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UK to GREECE - BALKANS ADVICE NEEDED UK to GREECE - BALKANS ADVICE NEEDED
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Europe Topics specific to Western and Eastern Europe, from UK to the Russian border, and south-east to Turkey.
Photo by Alessio Corradini, on the Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia, of two locals

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Alessio Corradini,
on the Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia,
of two locals



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  #1  
Old 3 May 2011
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UK to GREECE - BALKANS ADVICE NEEDED
A friend and I are planning a trip from the UK to Greece this summer.

Adventure bikes.

We are used to off road, but will be sticking to mainly tarmac for this one as we have only 8 days to complete the distance.

Our plan is to get to Austrian / Slovenian border with pace then ...

Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia, Serbia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Greece at ease.

No interest in motorways unless essential, we like the scenic route.

Any advice ? Must sees ? Must take roads / tracks (we are not adverse to tracks !!)

Thanks in advance.

Mike
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  #2  
Old 3 May 2011
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If you do this let me know how you get along with bike insurance. I was going to do the same trip. But could not find any where that would insure the bike for the Non EU country's you are crossing. So in the end we change the plan, and have deiced to travel down Italy and then cross over into Greece.
John933
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  #3  
Old 4 May 2011
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In Albania and Kosovo you need to buy insurance at the border crossings. The other countries should already be on your green card. I'm going to the Balkans again this summer.
Gr,
Vincent
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  #4  
Old 4 May 2011
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@ Vincent: as far as I know the green insurance card is OK for entering Albania - you just have to buy an insurance entering Kosovo.
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  #5  
Old 4 May 2011
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thanks for the heads up. any routing suggestions ? great roads, places not to miss ??
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  #6  
Old 4 May 2011
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mikesharp98 View Post
thanks for the heads up. any routing suggestions ? great roads, places not to miss ??
SLO:Vršič pass,Bled lake,Bohinj lake,Postojna cave..
CRO:Plitvice,Adriatic coast..
.
.
.
have great time
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  #7  
Old 5 May 2011
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Quote:
Originally Posted by John933 View Post
If you do this let me know how you get along with bike insurance. I was going to do the same trip. But could not find any where that would insure the bike for the Non EU country's you are crossing. So in the end we change the plan, and have deiced to travel down Italy and then cross over into Greece.
John933
I just got this through from Carole Nash ... who were very helpful and replied within a day ...

>>>>>

Countries which do not require a Green Card:

France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Austria, Solvenia, Croatia, Greece

Countries which require a Green Card:

Bosnia , Serbia, Macedonia
Additional premium for 30 travel within these countries for up to 30 days- £31.80

*Countries not covered by your insurer: Kosovo*

We require the start and end date of your trip, and also the exact dates of travel within the countries requiring a Green Card.

Once you have finalised your plans please contact Customer Services with this information, your policy will be updated and a Green Card issued to you once payment has been taken.

>>>>>


From additional research Im told that you can buy cover for Kosovo at the Border.


THE TRIP IS ON !!

Now all I need is a set of routes ! Many hours looking at google maps I suspect .. Hehehe
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  #8  
Old 5 May 2011
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I got lost in Tirana and ended up riding into Macedonia and around Lake Ohrid - absolutely brilliant, followed by a nice widing pass up over a col in the Greek Atlas to get into Greece. I would be more specific about which roads I used but as stated, I was lost!
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  #9  
Old 5 May 2011
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Quote:
Originally Posted by endurofly View Post
SLO:Vršič pass,Bled lake,Bohinj lake,Postojna cave..
CRO:Plitvice,Adriatic coast..
.
.
.
have great time
+1

Slovenia is fantastic. Bled is just a beautiful wee place. Croatian coastal road is beautiful.

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*Disclaimer* - I am not saying my bike is better than your bike. I am not saying my way is better than your way. I am not mocking your religion/politics/other belief system. When reading my post imagine me sitting behind a frothing pint of ale, smiling and offering you a bag of peanuts. This is the sentiment in which my post is made. Please accept it as such!
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  #10  
Old 5 May 2011
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Originally Posted by Ralf1150GS View Post
@ Vincent: as far as I know the green insurance card is OK for entering Albania - you just have to buy an insurance entering Kosovo.
In Belgium AL is not on the green card. I was there in 2009 and bought it at the border (I think 15 euro).
I will post you some great routes in the Balkan.
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  #11  
Old 5 May 2011
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Posting Balkan-Routes - that would be great!!! We will be leaving in July...

I think actually it depends on the insurance company whether insurance is covered in a certain country or not - but at least 15,-€ is not that much!
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  #12  
Old 7 May 2011
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mikesharp98 View Post
I just got this through from Carole Nash ... who were very helpful and replied within a day ...

>>>>>

Countries which do not require a Green Card:

France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Austria, Solvenia, Croatia, Greece

Countries which require a Green Card:

Bosnia , Serbia, Macedonia
Additional premium for 30 travel within these countries for up to 30 days- £31.80

*Countries not covered by your insurer: Kosovo*

We require the start and end date of your trip, and also the exact dates of travel within the countries requiring a Green Card.

Once you have finalised your plans please contact Customer Services with this information, your policy will be updated and a Green Card issued to you once payment has been taken.

>>>>>


From additional research Im told that you can buy cover for Kosovo at the Border.


THE TRIP IS ON !!

Now all I need is a set of routes ! Many hours looking at google maps I suspect .. Hehehe
I'll remember that for next time I re insure.

John933
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To buy petrol in Europe. Pull up at station. Wait. Get out a 20 Euro note, then ask someone to fill up the bike. Give person money. Ride away. Simple.
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  #13  
Old 26 May 2011
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Just came down that way, neither Serbia nor Albania even asked about insurance, Macedonia did (and it was pricey, 50 euros I think). Insurance for Kosovo was available at the border and cost me 15 Euros for 1 month.

The Llogaria Pass in southern Albania is pretty spectacular. Half the roads in Albania could be defined as tracks...
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  #14  
Old 28 May 2011
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You can also take the route from Bosnia to Montenegro, down to Albania and then either directly to Greece or via Macedonia to Greece. There are some very nice routes through MNE.
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  #15  
Old 4 Jun 2011
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I'm in Athen's now haveing a few day's rest. Looking at staying here three day's and then moveing on.
John933
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To buy petrol in Europe. Pull up at station. Wait. Get out a 20 Euro note, then ask someone to fill up the bike. Give person money. Ride away. Simple.
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