See Yugoslavia as it was in 1986. The Great Balkan Ride visits places that are, compared to much of Europe, undiscovered treasures. And while nowadays people, our participants included, are coming to appreciate the attractions of the Balkan region, it was even less appreciated in 1986. That was when the American TV series “2 on the town” […]
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The Great Balkan Recap: Day 4
Day 4 was the most dramatic day of the Great Balkan Ride 2017. Photo by Theodore Marković After a relaxed evening the previous night, the journey ahead on day 4 of the Great Balkan Ride promised to be memorable. And boy it delivered. We were heading to Thethi, Albania’s mountain paradise, and teams were offered too possible […]
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Tito’s Atomic Bunker
In Central Bosnia, deep underground, lies a secret bunker fit for the end of the world. The Great Balkan Ride begins in Sarajevo, and only an hour’s drive away is a historic site which is fascinating for anyone interested in the Balkans. Near the picturesque town of Konjic is a bunker that was built to withstand […]
Continue ReadingThe 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 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 Great Fire of Thessaloniki
The Great Fire of Thessaloniki changed the city forever. When the Great Balkan Ride reaches Thessaloniki on August 12th, the city that meets us will be quite unlike the one that stood one hundred years before. We will arrive just one week before the centenary of perhaps the most consequential event in the city’s history: […]
Continue ReadingThe Beauty of Bosnia
A taster of the beauty of Bosnia. Photo by Michał Huniewicz The Great Balkan Ride beings in Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia, on August 5th. This selection of photos will convince you that this underrated country is an essential destination, and perhaps will persuade you to arrive early enough to more fully explore its wonders. Here […]
Continue ReadingGjirokastër: City of Stone
Introducing the historic Albanian city of Gjirokastër. Photo by ShkelzenRexha Gjirokastër (alternatively known as Gjirokastra) is one of the highlights of the Great Balkan Ride. Located in Southern Albania, Gjirokastër offers a rich past, picturesque stone architecture, and fantastic views. Not only is the city a UNESCO world heritage site, but it was also the birthplace […]
Continue ReadingPrizren: Why We Love Kosovo’s Second City
Prizren, Kosovo’s second city, might be our favourite small city in the Balkans. Photo by Tobias Klenze Prizren is a truly remarkable place, far from anyone’s preconceptions about Kosovo. It is a picturesque gem, packed with history and culture. At times it seems like a miniature Sarajevo, complete with gorgeous old town and tragic history. […]
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