Touring Croatia and thereabouts - Hints and Tips?

Haggis

Haggis

Hero member
Location
Midlands UK
Howdy folks.

I will be setting off for Zagreb soon and would then like to take the opportunity to do a bit of riding in the general area of Croatia / Slovenia while I am there. Maybe also around the corner into Italy if time allows.

I have not been before. Does anyone have any hot tips for riding there? The kind of insider-info that doesn't appear in the magazines and books? Generally unknown, but cool places?

Any help would be most welcome, as I want to maximise the fun factor. I can grab about a weeks worth of riding time.

Sadly not on a Laverda, just a hired Yamahonsaki or something.

Cheers!

Paul
 
We just left there a few weeks ago and spent our time on the Istrian peninsula. We had an AirB&B in Pula for a week and drove around. It’s a beautiful place, not all that cheap compared to other European destinations. The beer is good, the food was good if a little meat heavy away from the shore and the people were very welcoming. The roads are also in fine condition with some really long tunnels, think 3000+ meters. Also have a credit card handy for tolls, they all accept cards via a touchpad.

Ultimately we decided to take the ferry from Split to to Ancona Italy because the beaches we found there were all rock or small stones. Sand is apparently non-existent there! We are not into hanging out day drinking in taverns or cafes so other than walking looking at stuff in shops or at ruins in the summer heat there isn’t much to do. A single man might have more fun though, as I said the people are friendly!
 
Was there in 1969. It was simple and cheap. Very few tourists and the locals were welcoming.
I imagine that today it ressembles any other tourist destination from Portugal to Turkey.
Paul
 
Yes, euro is acceptable everywhere. They are transitioning to euro starting last January, apparently that’s when prices began to go up. Everyone under about 50 speaks good English and everyone complained about the prices!
 
The € has made travelling simple... but expensive in places. Losing money at every border crossing isn't exactly my idea of fun, actually a real pita. Imagine having to change currencies at the NSW/Vic or NSW/Qld border every time you cross, or show a passport/ID and secure a visa. I remember the Vic/NSW fruit fly checks, they were annoying enough. The EU has brought Europe together in more ways than one. Buying GBP has become a financial nightmare since Brexit, reckon much the same the other way round.

The coastal road from Opatija to Zadar is a hoot! I rode from Zadar the length of the isle Pag, took the ferry to the mainland at the nothern end and continued to Opatija and around the Istrian peninsula. A truely memorable ride. Left at around 6am though, to take advantage of the lower temps and less traffic. Arrived at Porec around 4pm.

A visit to the Plitvicer Lakes is recommended and just about every village has a charming historic centre. Look out for road houses with outdoor roast spits (usually at the roadside!), the lamb is usually ready by midday. Seafood is great all along the coast.

Beware of treacherous road surfaces throughout Croatia. Even when dry, roads can be quite slippery. Apparently, limestone (they've got an abundance of that) is used in the tarmac, this is then polished smooth on the surface. Even more dangerous when wet.

Riding in Slovenia is a treat, mostly perfect roads (EU money ;) ), fantastic food and breathtaking scenery.

piet
 
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Thanks for the info guys. Your tips, plus a googling, have got me really looking forward to the trip. I'll post some pics.

It now looks like the Mrs is coming too, which I'm quite surprised at, as last time we rode together she decided that actually getting around a bend is for pussies and that launching herself into a crash barrier at 40+mph was more her idea of fun. The crash barrier won the contest, the VFR went in the dustbin, Jane survived broken battered and bruised. I wonder what the ambulance telephone number in Croatia is :) The limestone comment from Piet has me worried.....:eek:
 
Haggis said:
Thanks for the info guys. Your tips, plus a googling, have got me really looking forward to the trip. I'll post some pics.

It now looks like the Mrs is coming too, which I'm quite surprised at, as last time we rode together she decided that actually getting around a bend is for pussies and that launching herself into a crash barrier at 40+mph was more her idea of fun. The crash barrier won the contest, the VFR went in the dustbin, Jane survived broken battered and bruised. I wonder what the ambulance telephone number in Croatia is :) The limestone comment from Piet has me worried.....:eek:
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Paul,

Stay sensible and you'll be fine. I didn't have many really scary moments in the 1800-2000km I did down there, most where down to gravel in corners, which can be the case pretty much anywhere.

No place for heroics on public roads.

piet
 
Hi Piet

Re the slippy stuff... I'm not so worried for me, it's Jane that concerns me.

She is the most naturally capable rider I have ever met. Her cornering lines are utterly sublime - a joy to observe. When we first started riding together I complimented her on how she took a series of high speed set of sweepers, talking of all the wide-in, tight-out bollocks, only to get the reaction' "I have no idea what you are talking about, it's just obvious isn't it!".

Despite her natural riding ability, unfortunately, she does not have the 'fear' gene in her DNA. You know, she's the type that storm in at full-pelt, all the time - every time.

Jane would have made a great racer..... fearless and committed.

Her crash was due due to a patch of kitty-litter (gravel). I nearly lost her - luck was on her side, as she was still 'on' the bike at the point of impact and it took all the g loads. Turns out Honda forks, frontal-engine disintergation and frame bendage can save your life.
 
Yes, they took cards everywhere, no problem. As usual, carry some 1€ and 2€ coins for tips. A paper five seemed to be too much unless you are in a really expensive place.
 
Paul Marx said:
Tips?
A very American culture.
Paul
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Really? We often see European tourists leaving a couple of coins on the table or in the tray after dinner. Seems like most will put two or three euros down on an 80€ or 90€ meal. Anyway, we nearly always liked our servers and wound up chatting with them and getting advice on where to go once they found out we were from California. Some of the best tips on local points of interest came from waiters and waitresses, seems only polite to leave a few pennies.
 
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