The Balkans - that mysterious piece of land caught western Europe and the mysterious east - is for many still just some lines on a map. A place of which big parts have seen a horrible war in the 90s. But let us tell you, it is an amazing travel destination, be it for a lazy beach holiday or for a more adventurous road trip like the Great Balkan Ride, exploring also the remote regions of the Balkans more in depth. Here are some of the best things you can expect from participating in the Great Balkan Ride! Delicious Food The food of the Balkans is highly underrated. It's diverse, it's tasty and some say even healthy! If you don't just focus on the fries and the meat that is... Much of Balkan cuisines are an eclectic mix of Mediterranean dishes rich in olive oil and vegetables with a strong Middle Eastern and Turkish influence. Of course the cuisines of the Balkans are as diverse as the Balkan countries themselves, so you have no other choice but to taste it all. Things you do in the name of cultural exploration! A Nice Beach Break to Refresh Croatia is one of the most famous beach destinations of Europe - and with its beautiful islands and coastlines this is highly deserved. But it also means, that in summer you'll meet there every Tom, Dick and Harry and finding a nice, quiet spot for yourself is close to impossible. But did you know that Montenegro's and Albania's beaches are just as amazing? No? Good. Because as long as this is still a well kept secret, we'll have to share them with less people! And although the Great Balkan Ride obviously is not a lazy beach holiday, we'll surely have the opportunity for
The Balkans – that mysterious piece of land caught western Europe and the mysterious east – is for many still just some lines on a map. A place of which big parts have seen a horrible war in the 90s. But let us tell you, it is an amazing travel destination, be it for a
After three more eventful days, the first Great Balkan Ride has come to an end. 1800 km, 5 countries and 8 days lie between the rally start in Sarajevo and the finish line in Thessaloniki. Check out the first part here! Uhm... Thanks. Very Helpful! Navigation can sometimes be a bit difficult in the Balkans, but luckily we didn't lose any team (for too long...). After a relaxing afternoon in Durres with a hotel directly at the beach, our teams visited Berat the next day and had a short hike up to the castle - in 41° C. But all in all it was a quiet day, which teams ended with yet another swim in the crystal blue Mediterranean of Vlore. Rules are Rules. But Not in the Balkans! The highlight of the next stage was clearly the Blue Eye, a more than 50 m deep spring, passing into a beautiful, clear stream. Diving in there and swimming is both forbidden and a popular leisure pursuit at the same time, so of course also out teams could not resist jumping into the cool blue. The current is quite strong and the one or other got almost carried away, but that is nothing that could not be solved with the help of a couple of friendly Albanians, who willingly came to rescue. Forest Fire Season in Albania and Greece With temperatures up to 40° C during summer, it is not surprising that big parts of the southern Balkans are plagued by forest fires this summer. Team Rola Fellas even had the nerve wracking experience of driving behind a fuel truck while having fires next to the road (in some distance). Nothing exploded though, and they arrived safely at the day's destination to tell the tale. All Things Come
After three more eventful days, the first Great Balkan Ride has come to an end. 1800 km, 5 countries and 8 days lie between the rally start in Sarajevo and the finish line in Thessaloniki. Check out the first part here! Uhm… Thanks. Very Helpful! Navigation can sometimes be a bit difficult in the
The Great Balkan Ride offers the chance to see some of Europe's most underrated countries. The Balkans are almost* certainly Europe's most underrated region. This tightly packed peninsula of small nations has it all: you can explore untouched nature, relax (or party!) on luscious beaches, discover the area's complex history, or be welcomed by the locals' culture of extremely generous hospitality. Joining the Great Balkan Ride is the perfect way to explore: with everything so close together, it really pays to take the scenic route. We know all the most astonishing mountain roads, testing the limits of what your car can handle, and what your eyes will believe! Here's our brief guide to the sights you'll see on the way: (*The "almost" depends on whether you think the Caucasus are in Europe!) Bosnia The Great Balkan Ride sets off from Sarajevo, the capital city of Bosnia. Only two decades ago this city was crushed by the longest siege in the history of modern warfare, and the country as a whole suffered terribly through brutal conflicts with its closest neighbours. There are various tragic sights which should be on any tourist's itinerary, including Gallery 11/07/95, a photo exhibit remembering the terrible events at Srebrenica. And from further back in history you can see the Latin Bridge, beside which Archduke Franz Ferdinand was shot in 1914, sparking the First World War. Though dark memories linger, there is much more to Bosnia than its troubled past. Sarajevo's historic Ottoman quarter, home to a vibrant outdoor bazaar, is a reminder of many centuries of peaceful multiculturalism. The city was host to the 1984 Winter Olympics, and you can walk along the now-abandoned bobsleigh track. The Bosnian countryside is also worth celebrating: the rally passes the supposed pyramids of Visoko. You'll have to decide whether they are
The Great Balkan Ride offers the chance to see some of Europe’s most underrated countries. The Balkans are almost* certainly Europe’s most underrated region. This tightly packed peninsula of small nations has it all: you can explore untouched nature, relax (or party!) on luscious beaches, discover the area’s complex history, or be welcomed by
