16 Day Eastern European Explorer: Carpathian and Tatra Mountains Guided Motorcycle Tour in Europe

Overview

Budapest - Tokaj, Hungary; Timisoara - Drobeta Turnu Severin - Sibiu - Pitesti - Brasov - Cluj Napoca, Romania; Krakow, Poland; Liptovski Hradok - Bratislava, Slovakia;

Highlights

• Starts and ends in Budapest, Hungary
• Daily riding time: 6-8 hours
• Explore including Slovakia, Hungary, Poland, Romania
• Enjoy the culture, roads and scenery of Eastern European countries
• Rest days in Krakow, Sibiu, Brasov for your own exploration
• Discover the thrilling Transalpina, Tatra and Carpathian mountains
• Ride along the shores of famous and scenic Danube River
• 15 nights of accommodation in comfortable, high-rating hotels and BBs

Itinerary

1. Day 1: Arrival to Budapest

   This city is an amazing work of art and a historic marvel dating from Celtic times followed by ancient Romans, the Ottoman Empire, and the Austrian-Hungarian Empire. The central area of Budapest along the Danube River is classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has several notable monuments, including the Hungarian Parliament and the Buda Castle. The city also has around 80 geothermal springs, the largest thermal water cave system, the second-largest synagogue, and the third-largest Parliament building in the world. Budapest attracts around 12 million international tourists per year, mak

2. Day 2: Budapest (Hungary) - Timisoara (Romania)

   You will ride through the Hungarian vast plains before entering Romania and its region of Banat. You will arrive at an exciting town, Timisoara, famous as the first town with electric public street lightning. A large part of the city and its buildings were designed by Gustave Eiffel. Timisoara is also famous as a historic city for its riot against communist rule.

3. Day 3: Timisoara - Drobeta Turnu Severin

   Ride through national parks Semenic and Derdap Gorge, one more scenic day and a great ride along the shores of Danube River.

4. Day 4: Ride across Transalpina

   Transalpina! One of the highlights of the tour... Until recently, it was considered one of the most dangerous roads in the world and called the most frightful names, the Death Road, the Devils Road, but today, following a complete renovation, it keeps luring bikers from all parts of the world - road DN 67c the popular Transalpina. Approaching the road from the south, you are bound to enjoy it all the way until you reach the city of Sibiu.

5. Day 5: Sibiu Rest Day

   A well-earned rest in the city of Sibiu, also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Largely inhabited by Germans until 1945 (Hermannstadt), it is the main center of the Transylvania region and a magical city of countless churches, medieval castles towers, and bridges.

6. Day 6: Epic Ride Across Famous Transfagarasan From Sibiu to Pitesti

   Another delightful day, a bit further to the west - officially called DN7C, but unofficially known as the "Stelvio Pass of the Balkans": Transfagarasan a 90-km-long road used as a location for filming the 14th season of the Top Gear did not acquire its cult status for no reason. In fear of the Soviet invasion, the Romanian dictator Ceausescu had this road built to enable rapid deployment of his tank units. This paranoia had cost him 6 million kg of dynamite and 40 human lives. You will use this asphalt creature in the best possible way - on two wheels. Unforgettable ride and one of the best mo

7. Day 7: Jewels of Carpathian mountains from Pitesti to Brasov

   Now it is time to dig deeper into more history and besides the amazing scenic roads of the European east, you will pass as well again some historic towns as castles For example Bran castle (famous as Dracula's castle) and some others. You will be riding a true jewel of the Carpathian mountains circle of Poiana Brasov, seeing ancient fortresses and castles on your way.

8. Day 8: Brasov Rest Day

   You will take a bit of a break and have a rest day in Brasov, a former German Gothic town in Romania Brasov is a city in the Transylvania region of Romania, ringed by the Carpathian Mountains. It's known for its medieval Saxon walls and bastions the towering Gothic-style Black Church and lively cafes Piata Sfatului (Council Square) in the cobbled old town is surrounded by colorful baroque buildings and is home to the Casa Sfatului, a former town hall turned local history museum.

9. Day 9: Brasov - Cluj Napoca

   On your way from beautiful Brasov to Cluj Napoca, you will be passing the very heart of the mountainous and forest region of Transylvania, so it is one more very scenic riding day with excellent roads before arriving again to beautiful town of Barocco and Rococo palaces fabulous parks and botanic gardens.

10. Day 10: Cluj Napoca - Tokaj (Hungary)

    Today, you will be heading back toward valleys and plains towards most famous Hungarian wine region, Tokaj.

11. Day 11: Tokaj - Krakow (Poland)

    Up again! Another riding day across beautiful mountains. You will be riding a High Tatras region from Hungary across Slovakia to Poland and well-known beautiful city of Krakow.

12. Day 12: Krakow Rest Day

    Today, you will take a break and spend the rest day in beautiful historic Krakow, Poland. Krakow is the second-largest and one of the oldest cities in Poland. Situated on the Vistula River in Lesser Poland Voivodeship, the city dates back to the seventh century. Krakow was the official capital of Poland until 1596 and has traditionally been one of the leading centers of Polish academic economic cultural and artistic life. Cited as one of Europe's most beautiful cities, its Old Town with Wawel Royal Castle was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978, one of the world's first sites granted

13. Day 13: Krakow (Poland) - Liptovski Hradok (Slovakia)

    Today, you will be exploring the Tatra mountain range. A lot of amazing roads and beautiful natural landscapes before arriving to a charming small Slovak towns of Liptovski Hradok and Liptovski Mikulas.

14. Day 14: Liptovski Hradok - Bratislava

    Today, you will be riding across low Tatras a beautiful scenic riding day towards Slovakia and a charming Bratislava. Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia is set along the Danube River by the border with Austria and Hungary. It's surrounded by vineyards and the Little Carpathian mountains, crisscrossed with forested hiking and cycling trails. The pedestrian-only, 18th-century old town is known for its lively bars and cafes. Perched atop a hill the reconstructed Bratislava Castle overlooks old town and the Danube.

15. Day 15: Bratislava - Budapest

    On your way back to Hungary and the beautiful city of Budapest where the tour started, you will not miss the ride along the shores of famous and scenic Danube River before reaching Budapest for your farewell dinner.

16. Day 16: Budapest departure

    It is time to say goodbye to beautiful Budapest. Here is where you say farewell and start to plan your next exciting tour enriched with memories of the marvelous one you have passed. In case you have some time until your flight, you can use it to have a relaxing visit of Budapest or have a coffee and famous cakes in one of its charming beautiful squares and street cafes. Wish you a safe trip and looking forward to your next journey!

Ride Details

Terrain

All asphalt, excellent roads

Bike

personal or rental bike (BMW or Honda models)

Total mileage

2.800 kilometers (1.740 miles)

Daily mileage

200 - 350 kilometers (124 - 217 miles)

Riding gear

Available for rent

Meals

all breakfasts, 11 lunches and dinners except on rest days

Accommodation

You will be accommodated in high-rating (4\*) hotels or private accommodation.

Food

The package includes daily breakfasts, lunch and dinners, during the tour except on free/rest days. One drink is also included during lunches and dinners.

Getting There

This tour is a true gem of Eastern Europe and definitely one of the best rides there is in Eastern Europe. You will be taken through some of the most beautiful epic roads of Transfagarasan and Transalpina, exploring the Carpathians and Tatras mountain ranges and combining them with beautiful historic cities of Eastern Europe. [+](https://www.tripaneer.com/adventure-roads-limited/16-day-eastern-eur