Cycle the Balkans - 8 Days

Dobro Dosli! Welcome to Croatia. Your adventure begins in Dubrovnik with a welcome meeting at 6 pm. If you arrive early, maybe take a walking tour of the Game of Thrones filming locations or find a hole-in-the-wall restaurant and tuck into some fresh seafood. After, why not head out for dinner with your fellow travellers and try some local dishes like pasticada (braised beef in red wine) and peka (meat and vegetables).

This morning, take a private vehicle over the border to Herceg Novi. When you arrive, set off on your first ride of the trip. Cycle along the Bay of Kotor, passing rolling hills to the whitewashed port town of Kamenari. Then, take a short ferry ride across the azure waters between the headlands to Lepetane. Take in the coastal views before jumping back on your bike and continuing onto Kotor – a UNESCO World Heritage-listed city on the shores of the Adriatic. The rest of the day is free for you to explore Kotor at your own pace. Maybe walk through the medieval Old Town and discover the historic buildings and buzzing nightlife.

Say goodbye to Kotor this morning as you drive north to Slano Lake. Today’s ride will start near the dam wall and take you along the old road (mixed asphalt and gravel surface) via the tiny hamlet of Kunak. Park the bikes on the main road and take a short taxi ride to Ostrog Monastery – a white-washed building built into a cliff. Then, jump back on the bikes and continue along the quiet roads to the tiny village of Stubica, before dropping back down to the Zeta River all the way to Niksic. Along the way, visit the Ramparts of Onogost – founded in the 4th century, Niksic is the country's second-largest city. Tonight, maybe find a local restaurant for dinner – your leader will have the best recommendations.

Today, you'll cycle from Niksic to Pluzine – a small town on the shore of Lake Piva. Along the way, visit the 16th-century Piva Monastery and its museum that contains a psalm from the Crnojevici printing press – the first printing press in the Balkans. Then, stop for a picnic lunch at Lake Piva, before driving back to Niksic for a free evening.

This morning, travel to Zavala, where you’ll start your ride on an old, country road through half-abandoned hamlets. Join the Ciro Trail – a new traffic-free trail that follows an old Austro-Hungarian railway track running from Dubrovnik to Mostar. You’ll ride on the trail to the city of Capljina, passing old train stations that have been refurbished into guesthouses and the picturesque lake of Nature Park Hutovo Blato. There will be plenty of stops at viewpoints along the way like at the famous Vjetrenica Cave. Then, drive to Mostar – known for its iconic Stari Most (Old Bridge), where locals dive into the River Neretva. This is a tradition for local boys, who are said to have a lifetime of bad luck if they don’t complete the jump to become a man. It's a beautiful spot to kick back by the river, have a Bosnian coffee and watch the divers.

Today you’ll ride along another section of the Ciro Trail. The trail follows the valley of the Neretva River downstream, surrounded on both sides by towering hills. You'll pass through farmland, small villages and ancient remains like Mogorjelo. After a quick coffee while the bikes are loaded onto the trailer, drive back to Mostar for the night, where you have free time to maybe explore the alleys, bars and restaurants.

This morning, drive north towards Sarajevo – the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina and host of the 1984 Winter Olympics. You'll begin cycling from Jahorina – the site for several Olympic events including the female slalom. If the weather is clear, you’ll be treated to amazing views along your ride. After, load the bikes and drive into Sarajevo’s centre. The city often draws comparisons with Istanbul as a city that mixes east and west – dotted with minarets, mosques, bazaars and the aroma of coffee. When you arrive, take a guided tour for an insight into the history and culture of the city. Sarajevo is one of the few cities in the world that features an Orthodox church, a Catholic church and a mosque all within proximity. Tonight, maybe head out for an optional farewell dinner with your group and cheers to a trip well-travelled.

With no further activities planned, your cycling adventure comes to an end today. If you’d like to extend your stay in Sarajevo, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.