Von Kroatien nach Griechenland
Heute begann unsere Tour mit dem standardmässigen Welcome Briefing.
Got it. Here is the revised version that includes taking the ferry first: **From the Pearl of the Adriatic to the Black Mountains: A Day of Twists and Turns** Out of Dubrovnik and away from the morning rush, we headed for Montenegro. The border crossing? A lesson in patience, thanks to an officer whose mood was as grey as his concrete booth. But his attitude was quickly forgotten. Our first taste of the Bay of Kotor was a short, scenic ferry ride across the strait. This clever shortcut saved us time and dropped us right onto the stunning coastal road. We cruised along the water's edge, a perfect warm-up ride to the ancient town of Kotor. After a quick lunch there, the mountain called. The famous serpentines coiled upwards, hairpin after hairpin, revealing a breathtaking view. At the top, we cut through the wild beauty of Lovćen National Park before a dramatic canyon swallowed us whole. We arrived in Kolašin in the evening, tired but exhilarated. A day of stark contrasts: from the sunny Adriatic to rugged canyons—a near-perfect first day of motorcycling.
What a day! Hands down: Durmitor National Park is a riding experience for the ages! What a view, roads, and sights to see. We took off at 8:30 am (30 min earlier than normal) and returned at 5:15 pm. Only 250 kilometers, but we must have negotiated 200 turns and "Curvas". Anyone who rides motos should come here at least once and ride this beautiful area of Montenegro.Sheep, Cows, Wild horses, dogs and fallen rocks couldn't keepus from enjoying this spectacular labyrinth of mountains ranges and valleys.
We left the cool mountain air of Kolašin for a morning ride that ended with coffee by the lake in Plav. Soon after, we were at the Albanian border. The crossing was slow but friendly, and we rolled into a country that felt instantly more rugged and wild. Lunch was the highlight. We stumbled upon a small family restaurant with no menu, and they served us an unforgettable feast: perfectly grilled meats, fresh lake fish, and the best tomato salad of our lives, all straight from their garden and grill. Fueled by this incredible meal, we took a detour up the spectacular mountain road towards Theth. The pavement climbed into the raw, jagged peaks of the Albanian Alps—a challenging ride with epic views that felt like Europe's last frontier. As the sun set, we descended into the vibrant chaos of Shkodra. It was a day of incredible food and even more incredible landscapes, a true taste of the wild heart of Albania.
Long riding day. We began our Briefing in Shkodra on a warm and sunny day. then rode to Fushë-Kruje to admire a statue of George W. Bush who in the eyes of Albanians is somewhat of a hero to them as Bush was the first US president who visited Albania in 2007 after the fall of communism in the early 1990s. We then rode across the Albanian Alps from west to East only to cross the North Macedonian border. We cruised past the Black Drin reservoir only to finish our ride at Ohrid Lake, one of the world's oldest and deepest (3000 feet, 1000 meters).
Today was simply flawless. Leaving Lake Ohrid, we were gifted with a brilliant blue sky and the best roads of the entire trip. Mile after mile of perfect asphalt swept through Albania's green valleys and mountains. With no traffic and ideal weather, we found our rhythm—it was pure motorcycling bliss. Just when we thought it couldn't get better, we stopped at an agriturismo for lunch. It was, without a doubt, the most special food of our journey. We feasted on slow-roasted lamb with mountain herbs and baked cheese with local honey, all sourced directly from the family's farm. The taste was pure, simple, and unforgettable. We rolled into the historic "City of Stone," Gjirokastra, with full stomachs and even fuller spirits. Our final challenge of the day was navigating the incredibly steep, slick stone roads of the old town to reach our hotel, perched high above the city. First gear was a must, but the reward was a jaw-dropping panoramic view over the slate rooftops as the sun began to set. The perfect end to a perfect day.
A super riding day in perfect conditions. We crossed into Greece and then rode through the Zagoria region where 250 year-old stone bridges and and the deepest gorge in the world (relative to its width) awaited us. After lunch we headed to Meteora where a wonderful rest day visit to the monasteries high up on cliffs and "suspended in air".
We decided to ride bikes up to the Grand Meteora Monastery and visited the almost 1000 year old buildings on top of a unique rock formation about 500 meters above the valley
We had a spectacular ride today from Metero to Delphi. Our highlights were: foggy Lake Plastira, the battlefield of Thermopylae, and of course the ruins of Apollo's temple where the Oracle of Delphi delivered its prophecies
Great passes and coastal roads are on the agenda for today's route. The sea was our friend in the afternoon. We were almost always in sight of her. What a day.
Our last day of riding! :( We hug the coast one more time on the way to Epidaurus Amphitheatre, the largest and best preserved in Ancient Greece. Then we head to the Canal of Corinth for a cup of Joe admiring the carved waterway that connects the Aegean Sea with the Adriatic. Then on to Athens for our last night together and our big farewell dinner.,