Portuguese #SHADrider Fabio Grazina takes us on a journey through one of the most charming areas of Europe. The journey begins in Italy, crossing the Adriatic Sea by boat to tour Croatia and Montenegro, with a brief detour to Albania. All in just six days.
Day 1
Civitavecchia – Rome – Ancona
After arriving in Civitavecchia, the real adventure was set to begin. On this first day, I had to cross Italy from one side to the other, so I took the highway to reach the ferry in Ancona at the end of the day. The day was the most exhausting, with temperatures around 40ºC and landscapes that all looked very similar. At the end of the day, I made it to my first destination to board a ferry bound for Split (Croatia).
Day 2
Split – Dubrovnik – Kotor
After spending the night on the ferry across the Adriatic Sea, I arrived in Croatia with the first rays of sun. Everything was new to me: the traffic signs, the names of the cities, the mountainous landscapes… and the language. Still traveling on national roads, I headed south towards Dubrovnik. A city permeated by history that’s a must-see. It became famous not long ago as one of the locations for the series Game of Thrones, ; thus, as you enter its walls, many views will look familiar.
After a brief visit to this legendary city, I continued southward until I entered Montenegro. Keep in mind that you will need your passport and motorcycle documents. I stopped at one of the first gas stations to buy a SIM card so I could access the internet. Montenegro is a very small country, but amazing for touring by motorcycle. That night I camped next to Kotor Bay.
Day 3
Kotor
On the third day, after camping by Kotor Bay, I decided to explore the area. I recommend touring the entire bay by motorbike, visiting the fortress of Kotor, and then climbing the mountain along the serpentine road known as the “Kotor Serpentine.” At the top, you can enjoy a good meal at the local restaurant. After lunch, I decided to walk through Lovćen National Park and then return to the bay.
Day 4
Kotor – Sveti Stefan – Albania
It’s very pleasant to drive along the coast of Montenegro and visit Sveti Stefan. It has the peculiarity of being a village built on a small island with only one access road. I spent the whole morning there on the beach.
As I said, Montenegro is a small country, and within an hour and a half of Sveti Stefan, I was already in Albania. It was a very short visit, and the only place I visited in the country was the city of Shkoder.
Day 5
Shkodër – Ostrog Monastery – Kotor
The main plan when entering Albania was to drive around Lake Skadar. This lake is precisely in the middle of both countries, and when leaving Montenegro, you can only travel around it completely by crossing Albania.
After re-entering Montenegro, I headed to Ostrog Monastery, a Serbian Orthodox monastery located on a vertical rock wall on the Ostroška Greda cliff. At the end of the day, I returned to the city of Kotor.
Day 6
Kotor – Split
My plan for the last day was to enter Bosnia and Herzegovina and drive to Split. However, I was afraid I wouldn’t reach it in time to catch the ferry back, so I ended up taking exactly the same route on the way back, passing through Dubrovnik again, but without stopping, and going straight to Split, concluding my short but intense tour of the Balkans.
Motorcycle gear
For this trip, I used my usual CFMoto 800 MT, equipped with a Terra TR55 trunk and TR40 textile side bags. I consider this combination ideal for a solo trip. The hardness of the trunk allows us to transport any delicate items safely and store the helmet with complete peace of mind. The same assurance is provided by the TR40’s Double Lock System, as you can leave the saddlebags anchored overnight without worrying about them, which is extremely practical.
The Balkans are areas with good assistance services. Still, it is always advisable to travel with a minimum of equipment to be self-sufficient in case of need: basic tools, tire puncture repair kit, a bunch of keys with the most common steps for your motorcycle, a few cable ties, duct tape, and chain spray.
I hope you enjoy the trip if you decide on the Balkans for your summer route.
