Balkans and Adriatic Explorer

After a morning of scenic riding through the back roads of lush green farmland and forests of southeast Slovenia, we'll enter Croatia and cruise through the Dinaric plain, an unusual karst, or limestone, environment. In the late afternoon, we'll visit fantastic Plitvice National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its sixteen lakes interconnected by waterfalls created by depositions of travertine.

This is the longest day of the tour but you will love every mile of it. The riding is excellent because the roads are empty and sweep through the low mountains and the great stretches of open plains of Herzegovina, the southern part of the country. It's been 13 years since the aggression stopped and travelers have long ago returned to this scenic country, especially to gorgeous Sarajevo. For lunch and dinner you will taste burek and cevapcici, which are both excellent Bosnian specialties.

Ringed by low mountains, spend a day on the roads around the city, enjoying the view of this exotic town, and exploring the sites of the 1984 Olympic Games. Or stroll to the Bascarsija bazaar in the center of the city, surrounded by small, unique shops and galleries. We can relax in a cafe and try Turkish coffee. The city's riverfront remains largely unchanged since that fateful day in 1914 when Austrian Archduke Francis Ferdinand lost his life here.

Cruising along the Sutjeska River is an experience to remember. A medium-sized city among the vineyards between Sarajevo and Croatia's Dubrovnik, Mostar was founded by the Turks in the 15th century at a strategic river crossing. There they built a stone bridge which is today one of the most famously photographed World Heritage-listed sites. That night, before dinner, stroll the Old Ottoman quarter, on either side of the bridge, and meet its artists and craftsmen.

The road starts to climb into the low mountains, though we still pass through great open plains which afford far-reaching views into the valleys below. Set your own pace and visit Medjugorje, the second largest pilgrimage site in the world, then refresh in the waters of the massive Kravica waterfalls. Then continue to climb the narrow turns into the mountains. Durmitor is an area of massive peaks, canyons, rivers and glacial lakes, all crowned by rich evergreen forests.

Hiking, swimming and bungee jumping are only some of the activities you can enjoy surrounded by nature. Nevertheless, the most spectacular of all is definitely Tara River Canyon rafting. This amazing river with clear waters and the second deepest canyon in the world, also named the "Tear of Europe," is simply a must do! You don't need to be an action hero to experience the beauty of this untamed region. Just let the backroads lead you somewhere unexpected.

At 1.3 km deep, it is one of the biggest and most beautiful in the world. Than we'll descend the mountains and ride past Skadar Lake until the coast comes into view. All your attention will be needed, as we follow the rugged coast of Montenegro, made memorable by the pristine views of nature: steep mountains above, and crystal-clear waters below. The view of the Adriatic Sea stretches far into the distance and is impossibly blue. In the afternoon, we find ourselves on the shores of the warm and pleasant coastal town of Petrovac. Petrovac has warm sandy beaches, lovely promenades and unique beachside restaurants. Here we'll spend the evening soaking up the Mediterranean atmosphere and eating seafood.

Its hotel attracts a celebrity clientele. We'll ride on twisty mountain roads again and conquer Lovcen Mountain and the Njegos mausoleum on top of it. In the afternoon we'll reach Dubrovnik, the city of world-famous cultural heritage and beauty. Dubrovnik is situated in Southern Dalmatia, the most beautiful part of the Adriatic coast. Rich vegetation, beautiful lakes, rare islands, white pebble beaches and the crystal clean sea, all make this region to an unforgettable experience for every visitor.

Also very interesting is a full day boat trip to Mljet island, which of all Adriatic islands may be the most seductive. The highlight of the island is a lake with an islet on which there is a Benedictine monastery. If you feel like riding, Montenegro is within easy reach. So whether you stay around town for the whole day or you just have dinner in one of excellent restaurants, remember, you are in Dubrovnik!

We can stop in Mali Ston, famous for its defensive wall, the longest fortification in Europe, and the best seafood in Croatia. A short ferry will get us to Hvar Island, where we'll ride the twistiest road of the whole trip. Called the "Croatian Medeira", Hvar receives a total of 2.724 hours of sunshine each year, more than anywhere else in the country. Yet the island is luxuriantly green, with brilliant patches of lavender, rosemary and heather.

Explore the numerous sandy beaches on the island and swim in the crystal clear sea, do some water sports or take a boat trip to the spectacular Blue Grotto, an underwater opening in a coastal cave that fills with unearthly blue light every noon. The experience is unforgettable. Also worth exploring is medieval Hvar town with its marble streets and beautifully ornamented buildings, mostly built under Venetian rule. Restaurants and taverns in the town of Hvar offer excellent fish specialties with exquisite local wines.

Passing the scenic islands of Brac and Solta, we'll get to Split, famous for its Diocletian's Palace. On the way further north you can stop in the historical towns of Trogir, Primosten or Sibenik. Finally, we reach the ancient city of Zadar. Once the center of Dalmatia, today Zadar is a preserved monument of various historical times and cultures.

Zadar is both, an atmospheric time machine and an open air museum. Here on display, you will find some of the most beautiful monuments of architecture and cultural heritage of the eastern Adriatic coast. Zadar, is known for the Roman and Venetian ruins of its peninsular Old Town. There are several Venetian gates in the city walls. Surrounding the Roman-era Forum is 11th-century St. Mary's Convent, with religious art dating to the 8th century. 

The scenery here is truly remarkable when you have the Adriatic Sea on one hand and the steep hillsides of the Velebit mountain range on the other. We’ll make a stop in Opatija, a lush, green seaside resort town with a lovely promenade. Riding further up the coast, our final stop for the night is in Porec, an ancient Roman town, where you can admire the World Heritage–listed basilica, a medley of Gothic, Romanesque and baroque buildings and enjoy a well-developed tourist infrastructure. The pristine Istrian interior is within easy reach.

In the historic old town, the 6th-century Euphrasian Basilica complex is famous for its gem-studded Byzantine mosaics. The coastline north and south of town draws visitors with camping areas, marinas and beaches with water sports. The Roman ruins lovers can also take a ride to Pula and visit the Roman Amphitheater. It's only about 35 km away from Rovinj, a lovely fishing village LACED by steep, cobbled streets and colorful houses rising directly from the sea. Definitely worth a visit.

We stop in Motovun, a captivating Tuscan-like little town perched on a hill where for lunch you can try the local specialty – truffles. Than we enter Slovenia once again and spend the rest of the day riding day in the Karst region outside of Ljubljana. It's a fascinating area of disappearing lakes, underground caves, and wonderful wineries. The road winds through green farmland before we approach the city.

Depending on the time of your flight back home, you may have time to climb the staircase to the 16th century fortification of Ljubljana Castle that dominates the town before heading out to the airport.