The Alpine Adventure East mixes so many cultures and so much history that it is difficult to know where to begin. Croatia, the Tuscan Hills, the Alps of the Steiermark, the plains of the Czech Republic, or the rolling hills of northern Bavaria? It is all delightful and memorable.
Home to some of the world's most recognizable tourist icons, Tuscany has been enticing visitors with its cooking and culture for over two millennia. The Alpine Adventure East begins in the warmth of central Italy’s Tuscany where we will discover Florence, a city of art and romance, with a guided walking tour. Should the magic captivate you, spend the next day investigating the art and architecture in even greater detail.
But know that Florentine art isn’t limited to the Renaissance Masters. Nearby are masterpieces of engineering art. Aficionados of Italian motor vehicles may recognize Raticosa, Futa, Scarperia and Mugello as names of test roads for Italy’s exotic 2 and 4 wheel creations. And so, the free day presents the difficult choice of art or engineering. Enjoy another day in the city, or head into the countryside to enjoy those great roads? Decisions like this must be made daily as we begin this great adventure. If that isn’t enough, other rides take you into the Chianti region, or to the fascinating walled city of Lucca.
Heading east from Florence, the Tuscan hills are pierced by passes Consuma, Mandrioli and Viamaggio. The turns and elevation changes on these roads are a delight and a challenge. One begins to understand where the word “sport” fits into both riding and driving. For motoring here is, indeed, a sport!
Spello, the first overnight stop on the tour, rises from a Roman gate in the valley up the side of Monte Subasio. Nearby is Assisi, the birthplace of St. Francis. It is possible to “bee-line” to Spello and investigate it in detail, or to meander through Gubbio, where the Middle Ages come alive via the narrow, serpentine streets.
The mountains of the Marche hide awesome delights such as Italy’s most impressive cave system, the Frasassi caverns. This rural province is seemingly void of traffic and is peppered with small farming villages little changed over the centuries.
Nearing Ancona, occasional glimpses of the sea finally become the dominant focal point as the Adriatic melds with the horizon. From the top of Monte Conero the views seem endless.
For centuries the Adriatic was the main thoroughfare between Italy and the Balkans. It is ours as well. An overnight trans-Adriatic ferry crossing transports us to Dalmatia. Riding off the ship in Split, Croatia, isn’t simply a trip to another country, but another time. Split, or Aspálathos, as the Greeks knew it in the 6th century B.C., is a bustling port city. Our arrival first thing in the morning allows plenty of time for an enjoyable stroll on the promenade, or a ride along the azure-blue waters of the Dalmatian Coast.
The theme of the next days is “the way it was.” Villages along the route offer a glimpse of rural life largely unchanged from the pre-glasnost era. Here one finds an enthusiasm and determination which springs from recent overwhelming changes in the political system.
There is much (or as little as you please!) to see and do near Split. You might amble down to a beach and let the waves lap at your toes, ride the coast, or visit one of the unique Dalmatian Islands. Hvar is considered to be one of the ten most beautiful islands in the world, while Brac is the third largest in the Adriatic and boasts the highest peak of all the Croatian islands. Should that not be high enough, ride from sea-level to a mile high on Biokovo mountain, or take a long ride into the hills of Bosnia-Herzegovina and the disputed city of Mostar with the famous bridge, the Stari Most (old bridge).
The tour turns north in Split, making its way along the Adriatic. Route options from Split include a coastal route and two inland routes. The routes couldn’t be more different. Along the coast settlements pop up every 10 kilometers or so, while inland a surprising number of homes and hamlets remain uninhabited as a result of the War of Independence. Riders heading up the coast have an opportunity to visit Zadar. Situated perfectly on a peninsula, this jewel of a town has Roman Ruins, Venetian walls, and a delightfully restored old town.
Pag, our destination for the day, is known for its local cheese and for sea-salt harvested from large evaporation ponds. The island of the same name is uniquely absent of flora – riding up Pag is somewhat like riding on the moon!
A short ferry takes us from Pag Island to the mainland, where we bid adieu to the sea. Riding inland we pass through areas that saw fierce fighting during the war. One could detour through Bosnia or stop and explore the fantastic Plitvice Lakes National Park. This place of great natural beauty saw the first death in the War of Independence.
The day ends in Karlovac, a place designed and built from nothing in 1579. In contrast to towns that grew along with the centuries, careful attention was paid to the beauty and harmony of Karlovac. The old town is in the shape of a six-pointed star. Within the star are about a dozen geometrical streets lined with houses which once belonged to the town's merchants, artisans and military command.
Discovery of new places goes hand in hand with the crossing of historic boundaries. Slovenia is the northernmost spin-off of the former Yugoslavia, and before this was a part of the Holy Roman Empire. This delightful country was the most industrious and prosperous region of Yugoslavia, yet the rural areas retain a quaint style that will long be remembered. Jezersko, magnificently situated on the Slovenian-Austrian border in the shadow of the Kamnik Alps, is our destination. The unique accommodation here is on a tourist farm, likely the oldest in the entire country!
An Alpine crossing begins with the climb to the summit of Seebergsattel. The road over the top has most likely built by the Romans. The twists and turns of this amusing road set the tone for the day, as it is the first of two or three passes that must be conquered on the way to Steyr.
The former Austro-Hungarian Empire gives way to the historical Free State of Prussia upon departing Austria. That was then – now, the city of Prague is the capital of the Czech Republic.
Discover atmospheric castles on green hilltops and marvel at centuries of architectural majesty in Prague.
We can’t say it any better than William Jeffery Prowse did – “…the persons I pity who know not the City, the beautiful City of Prague.” A free day here will allow you time to know this city. A guided walking tour will begin in the New Town, cross the famous Charles Bridge, and leave you in the Old Town where you can spend the afternoon dining, shopping, or simply people watching.
Time in Prague will pass all too quickly. The hops fields of eastern Bavaria frame the ride through Bamberg to Munich on the way to a final dinner with a group of newly made friends. Adventure - this is what it is all about!
Click here to view an altitude track and a list of the passes you might cross on the Alpine Adventure East.
May 13 ~ 27
Florence, Italy / Munich, Germany
1650 miles / your choice
Spring
Florence, Split, Prague
includes cabin in best-available class, vehicle transport
detailing daily options & points of interest in route
with turn by turn detail of each daily route option
preprogrammed with hotel and guide phone numbers
embroidered with your name and tour
Prices based on shared twin/double room. Single rooms available at extra charge.
Rider price includes the choice of a BMW F650GS, F800R, F800GS, F800ST, R1200R or R1200GS motorcycle with unlimited mileage. Other models are available at additional cost. Find out more about the various models of BMW Motorcycles available for use on a Beach tour.
Sports car Driver price does not include vehicle. Please see the list of convertibles available for use on a Beach tour for details and prices on the automobiles available.
Click on the map to view a larger version
