Global Motorcycle Tours

TOUR INFORMATION

No motorcyclist likes travelling long distances on the motorway but in order to cover the distance to the Balkan states unfortunately there is no alternative but to use the motorway system for some of the journey. We have been using this route for some time for our longer tours and everyone agrees that it is not as difficult as it would first appear. The Autoroute system on the continent is far quieter and more relaxed than in the UK and therefore the miles pass by quicker than you can imagine.

This tour does contain some high mileage days on the Autoroute system and some challenging rural and mountain roads. Therefore this tour would be suitable for riders who are used to covering long distances and understand and accept the above. Although some of the days will be quite long you will be rewarded with the memories of an absolutely brilliant adventure.

TOUR ITINERARY

Day 1: 386 Miles

The tour starts as you exit the Euro tunnel at Calais and join the French motorway system. Located just a few minutes from the motorway your modern 4 star hotel is the perfect place to unwind after your first day.

Day 2: 247 Miles

Finally free of the motorway system you cross the Rhine River and enter the Black Forest of Germany. Your route takes you down a section of the B500 which is probably one of the most famous biking roads in Europe. Leaving the forest behind the alpine peaks now beckon and you enter Austria via the 5 mile long Pfänder Tunnel and the Arlbergpass. Your luxury four star hotel features an indoor swimming and outdoor rooftop pool, sauna, steam bath and relaxation area.

Day 3: 240 Miles

Some great roads lie ahead of you today but for speed and convenience you first take to the autoroute system and cross the Brenner Pass into Italy. Before long the autoroute is just a memory as you now enter one of Europe’s premier biking regions, the Dolomite Mountains. With the sweeping, twisting roads of the Dolomites still fresh in the memory your journey continues directly south to your next hotel close to the city of Venice.

Day 4: 256 Miles

With so much to fit in today we recommend you take an early breakfast before making your way around the Gulf of Venice and entering Slovenia. Containing 20 kilometres of underground galleries, chambers and caverns we also recommend you visit the stunning caves at Postojna. Once there you can take the cave train which allows you to admire the size and splendour of this unique underground world. After leaving the caves you continue into Croatia before riding the Risnjak National Park which is the most mountainous and heavily forested region of the country. Your hotel is just a few miles from Plitvice national park and its stunning lake complex.

Day 5:

Today there is no supplied ride out which leaves you free to explore the Plitvice National Park which is the oldest national park in Southeast Europe and the largest in Croatia. The park which is just a short taxi ride from the hotel is world famous for its 16 lakes and spectacular waterfalls. The area is interconnected by paths and walkways allowing you to explore the whole area on foot.

Day 6: 210 Miles

Today’s destination is the Bosnian city of Sarajevo. In the 1990s Sarajevo was on the edge of annihilation but today it is a vibrant, lively and friendly city. Sarajevo is one of the most historically interesting and varied cities in Europe. It is a place where the people of the Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox and the Ottoman, met, lived and worked. It has been an example of historical turbulence and the clash of civilizations, as well as a beacon of hope for peace and tolerance. Today, the city has physically recovered from most of the war damage caused by the Yugoslav Wars and ranks as one of the safest in South Eastern Europe. Your 4 star hotel is located in the old town making it ideally situated to explore this most fascinating of cities.

Day 7: 169 Miles

Leaving Sarajevo you head south to visit the 16th century ottoman built bridge in the city of Mostar. The Old Bridge stood for 427 years, until it was destroyed in 1993 during the Croat-Bosnian War. Subsequently, a project was set in motion to reconstruct it, and the rebuilt bridge opened in 2004. One of the country's most recognisable landmarks, it is also considered one of the most exemplary pieces of Islamic architecture. Continuing south you now head for your next destination, Dubrovnik.

Enjoying a fabulous beachfront location your hotel for the next two nights is the perfect place to relax and enjoy superb views of the stunning Adriatic coast. Boasting both outdoor and indoor pools the hotel is located in a small picturesque town with numerous bars and restaurants and is just a short boat ride across the bay to Dubrovnik.

Day 8:

Dubrovnik is one of the world’s most magnificent walled cities. Fondly known as the ‘the pearl of the Adriatic’, the streets of this Unesco world heritage site are filled with cafés and shops, spectacular churches, monasteries and museums. Today there is no supplied ride out leaving you free to explore this remarkable medieval city.

Day 9: 169 Miles

The Croatian coastline has been written about many times and I am sure that you will not be disappointed as today you experience breathtaking views along the Mediterranean Coast. Backed by high mountains and with hundreds of offshore islands the rugged Dalmatian coast is one of the most beautiful coastlines in Europe. As you continue your journey north you pass the town of Split before arriving at your next overnight stop in the small coastal town of Trogir.

Day 10: 320 Miles

A long day today as you first head through the Velebit Mountains and cross into Slovenia via the Lahinja Regional Park. As you pass the capital city of Ljubljana you see the mountains of the Triglav National Park start to rise in the distance. The road becomes increasingly interesting as you approach your hotel which is located in the heart of the Julian Alps on the banks of Lake Bohinj.

Day 11: 165 Miles

Today you cross the famous Grossglockner pass which at 2,500 metres is the highest surfaced mountain road in Austria with the highest peaks soaring to over 3,798 metres. Weather permitting you can take a short diversion to ascend the Edelweiss Peak or ‘bikers point’ which rises above the surrounding roads and affords unparalleled views of the surrounding mountains. The Grossglockner does charge quite a hefty toll but I am sure after riding this pass you will not regret one single euro. Your hotel tonight is close to the lakeside town of Zell am See which is located in the Hohe Tauern National Park.

Day 12: 250 Miles

Today you leave the mountains behind but not before you have ridden one more excellent Austria pass. Climbing to a height of 1,630 metres the Gerlosstraase is a true roller coaster of a road and with the spectacular Krimml Waterfalls en-route this is one road not to miss. You will then continue past beautiful mountain lakes and the along the Achen Pass into Germany. The riding becomes less challenging as you now enter the Linderhof national park and take the Ochsensitz Pass which follows the River Isar along the valley floor.

Day 13: 270 Miles

The great roads are far from over as you continue through the Pfalzer and Saar Hunsruck National Parks. These parks are probably one of Germany’s best kept secrets as the almost traffic free roads twist and turn through the forest and it is little wonder that this area is such a favourite with local bikers. Your onward journey continues through Luxembourg into the Ardennes region of Belgium to your last night’s hotel in the town of historic town of Bastogne. 

Day 14: 221 Miles

Following breakfast you head through rural Belgium and France before eventually joining the motorway system and the Euro Tunnel back to the UK. Euro Tunnel times are flexible and can be changed to suit individual requirements.

INSURANCE
It is recommended that all clients take out appropriate Personal Travel, Accident and Breakdown cover. This is essential for repatriation of yourself and your motorcycle in the event of an accident or medical emergency.

"Just wanted to say thank you very much for a brilliant trip. I am well aware of the amount of hours of planning and organisation that each trip must take you to do". Thank you for your diligence and hard work. The roads were amazing.
Linda & Malcolm. Corsica

We would just like to say thank you both for a great couple of weeks. Karen and me thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. Also a great bunch of people. Thank you once again, all the best.
Mick and Karen - Corsica