16 Day Balkans, Adriatic, and Albania Explorer - Guided Motorcycle Tour in Four Countries

Overview

Zagreb - Istria - Losinj - Zadar - Hvar - Dubrovnik, Croatia; Durmitor - Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina; Shkodër - Berat, Albania; Kotor, Montenegro

Highlights

• Starts and ends in Zagreb
• Visit Istria; the home of exquisite wine, cheese, and truffles
• Discover Cres, Lošinj, Krk, and Hvar islands
• Enjoy amazing coastal rides
• Pass through Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, and Albania
• View sceneries of majestic mountains
• Ride through beautiful Bosnian islands
• 15 nights accommodation

Itinerary

1. Day 1: Zagreb

   Upon your arrival to Zagreb, Croatia, you will have an opportunity to enjoy the atmosphere of one of the most attractive and vibrant Central European capitals. Depending on the time of your arrival, you might have time to do some sightseeing or simply to rest and prepare yourself for the excitement that awaits you. You will be given all the necessary information concerning your tour at the welcome dinner in the evening of the first day.

2. Day 2: Zagreb - Istria

   Welcome to the first riding day of your coastal adventure. Your starting point is Zagreb and your goal will be to reach Istria – Croatia’s largest peninsula – the home of exquisite wine, cheese, and truffles. You are taking the ‘old road’ – formerly the only connection between the continental and coastal part of the country. After the highway Zagreb-Rijeka was built, this road is rarely used, and luckily for you, it features good asphalt and some great curves. This road was built in early 19th century, in times of the Austrian-Hungarian Empire, and was named ‘Lujzijana’ after Maria Luisa, the

3. Day 3: Istria - Cres - Lošinj

   Let’s take a tour of Istria, have a closer look at those vineyards and olive groves, and visit some of the picturesque villages located on hilltops arising from foggy valleys. Apart from being famous for the beauty of its nature, Istria is the area rich with history. Here, every village has some amazing old stories to tell and many Roman and early Slavic remains to prove them. After leaving Novigrad, you will visit famous Lim fjord. The Lim bay and valley is a peculiar geographic feature found near Rovinj and Vrsar on the western coast of Istria, south of Poreč, Croatia. The name comes from th

4. Day 4: Lošinj - Krk - Zadar

   Heading back to the island of Cres and taking another ferry ride, this time to reach the island of Krk, which is connected with the mainland with a big modern bridge. A ride past the charming coastal towns to the old pirate port with a fortress – Senj. You will be heading south alongside the magnificent Karolina road, one of the most scenic motorcycle coastal rides! Its a truly amazing and unforgettable riding day. The roads are marvelous, ride is amazing and the view is simply indescribable. You will be ending the day in Zadar, a beautiful coastal city rich of history from Roman times. You co

5. Day 5: Zadar

   Today you will take a break in beautiful Zadar. There is plenty of opportunities out of which Adventure Roads Limited will offer you a sailing trip to famous Kornati archipelago. Easygoing time on the boat combined with delicious cuisine and stunning views will be the perfect rest from the ride and fueling you with energy for the next days of your journey.

6. Day 6: Zadar - Šibenik - Split - Hvar

   You will ride right through the belly of Dalmatia, an area called Ravni Kotari – a place of ideal climate and fertile land, an area filled with marasca orchards, olive groves, and vineyards. You will get a chance to see another pirate bay - Skradin – an amazing location where the mountain river Krka meets the sea (Krka National Park). From the hilly roads of Dalmatian hinterland, you will take a look at the historical city of Šibenik and then rest for the night in the wonderful Mediterranean city of Split where you will take a ferry to the beautiful Island of Hvar.

7. Day 7: Hvar - Pelješac peninsula - Dubrovnik

   Today you will be heading towards Pelješac peninsula in a truly amazing coastal ride. You will be passing through Ston bay, famous for its mussels, of course you will not miss the chance to taste this delicious sea specialty. Pelješac peninsula will show you a magnificent beauty of the scenic ride with the view to the deep blue Adriatic sea and vineyards of Plavac (the homeland of famous grape sort, that passed its glory all the way across Italy to USA (famous Zinfandel routes come from here). Sure you will not miss the opportunity to taste and enjoy it. Your evening will end back in Dubrovnik

8. Day 8: Dubrovnik

   Today you will take a break in Dubrovni and use the opportunity to explore it. The absolute best of the Croatian coastal destinations. ln case you would like and have some free time, you could visit Molunat - the cutest fishing village in the south part of Konavle, famous for its beautiful sandy beach. The entire region is famous for a number of exclusive and high-rating restaurants where you will surely taste some of the most amazing specialties of the south Dalmatian cuisine: smoked ham and cheese, young lamb and veal baked under an iron bell, home-baked bread and grilled fish of the finest

9. Day 9: Dubrovnik - Sutjeska - Tara canyon - Durmitor

   Today it is time to move on to another exciting country. Bosnia and Herzegovina is ahead of you. After riding down the Durmitor nature park, riding along the Tara and Sutjeska rivers and canyons (Sutjeska was one of the famous historic sights of WWII as one of the toughest battles between German troops and Partizans took place there. The Battle of Sutjeska (known as the Fifth Enemy Offensive in the Yugoslav historiography) was a German operation against Partisans Main Operational Group in the Second World War. The German code name for this operation was "Operation Case Black" (German: Fall Sch

10. Day 10: Durmitor - Berane - Shkoder

    Enjoying the ride of magnificent Durmitor mountain, you will be continuing your adventure further down south through the valleys surrounded by mountains before crossing the borter to Albania. This area is truly stunning and mountain ranges are spreading all around before coming down to the beautiful Shkoder. Albanian city of Shkoder on the shores of a beautiful lake Shkoder (one part of the lake belongs to Montenegro and another to Albania). Shkodër is the most historic town in Albania. The oldest wall of the Shkodër castle dates from the 1st millennium BCE. The Roman historian Livy cited the

11. Day 11: Shkoder - Durres - Berat

    Continuing the Albanian adventure! You will be heading down towards the shores of Adriatic and reaching an incredible and vibrant Durres. The important port of Albania and a town full of history and crossroads of Mediterranean, South Italian, and even north African influence. You can immediately feel the vibrant atmosphere. It’s known for its huge Roman amphitheater. Nearby is a 9th-century church with mosaic-covered walls. The Archaeological Museum displays pieces from the Greek, Hellenistic and Roman periods. Heading further you will be again entering the inlands of Albania and beautiful tow

12. Day 12: Berat

    Today you will take a break and use the opportunity to explore Berat, its surrounding hills, a castle on the hilltop or simply drink coffee and feel the street vibe or rest in the hotel. A town certainly so magnificent and worth visiting. A truly authentic Albania with a lot of history in one place.

13. Day 13: Berat - Tirana - Kotor

    You will continue your Albanian journey towards its capital - Tirana, ride the inlands and some very nice curvy roads. Late in the afternoon you will again cross the border to Montenegro and the day in beautiful bay of Kotor.

14. Day 14: Kotor - Mostar - Sarajevo

    You will take the curvy roads through the karst areas of western Herzegovina until you reach Mostar – the capitol of Herzegovina and a city of unique beauty and amazing history, split in two parts governed by two separate administrations – one held by the Croats and the other one held by the Bosniaks. Located on the banks of the Neretva River, famous for many beautiful Islamic structures built during the Ottoman Empire, the most famous of which was the Old Bridge connecting the Muslim communities in the East with the Christian communities in the west. The Old Bridge was destroyed during a bitt

15. Day 15: Sarajevo - Banja Luka - Zagreb

    Today you will be heading back to Zagreb riding through beautiful Bosnian inlands, having some of delicious authentic lunches along the way before crossing the border with Croatia in the afternoon. Late afternoon you will be reaching your staring point in Zagreb. in the evening you will be having your farewell dinner, exchanging impressions of this magnificent tour and plan already the next one!

16. Day 16: Zagreb

    Depending on you flight schedule, you may use the opportunity to have a walk in the historic city center of Zagreb, have a coffee in one of its charming streets. The airport is easily reachable so you can have a nice and relaxing morning before your departure.

Ride Details

Terrain

all asphalt, mainly very good roads

Bike

personal or rental bike (BMW, Honda, or Suzuki models)

Mileage

3280 km / 2038 miles

Daily rides

200 - 350 km / 124 - 217 miles

Riding gear

available to rent

Meals

15 breakfasts, 11 lunches, and dinners except on rest days

Accommodation

You will be accommodated at comfortable, high rating hotels and B&Bs.

Getting There

This tour starts in Zagreb, the capital of beautiful Croatia and immediately hits the coast where your adventure starts. You will be cruising one of the most scenic coastal routes all the way to the south of Adriatic and continue up the hills of Montenegro after spending great rides and days along the coast of Adriatic reaching Dubrovnik. The Kotor Bay and hillls of Montenegro, thrilling and wild