What's the mission?
A guided Battlefield Tour, revisiting or discovering for the first time, places and landmarks in the beautiful country of Bosnia & Herzegovina.
Visit the towns and villages where the British Army were stationed during and after the Balkans War, places of interest and Regimental memorial sites, tailored to your experiences and places you want to see.
Why?
As a veteran of Bosnia, I have always wondered how it all played out after we left them to it. And as a biker, I wanted to ride there, I wished, when I was on tour there, but it was just too far away to ride there. Now thanks to Bulgaria Bike Shipping it became possible to do just that.
So I did a 'Recce' tour in June 2018, and saw a side to the country I'd never seen before. I'd like to help other veterans to do the same, see country that has changed hugely but so much of it is still the same as it was.
Who is this tour for?
This tour is obviously tailored for veterans, but not exclusively. If you just want to ride your own bike around some of the most beautiful and spectacular areas in Europe, all are welcome. Just be aware you will be sharing your experiences with a bunch of Ex Soldiers, on their holidays!
I want to make the trip as enjoyable and fulfilling as possible, by tailoring the tour to those on it and maximising time spent in areas that are most significant to you. Ideal for a group from a Corps or Regimental Bike Club, or a group of mates, solo riders or groups, we can ship up to a maximum of 10 big bikes, per trip.
Tour Itinerary
This tour will visit the following places:
Gorazde, Sarajevo, Banja Luka, Mrkonicgrad, Dorni Vakuf and Gjorni Vakuf. Mostar.
Full details and dates to be confirmed.
We will be shipping your pride and joy, to Samakov in Bulgaria, fully insured, tried and trusted, by yours truly. After a night in a 4 star hotel we will be riding to Gorazde, a long days riding.
* Total distance travelled - km
* * Difficulty - easy to medium. Experience of riding on the continent would be an advantage, being confident on your own bike and ability is much more relevant.
* Bike suitability - road going bikes capable of comfortable touring and carrying all you need with you. There will be opportunity for some off road excursions for any dual-sport machines, but this is not essential.
DAY 1 -- Samokov - Bulgaria - 9th July
Flying in to Sofia, transfers to Samakov, collect bikes and ride to the Yanakiev 4 Star Hotel.
Meet and great, safety information, prep bikes, informal briefing, Q&A, relaxing night for to get to know a little more about who you will be riding with.
DAY 2 -- Samokov Bulgaria to Gorazde Bosnia ( via Serbia ) - 10th July - Distance 400 miles
Iron Bum day, early start after an early night. A big day out travelling through Serbia to Gorazde.
DAY 3 -- Gorazde sightseeing - 11th July
After a long day in the saddle, a chance to visit locations in and around Gorazde, follow on your bike or get in the minibus with a local guide. A 2 night stop in Gorazde for those ex RGBW members of the tour.
DAY 4 -- Gorazde to Sarajevo - 12th July - Distance 60 miles
A short trip over the mountains to Sarajevo, stopping for lunch and some site seeing. The first part is a scenic ride out of the Drina valley up over the top to Mosque, then back on a faster A road to Sarajevo.
DAY 5 -- to Banja Luka - 13th July - Distance 125 miles
Flexible route, there are so many locations between these two stopovers that will be of interest to veterans, this can be planned on the ground.
This summer I travelled to Banja Luka via Tuzla, taking a loop route through mountain passes and forest before dropping onto the plains and a long toll road to Banja Luka town. By no means the quickest route, or most scenic for the second part. A route via Vitez wll be taken on this trip.
Stayng in Hotel Kobilj, next to the river Vrbas, and an evening meal at the Kastel Fortress, medieval style restaurant and bar, in the castle grounds overlooking the Vrbas.
DAY 6 -- Banja Luka to Mrkonij Grad to Donji Vakuf - 14th July - Distance 65 miles
Moving from the plains, through the mountains to Djorni Vakuf via Mykonic Grad/Sipovo. Spectacular countryside turns to mountains on roads blasted into cliff sides. A day for the camera!
Hotel Orhideja in Dorni Vakuf. A friendly family run hotel, the owners cousin has a small garage next door, handy if you need to do a little spannering.
DAY 7 -- Donji Vakuf to Mostar - 15th July - Distance 80 miles
Heading into Herzagovinia , was like riding through the set of Jurassic Park, stunning mountains and beautiful river valleys. A stop at a riverside grill for lunch near Jeblanica.
The roads are amazing, the scenery spectacular, and the destination the jewel of Herzagovinia.
Pansion Oscar Summer Garden will be home for 2 nights.
DAY 8 -- Mostar - 16th July
Rest day and sight seeing in the jewel of Herzagovinia , visit the beautiful Old Town and bridge, shop in the Bazaars and enjoy the local hospitality. Go for a ride out and visit local beauty spots or any where that takes your fancy. An organised guided tour can be arranged if there is enough interest.
DAY 9 -- Mostar to Novi Pazar - 17th July - Distance 250 miles
Starting the long haul back to Samakov, with a stop over in Serbia, at a busy little town full of life, Novi Pazar.
Apartmani BELI, self contained apartments with all mod cons!
DAY 10 -- Pazar to Vlasina Rid, Serbia - 18th July - Distance 170 miles
Staying at 3M Pansion a short walk from the beautiful lakeside area, a little oasis of a place.
DAY 11 -- Vlasina rid to Samokov - 19th July - Distance 110 miles
Back to our start point, unpack, sort out bikes for shipping, retire to the bar for a final night lamp swinging, bring your own sand bag.
DAY 12 -- 20th July
Transfers to Sofia airport for return flights.