Planned route for my tour 2010

[crazywakey]

I thought I would start off by mouthing off about a planned trip this summer....and see if I end up on the same frequency by July!!! Destinations as follows:

Luxumbourg
Zurich
Berchtesgarden (Eagles Nest)
Grossglockner Strasse
Through Slovenia, down to Zagreb
Into Bosnia, Banja Luka
Sarajevo,
Gornji Vacuf
Kupres
Livno
Down into Croatia, Dalmation Coast
(Either Split or another town for the ferry across to Italy)
Pompei
Cassino
Rome
Bologne
Stelvio
Bavaria
Black Forest
West, Through France (avoiding motorways)
Normandy beaches,
Home for tea and medals.....

3 weeks should just about cover that methinks....

Has anyone any tips for Slovenia and the Balkans? I did 2 tours of Bosnia during the war, but that was as a soldier, so this will be different completely. Anyone ridden Bosnia?

Cheers!

 

[Deleted account 210609001]

No idea about the Balkans, but looks like a great trip!

 

[hodge1150]

bloody heck

you must be reading minds, Im planning a similar trip meself. Not doing it on the GS tho (Victory with trailer). Have you any knowledge of the quality of Croatian roads ?.
cheers
Hodge

 

[bonglebongle]

Balkans!

Great route Matey. I did Stelvio, The Dolomites, Slovenia and Hungary in 2009 and I too was thinking of adding riding the Dalmatian coast (Trogir, Split & Dubrovnik) and back again through one of the other Italian twisties. Just a though though, is 3 weeks enough, seems at first look to be a lot of time in the saddle?

 

[PeterM]

Slovenia used to charge alot for their Vignette but they got told off by Brussels and had to drop the prices

Vignette

Last year when we went we made the effort to cross at the narrowest point which is from Trieste in Italy therefore avoiding the need to buy a Vignette

Trieste is low down on the list of places to return to so plan to stay the night before one side or the other

When you enter Croatia Make sure you take the coast road after you pass Rijeka

Sign posts around Senj will try and get you to join the A1 ignore all the signs and carry on the road numbered 8

Near to Zadar you need to do one junction on the "Motorway" although if you are clever and check the maps before you go then you can avoid this as well

Keep on the 8 and eventually you will reach Dubrovnik

The road from Rijeka to about Zadar is about 130 miles long

You will agree with me on your return that it is one of the best roads you have ever ridden

From Zadar to Dubrovnik has bits that are as good but some bits are a little busy

I am sure I do not have to tell you that on Google maps there is no coastal road shown for Bosnia. This is not true. There is a border crossing like anywhere else and its an easy route straight through to continue the route to Dubrovnik

Hope you have a great time

ps

When in Pompei check the menu prices before ordering a beer. Outside the entrance at a restaurant served by guys with orange aprons we got charged 25 euro's for two and a half beers and that was 2008

Peter

 

[Neil W]

If you are doing the Glockner stop locally (ie Zell am See/Kaprun/Bruck) overnight and get up there and across it before lunch time.
After that it is a bloody nightmare with a combination of coaches, race track refugees and old farts and dutchmen doing 20 mph on any side of the road they fancy.
Get there early and get a clear road and it is brilliant.

 

[crazywakey]

Ready to go!

Thanks for the tips guys, we depart at sparrows fart this Saturday. The trip has been adjusted slightly, the biggest difference being that we've decided now to head in a logically circular route, as follows:

Calais
Hochenheim
Stelvio
Lake Garda
Rome
Vesuvius
Bari
Ferry to Dubrovnik
Mostar
Sarajevo
Gornji Vacuf
Back to the Croatia coastline
North up the cost (Zadar, Rijeka)
Slovenia
Grossglockner Strasse
Eagles Nest (Berchtesgaden)
Munich

Then see how much time is left of the 3 weeks, with the aim to head back through France to the beaches of Normandy.

The bike is ready to roll, all paperwork is in order, just need to pack and get going!!!! I'll try and do some kind of diary each day (tall order sometimes, I know!) with the aim to pass on details of the routes, campsites etc.

Wish us luck!

 

[PeterM]

Have a dam fantastic time and post some pictures on your return

Good Luck

Peter

 

[haydw]

If you are going to Berchtesgaden up to the eagles nest, visit the museum across from the main car park before going up to the Kehlsteinhaus itself. Whilst the scenery is fantastic at the top, the queues for the lift are not.

The museum has a wealth of information and is easily worth the €5 entrance fee. I puts the whole nazi germany thing in perspective and explains how they got away with what they did for so long in their own country

 

[Phluppe]

Don't forget the Plitvice lakes in the Balkans, Croatia. It's int between Split and Zagreb, beautiful lakes with a wooden path to walk around.

Oh, and have a good trip

Grtz, Philip!