Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Planning, Trip > Route Planning
Route Planning Where to go, when, what are the interesting places to see
Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

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


Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 28 Apr 2004
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Maidstone, Kent, UK
Posts: 2
Eastern Europe

I am planning to go to Eastern Europe in June. I have been to the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary before and am this time planning to get as far as Bulgaria. I may travel via Poland, Romania, Croatia and Slovenia.

I have insurance anywhere in Europe but are there any other things I need to be aware of such as Visa' laws, customs, dangers etc?

Also, can anybody recommend any good campsites?
__________________
If I sound bitter and twisted about BMW, it\'s because I\'m bitter and twisted about BMW. Here\'s why: www.bmwlemon.com/dontbmwcare.htm
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 30 Apr 2004
Vaufi's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Munich, the beer capital
Posts: 1,060
Hi,

Poland offers culture & landscape. Gdansk has been beautifully restored, Malbork boasts one of the greatest castles of the Templars. Stunning! Passing through Marzurskie lake district is very scenic. I haven't been in the Tatra mts., but they must be very nice as well.

In the cities I'd prefer to stay in B&B with my bike locked away, Ostroda SE of Malbork offers good camping facilities, but usually the sanitary business is a bit smelly... So I sometimes preferred to camp in the wild.

Romania I'm planning to visit this summer. What I was told by people that have been there several times is that B&B is very cheap, so I'll probably make use of that. Outside the cities camping in the bush shouldn't be a problem.

Croatia & Slovenia are absolutely no problem at all. Just be careful of speed traps in Croatia - but then, you're on holidays and not fleeing anywhere. Slovenia is most scenic in the NE, Croatia in the south, esp. south of Split. Plitvic lakes near the Bosnian border. When travelling south in Croatia the most scenic drive is the coastal road. Camping is usually good. Very nice campsite in Trsteno just 20k north of Dubrovnik. Islands Peljesac & Korcula are very recommendable as well.

Enjoy your trip!

Hans
__________________
Only when we pause to wonder
do we go beyond the limits of our little lives.
(Rod McKuen)
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 30 Apr 2004
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Maidstone, Kent, UK
Posts: 2
Vielen Danke Hans.

The main purpose of my trip is to look at some of the property prices with a view to maybe an investment property but I have travelled quite a bit in Europe and am aiming to enjoy myself too. I might have a look at Colditz and Auschwitz on the way down then head on down to Bulgaria.

I read somewhere else that camping rough in Romania can be dangerous as they have bears out there but I don't know if they were just pulling your leg?

Cheers
__________________
If I sound bitter and twisted about BMW, it\'s because I\'m bitter and twisted about BMW. Here\'s why: www.bmwlemon.com/dontbmwcare.htm
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 30 Apr 2004
Steve Pickford's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Oxford, UK
Posts: 994
Don't forget the Wolves!

__________________
My photos: www.possu.smugmug.com
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 1 May 2004
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Bethnal Green, London
Posts: 122
hi, sanguine biker,

i'm planning a trip to eastern europe myself this summer - romania is favourite - i fancy the black sea coast and transylvania. i won't be going 'til late july, though but wondered if there might be value in our meeting for a and a chat. i'm in bromley so we're practically neighbours.

what do you think?

zenbiker
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 2 May 2004
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Leeds, Yorkshire, UK
Posts: 71
In Feb this year we stayed in Bran in Romania which was great, Rasnov is also worth a visit. Romanian border control was fine, watch out for the Romanian cops pulling you for "speeding". We encountered many so called speed traps. For some reason they only seem to stop vehicles with foreign plates. We asked for a reciept and got one, it stated that we were riding a red honda, we are on a bright yellow BMW GS.

The Bulgarian coast along the black sea is good, some nice roads. We stayed in a place called Sozopol which seemed nicer than Varna or some of the bigger places. Have a good trip.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 3 May 2004
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Leeds, Yorkshire, UK
Posts: 71
Watch out for the speed cops in Romania. We were stopped this year, along with other foreign plated vehicles for so called speeding. We asked for a receipt, they gave us one. It said that we were riding a red Honda, were on a bright yellow GS!

A good place to visit and stay is Bran or Rasnov, nice castles.

With regards to Bulgaria make sure you have you insurance document with you as the border patrol didn't speak much English other than shouting "Green card, Green card". I got out my insurance cert and explained that we dont have green cards any more and pointed to the relevant section on the cert. Eventually he waived us on. We rode down the coast and stayed in a place called Sozopol, very nice and seemed better than the bigger places like Varna.

Have a good trip
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 3 May 2004
Vaufi's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Munich, the beer capital
Posts: 1,060
Talking about bears - that's certainly a point. In the canadian Rockies I hung everything smelling remotely like food with a rope from a tree when camping in the wild. But I should think you should only encounter bears in Romania up in the remote areas of the Carpathians.
__________________
Only when we pause to wonder
do we go beyond the limits of our little lives.
(Rod McKuen)
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 28 May 2004
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Berkhamsted, Herts, England
Posts: 9
I'll be travelling to Romania at the end of July. My wife and I have an appartment and a cottage out there and have done the trip many times before.

I'll be travelling via France, Belgium, Germany, Austria, Hungary and Romania. If anybody is interested in joining me for all or even just part of the journey, you are more than welcome, Just mail me

[This message has been edited by Oldgit (edited 29 May 2004).]
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 11 Jun 2004
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Prague, Czech republic
Posts: 15
[QUOTE]Originally posted by the_sanguine:
[B]I am planning to go to Eastern Europe in June. I have been to the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary before and am this time planning to get as far as Bulgaria. I may travel via Poland, Romania, Croatia and Slovenia....

Hello my friend,
I go to Romania each year in summer with my wife on my old Honda. So I have to tell you that I had no problem at all.
There are too many interesting and nice places in Romania f.ex. South Bukovina with monasteries etc. If you want I can write you more in email or send you some maps ... you can also see ma snaps on www.dablyk.com ---> http://www.dablyk.com/albumm.php or http://www.dablyk.com/album4.php
btw. This summer I plan this http://www.dablyk.com/dofca004.jpg

------------------
dablyk
Honda VF750F, BMW K75RT

[This message has been edited by dablyk (edited 11 June 2004).]
__________________
dablyk
Honda VF750F-V, BMW K75RT-=, BMW R45 - =o=, JAWA 350/632 -II
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

  • Virginia: April 24-27 2025
  • Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
  • Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
  • CanWest: July 10-13 2025
  • Switzerland: Date TBC
  • Ecuador: Date TBC
  • Romania: Date TBC
  • Austria: Sept. 11-15
  • California: September 18-21
  • France: September 19-21 2025
  • Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 02:27.