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first ride round eastern europe first ride round eastern europe
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Europe Topics specific to Western and Eastern Europe, from UK to the Russian border, and south-east to Turkey.
Photo by Ellen Delis, Lagunas Ojos del Campo, Antofalla, Catamarca

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Ellen Delis,
Lagunas Ojos del Campo,
Antofalla, Catamarca



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  #1  
Old 13 Jan 2011
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first ride round eastern europe
Hi folks

Just joined the site and looking for any advice with regards to doing a tour round eastern europe at the end of august beginning of september.
looking to cover Czech republic,Slovakia,Hungary,Croatia,Bosnia,Serbia,Ro mania and maybe Poland but as always nothing is fixed in stone.

At the moment it's just me and me pal on bikes but there may be a possibility of one of the guys coming on a trike,so i was wondering if there's anything we need to look out for if the trike guy does decide to come?

Any advice or comments are more than welcome
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Old 13 Jan 2011
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Well, the suggestions I can give you are:

- Include Ceske Budejovice (CZ) in your trip, you'll like that small jewel.

- Enjoy the round trip of Lake Balaton in Hungary, it can provide nice landscapes and it's full of nightlife.
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Old 13 Jan 2011
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Some nice spots you might want to visit if you get a chance

Czech Republic - Frymburk, Prague/Cesky Krumlov (if you like lots of tourists)
Slovakia - Dedinky, High Tatras Mountains
Hungary - Danube Bend, Budapest

Romania -
Sighisoara, Brasov, Sinaia, Orsova and the Iron Gates is worth a look.
definately the Transfagarasan Highway

Poland is nice around the south and Krakow

Slovenia is also worth a visit if its on your route - Lake Bled, Ptuj
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Old 14 Jan 2011
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My favourite places round there are (in order):
1: Lake Ohrid in Macedonia. You might encounter a bit of unpaved road, but they might have paved it all, there was a road team heading up there a few years ago. The lake is stunning, think Lake Geneva without the buildings or the Swiss 'rule-fetish'.
2:The coast road down to Dubrovnik and Dubrovnik itself (In Croatia), great town.
3:Addrspacke (spelling?) park in CZ - towers of sandstone rising out of a fairytale forest
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Old 14 Jan 2011
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Bosnia, Slovenia and Hungary were probably my favourite countries in Eastern Europe. Some excellent roads, very little traffic and very rich in history/culture.

All depends what you are after but I don't think you can go wrong in that part of the world.

Also, when in doubt always go left!
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Old 14 Jan 2011
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Hi, you will love Eastern Europe, roads in the North are usually good but further South; Romania, Bulgaria & Albania can be interesting. Where to go depends on what you are looking for and type of bike you ride, eg Romania & Bulgaria have fantastic trail riding including the Transalpina, roads are poor even some of the famous Transfargan. there have been some excellent places to visit recommended, i would include Rout66 BikerCamp in Hungary, Brasov,Transfargan, Transalpina in Romania, Sofia & Trigrad in Bulgaria, Lake Ochid in Macedonia (it is tarmaced although very touristy), Dubrovnik in Croatia, Lake Bled in Slovenia. You will also find it far cheaper than Western Europe. Cheers Andy
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Old 14 Jan 2011
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Andysr6 View Post
it is tarmaced although very touristy
I must have been there before it got busy or at the right time of year (February), I saw about 5 people all day. It's also possible I arrived on some obscure part of it - I had got lost in Albania and didn't even know I was in Macedonia, I'd been 'aiming' for Greece....
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Old 14 Jan 2011
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I forgot to mention two places in Slovenia that I like much:


- Kranjska Gora and the mountain roads nearby;

- Kostanjevica na Krki close to the town of Brezice (that worths a visit, as well) and all the roads that climb upon the hills in the area.
Stunning landscapes!
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Old 15 Jan 2011
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thanks for the pointers folks

been looking at the places mentioned on google maps and they are all very inspiring,just have to try and decide which ones to leave for another time.

going to avoid tolls and stick to the back roads where possible just to try and get more of a feel for the country IYSWIM

any hints as to what the weather is usually like late august/early september?..i know i'm english and i worry about rain

also does anyone know for sure if trikes are welcome in all those countries? or will we meet some local laws/rules prohibiting them?
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Old 15 Jan 2011
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Weather
Hi, i have been to eastern Europe 4 times in the last 5 years, it is very hot but of course cooler in the mountains and it rained on every visit. Usually very heavy showers or storms, you can sit them out or ride through, you will soon dry off. Rain Rain Rain | Flickr - Photo Sharing!
Andy
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Old 15 Jan 2011
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Quote:
Originally Posted by obrut View Post
any hints as to what the weather is usually like late august/early september?..i know i'm english and i worry about rain

also does anyone know for sure if trikes are welcome in all those countries? or will we meet some local laws/rules prohibiting them?

During those months I've always found sunny days, but occasional thunderstorms are possible.

Trikes: I' rode Slovenia many times (it borders with Italy, my Country), and several times I joined motorcycle rallies where I could see trikes customized in the strangest ways, so no problem for Slovenia.
As for the other countries you mention, I don't recall having seen any trike, but I don't think problems exist...
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Old 1 Feb 2011
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Hungary
Hi,

when you're in Hungary and need some help, a route plan, a few pint of or anything else don't hesitate to contact me


If you think so, I can PM you my mobile number and mail address.


Trikes? -- No problem!

Weather? -- August usually but september could be
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Old 5 Feb 2011
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thanks for all the advice folks

good to hear that trikes won't be a problem..other than leaving em stuck in traffic

and ADVJani, whereabouts are ya in hungary?..meeting someone who lives out there would be well cool ...especially the part...
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Old 5 Feb 2011
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Originally Posted by obrut View Post
ADVJani, whereabouts are ya in hungary?..meeting someone who lives out there would be well cool ...especially the part...
I am everywhere you know Hungary a pretty small country, so I can be to every point in a few hours. But normally I live at the part of north-east Hungary. Near the Slovakian-Rumanian-Ukraine border.
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