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

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

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

@ Vincent: as far as I know the green insurance card is OK for entering Albania - you just have to buy an insurance entering Kosovo.

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..
.
.
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have great time

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 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!

+1

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

:)

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.:clap:

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!

I'll remember that for next time I re insure.
:D
John933

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...

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.

I'm in Athen's now haveing a few day's rest. Looking at staying here three day's and then moveing on.
John933

Montenegro is stunning. The gulf of Kotor. Take the road inland from Budva to lake Shkoder. Macedonia is OK but for €50 I would avoid it next time. I found Albania to be of more interest. The mountains in the south were stunning. Indeed there is a lot to see as you head into Northern Greece.

Lake Shkoder: Me out front and Colebatch behind.

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5306/...b02d1728_o.jpg

another of Lake Shkoder:

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5310/...967cb60b_o.jpg

Montenegro

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5305/...eae6b64b_o.jpg


The Vikos Gorge in Northern Greece for example

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...ikos-gorge.jpg

UK Insurers tend not to give out Green cards so you will pay border insurance for most of the non EU Balkan countries except Croatia. As a rough guide and depending on where you cross this is roughly what you'll pay

Bosnia - I crossed on the tiny coastal strip that intersects Croatia and didn't pay anything
Montenegro - €10
Albania - the border guards were distracted by the ladies in the car behind and so again we didn't pay anything
Macedonia - €50
Kosovo - €15
Serbia - they wouldn't let us in because we were arriving from Kosovo

hope this helps

Be warned though you might find dodgy motorcyclists manning the bunkers in Albania bier

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5188/...d26c8f3e_o.jpg