Eastern European Explorer - Carpathian and Tatra Mountains

A city is amazing work of art and historic marvel dating from Celtic times, followed by ancient Romans, Ottoman empire, Austian-Hungarian empire. The central area of Budapest along the Danube River is classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has several notable monuments, including the Hungarian Parliament and the Buda Castle. The city also has around 80 geothermal springs, the largest thermal water cave system, second largest synagogue, and third largest Parliament building in the world. Budapest attracts around 12 million international tourists per year, making it a highly popular destination in Europe. The city was chosen as the Best European Destination of 2019, a major poll conducted by EBD, a tourism organization partnering with the European Commission. It also topped the Best European Destinations 2020 list.     

A ride through the Hungarian vast plains before entering Romania and its region of Banat. We will arrive to exciting town Timisoara, famous as a first town with electric public street lightning. A large part of the city and its building was designed by Gustave Eiffel. Timisoara is famous also as historic city for his riot against communist rule.  

Ride through national parks Semenic and Đerdap Gorge, one more scenic day and great ride along the shores of Danube river. 

Transalpina! One of the highlights of our tour... Until recently, it was considered the one of the most dangerous roads on the world and called the most frightful names – the Death Road, the Devil’s Road...but today, following a complete renovation, it keeps luring the bikers from all parts of the world – road DN 67c, the popular Transalpina. Approaching the road from the south, we are bound to enjoy it all the way until we reach the city of Sibiu. 

A well-earned rest in the city of Sibiu, also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Largely inhabited by Germans until 1945 (Hermannstadt), it is the main centre of the Transylvania region and a magical city of countless churches, medieval castles, towers and bridges 

Another delightful day, a bit further to the west – officially called DN7C, but unofficially known as the “Stelvio Pass of the Balkans“: Transfagarasan, a 90-km-long road used as a location for filming the 14th season of the Top Gear did not acquire its cult status for no reason. In fear of the Soviet invasion, the Romanian dictator Causescu had this road built to enable rapid deployment of his tank units. This paranoia had cost him 6 million kg of dynamite and 40 human lives. We will use this asphalt creature in the best possible way – on two wheels. Unforgettable ride and one of the best motorcycle routes there is, not only in Europe but Worldwide.

Now its time to dig deeper into more history and besides amazing scenic roads of the European east, we will pass as well again some of historic towns as castles. For example Bran castle (famous as Dracula castle) and some others. We will be riding a true jewel of Carpathian mountains, circle of Poiana Brasov, seeing ancient fortresses and castles on our way.  

We will take a bit of break and have a rest day in Brasov, former German Gothic town in Romania. Brașov is a city in the Transylvania region of Romania, ringed by the Carpathian Mountains. It's known for its medieval Saxon walls and bastions, the towering Gothic-style Black Church and lively cafes. Piaţa Sfatului (Council Square) in the cobbled old town is surrounded by colorful baroque buildings and is home to the Casa Sfatului, a former town hall turned local history museum 

On our way from beautiful Brasov to Cluj Napoca we will be passing the very heart of mountainous and forest region of Transylvania, so it is one more very scenic riding day with excellent roads before arriving again to beautiful town of barocco and rococo palaces, fabulous parks and botanic gardens. 

Today we will be heading back towards valleys and plains towards most famous Hungarian wine regions Tokaj. 

Up again! Another riding day across beautiful mountains! We will be riding a High Tatras region from Hungary across Slovakia to Poland and well known beautiful city of Krakow.   

Today we will take a break and spend the rest day in beautiful historic Krakow, Poland. Krakow is the second-largest and one of the oldest cities in Poland. Situated on the Vistula River in Lesser Poland Voivodeship, the city dates back to the seventh century. Kraków was the official capital of Poland until 1596 and has traditionally been one of the leading centres of Polish academic, economic, cultural, and artistic life. Cited as one of Europe's most beautiful cities, its Old Town with Wawel Royal Castle was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978, one of the world's first sites granted the status. The city has grown from a Stone Age settlement to Poland's second-most-important city. Enjoy the day exploring this historic jewel of Eastern Europe.

Today we will be exploring the Tatra mounatin range. A lot of amazing roads and beautiful natural landscapes before arriving to a charming small Slovak towns of Liptovski Hradok and Liptovski Mikulas.  

Today we will be riding across low Tatras, a beautiful scenic riding day towards Slovakia and a charming Bratislava. Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia, is set along the Danube River by the border with Austria and Hungary. It’s surrounded by vineyards and the Little Carpathian mountains, crisscrossed with forested hiking and cycling trails. The pedestrian-only, 18th-century old town is known for its lively bars and cafes. Perched atop a hill, the reconstructed Bratislava Castle overlooks old town and the Danube. 

On our way back to Hungary and the beautiful city of Budapest where our tour started  we will not miss the ride along the shores of famous and scenic Danube river before reaching Budapest for our farewell dinner. 

It is time to say goodbye to beautiful Budapest. Here is where we say farewell and starting to plan our next exciting tour enriched with memories of the marvelous one we have passed. In case you have some time until your flight, you can use it to have a relaxing visit of Budapest or have a coffee and a famous cakes in one of its charming beautiful squares and street cafes. Wish you a safe trip and looking forward to our next journey!