I am planning to visit Split and Dubrovnik during September. Can anybody assist me with information concerning points to look out for when touring in Croatia, possible biker-friendly places to stop in either Split or Dubrovnik where the machine can be securely parked, and whether or not the current situation in Macedonia should be of concern.

Thanks

Here is the response I got from a friend of mine, a fellow rider who lives in Croatia, in response to the same question (sent to me in the summer of 2001):

"You can find plenty of info about Croatia on the Internet as well. I would recommend you to enter Croatia coming from Italy via Trieste along the Slovenian coast. You may stay there as well for some time and than continue along the coast to Croatia. Avoid hotels, the best is to look for private accommodation in private houses, you will see plenty of signs where to get the room and to store or park your motorcycle (overnight) is much safer in private places than in front of the hotels. Prices are variable but reasonable (20-50 German Marks for a night, pending the quality). Have some German Marks with you for this purpose but no problem to pay with local money as well. You can change money in the banks, travel agencies, or get it with your Credit card from bankomats.

If you wish to visit some of the islands, ferryboats are available. Island KRK is connected to mainland by huge bridge, you’ll see it on the map.

If you intending to go inland, than the best would be if you travel along the coast till place SENJ or KARLOBAG or somewhere in between and from there continue inland to visit PLITVICE Lakes, and than continue to ZAGREB.

Zagreb is nice town and from there you have the possibility to go anywhere by air or by train or driving with your motorcycle back to Europe via Austria or Hungary. Hungary is also very nice and very cheap country.
If you don’t have time to go to visit Plitvice lakes, than you can continue inland towards the Zagreb from town Rijeka (it is the best road to go inland from the see coast).

Try to get a good road map. You can do the entire trip also the other way around. (From Austria or Hungary to Zagreb, Plitvice Lakes, to the see coast and than along the coast to Slovenia and Italy) Avoid crossing Bosnia even they claim it safe, the safest is to keep within Croatia and Slovenia."

MC traveling thru Croatia is wonderful. Spent two weeks there this summer (2001) with my wife. We ferried from Ancona to Split on the overnight boat. Spent three lovely days in Dubrovnik. You do have to cross an 8km strip of Bosnia to get to the southern 100km of Croatia, but there is no border and it is no problem. Plenty of cheap places to stay (Pension or Zimmer Frei). Friendly people and gorgeous weather. I'd take Croatia over Italy anytime.

You can find a room to stay inside the old city of Dubrovnik, but all vehicles must stay outside the walls. Great guarded parking lot just outside the northernmost gate to the city, and motorcycles park for free. Outside the same gate is a travel agent that has a list of private homes inside the walls who offer rooms. (There are no hotels inside the old city.) The Isle of Lokrum is a 5 minute ferry ride from the south gate. Beautiful national park with an incredible naturist section on the south side.

The events in Macedonia have no bearing on Croatia as they are separated by Yugoslavia. Montenegro is only 30km south of Dubrovnik and an easy day trip. We had no problems crossing into there, even with a USA license plate on the bike.

We rode home to Germany along the route mentioned above. Followed the coast rode north to Zadar, then turned inland and up into the mountains. Spent two days in Plitvice National Park. Then north to Slovenia and into Austria. Plitvice is a natural wonder of the world and well worth the time.

I haven't had time to post my journal and pics yet, but would be happy to help anyone with information on riding in that region. I've been to Croatia and Slovenia several times by bike and have loved evey minute of it. Email me and I'll answer any questions you have.

[This message has been edited by Tanker (edited 10 January 2002).]

[This message has been edited by Tanker (edited 10 January 2002).]

[This message has been edited by Tanker (edited 10 January 2002).]