Hardcore Balkan Tour....

[purds]

Thanks for that Stevei - great write up

Two mates and I will be doing a similar route in 4 weeks time but heading East into Macedonia, Southern Bulgaria and onto Istanbul.

Albania looks 'interesting'.

 

[harrybo1]

alrite steve great pics and report, Im doing a 5 week trip down that way myself last week of may whole of june, im two up my mrs is a bit precious so after your report im starting to worry, was going into macidonia but you say insu expensive? also being two up i wanna try an avoid the really bad roads if poss,also cant make my mind up weather to turn left make my way to romainia or gib across to italy how much was the ferry? if you have got any advice tips be greatley appreicated,Il be ok just a bit concerned abt her you know what its like an un happy woman could lead to a quick flt home, an murder for me when i get home. cheers carl

 

[Stevie73]

alrite steve great pics and report, Im doing a 5 week trip down that way myself last week of may whole of june, im two up my mrs is a bit precious so after your report im starting to worry, was going into macidonia but you say insu expensive? also being two up i wanna try an avoid the really bad roads if poss,also cant make my mind up weather to turn left make my way to romainia or gib across to italy how much was the ferry? if you have got any advice tips be greatley appreicated,Il be ok just a bit concerned abt her you know what its like an un happy woman could lead to a quick flt home, an murder for me when i get home. cheers carl

No worries Carl. Border insurance at Macedonia can range by all accounts but around €50 seems to be the going rate. Going there would have really pushed our time limits towards the end of the ride as we only had 12 days in total. As it turns out, we could have easily gone cos we did the whole loop in 10 days . Albania is fine. Stick to the bigger roads and you'll be OK two up. Having said that, even on the bigger roads there many unpaved sections, but if you take it easy, they're nothing to worry about. Just take it nice and slow and keep your eyes peeled. The scenery in Albania is well worthit Don't ride at night there, and take extra care on the bends on country roads...

As for the boat. We crossed from Iguomenitsa in Greece, near Corfu, to Brindisi with Endeavour Lines. If you can book in advance it should work out cheaper, but as we just turned up, we ended up paying around €110 as opposed to €70 each....

I quite fancied turning left at Greece and heading back up the Eastern side of the Baltics, but the wife being in Italy meant that wasn't an option. If you get to Romania, do the Transfagarasan Highway!! I was dreaming about it....One day....

Have a safe trip and good luck...

 

[harrybo1]

Nice one steve thanks for the info Ill let you know how we get on thanks again

 

[tommygun]

Awesome report Steve. You should read 'Uneasy Rider' by Mike Carter as he travels through a similar route you took - very funny. Apparently the majority of luxury cars stolen in Western Europe end up in Albania, which would explain the huge volumes you saw.

 

[CrashOverride]

Great ride report, brightened up a boring friday afternoon at work

 

[Stevie73]

You should read 'Uneasy Rider' by Mike Carter as he travels through a similar route you took - very funny.

Ordered

 

[the beer hunter]

Fantastic Steve, just seen this now.

Inspiring stuff indeed, 'yo the man!