* Balkan-Italy Adventure Tour 2025

After breakfast together in our hotel, and after a short briefing, the journey begins.

The well-developed but winding road takes us north to what is probably the best-known place in Croatia, the “Plitvice Lakes National Park”(HR). The driving distance there is approximately 134 miles. This tour will show us great landscapes and views. We also move into our first quarter for the night nearby. After our hotel rooms have been confiscated, we will also visit the national park together. Due to the special beauty of the park and its lakes and waterfalls, "Plitvice"(HR) is one of the most beautiful and popular excursion areas in southern Europe. This famous national park was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1979.

The lakes are an absolute must-see.

Starting from "Skradin"(HR), today we ride a little along the coast, the well-known and winding, as well as very impressive "Jadranska Magistrala"(HR). It was built in the 1960s and 1970s and is considered one of the most beautiful and scenic coastal rides in the world. Anyone who knows them and has ridden them knows what that means.

But it should not only go along the coast, because near "Trogir"(HR) we turn left and drive up into the mountains to "Izvor Cetine"(HR), called the blue spring. The "Izvor Cetine"(HR) or translated Cetina spring, is a beautiful blue spring in the Croatian highlands and is located near the border to Bosnia and Herzegovina, northeast of Split.

After a short rest, we continue down the valley to the coast to "Omiš"(HR). On this 3rd day of our trip, we have covered another 163 miles and will spend the night in the idyllic place "Omiš"(HR).

Today it starts as always at 08:00 am. After a hearty breakfast, we ride further south, again a short distance along the "Jadranska Magistrala"(HR). But not as far as Neum(BIH), we leave the coastal road much sooner and turn left up into the mountains and cross the border to Bosnia and Herzegovina up in the mountains. Our journey today takes us to the "Kravice Waterfalls"(BIH). If we find the time, we will definitely not miss swimming in the beautiful and clear water. Then we continue on our 184 miles long journey to the "Old Bridge" in "Mostar"(BIH). In the late evening, back in Croatia on the coast in "Dubrovnik"(HR), we will move into our rooms. We also take the opportunity to walk to the “Old Town”(HR) of Dubrovnik afterward. An absolute MUST. We will also have dinner here together.

There is still a lot to explore today, a long tour of 196 miles lies ahead of us. Passing many lakes and mountains - we move on winding, dreamlike roads and cross the border to Montenegro. Our primary goal, passing "Kotor"(MNE), will be the "Lipska pećina"(MNE). The Lipa Cave is one of the largest caves in Montenegro and the only cave that can be visited. The karst cave consists of a system of corridors, caves, and passages of about 2500 meters, part of which is used by an underground river. Later we head into the mountainous interior, on to the "Durmitor Mountains"(MNE) and National Park. Just stunning. Here is an impressive demonstration of why this country was called Montenegro (Black Mountain). The trip to the "Durmitor National Park" (it goes up to 1,900 m above sea level) is the highlight of the day. We will spend the night in the highest town, called "Žabljak"(MNE) and almost in the middle of Montenegro.

The next morning, we continue through the "Tara Canyon"(MNE) towards the Adriatic Sea. We will now cross the border to Albania. However, before we embark on the long journey, we must definitely see the famous "Đurđevića Tara Bridge"(MNE) overlooking the Tara River. The gorge is hardly known, and yet the deepest gorge in Europe. Once again, the roads in the "Durmitor National Park"(MNE) will inspire us. On the further way southwest to the coast, we pass the "Shkodra Lake"(AL) and return to Montenegro for the time being, as we visit the "Fortress Old Bar"(MNE). To avoid any misunderstandings, this is NOT a bar, but rather an old fortress. The fortress is the oldest fortress in the country and is located below “Mount Rumija”(MNE) on a steep cliff. The fortress tells a turbulent story of the many civilizations that once inhabited the area. We will stay overnight in a small coastal town called "Budva"(MNE). Today we covered another 292 miles.

Today we have 186 miles ahead of us. We have planned a longer riding time for this, as we will be riding on very winding roads. We continue to Albania. Passing the "Shkodra Lake"(MNE), where the river Morača"(MNE) flows in. Crossing the only bridge over the lake to continue to Albania on the southwestern part of the lake. The "Shkodra Lake" is the largest lake on the Balkan Peninsula and - depending on your perspective - next to Lake Garda the largest lake in southern Europe. The lake has the name used here after the formerly used Italian name of the Albanian city Shkodra located at the southeastern tip of the lake. We pass many other small lakes and rivers on our exciting ride to the “Lezhë District”(AL). It pulls us inland near the "Fierza Lakes"(AL). We will spend the night together in a hotel in the "Lezhë District"(AL).

After this long ride on the bikes, everyone deserves a break. But don't worry, the next morning we will continue at 08:00 am sharp. It's not far to our first day off on one of the most beautiful beaches on the Adriatic coast.

As already promised. The journey continues on a route of 213 miles across Albania further south. The actual riding time will be around 6 hours. On our trip to the "Ksamil-Butrint National Park"(AL) we have the opportunity to get to know a lot of cultural things from the people in the Albanian inland. We ride along the mountains, through valleys, and again along numerous rivers with impressive fauna and flora. For this tour, we avoid any section along the coast because at the end is the destination, the "Ksamil National Park"(AL).

Once there, we will move into our hotel and allow ourselves a longer break. We have planned the break for 1 day because we still have a long way to go. The next and most important destination will be Durrës in order to be able to take the ferry to Italy. We have 2 days to do this.

Today is a holiday. Freetime!

Relaxation is the agenda all day long:

Everyone can do what they want, e.g.:

• explore the area on your own
• go swimming or snorkeling
• laze and enjoy life
• exchange of experiences for what has already been experienced
• telling childhood stories and jokes……or whatever

No matter what you will do, only one thing is important: Fun

But please always remember, the next morning we have to be fit and rested because we continue as usual at 08:00 am.

The lazy life is over today, and we want to explore more.

As already mentioned, we now have 2 days to reach our ferry in "Durrës"(AL). Our journey takes us back to the north of Albania towards "Durrës". We ride through the inland of the country, or rather, through Albania's center, passing the "Tomorr Mountain"(AL). And we will have a stopover in "Berat"(AL) with an overnight stay there. Although it is only 133 miles to Berat, the route will not be an excursion. The pure riding time without complications will be about 7 hours. Basically, no problem, because the way is the goal. We are rewarded for these little hardships with the best memories, and we really deserve a beer together in the evening at the hotel in "Berat". But as we always say, keep in mind, the next morning at 08:00 am we continue, and we all want to get home safe as that is always the top priority above anything else.

We leave Berat with a clear head and a goal for the day. As always, we are focused on what lies ahead. Our goal today is the port of "Durrës"(AL). The total distance today is only 100 miles and that gives us the opportunity to visit the “Elbasan Castle” in “Elbasan”(AL) and the "Grand Park of Tirana" in “Tirana”(AL). Today we will have enough time for everything worth seeing and we will use this time extensively.

Check-in for the transfer to Italy will be around 07:30 pm and the ferry will leave the port of “Durrës” around 10:00 pm. And while the ferry drives by itself without any action on our part and takes us to "Bari"(IT), we will sleep in our cabins and arrive rested in Bari at 08:00 am the next morning.

Life can be so easy and comfortable.

Another 170 miles lie ahead of us on the 13th day of our journey. We ride again through small Italian and typical localities. Visit the “Castle Boncompagni Viscogliosi”(IT) and “Cascata di Isola del Liri”(IT). Enough time for lunch, enough time to explore the town. We continue northwest, passing close to Rome but avoiding the traffic and hustle and bustle of this city. Today's destination will be the "Lago di Bracciano"(IT) because we will spend the night there not far from the promenade. This day will also be an unforgettable day.

It is said, of course, that many roads lead to Rome, but we thankfully decided against it today and prefer to use the roads away from the hustle and, above all, to explore. Anyone who has ever ridden or driven through Rome knows why it makes more sense not to ride through Rome with a motorcycle group. Not even if e.g., the Vatican City or the Colosseum would have been within reach.

Finally, the time has come. We leave the certain beautiful "Lago di Bracciano", but we are now on our way to one of the most breathtaking parts of Italy. Of course, the Italian Alps and Tyrol have a lot to offer. But Tuscany is Tuscany. Nowhere in Italy are more picturesque places, regions, and landscapes than here, here in Tuscany.

So, we make ourselves very comfortable on the 122 miles trip ahead of us. We just want to enjoy this landscape. We ride towards “Lago di Bolsena”(IT) where we will ride along the lake for quite a bit. Then begins the region of "Val d'Orcia"(IT) and further north the "Province of Siena"(IT).

You just have to experience it all.

In the evening we happily reach the place "Monteriggioni"(IT), in the middle of Tuscany, and our last overnight stay in Italy.

Unfortunately, it goes back to the starting point. We have come a long way. In the meantime, we have covered approximately 2180 road miles and have traveled through 5 countries.

The last stage begins today. We leave Tuscany towards the port of “Ancona”(IT). However, before we say goodbye to our last place to stay, let's take a look at the well-known "Duomo di Siena"(IT). Then we continue to “Lago Trasimeno”(IT), which we will ride along. Not to forget the passage through the "Parco Regionale del Monte Cucco"(IT). In the late afternoon, we arrive at the port of Ancona. On this day we could enjoy motorcycling again for 167 miles. Everything is ready for check-in on the ferry back to Croatia at 05:00 pm. Because later is often too late. Around 07:00 pm we set sail for our crossing to “Split”(HR). As usual, we sleep in a cabin on the ferry tonight and we will arrive in Split early the next morning.

Arrived at 07:00 a.m. in the port of Split, we will be ready to go again at 08:00 a.m. and leave the port towards Moon Bar in Split (our starting point for the first day). We will park the motorcycles there and sit down together for a cup of coffee. If you already want to go home and have booked a return flight for that day, you are of course free to do so. All other participants with a little more time to spare are welcome to join us for another day. We are looking forward. No matter what you decide, we will definitely take you back to your hotel where you stayed the first night after your arrival. We will have dinner together there.

And as a further thank you for your company, the cost of dinner (excluding drinks) and overnight stay are at our expense. We will then take you to the international airport in Split.