Croatia, Bosnia, Montenegro, Slovenia and Serbia
When it comes to motorcycling holidays the Balkans are one of eastern Europe’s genuine highlights. Alkemist Adventures focus on gravel routes that range from the Alps, through the Balkan mountains into Montenegro…
THE BEST THINGS about touring the Balkan Region on a motorcycle are the beautiful routes and landscapes – a unique journey from the end of the Alps through the Balkan mountains and down to Europe’s deepest canyon and the Tara river in Durmitor National Park, Montenegro. These routes offer level and navigable gravel roads, (challenging but safe for most riders) in stunning national parks, by mountain lakes and around the Croatian islands of the Mediterranean. Our tours visit five countries – Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia, Serbia, Montenegro – starting in Ljubljana, Slovenia. From the trails through the Slovenian Alps 2000 metres above sea level to the villages in the Bosnian mountains, you will pass by clear rivers and lakes where you can still drink natural spring water and stop off at villages enroute to sample local cuisine and fabulous hospitality.
Why choose Alkemist Adventures for your 2018 motorcycling adventure?
Alkemist Adventures was founded as a ‘boutique agency’ specializing in catering to the individual needs and abilities of our guests. With only six riders maximum on each tour, we offer a dedicated 5-star service allowing for specific preferences to maximise everyone’s experience. Simply put our mission is ‘TURN 2 GRAVEL’ or, in other words, helping and teaching guests to ride on gravel roads. The bikes in our fleet include brand new BMW GS850; GS1200 and GS1200 Adventure – all ready to go. And we offer free one day pre-tour training on our customized Enduro Park with a skilled instructor. From a more personal viewpoint, the two founders of Alkemist, Marko and Tony, have as friends shared a passion for motorcycle travelling all their lives. Marko has been biking since childhood and at the age of 18 he started to travel all over Europe on two wheels. Tony has been a biker for many years as well and his enthusiasm has taken him on rides through the mountains of Europe – from the Alps down to the Mediterranean coast. But in spite of following the bike trails and routes all over the Europe, in the end, they re-discovered the beautiful routes and landscape of the region where they grew up and still live today. To them it was just like the story of the alchemist travelling the world looking for treasure and finally finding it right there in his hometown.
Guided or self-guided?
We offer both guided and self-guided tours, but we specialize in guided tours on light, clean, gravel roads, ridable for most riders. For example, Blidinje National Park, which has more gravel roads and trails than can be imagined offers something for everyone – first timers and experienced gravel riders alike. For those who have never ridden along gravel roads, new skills can be learned from training with our skilled instructors, which will give you enough confidence to become an accomplished adventure rider yourself.
When to go?
The best times of year for our tours are May, June, July, August and of course, the late
summer Shrimp Tour in September and October. For dates and customised tours go to: alkemistadventures.com/motorcycletours
The best roads…
It is difficult to isolate the best tour, as all are special in their own way. However, a major highlight is visiting the highest village in Bosnia, Lukomir (1495m above sea level), or as the locals call it, the village at the end of the world. This colourful village is en-route to Bjelašnica (2067m), the start of the men’s 1984 Olympic downhill. The route takes us from the top of the mountain, directly down to Sarajevo – one of the top ten cities in Europe to visit, according to Lonely Planet. Sarajevo is a cultural and historic city with much to offer any traveller.
Photo opportunities ahoy…
We offer special and individual opportunities to consult our photographer on every tour to find the best spots to create photographic memories of the stunning scenery – from the mountains to the coast.
Things to do and see…
There are many extra-curricula activities to enjoy along the way. Swim in the Mediterranean, fish with local fishermen, do morning yoga with your tour guides Marko and Tony, for a chilled start to the day. There are also the gastro delights of the region to enjoy on our way as we climb all the way to Mangart (2679m) at the very end of the Alps in Slovenia, passing by the river Soca, along the Italian border to the wine region of Karst. Here you can sample some of the finest cured ham and red wine in the world. Another sight definitely worth stopping for is on the tour through the green parkland of Risnjak, down by the lakes, to the old military aircraft runway to see military planes and bunkers from a bygone era – fascinating reminders of the partisan commander, Tito. There are also the many historic places of interest to visit on our various city stopovers. What’s the nightlife like? Sarajevo – a top rated city for visitors – and Dubrovnik, the pearl of the Mediterranean, both have a range of clubs, restaurants and bars, while the Montenegro coastal resorts all offer hot spots for fun and relaxation after a long day in the saddle.
What about the food?
Everywhere we stop on our tours guests can enjoy the taste of homemade cooking and traditional Bosnian hospitality. Only Organic is our motto – from garden to table and farm to fork. Highlights include meals from the kitchen of the first female Michelin starred chef in Slovenia’s Karst region, the best baked and grilled meat masters in the world in Bosnia and daily fresh seafood from Croatia’s many islands. Needless to say, the wines and beers across the region are excellent. In general, there is a wide culinary diversity in the Balkan Region and our mission is to cover as much of it as we possibly can. Choices range from the oriental cuisine in the east to the fine central European specialties of the west, the organic vegetables and the delicious homemade delicacies in the north to the seafood with a Mediterranean flair in the south. There really is something for everyone, and lots of new experiences to sample. And not only are the goods fresh and delicious, but the people of the region truly know how to enjoy their food, and they are eager to share their skills.
Are there any bike shows or races to go to?
Based on our mission, TURN 2 GRAVEL, we teach people how to ride on gravel roads safely and with confidence. This is supplemented with a one day pre-tour training event.
What are the locals like?
The nicest, kindest and most hospitable people you will ever meet, wherever you choose to travel. Their natural warmth is contagious, so do not be surprised to be invited to a garden party.
What about Wi-fi?
Wi-fi and the internet are FREE and accessible in every location we stay at night, and also at many spots en-route where we stop for coffee, ice cream or fuel.
How much does it cost?
From 2100eur. Tours and prices at alkemistadventures.com/motorcycletours
Contact
For more information about all Alkemist tours email info@alkemistadventures.com or call +386 40 23 77 77.
‘For those who’ve never ridden gravel roads, new skills can be learned from our instructors’