Return to the Balkans

[honchoandbingo]

So I am a mere 3 weeks away from returning to the Balkans after a very successful trip last year. We scored airline mileage tickets to Bucharest, rented a couple of F650s and took off for a week. Fabulous trip, but to old to write about here.

This year, I (the Honcho part of Honcho and Bingo) will be going with another buddy to Serbia, Bosnia and Herzgovena, Croatia, Monetegro, Albania and Macedona. Or there abouts. We lucked out on plane tickets again, have a couple of bikes waiting for us in Belgrade and will be running away from home for a week.

The plan is simple, stick with small roads and little towns and have as much fun as possible. If you've been to this part of the world and have any thoughts on how best to go about accomplishing our goal, I'd love to hear from you.

I'll be posting here about prep and the trip, all of the good, the bad and the ugly. I can't wait to go. I watched 'The Land of Blood and Honey' as a homework assignment and can't get my head around how people are living together after such a brutal war. I don't know if I have that kind of ability to forgive. Maybe I'll learns something while I'm there.

That's it for now, duty calls and that means time to give Erin a break from the kids.....

[sparco]

hey there mate im in montenegro, so when you decide to come let me know, i can arrange sleeping place, guided tour or any other help that you might need, show you stunning places and stuff also give me some rough itinerary so i can provide some parts of the serbia bosnia that you have to visit or the roads you have to try and ride

[Perun]

Hello Honcho!

When are you coming and how long you plan to stay? I can give you some directions for Serbia, but I would like to know your overall plan. Zlatibor and Tara mountain area would be interesting to see, Bosnia is near, and that is on the way to Montengro (if you start in Belgrade).
What navigation do you use (if you use) and what cards will you use? I can give you an advice via PM.
And during history (long and not so long time ago) we really had some events that are hard to understand, but dont believe to everything you see on TV or movie screen...

[davebetty]

I travelled all around Europe earlier this year and by far the most interesting and fun place was the balkans. I guess it it because there is very little tourism, especially off the beaten track.

My blog is on the blog spot, "Single Ticket to Sarajevo".

Would recommend Jajce in B and H, Sarajevo Dubrovnik, Croatian costal road. but jest get lost on the little roads, they are great and less likely to have a million cop with speed guns. It is a bit epidenmic in B and H. I never got to Serbia, wish I had.

PM me if you have any questions

Have a really good trip, go armed with a smile and you will have a great time!

[honchoandbingo]

Sparco, Perun and Davebetty - Thanks for the replies! We've got a general idea of our route: We land in Belgrade on Sunday at noon, hope to on the bikes and headed for Sarajevo for Sunday night. An easy day Monday to Mostar, with a side trip to Lake Boracko and any place else you might recommend. Tuesday we are planning to go along the coast, spend a long lunch (3-4 hours) in Dubrovnik and then head for Budva. Wednesday is to Skopje, stopping at the National Park Mavrovo. Thursday somewhere between Skopje and Belgrade and then back in Belgrade Friday to return the bikes and have a big night out on the town.

Any insight on to the border crossings? Are they 30 minute crossings or 3 hours - I've had both in my travels. My map says it is about 4 hours Belgrade to Sarajevo, we plan on small roads and taking 5-6 hours, sound correct? Any great roads to recommend? We will be on dual sports and like small roads, gravel - just no serious dirt.

Also, I feel like the mileage we need to cover is small, so it should leave time for side trips and stops along the way.

Thank you for your input!

[honchoandbingo]

Originally Posted by Perun

Hello Honcho!

When are you coming and how long you plan to stay? I can give you some directions for Serbia, but I would like to know your overall plan. Zlatibor and Tara mountain area would be interesting to see, Bosnia is near, and that is on the way to Montengro (if you start in Belgrade).
What navigation do you use (if you use) and what cards will you use? I can give you an advice via PM.
And during history (long and not so long time ago) we really had some events that are hard to understand, but dont believe to everything you see on TV or movie screen...

Just checking on the cards. We'll have passports, international drivers licenses, but not aware of any other needs. Bikes are rentals - do we need separate insurance or anything else?

And no judgement from what I've seen in movies or TV. I remember the war being on the news, but I am embarrassed to say I didn't pay much attention to it at the time. I was stuck in my only little world.....

I keep hearing great things about the Balkans, the people, really hoping the weather cooperates for us.