Global Motorcycle Tours

TOUR INFORMATION

While no motorcyclist enjoys spending long stretches on the motorway, using the autoroute network is essential to cover the initial distance down towards the Balkan states. We have incorporated this transit route into our longer itineraries for many years, and guests consistently find that covering these higher-mileage sections is far easier than expected. Continental autoroutes are significantly quieter and less stressful than UK motorways, allowing the miles to pass smoothly and efficiently.

If you would prefer to shorten the first day’s riding, we have a selection of alternative routes and stopover arrangements available—please contact us to discuss these options.

As standard, this tour utilizes the Eurotunnel crossing for a swift Channel transit; however, alternative ferry routes—such as Hull to Rotterdam—can easily be arranged upon request (please note that an additional deposit may be required).

This itinerary includes several high-mileage transit days on the motorway network alongside technical, challenging rural and mountain roads. It is therefore best suited to riders who are accustomed to longer days in the saddle and comfortable with these conditions. While some legs of the journey are quite demanding, you will be rewarded with an extraordinary riding adventure and memories to last a lifetime.

TOUR ITINERARY

Day 1: 386 Miles

Your Balkan adventure begins with an early morning crossing at the Eurotunnel terminal in Folkestone. Rolling off the train at Calais, you join the autoroute network for an efficient transit leg through northern France and Belgium into Germany.

While motorway miles are rarely the highlight of any tour, continental autoroutes offer wide, quiet lanes and smooth tarmac, allowing you to settle into a comfortable touring rhythm. Regular rest stops at well-equipped service areas keep the day manageable and give you a chance to grab a coffee, refuel, and stretch your legs.

Exiting the highway in Germany, your modern 4-star hotel is located just minutes from the main route—offering secure parking and superb facilities this is the ideal setting to relax and unwind after your first day on the road.

Day 2: 247 miles

Finally free of the motorway network, you cross the River Rhine into Germany’s Black Forest. Your route follows a sweeping section of the famous B500 (Schwarzwald-Hochstraße)—one of the most renowned riding roads on the continent. Leaving the forest behind, the Alpine peaks beckon as you enter Austria via the 5-mile-long Pfänder Tunnel and the scenic Arlberg Pass.

Day 3: 240 miles

Some magnificent roads lie ahead today, though for speed and convenience you initially join the autoroute network to cross the Brenner Pass into Italy. Before long, the highway is behind you as you enter one of Europe’s premier biking regions: the Dolomite Mountains. With the twisting, sweeping passes of the Dolomites fresh in your mind, the route turns south to your overnight hotel located close to the historic city of Venice.

Day 4: 256 miles

With a full and varied itinerary today, an early start is recommended. Heading around the Gulf of Venice, you cross the border into Slovenia, where you have the option to visit the extraordinary caves at Postojna. Spanning 20 kilometres of underground galleries and caverns, a subterranean train takes you through the heart of this natural marvel. Crossing into Croatia, you ride through the heavily forested, mountainous routes of Risnjak National Park before arriving at your hotel, located just a few miles from the famous lakes of Plitvice.

Day 5: Rest Day (Plitvice Lakes National Park)

Today is a dedicated rest day with no planned ride-out, leaving you free to explore Plitvice Lakes National Park—the oldest national park in Southeast Europe and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Located just a short taxi ride from the hotel, the park is world-famous for its 16 cascading, terraced lakes and spectacular waterfalls, interconnected by miles of wooden footbridges and hiking trails.

Day 6: 210 miles

Today’s destination is the historic Bosnian city of Sarajevo. Having remarkably recovered from the devastation of the 1990s Yugoslav Wars, Sarajevo is now a vibrant, welcoming, and safe city where Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and Ottoman influences meet. Situated in the heart of the historic Old Town, your 4-star hotel is ideally placed to explore the charming narrow streets, bazaars, and local architecture.

Day 7: 169 miles

Leaving Sarajevo, you head south to the city of Mostar to view its iconic 16th-century Ottoman bridge (Stari Most). Originally standing for 427 years before its destruction in 1993, the painstakingly reconstructed bridge reopened in 2004 and remains one of the finest examples of Islamic architecture in the Balkans. Continuing south, you reach the Adriatic coast and your destination for the next two nights: Dubrovnik.

Your beachfront hotel features both indoor and outdoor pools, offers views across the bay, and is ideally set in a picturesque coastal town with excellent local restaurants, just a short water-taxi ride from the historic city centre.

Day 8: Rest Day (Dubrovnik)

Dubrovnik is widely regarded as one of the world's finest medieval walled cities. Known as the "Pearl of the Adriatic", the marble streets of this UNESCO World Heritage site are lined with lively cafés, boutique shops, historic monasteries, and impressive ramparts. With no pre-planned ride-out today, you are free to explore this magnificent coastal city at your leisure.

Day 9: 169 miles

The Croatian coastline is celebrated as one of the most scenic riding routes in Europe, and today’s route along the Dalmatian Coast does not disappoint. Backed by dramatic mountain ranges and looking out across turquoise waters dotted with offshore islands, the road north passes Split before ending in the historic island town of Trogir.

Day 10: 320 miles

A longer riding day takes you through the Velebit Mountains, crossing back into Slovenia via Lahinja Regional Park. Bypassing the capital city of Ljubljana, the dramatic peaks of Triglav National Park rise ahead. The roads become increasingly technical and engaging as you climb into the Julian Alps, ending at your hotel on the shores of Lake Bohinj.

Day 11: 165 miles

Today you tackle the world-famous Grossglockner High Alpine Road. Reaching an elevation of 2,500 metres, it is the highest paved mountain pass in Austria, set against peaks that rise to over 3,798 metres. Weather permitting, you can take the short cobblestone detour up to the Edelweißspitze ("Bikers' Point") for panoramic 360-degree mountain views. A scenic descent brings you to your hotel near the lakeside town of Zell am See, located in the Hohe Tauern National Park.

Day 12: 250 miles

Leaving the High Alps behind, one final high-altitude Austrian pass awaits. Climbing to 1,630 metres, the Gerlos Straße offers a sweeping, rollercoaster ride with views of the famous Krimml Waterfalls en route. Crossing into Germany via the Achen Pass, the terrain relaxes as you pass through Linderhof and follow the winding Ochsensitz Pass along the River Isar valley floor.

Day 13: 270 miles

Great biking roads continue through the Pfälzerwald and Saar-Hunsrück natural parks. A firm favourite with local riders, the virtually traffic-free forest roads twist and turn through densely wooded hills. Crossing through Luxembourg, the route enters the Ardennes region of Belgium for your final overnight stop in the historic town of Bastogne.

Day 14: 221 miles

Following breakfast, you take a scenic route through rural Belgium and northern France before joining the motorway network towards Calais for your afternoon Eurotunnel crossing to Folkestone. Eurotunnel booking times are flexible and can be adjusted to suit your preferred travel schedule.

INSURANCE
If you have not already secured adequate travel insurance, we strongly recommend doing so as soon as possible.

Travel insurance is vital not only for your time on tour, but also to protect you beforehand against unforeseen circumstances such as personal or family illness, or tour cancellation.

MOTORCYCLE HIRE

We do not hire bikes directly but if you wish to take any of our self guided tours and require motorcycle hire click HERE for detail of companies we recommend.