Dalmatian Coast and Dubrovnik Motorcycle Tour

Meeting point – Folkestone, Kent. Outside the EuroTunnel, motorcycle parking area.

Out of the tunnel and straight onto the motoway to cover some quick miles to Reims for lunch taken in the shadows of the Cathedral Notre-Dame de Reims. Route National roads this afternoon all the way into the Vosges and our hotel for the night in the middle of a town, so lots of food and drink option on our first night

We start the day riding the fabulous Route de Cretes in the Vosges Mountains. Then over the Swiss border at Basel, riding the south shoreline of Lakes Zurichses and Walesnsee and down to Davos for the night

Five fantastic passes to ride today, what a treat. Starting with one of my favourites, the Fluela which leads us out of Davos. Next the Ofen Pass which leads to the mighty Stelvio Pass. Lunch will be taken at the top. After lunch its down to Bormio, onto the Passo di Gavia and finally the Passo del Tonale and upto our hotel for the night with its amazing views over Bolzano below.

Firstly we will be heading east through the Dolomite Mountains, home to some of the most stunning scenery. Its not long however, before we are at our first mountain pass, Costalunga Pass, followed by Pordol Pass and Falzarego Pass. Stopping in the famous Cortina D'Ampezzo for a bite of lunch, we then make our way south to the Italian Coast at Trieste, hop over the border into Slovenia and into Postojna for the night.

First port of call today are the caves at Postujna, explore by taking a 3.7km long train journey deep into the caves which boast towering mountains, murmuring rivers and vast subtrerranean halls. Once back on the bikes we cross into Croatia and make our way cross country to Plitvice and our hotel for two nights.

A well-deserved day of rest from the bikes and a chance to explore the UNESCO World Heritage site at Plitvice or relax by the pool all day.

Is all about the Dalmatian Coast road. This stretch of historic coastline is one of the most unspoiled in the world, with 79 islands and about 500 islets that run parallel to the coast and an abundance of roman ruins and medieval towns. But the real highlight of the day are the roads. Tonights hotel is directly on the shores of the Adriatic sea, great for a dip.

Leaving Kastela we head around the bay, through Split and on down the Dalmatian Coast road with the smooth tarmac and every twist and turn you could imagine. Not only do you have fabulous riding you have great coastline views.

Every good holiday has a day spent exploring so a day off the bikes to explore the UNESCO World Heritage City of Dubrovnik. It’s a well preserved example of the late medieval city fortified with a magnificent curtain of walls surrounding its marble streets. Or you can just enjoy a lazy day enjoying the beech front hotel and swimming in either the pool or the sea whichever takes your fancy.

Crossing the border into Bosnia and head north to Mostar, here we will stop at one of the most symbolic features of the Balkans, Mostar Bridge. The 400-year-old bridge was brought down by a bomb in 1993 during the war, it has since been rebuilt and today Mostar is a vibrant cobbled street town full of quaint shops. After Mostar, we head back up to Kastela on the Adriatic Coast.

Most of today is spent riding north up the Dalmatian Coast road from Kastela to Rijeka, so beautiful and fun to ride its a must for me. We then head inland and cross into Slovenia and make our way cross country to Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia. Staying in the citys old town, enjoying the curving Ljubljanica River lined with outdoor cafes and bars.

We leave Ljubljana and ride over the Wurzen Pass into Austria. The star of the show today being the Grossglockner high alpine road and a visit to the Kaiser Franz Josefs Glacier. Truly breath taking. Lunch will be taken at the top of Bikers Point. We finish the day riding through the stunning Tyrol on our way to Innsbruck.

Start the day riding the Fern Pass through the Austrian Tyrol as we make our way North to cross into Germany. Ride the North shore of the Obersee Bodeness through Friedrichshafen, home of the Zepplin and often flying around the lake, over the top of the Feldburg Mountain into France to ride the fabulous Route des Cretes through the Vosges Mountains (still one of my favs)

Sadly, it is time to head home through the Champagne Region of Epernay. Perhaps a little visit to the Grand Prix Circuit at Gueux near Reims followed by a quick blast up the motorway to Calais.