has not yet been finally determined, but it is estimated to be around 51 m deep, and it is assumed that the Blue Eye is part of a large cave system with underground rivers between Drinos and Bistrica.

The last leg of our journey today to our accommodation in Butrint is by ferry across the Vivar Canal. Because brevity is the spice of life, or in short - a shortcut!

Day 15 - Stage 0: 0 km!

As previously announced, today is another rest day..., more or less.

So, relaxation is on the agenda for the whole day.

In short, you decide what you want to do on this day off.

For example, you could:

• explore the National Archaeological Park with the ruins of Butrint,
• the legendary beach of Ksamil,
• or visit the town of Sarandë with its beautiful beach promenade.

Of course, the motorcycle is also at your free disposal on this day.

Day 16 - Stage 13: 232 km!

As an exception, the journey starts at 09:00 today.

We have set our sights on Berat. The city of a thousand windows.

Berat, more than 2000 years old, is located approx. 70 km south of the capital Tirana in the mountainous region of central Albania. Not only the picturesque landscape, which is characterized by steep slopes and the river Osum, but also its unique architecture make it one of the most beautiful cities in Albania. It owes its nickname “City of a Thousand Windows” to the excellently preserved old town buildings overlooking the river valley. In order to preserve the historic cityscape with its unusual mixture of different styles, new buildings are still largely prohibited in the old town of Berat.

Of course, we take the winding coastal road, the SH8, and marvel at the views of the Albanian Riviera repeatedly. We carry on over the Llogara mountain pass, reaching an altitude of 1043 meters, and shall make a longer stopover at the Castle of Porto Palermo.

Mind you, Palermo in Albania and not Palermo in Sicily.

After checking into a beautiful hotel in Berat, we enjoy what`s probably the best Albanian food together in a very special restaurant. It's not for nothing that this small traditional restaurant is called Homemade Food Lili.

A MUST if you want to get to appreciate Albanian cuisine and are staying in Berat!

Day 17 - Stage 14: 236 km!

We leave the beautiful city of Berat and still have the taste of the previous evening's meal on our palates.

But the journey onwards, to the capital Tirana, where we have planned another day stop. Yes, that's right, and why? There is so much to discover in and around Tirana that we can't just pass through without giving it a second thought.

However, we are only going to be able to see the port city of Durrës in passing.

Before reaching Tirana, we visit the Osum River, or more precisely the Osum Canyon, southeast of Berat. The canyon (Kanionet e Osumit) is an incredible natural wonder located in the Skrapar region and is often referred to as the “Grand Canyon of Albania”. It is 13 km long, around 450 m high and is said to be around 2-3 million years old.

The way there will take some time, however, because on the one hand the roads are VERY winding AND on the other, there are so many spots along the way where we simply MUST stop for a photo shoot.

Once you arrive at the river, you are most welcome to take a refreshing plunge in the Osum River.

No one will stop you.

Day 18 - Stage 0: 0 km!

As already mentioned, we have planned another day here in Tirana.

Today, at least in theory, the whole day is dedicated to relaxation:

But you could also join us on a short private tour in and around Tirana. And one after the other:

• Visit to BUNK'ART. A nuclear bunker and a historical and artistic museum on the outskirts of Tirana. The museum is located in a huge underground bunker with five floors and 106 rooms, spread over an area of around 3000 m². The bunker was once intended as a shelter for the then dictator Enver Hoxha and the inner circle of his government during the Cold War. Absolutely worth a visit!
• Dajti Balcony's restaurant on Mount Dajti. From here, you have the best view of the city and good food to boot.
• Bovilla reservoir. Lake Bovilla, also known as Bovilla Reservoir, is another hidden gem in Albania. The lake provides most of the drinking water for the capital. Once there, you will have a breathtaking view of Lake Bovilla.
• Restaurant Ura Pinarit. Why here in particular? Here you get very good local food in beautiful surroundings and an unforgettable view of a sunset.

Let's go for it!

Day 19 - Stage 15: 282 km!

What we have already experienced was already unique and extraordinary, but what is to come in the next few days will take everything to a new level.

Let's wait and see!

But before we get to our actual destination, we take the opportunity to visit Kruja Castle and the Skanderbeg Museum. The small town of Kruja is located in an area full of untouched nature, consisting of magnificent mountain landscapes with forests of black pines as well as lakes and springs.

But who was Prince Skanderbeg anyway? Gjergj Kastrioti, known as Skanderbeg, lived from 1405 to 1468 and was an Albanian prince. He became famous for defending Albania against the Ottomans and the Albanians have revered him as a national hero ever since.

Right, today we pass Shkodra, entering the Albanian Alps, in a valley called Valbona.

Isolated from the outside world, almost forgotten. You could easily be forgiven for thinking you were in the Swiss Alps, only turned back in time by at least 200 years.

The population is manageable.

But what counts is the untouched and indescribable nature and the journey by motorcycle to this region, surrounded by rugged, almost vertical rock faces.

We don't want to tell you any more details, as it is difficult to describe in words.

You have to see it for yourself. Point!

Day 20 - Stage 16: 101 km + 3 hrs ferry crossing!

We spent the night in Llomi, practically at the end of the valley, in a cozy, privately run accommodation.

Here too, or especially here, the locals are always friendly, helpful and open to strangers. Here, finally, tourism makes its entrance.

Rested and full of energy, the journey moves on to Fierzë this morning.

We must catch the ferry to Komani, which shouldn't be a problem as the Berisha ferry normally departs at 13:00.

At least that's the plan, as the ferry only departs once a day.

So, assuming the ferry departs, we have a 2.5 to 3-hour ferry ride across the Komani reservoir, navigating through narrow and sometimes extremely narrow gorges.

High, rugged rock faces to the right and left, simply magnificent.

The perfect place for a photo shoot right on the ferry.

Once we arrive in Komani, we head towards Shkodra, located on the eponymous Lake Shkodra, on a no less spectacular road with countless bends.

We will camp overnight just outside Shkodra but will explore this vibrant city in the evening.

Day 21 - Stage 17: 221 km!

Today's destination is Theth in the Theth Valley, on the other side of the Maja e Boshit mountain.

There is no connecting road or passable mountain pass over the 2416 m high mountain.

Instead, there is a breathtaking hiking trail, the Valbona - Theth Hiking Trail.

Anyone who enjoys hiking should definitely not miss out on this. However, depending on the weather and the general time of year, this hiking trail can prove to be very dangerous.

This also applies to experienced hikers.

However, as we are motorcycle enthusiasts, a hike along this trail is out of the question for us anyway and we prefer to ride one of the most spectacular roads in the Albanian Alps.

The route from Shkodra to Theth.

Once we arrive there and after a special visit to an extraordinary waterfall, our journey crosses the border into Montenegro to our destination for the day, Budva.

Budva, a medieval town, sun-drenched beaches and a lively nightlife.

After our arrival and check-in, stroll with us around the cobbled streets of the old town and explore the cafés and boutiques.

Enjoy the most beautiful views of the Adriatic Sea with us over supper.

Day 22 - Stage 18: 98 km!

We leave our hotel at around 08:30 today, but we still need to make sure we arrive at today's destination, Lipa Cave, on time!

Lipa Cave, not far from Cetinje, is the first caving adventure in Montenegro and offers an enchanting variety of karst features and a unique experience of an underground world.

The authenticity of the cave lies in its true wilderness, a 2.5 km long system of passages and halls formed by countless drops of water over the course of 6 million years in complete darkness.

The tour carries on to one of the most spectacular viewing decks in Montenegro, the Bay of Kotor Viewing Point.

Once there, a photo shoot is guaranteed.

All that remains is the gigantic serpentine road down into the valley of Kotor.

We will sleep in a charming hotel with a magnificent view of the bay.

You simply must be there to see it.

Day 23 - Stage 19: 269 km!

The journey is nearing its end, but we still have a challenge or two ahead of us.

We cover a longer distance along the Bay of Kotor, which is an almost 30 km long, strongly winding fjord-like bay lined with high, very steep mountain flanks on the south-eastern Dalmatian-Montenegrin Adriatic coast.

Deep blue water, these unique mountain ranges and beautiful old towns greet you.

The route then takes us up into the mountains again, to Žabljak, past Lake Slansko to our destination for the day via magnificent mountain roads.

Once in the mountains, we will first pay a visit to the Đurđevića Tara Bridge.

A bridge straight out of a movie, somewhere between magic and fantasy. Built during the Second World War, the magnificent bridge with its five arches and a length of 365 meters is admired not only by artists, but also by architects and engineers.

It was built to create a better crossing over the second largest gorge in the world and thus connect Montenegro with Serbia.

We will spend the night in a very unusual hotel, located directly on the Tara.

Day 24 - Stage 0: 0 km!

Today, on our day off, we undertake a private rafting tour.

The rafting starts in Splavište, located in Durmitor National Park.

The transfer there is taken care of.

During the rafting, we have a chance to enjoy the untouched nature of the national park, raft down the river Ljutica (the shortest river in the world with a length of 170m), over the Green Springs, Žugić Lever Tara, back to our hotel Porto Tara at the foot of Ćurevac, the place where the Tara canyon is the deepest at 1330m.

Before we begin our descent down to the river, all participants will be briefed on safety and emergency procedures and given a rafting course, as well as all the necessary equipment.

The duration of our adventure will be about 5 hours.

Day 25 - Stage 20: 237 km!

Our last stages of the day have commenced. Sadly!

We leave our hotel after a joint breakfast on the terrace of our hotel, surrounded by magnificent nature!

We will start by crossing the Dumitor National Park.

If you want to experience untouched wilderness, you simply must pay a visit to this National Park. With its spectacular peaks, the Durmitor mountain range, which rises well above 2000 m, and the clear mountain lakes, the national park is without doubt one of the most beautiful areas in Montenegro.

On the other side of the National Park, we find the Piva Canyon with a fantastic view of the Piva River.

By the way, riding through the national park on a motorcycle is an absolute highlight.

Finally, we cross the border back into Bosnia, past Lake Bileća to the border with Croatia and we're almost there. Back on the Adriatic.

Once we arrive in Dubrovnik, in the very south of Croatia, we have to visit the old town of Dubrovnik after checking into our room. An absolute highlight when you are in Dubrovnik.

Simply worthwhile!

Day 26 - Stage 21: 242 km!

It's done; we're heading back to the starting point. We have covered a long distance.

Up to this point, we have covered around 4830 unforgettable kilometres and crossed 7 countries. Still the remaining 242 km lie ahead of us.

For the last stage of our journey, we have saved what is probably the most beautiful section of the Jadranska Magistrala, the legendary coastal road along the Adriatic.

There are still a few kilometres ahead of us for the most beautiful views of the Adriatic. This road is not considered one of the most interesting coastal roads in Europe for nothing.

Having arrived in Trogir and safely parked the motorcycles, we have plenty of time for a sociable farewell dinner in Trogir’ s enchanting old town.

We are looking forward to it.

Following this, you will spend the night in the same hotel as when you arrived.

So, you can start your journey home the following day without any hassle.

Or, and we advise every participant to do so, you can decide to simply extend your holiday in Trogir or the surrounding area by a few days.

Day 27 - Stage 0: 0 km!

If you do not wish to extend your stay with us here on the beautiful Adriatic, then today would be the day of your journey home.

In any case, we all wish you the very best.