The Roadtrip

8000 km of Balkan roads —> 100 checkpoints —> 13 countries —> Three Routes —> One Yugo And You

We’re inviting you to throw predictability through the window and instead spend a few weeks following a hand-drawn map and your internal compass, through one of the most diverse regions of the world.

How it works:

Once you book your Balkan Roads trip, we’ll contact you to go through all the details and map out your basic preferences to suggest some routes and checkpoints.

With over a 100 different checkpoints we are aware that you can’t visit all of them so we’ll work together to map out the the spots that best fit your preferences and budget.*

Want to go full adrenaline? 

We’ll highlight zip-line, bungee, jet ski, kite surfing, kayak and similar spots.

rafting4

Curious about culture and history?

Monuments, dances, songs, old crafts and antique locations will be listed.

Are you more into nature? 

Lakes, mountains, waterfalls, national parks and beaches will be waiting for you.

*If you’re not 100% sure what you’d like to experience or want a bit of everything, that’s ok, too. We’ll tailor your route to your preferences and be there with you along the way. If you decide to change your preferences sometimes mid trip, that’s no problem at all. We’re here for that too.

When all the arrangements are done you can just sit back and relax until you join us in Rijeka in August to start the adventure. You’ll get all the directions and information needed. A Balkan Roads mobile app will also be available to all participants.

*If you decide to take the trip with a Yugo, we suggest that you come to Rijeka a few days before the trip starts to get acquainted with your majestic road vessel.

We’ll have an opening ceremony / excuse to have a few drinks / party on Saturday, August 1st that you really shouldn’t miss (never ending happy hour!).

 

Once you shake off the hangover, you’re good to go.

You can follow the route in your mobile app or go full analog and use the printed map that we’ll provide. 

From there, it’s up to you to do whatever you want and travel at your own pace. 

However,we did plan two 2 pit-stop BBQ’s with food and drink covered for all participants:

  1. Guča, Serbia (~700km from Rijeka) on Saturday, August 8
  2. TBA – probably a BBQ chill session in Albania sometimes between August 15 and 20

It would also be cool of you to make it back to Rijeka by September 4 for the closing party / another excuse to have a few drinks / award ceremony.

Your mission, should you choose to accept it:

Make it to as many of the checkpoints on your route using as little assistance as possible.

Each checkpoint brings points and a chance to win a prize in the end. 

You collect points by completing small tasks on each checkpoint to earn anywhere from 100 to 500 points but also by driving around: every 10 km = 1 point

The check-points vary from bungee-jumping off old bridges to trying local delicacies or from posting a photo of a monument on Instagram to scoring an invite into a local’s home. 

Barter your way through mechanical breakdowns, trade melons for directions – do what you gotta do to make it through.

Upon registration you will be equipped with:

  • your own tailor-made route (and others)
  • versatile and multifunctional Balkan Roads app with charts, checkpoints, contacts etc.
  • map 
  • bottle of rakija to make friends
  • Balkan roads passport to check off your checkpoints
  • wristbands that grant you access and discounts to a variety of experiences 
  • a few Balkan Roads shirts for our blatant promotion
  • Balkan survival kit with some rusty useless tools that may or may not come in handy
  • most importantly – The Yugo (wait, what’s a Yugo?!?)* – if you decide to rent one

Are you ready to take life by the steering wheel?