Drama, Macedonia, Montenegro, Bosnia
 

Hello all,
I need your opinions for the above mentioned places,
- What time of the year?
I have options between May, June and July.
Which one would be better time for it?

- Sites to see, festivals to attend, places to stay,
Ohrid, Tetevo (Kalkandelen), Skopje, Sarajevo are on my list.
Should I go through Albania or Serbia?

I have will have about 10 days over there. I do not mind gravel
and country roads so will be willing for detours.

I definetly prefer simple accomodations and if possible camping.

All of the suggestions will be appreciated.:mchappy:

Reagards.


Burak
http://www.advrider.com/forums/image...ser_online.gif

H,

We drove from Germany down the Croatian Coast, Montenegro, Albania, Macedonia, Greece to Istanbul.

There were no problems in terms of roads (all good asphalt) or safety.

Accomodations of all levels were available.

We took 3 days, only needed 2 night stays (Dubrovnik & Podgorica), but really pushed it.

Regards,

We spent over a week in Croatia and Bosnia a couple of years ago - that was September so can't offer any help with timing but would probably suggest May/June. You don't mention Croatia but I have included it here as you may decide to add it to your list!
Have a look at 'http://www.bhtourism.ba/eng/sitemap.wbsp' - Bosnian tourist info (lists festival etc.) and 'http://www.croatia.hr/English/Home/Naslovna.aspx' - Croatian tourist info.
Bosnia
Glad to see Sarajevo is on your list! We stayed at a great guest house in the Bistrik district a cople of minutes walk from the new and old centres. Google 'Guest House Bistrik' and you'll find a number of agents. It is basically a family house (built by the owner) with 3/4 rooms and a secure garage for bike parking. Fantastic base to explore the city from.
I'd also recommend Jajce - the capital during Ottoman times. There was a good campsite - Plivsko Jezero - a few minutes ride outside the town with everything you could ask for (including washing machine!)
Mostar was also worth a visit but get there early or late to avoid the crowds.
Croatia
Would recommend the Plitvice Lakes. A quick look on the web will come up with loads of info ...... a really spectacular place. Allow a full day to explore the site. The Campsite Korana was nearby and a good place to stay.

I would prefer May, since it isn't too hot and everything is nice & lush.

Don't know about Macedonia or Albania, but Montenegro is a beaut! Visit the bay of Kotor and the town itself, the mountain roads behind it, Budva, ride into the mountains to Lovcen to see the mausoleum of Njegos. And if time allows, one of the deepest canyons in Europe is the Tara canyon and don't miss the Durmitor NP.

Hans

Oh yeah, and :welcome: to the HUBB!!

I agree with the previous posts - the Croatian Coast is stunning! Yes, the roads are good, but beware of corners when there's the slightest bit of rain. They used limestone in the mix for some reason which makes the road very slippery (Montenegro, too. All of the former Yugoslavia, probably.)

Albania is full of garbage, but the people are super friendly and it's an interesting adventure. (To see some photos and read a little about my ride through Albania, click HERE).

Accommodation is easy to find along the side of the road, and while I did no camping, I'm sure you can find hidden spots along the way. As for time of year, May, June, July... they'd all be fine. I'm not sure when the tourists hit that part of the world in full force. Maybe May would be best.

Calcium Carbonate road construction
 

This is very, very true: Limestone is very slippery when dampened or wet and it is not great in the dry because it polishes quite easily, being a soft rock - it is not permitted in the top layers of highway construction in the UK (and I guess most of Europe) but look at those mountains all around you on those roads - Limestone everywhere!

Hello Burak (surname cedetas?),

I am going to make a similar trip on May. Guess I will start around 9-10 May via Greece (Thessaloniki-Kastoria), Albania, Macedonia (around Lake Ohrid), Montenegro, Croatia, Bosnia (Mostar only), Croatia, Slovenia, Venice, Ferry to Greece (Igoumenitsa, Meteora, Thessaloniki), Istanbul. Total around 6 K kms and planning to complete it in 12-14 days.

To me, best time is mid may. There is no tourist crowd and not much heat in May. Up to mid June it is OK.
I will not camp but stay in the hostels, pension, etc.

Hope this helps.

Samy