We visit the Black Lake on the first day of the Great Balkan Ride. Photo by Juan Alberto Garcia Rivera The Great Balkan Ride minimal assistance rally begins in Sarajevo, capital of Bosnia, and teams drive — on roads which vary drastically in quality — all the way to Thessaloniki, in Northern Greece. We see all sorts […]
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The Big Book of Balkan History
You can read 700 pages in a year, right? Besides the incredible scenery — mountain peaks, tranquil lakes, golden beaches, and more — and of course the warm hospitality, a great attraction of visiting the Balkans is the rich and complex history. There’s no better way to learn about the region’s past than by visiting […]
Continue ReadingThe Great Balkan Recap 2017: Day 2
On the second day of the Great Balkan Ride, we entered the magical country of Kosovo. Photo by Theodore Marković After a busy first day of the Great Balkan Ride, more stunning scenery awaited the teams on Day 2. There was still much of North-Eastern Montenegro to explore, after which we would be introduced to yet another country: […]
Continue ReadingHow NOT to Get Help When Lost in the Balkans
How to NOT make friends in the Balkans. Photo by Cameron Strandberg Every year, the Balkan region is hit by spates of dangerous forest fires. This year has been particularly bad, with sustained spells of high heat with no rain. So when a tourist in Montenegro got lost, his method of alerting rescuers did not […]
Continue ReadingThe Great Balkan Recap 2017: Day 1
On Day 1 of the Great Balkan Ride, teams drove from Bosnia’s capital to the mountains of Montenegro. Photo by Theodore Marković Rocky roads roads, majestic mountains, and a few shots of rakija too many… the inaugural Great Balkan Ride was a lot of fun. From Sarajevo all the way to Thessaloniki, we explored an […]
Continue ReadingThe Languages of the Balkans
Who speaks what, where? Introducing the languages of the Balkans. During the Great Balkan Ride we’ll cross many borders, and that means entering different cultures, with separate traditions, and (usually) a new language. Things are never simple in the Balkans, though, so let us explain exactly what the languages of the Balkans are, and how […]
Continue ReadingTheth: Albania’s Mountain Paradise
Theth is an isolated village in mountainous Northern Albania. Photo by ViolaCiv Albania is filled with glorious scenery, isolated communities, and ancient traditions, and nowhere is more picturesque than the Northern mountains, close to the borders with Montenegro and Kosovo. Hidden there is the tiny village of Theth, perhaps Albania’s most gorgeous location. This isolated village, set […]
Continue ReadingSearching for Undiscovered Montenegro
We rank the highlights of Montenegro, from tourists hotspots to undiscovered gems. Photo by amira_a Montenegro is small, but it has a growing reputation. The country became independent in 2003, and in recent years an increasing number of visitors have been wowed by its heady combination of Mediterranean and Balkan. However, there is lots of Montenegro left to discover. […]
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Introducing the Great Balkan Ride
The Balkans are almost* certainly Europe’s most underrated region. This tightly packed peninsula of small nations has it all: you can explore untouched nature, relax (or party!) on luscious beaches, discover the area’s complex history, or be welcomed by the locals’ culture of extremely generous hospitality. Joining the Great Balkan Ride is the perfect way to […]
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