Around The Black Sea
 

Planning to fly bike and me from Texas into Frankfurt, ride down the Balkans and into Greece (have done all of that so far on a motorcycle but years ago), across Turkey (now it starts to get interesting) and circle around back around through Georgia, Russia, Ukraine, Moldova, Romania, etc. before shipping back out of Frankfurt or storing bike there. Questions: does anyone know anything about the security issues for Georgia, Russia and the Ukraine? Am I as a 65+ yr. old white male gonna get into trouble? I've got a 150,000 miles of foreign travel to places like Colombia, Albania and just recently Cuba (but with a tour) so I know how to mind my p's and q's. Would Belarus be a safer bet than the Ukraine? Also thinking about applying for a visa to Iran.

Keller

Compared to Latin America security in the region is far better, you've got nothing to worry about on that front.

That said, the political situation will quite possibly prevent you from going exactly around the shore of the Black Sea.

Just a few tips from someone who has done a very similar trip....

- The only border crossing you can rely upon between Georgia and Russia is the one on the Georgian Military Highway, crossing at a post know as Kazbegi / Verkhniy Lars.

- It IS possible to drive into Abkhazia from Georgia and then into Russia (I have done it), but it is NOT possible to go Russia - Abkhazia - Gerogia at all. Any entry into Abkhazia is dependent on the whim of the Abkhazian Foreign Ministry who you should contact before reaching Abkhazia, and permission to enter is not guaranteed. If this sounds like a hassle, or if you have no idea what / where Abkhazia is, it's better to go via the proper Georgian border crossing I mentioned above.

- Donestk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine are no-go. That means the furthest east you can realistically cross the Russia - Ukraine border is just south of the Russian city of Belgorod, which leads to Kharkiv, and is safe.

- No problems with Ukraine - Moldova

- Romania is a country where you need to watch your stuff, and as I found out (had my tent slashed and 'important' bag stolen in the night camping in a national park), even way into the countryside you need to be on guard. Personally I would spend my time in Moldova and the Ukrainian Carpathians which are cheaper, friendlier and just as interesting as Romania IMO

- Bulgaria is not a country I know much about, but of all the EU countries it is probably my favourite.

- If you're a US (or UK or Canadaian) passport holder you can forget about going to Iran unless you book a personalised tour, which is obviously very expensive, takes a lot of organising, and totally ruins your freedom of movement.

I've written about Georgia and Abkhazia (and plenty more) here:

Stage 19 – Azerbaijan, Georgia & Abkhazia: The South Caucasus | EurasiaOverland

PM me if you need any further information

Good luck

EO

Hi, I did pretty much the same thing in 2013, as long as you are careful about where you go in Ukraine you should not have any problems. I had an enjoyable time everywhere, only problem during the 3 month trip was that someone broke into the panniers/topbox one night. This was in Estonia, it won't stop me going back there.

If you are considering Belarus be aware that you will need a visa. I can put you in touch with a motorcycle club in Minsk if needed.


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JC