Balkans info request
 

Hi all,

A group of us are shipping our bikes into Izmir in Turkey (from Melbourne, Australia) in March 2011 and will concentrate most of our time in the Balkans in April, 2011.
What can we expect in the way of weather/temps at that time of year and what will accommodation availability be in some of the smaller townships??

Any advice gratefully accepted.

Hi, weather in the Balkans is not good at the moment, wet and windy. Accomodation along the coast is no problem. Montenegro is probably my fave Balkan country. I would also recomend visiting Bulgaria and Romania. Andy B

"The Balkans" covers a lot of ground, from sea level to high mountains, maritime to continental climates, Developing World to decidedly Euro-standard. Asking what the weather will be like is akin to asking how long is string. The concept of "the smaller townships" is pretty vague, too. You've probably got ideas about where you're going; posting them here might encourage responses.

It's a thought, anyway. I've been through twice in November and December, about a month total, and hardly got a taste. Great areas for exploration, history, unpredictable interactions with a vast variety of locals, and (not least) riding.

Hope that helps.

Mark

Hi,

As Mark said Balkans is a diverse area and depends on what route you will follow. On coast lines in April temperature should be 15-20 C with plenty of sun. March is a little bit colder with more rain (at least this year we had plenty). Inland and in higher altitudes it will be colder, in Greece you will not encounter snow in April (mountain tops might be covered but you can't/wan't go there). Can't say for sure for Bulgaria/Romania this time of year but I don't think you'll have any significant problems.

What type of accommodation are you looking for? You will not have any problem with hotels/hostels but camping grounds will be limited in April.

btw. there's a thread in advrider for a trip in Greece this March to give you an idea. Scroll down on page 4 for pics :)

Regards,
n.

This time last year I rode from Croatia through Bosnia, Montenegro, Albania, Greece, Macedonia, Kosovo, Bulgaria and then up to Romania which I know is not the Balkans.

Upon arrival into the port of Split it was cool and misty with a light rain. An hour later it was just cool and misty. By lunchtime it was 23c in Dubrovnik. In the mid afternoon it was 30c along Laker Shkodër. There is a lot of variability in this area.

There was snow high up in Greece and Macedonia. As has been previously mentioned the weather this year is not so good yet.

Just south of Split
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3645/...44fd1f971a.jpg

Dubrovnik
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3302/...e9a78a4b18.jpg

Lake Shkodër, Montenegro
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3380/...d88bbb1e00.jpg

Montenegro, Adriatic coast
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3308/...dd53119fae.jpg

Korce, Albania
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3581/...9739bbd2bd.jpg



There is some footage from the Balkans in the above video and there will be more in part 2 when i finish editing it this coming week (4/4/2010)

Thanks folks for the helpful info. Much appreciated.

And the second vid which features more of the balkans in it.