Riding a motorcycle in Europe is always an unforgettable experience. There’s no shortage of route options in the region, but if you love a beach atmosphere and buzzing cities, the Adriatic Experience tour will win you over.
Famous for its blue waters, the Adriatic Sea washes the shores of seven countries (Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and Albania) and some of the most sought-after spots of the European summer. The highlights include the Port of Trieste, the island of Hvar and the historic city of Dubrovnik.
Here’s the schedule of this sensational tour in detail!
THE TRIP SCHEDULE
Our 13-day tour begins in Germany and also passes through Austria, Croatia, Bosnia, Slovenia, Italy and Montenegro. The itinerary takes in natural wonders, historic architecture and the beautiful beaches of the Adriatic — all of it on excellent roads, surrounded by charming towns with great hotels, bars and lively restaurants. In other words, surprising experiences from start to finish!
DAY 1
The initial meeting point is the city of Erding, in Germany, where guests are met at the airport by the ROXMOTORS team. Once everyone has checked in, there’s a tour briefing and a first welcome dinner to break the ice among the guests who’ll be spending the next 12 days together.
Arriving a day before the trip starts is always a good option. Erding is one of Germany’s most charming towns and is known as the birthplace of the world’s most consumed wheat beer. Among the attractions is a guided visit to the brand’s brewery, Privatbrauerei Erdinger Weißbräu, to follow every stage of how Erdinger is made.
DAY 2
The first day on the road is a long one, heading for Lake Bled in Slovenia. Within the first few hours of the adventure the group will already be in Austria, crossing the most beautiful mountain pass in the region: the Grossglockner.
The Grossglockner is Austria’s highest mountain, at 3,798 metres. The road is straight out of a film — 48 kilometres long, 36 curves and stunning views.
Lunch is at the top of the mountain, and from there the group heads to the Slovenian border to reach one of the country’s postcard images: Lake Bled.
Bled Castle and Bled Lake are two of the most beautiful attractions in Slovenia and in all of Europe. An emerald-green lake with a tiny island in the middle, a pine forest along its shores, cliffs, and up above, a beautiful castle.
DAY 3
Day three heads for Ljubljana, the Slovenian capital. It’s an utterly charming city, and one that needs a full day to explore. Strolling through the historic centre and stopping at one of the lovely restaurants and cafés along the banks of the Ljubljanica river is one of the main things to do.
The city is also home to an old castle, destroyed and rebuilt several times and used as a fortress, a military hospital and even a prison. A funicular takes you up to the castle, and from the top there’s a great panoramic view of the city.
DAY 4
After breakfast it’s time to leave Ljubljana and head for Croatia.
The main attraction of the day is the impressive Plitvice Lakes National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The waterfalls, cascades and lakes within the park form breathtaking landscapes. There are 16 lakes, their water in dazzling shades of blue and green, connected by a series of waterfalls. The largest of the Plitvice lakes is Kozjak, which you cross by electric boat. The park’s tallest waterfall (Veliki Slap) is 78 metres high. The dense forest surrounding the lakes is home to some 250 animal species and more than 1,400 plant species.
After the visit, the overnight stay is inside the national park.
DAY 5
If you like lively cities, this is your day. The destination is Hvar, one of Europe’s most famous islands. On the way, the group visits the historic city of Split, where the ferry departs for buzzing Hvar — a favourite of celebrities and travellers from all over the world for the European summer.
Among the sights are the beautiful main square, home to St. Stephen’s Cathedral (Hvar’s Pjaca), and the Arsenal, one of the first municipal theatres in Europe, built in 1612. The marina is another postcard view, with luxury boats moored in front of a promenade full of small shops and excellent restaurants.
DAY 6
A day to enjoy Hvar and its surroundings. Neighbouring Hvar is the Pakleni archipelago, with 20 islets and breathtaking scenery, plus great restaurants and beach clubs. A private boat tour takes the group out to explore the best beaches in the area. A wonderful seaside lunch and dinner in Hvar’s lively town centre are part of the programme.
DAY 7
The destination today is historic Dubrovnik. The day begins with a 100 km ride across Hvar, with breathtaking coastal views, to a ferry that takes the group back to the mainland. Lunch is in Bosnia, on a brief crossing through the country, before continuing to the day’s destination — known as the “Pearl of the Adriatic”.
Surrounded by walls and forts, Dubrovnik has seen its share of conflict. In 1991 the city was shelled by the Yugoslav army, which was trying to prevent Croatian independence, and for a long time it was cut off, without water or electricity. Happily, though, the city managed to rebuild itself and draws more tourists every year.
DAY 8
A free day to enjoy Dubrovnik. One of its main attractions is the Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s full of historic buildings and Baroque and Renaissance churches, along with bars, restaurants and small shops. Another must is the cable-car ride. From up there the city looks even more beautiful, and sunset is enchanting.
Shopping tips: the local olive oils are light and mild in flavour. The famous black truffles, which are very expensive in Brazil, can be found there at far more accessible prices.
If you prefer, you can get up early and take a tour to Montenegro, to the Bay of Kotor. In other words, there’s no shortage of things to do on this day.
DAY 9
Today’s destination is Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia. The most charming part of the city is Baščaršija, its historic and cultural centre. Set on the banks of the Miljacka river, it brings together mosques, cafés and plenty of small shops and craft markets. Sarajevo is ringed by mountains that once held war tanks, which used the vantage point to fire down into the valley. Today, with Bosnia at peace, the mountains are simply a beautiful backdrop around the capital.
On the way to Sarajevo there’s also a stop in Mostar, considered the most beautiful city in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Mostar is a reminder of older times and is known for its iconic bridge over the Neretva river.
DAY 10
A day of back roads — enough curves to wear you out! In the morning the group leaves Bosnia and returns to Croatia for an overnight stay in the capital, Zagreb. Zagreb is one of Croatia’s most visited destinations. In 1880 a major earthquake devastated the city and destroyed many historic buildings, but the disaster was also the engine that accelerated Zagreb’s modernisation, as it was rebuilt in a more organised way.
Among the highlights is St. Mark’s Church, with its colourful tiled roof. Other attractions include Zagreb Cathedral, the largest sacred building in the country, surrounded by 16th-century Renaissance walls, and Lotrščak Tower, one of the best-preserved structures from the city’s old defence system. It houses the Grič cannon, which has fired a shot at noon every single day since 1877.
DAY 11
Time to ride north along the Adriatic on sensational roads and cross into Italy! The destination is the charming city of Trieste.
Its privileged location and port activity made Trieste a hotly contested spot in Europe. Over the course of its history it was a colony of the Roman Empire and belonged to Austria, Spain and France before finally becoming an Italian city. These successive occupations shaped the local architecture, customs and cuisine, making little Trieste a truly unique place. Piazza Unità d’Italia, one of the city’s main landmarks, is the largest European square located by the sea, lined with historic buildings and cafés.
DAY 12
After so many special days, the tour is drawing to a close. It’s time to hit the road back to Erding, where it all began! A long day, with great roads, beautiful mountain views and that wanting-more feeling. A traditional German dinner is the perfect way to round off this unforgettable experience.
DAY 13
Check-out and transfer to the airport, arranged by the ROXMOTORS team!
