Croatia, Bosnia & Slovenia Motorcycle Tour
June 2025 | 18 Days | Seven Countries
Our June 2025 journey through the Balkans delivered an epic 17-day adventure across five countries: France, Germany, Austria, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, and Italy. From the legendary Grossglockner and Adriatic coastal roads to the historic cities of Dubrovnik and Sarajevo, from the stunning Plitvice Lakes to the serene beauty of Lake Bled, this tour showcased some of Europe’s most dramatic scenery, incredible roads, and rich history. Perfect weather, amazing food, and unforgettable experiences at every turn!
Day 1: Eurotunnel to Châlons-en-Champagne
Busy times at the Eurotunnel with lots of expensive cars heading to Le Mans for the 24-hour race! Train caught and out into France, greeting us with perfect 24°C riding weather. We took our familiar route away from Calais, stopping for lunch before hitting the back roads. Temperatures rose steadily as we traveled south through France. A great first day’s ride finished with lovely food at our favorite restaurant in Châlons. Tomorrow: across to Germany with promises of yet more excellent weather!
Day 2: France to Baden-Baden via Rhine Ferry
Glorious weather stayed with us all day as we headed across France, hitting 31°C as we approached Germany. We split into smaller groups today, everyone riding at their own pace and meeting up for coffee stops. A few diversions to deal with en route, but all met up at the ferry that took us across the Rhine into Germany. Another amazing meal at our hotel near Baden-Baden. Tomorrow: the B500 starts our day, then on to Austria for our first 2-night stopover near the Grossglockner!
Day 3: B500 to Austria via Bavaria
Weather predictions spot on as we headed up the B500 starting our journey across Bavaria into Austria. Early start paid dividends—the B500 was deserted! Another day of smaller groups with some interesting direction choices from our first coffee stop, but we all met up again at lunch. Following lunch: a blast on the derestricted autobahn around Munich, then our lakeside coffee stop that included the first ice creams of the tour—sure to be many more! Final run into Austria and our first 2-night stopover, where some hit the hotel sauna immediately after unpacking. Ride out or rest day tomorrow!
Day 4: Rest Day in Austria
Following a lovely relaxed breakfast on the hotel terrace, everyone decided to take advantage of the rest day. With beautiful weather and stunning scenery, it was the right choice! Some took cable car rides to the top with energetic walks between ski lifts, others chilled in town and used the hotel’s wonderful spa facilities. A great day had by all, and everyone revitalized for the ride down to Slovenia tomorrow!
Day 5: Grossglockner to Slovenia via Italy
After another fabulous breakfast on the hotel terrace, back on the bikes for the ride to Slovenia! Started with the Grossglockner—never a bad thing! Surprisingly quiet for a Sunday morning, or perhaps we just hit it at the right time. Photos at Edelweiss Spitze, then down the other side. Coffee stop en route, then tackled the Gailbergstraße followed by Nassfeld Straße before heading to Italy for lunch. Italy’s never a bad place for lunch—the local homemade goulash with polenta went down very well! Leaving Italy, we crossed into Slovenia, and what a stunningly beautiful country—absolutely amazing roads and spectacular scenery! Tonight’s stop: Postojna. Tomorrow: the caves, then on to Croatia for our first views of the Adriatic coastline! Oh, forgot to mention—weather was again stunning with not a cloud all day!
Day 6: Postojna Caves to Croatian Coast
Our day started off the bikes with a visit to the spectacular Postojna Caves—the largest cave network in Europe. Back on the bikes, we continued through Slovenia and across into Croatia. First views of the Adriatic as we descended past Rijeka onto the superb coast road, which we followed for most of the day. A short ferry ride later, we arrived at our hotel near Zadar. Tomorrow: off to Dubrovnik for another 2-night stopover!
Day 7: Adriatic Coast Road to Dubrovnik
A few spots of rain at breakfast soon cleared to bright blue skies and rising temperatures. The ancient walled town of Dubrovnik was today’s destination, meaning we continued down the spectacular Adriatic coast road. Coffee stop on the seafront featured some rather impressive boats moored up! Onward past Split, continuing down the D8, reaching our hotel in good time. Some of the team headed straight for the pool after check-in. A lovely Bosnian-flavored meal at the restaurant next to the hotel, with discussion of tomorrow’s plans—we have a day off the bikes to explore Dubrovnik!
Day 8: Dubrovnik Rest Day
A day off the bikes to explore Dubrovnik, and explore we did! City walls walked, boat trips taken, relaxing lunches enjoyed, swimming pool used, and massage and spa treatments booked. A thoroughly relaxing day had by all. Back on the bikes tomorrow as we head to Bosnia and Herzegovina’s capital, Sarajevo!
Day 9: Croatian Coast to Sarajevo via Mostar
Off to Sarajevo! Back along the amazing Adriatic coast road with a stop at Pelješac Bridge for photos from the other direction. We then turned inland to the border crossing from Croatia to Bosnia and Herzegovina. Clear of passport control, we headed to our first coffee stop—more of a water stop as temperatures hit 35°C! Onward to Mostar and its famous bridge, where we were lucky to witness one of the famed divers launching himself off! Continuing on, we reached our hotel in Sarajevo in good time. Met for a few beers before wandering the old town to find dinner. Day off tomorrow with a tour booked including a visit to the Tunnel of Hope, built during the siege of Sarajevo.
Day 10: Sarajevo Rest Day & City Tour
Most of the group opted for a city tour on our Sarajevo day off. The tour focused on the Bosnian War and siege of Sarajevo in the early ’90s. Our tour guide was a war veteran who gave fascinating insight into both civilian and military situations during the conflict. The tour included a visit to the Tunnel of Hope, built by Bosnians underneath the airport to move supplies undetected. We also visited the now-disused bobsleigh run from the 1984 Winter Olympics. An excellent tour enjoyed by everyone! Returned to hotel, headed out for lunch, followed by a relaxing afternoon in town. Met up later for drinks and evening meal. Some went for pizza while others opted for more local cuisine—including Biz and Tony who found a restaurant that served what can only be described as a mountain of food! Back to Croatia tomorrow and Plitvice Lakes!
Day 11: Sarajevo to Croatia via Una National Park
Perfect riding conditions leaving Sarajevo: clear blue skies and 22°C—a welcome relief from the mid-30s earlier in the tour! Steady progress through small towns, leaving Sarajevo behind. Split into smaller groups, meeting up at coffee and lunch. Continued through Una National Park to the Croatian border, where Bosnian border guards asked us all to produce V5s. Details provided, we crossed into Croatia and back into the Schengen area. Last stop before our hotel: the disused Željava Air Base. Photos taken and a quick blast up the 2-mile-long runway, then our hotel beckoned! Quick dip in the pool before dinner and tickets booked for Plitvice Lakes. Another great day’s ride ended with another lovely meal on the hotel terrace.
Day 12: Plitvice Lakes Rest Day
A day off to visit the beautiful Plitvice Lakes! A few of the team decided to relax by the hotel pool, while the rest headed to the lakes. Not sure photos do them justice—they’re absolutely stunning! Back to the hotel for lunch, spending the rest of the day relaxing around the pool. A fantastic evening meal—the fish platter and meat platters looked superb! Tomorrow: Slovenia and our last 2-night stopover at Lake Bled.
Day 13: Croatia to Lake Bled, Slovenia
Following a lovely day at Plitvice Lakes, back on the bikes heading from Croatia into Slovenia! A fabulous ride on mainly back roads with very little traffic, amazing road surfaces, and fantastic weather—what more could you want? A tad warm as we approached our final 2-night stop at Lake Bled. Drinks on the terrace overlooking the lake and surrounding mountains was a wonderful way to finish our day. Rest day or ride out tomorrow!
Day 14: Lake Bled Rest Day
Rest day was the top choice for our day at Lake Bled! Boat rides to the island in the center of the lake ✓ Walk around the lake ✓ Bicycles hired ✓ Ice creams eaten ✓ Relaxed day ✓ Afternoon ride out ✓ A thoroughly relaxing day ending with drinks and chats on the hotel terrace. We leave Slovenia tomorrow—everyone has agreed it’s a stunningly beautiful country—and head across Italy into Austria for our overnight stop near the top of the Timmelsjoch Pass.
Day 15: Slovenia to Austria via Italy – Three Countries!
What a day—three countries in one day of riding! Starting with Slovenia as we rode away from beautiful Lake Bled, across into Austria, then Italy, then back into Austria. Good job the sat navs were on point! Early start to avoid forecast high temperatures meant we had a pleasant 22°C leaving Bled. Across into Austria for first coffee stop. Onward to Italy for lunch, followed by the Giovo Pass quickly followed by Timmelsjoch Hochalpenstraße. A stop at the TOP Mountain Motorcycle Museum to ogle bikes from a bygone era, then on to our hotel. Our last day in the Alps tomorrow as we head back across Austria, Germany, and into France!
Day 16: Austria to France via Germany
Leaving the Alps in our rearview mirrors, we continued westward. A cooler start as we left Austria behind and crossed into Bavaria, Germany. With glimpses of Lake Constance to our left, we continued through Germany using a mix of autobahn and back roads, avoiding forecast thunderstorms probably more by luck than judgment! Crossing into France at day’s end, we arrived at our hotel on the edge of the Vosges in good time. Most of the group headed for a wander around town and a lovely meal in the town square.
Day 17: Vosges to Châlons-en-Champagne – Final Day
Our penultimate day on tour started with us crossing the Vosges and heading northwest. Our route took us past Lorraine National Park, then into the vast open farmland with its deserted roads and long vistas. Final coffee stop of the day completed, leaving us about an hour’s ride to our last overnight stop in the lovely town of Châlons. Great day’s ride finished with a great meal at our favorite restaurant!
Day 18: Châlons-en-Champagne to Calais & Home
Our final day on tour! After one last breakfast together in Châlons, we headed north toward Calais and the Eurotunnel. A straightforward ride through northern France on quiet roads, with plenty of time to reflect on an incredible 18 days across seven countries. Final coffee stop before Calais, last chance for photos and farewells before boarding the train back to the UK. What a journey it’s been—from the Alps to the Adriatic, from historic Sarajevo to stunning Lake Bled, from mountain passes to coastal roads. Eighteen days of perfect riding, amazing scenery, wonderful food, and great company. Already planning the next adventure!
Interested in joining us on a future Croatia & Balkans tour? Get in touch or view our upcoming guided tours.