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Balkan Express
  • Thomas F
  • Philipp HB

Balkan Express

A 15-day adventure by Thomas & Philipp Read more
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  • Trip start
    August 19, 2025
  • Balkan Express

    To the starting line

    August 20 in Poland ⋅ ⛅ 25 °C

    After a night in Helmstedt we headed towards the starting line in the Czech Republic, we immediately hit a traffic jam and had the fuse for the radio burn out. We quickly replaced it and headed 5km through Poland into the Czech Republic.Read more

  • Balkan Express

    Day 1: Krassa -> Olomouc

    August 21 in Czech Republic ⋅ ☁️ 20 °C

    Finally, we could start on the first day of the Rally. We travelled through the Czech countryside via small and confusing roads to our first road mission. We ended the mission with a brief hike and hit the road again through Poland back to the Czech border as part of the second road mission. From there we headed south to Olomouc, where we stayed for the night and enjoyed an amazing dinner. Ingeborg, for the first time is giving us trouble, fog lights and tail lights are not working.Read more

  • Balkan Express

    Czech-Slovakia-Hungary

    August 22 in Czech Republic ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C

    Day 2 of the #BalkanExpress brought pure joy! 🥂 Our passenger princesses started the morning with a prosecco breakfast—cheers to that! We cruised out of Olomouc and crossed into Slovakia, winding our way through the stunning Low Tatras National Park. Slovakia blew us away with its gorgeous landscapes and beautiful nature at every turn. By evening, we rolled into Hungary and checked into a lovely wellness hotel, complete with live music to end the day on a high note. The adventure just keeps getting better!

    #VolvoAmazon #VolvoAmazonCombi #ClassicVolvo #RallyLife #BalkanRally #LowTatras #SlovakiaTravel #HungaryTravel #RoadTripAdventure #VintageRally #Oldtimer #TravelDiaries #AdventureAwaits #NatureLovers #ProseccoBreakfast #PassengerPrincess #WellnessHotel #LiveMusic #ClassicCars    Read more

  • Balkan Express

    Hungary -> Romania

    August 23 in Hungary ⋅ ☀️ 16 °C

    Day 3: Hungary to Romania

    Started the day in the endless Hungarian puszta—flat, quiet, and hypnotic.

    Our first real stop was the iconic Nine Arch Bridge, a striking bit of history rising out of nowhere. After a quick break, we crossed the border at Oradea and rolled into Romania. The scenery changed fast: suddenly, we were winding through the dramatic hills of Apuseni National Park. The views were absolutely stunning—lush forests, wild valleys, and winding roads all the way.

    Tonight we’re in a beautiful cottage with Team Sauerkraut, grilling, sharing drinks, and making animal friends. The adventure keeps getting better!

    #BalkanExpress #RallyLife #RoadTrip #TravelEurope #AdventureAwaits #Hungary #Romania #Apuseni #TeamSauerkraut #TravelBuddies #NatureLovers #ExploreMore #RallyAdventure #VolvoAmazon #AmazonCombi #ClassicVolvo #VolvoLovers #VolvoAdventure    Read more

  • Balkan Express
    1

    Romania

    August 24 in Romania ⋅ ☀️ 14 °C

    Day 4: Rough Roads & Rally Repairs

    Left our pretty Airbnb this morning via a dusty dirt road. The route to Geamana Toxic Lake was extremely rough—Ingeborg (our Volvo Amazon Combi) lost her left grill and we were covered in dust by the time we arrived.

    We crossed Transylvania to our first big get-together with all the rally teams. First job: put the grill back on. Next: a quick v-belt change for Ingeborg, thanks to @How2Roadtrip. Wrapped up the day with great local food and a few well-earned drinks.

    #BalkanExpress #RallyLife #RoadTrip #AdventureAwaits #Transylvania #Geamana #VolvoAmazon #AmazonCombi #ClassicVolvo #VolvoLovers #RallyAdventure #TravelEurope #How2Roadtrip #CarRepair #TravelBuddies    Read more

  • Balkan Express
    111

    Romania -> Bulgaria

    August 25 in Romania ⋅ ☀️ 15 °C

    Day 5: Transfăgărășan Thrills & Danube Views

    Left the rally get-together and headed for the legendary Transfăgărășan mountain pass—a beautiful drive where Ingeborg (our Volvo Amazon Combi) held up like a champ. On the way down, we spotted loads of bears along the road.

    Philipp made a planning mistake, so we had to use our highway joker to make it to the hotel on time. Worth it! Tonight we’re at an amazing hotel right on the Danube at Bononia Vineyard (@bononia_estate).

    #BalkanExpress #RallyLife #RoadTrip #AdventureAwaits #Transfagarasan #VolvoAmazon #AmazonCombi #ClassicVolvo #VolvoLovers #RallyAdventure #TravelEurope #Danube #BononiaVineyard #TravelBuddies #NatureLovers #BearSpotting    Read more

  • Balkan Express

    Bulgaria -> North Macedonia

    August 26 in Bulgaria ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C

    Day 6: Three Countries, Endless Views

    We said goodbye to the stunning Bononia Vineyard on the banks of the Danube this morning, soaking up those last peaceful moments in Bulgaria before hitting the road again. The landscape rolled by as we made our way to the Serbian border—where, to our amusement, the patrol seemed far more fascinated by Ingeborg (our trusty Volvo Amazon Combi) than by us. She’s definitely turning heads on this rally!

    The Serbian roads threw plenty of mountain passes our way, and with the summer heat rising, we had to stop a few times for cooling breaks—nothing like a bit of roadside shade and a chance to stretch our legs.

    By afternoon, we crossed into North Macedonia, passing through Skopje’s vibrant outskirts. The scenery just kept getting better as we climbed higher, winding our way towards the mountain resort of Mavrovo. We finally arrived at the lake, surrounded by dramatic peaks and fresh mountain air—a perfect end to a long, wild day on the road.

    #BalkanExpress #RallyLife #RoadTrip #AdventureAwaits #TeamSauerkraut #VolvoAmazon #AmazonCombi #ClassicVolvo #VolvoLovers #RallyAdventure #TravelEurope #Danube #BononiaVineyard #Serbia #NorthMacedonia #Mavrovo #LakeViews #TravelBuddies #NatureLovers #MountainEscape    Read more

  • Balkan Express

    North Macedonia -> Albania

    August 27 in North Macedonia ⋅ ☀️ 14 °C

    Day 7: Mountain Roads, Lake Views & Albanian Heat

    Started the day winding through the Mavrovo region—twisty roads, deep forests, and mountain vistas everywhere. The route via Debar was hands down the most beautiful drive of the rally so far. Every turn brought a new postcard view.

    We stopped for lunch on the shores of Lake Ohrid, and honestly, it was hard to leave. The water sparkled in the sun, and the whole scene felt almost unreal.

    Crossed into Albania in the afternoon, and that’s when things got hot—literally. Ingeborg (our Volvo Amazon Combi) started running hot at the border, and we were melting right along with her. After some much-needed cooling off, we pushed on to Durrës and decided to treat ourselves: checked into a hotel and called it home for the next two nights. We’ve earned a head start, so time to rest, recharge, and maybe even hit the beach.

    #BalkanExpress #RallyLife #RoadTrip #AdventureAwaits #TeamSauerkraut #VolvoAmazon #AmazonCombi #ClassicVolvo #VolvoLovers #RallyAdventure #TravelEurope #Mavrovo #Debar #LakeOhrid #Albania #Durres #TravelBuddies #NatureLovers #MountainRoads #RoadTripVibes    Read more

  • Balkan Express

    Albania -> Montenegro

    August 28 in Albania ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C

    Day 8 & 9: Beach Break & Black Mountain Adventure

    Day 8 was all about slowing down and soaking it in. We spent a lazy day in Durrës, unwinding at the beach and lounging by the pool—exactly what we needed after so many days on the move. The evening brought some traditional Albanian entertainment, with music and dancing that kept the good vibes rolling.

    On Day 9, we packed up and said goodbye to Albania, heading north toward Montenegro. The heat hit hard at the border—once again, both us and Ingeborg (our Volvo Amazon Combi) were feeling the burn. But the effort was worth it: the road around Skadarsko Lake was absolutely breathtaking. Narrow lanes hugged the hillsides, with steep drops and nonstop, jaw-dropping views over the water.

    We finally rolled into the Black Mountain meet-up, joining all the rally teams for a night under the stars. First time camping in our tent, and it couldn’t have been better—local BBQ, music, drinks, and plenty of stories shared late into the night. This is what rally life is all about.

    #BalkanExpress #RallyLife #RoadTrip #AdventureAwaits #TeamSauerkraut #VolvoAmazon #AmazonCombi #ClassicVolvo #VolvoLovers #RallyAdventure #TravelEurope #Albania #Durres #Montenegro #SkadarskoLake #BlackMountain #CampingLife #TravelBuddies #NatureLovers #BeachDay #MountainViews #BBQNight    Read more

  • Balkan Express

    Montenegro -> Bosnia

    August 30 in Montenegro ⋅ ☁️ 22 °C

    Day 10: Rain, Serpentines & Sarajevo Arrival

    We left camp in Montenegro this morning, a little worse for wear after last night’s festivities. First stop: the super hip @357bakery in beautiful Cetinje for much-needed coffee and pastries. The rain hit hard, turning the mountain roads into a dramatic, misty adventure.

    The drive down into Kotor was unreal—25 tight serpentines with epic views at every turn. After drying off a bit, we made our way to Niksic and stopped at @jerry_pub for some of the best Neapolitan pizza we’ve had on the trip.

    Crossed into Bosnia over a rickety wooden bridge, and suddenly the tarmac gave way to dirt roads and wild countryside. Finally rolled into Sarajevo and checked in at the cozy @pino_naturehotel, ready for a warm shower and a good night’s sleep.

    #BalkanExpress #RallyLife #RoadTrip #AdventureAwaits #TeamSauerkraut #VolvoAmazon #AmazonCombi #ClassicVolvo #VolvoLovers #RallyAdventure #TravelEurope #Montenegro #Cetinje #Hip357Bakery #Kotor #Serpentines #Niksic #JerryPub #Bosnia #Sarajevo #PinoNatureHotel #TravelBuddies #NatureLovers #EpicDrives #PizzaLovers    Read more

  • Balkan Express

    Bosnia -> Croatia

    August 31 in Bosnia and Herzegovina ⋅ ☁️ 13 °C

    Day 11: Olympic Ruins, Bridges & the Croatian Coast

    Started the day with a quick detour to the abandoned bobsleigh track from the Sarajevo Winter Olympics—a haunting and fascinating piece of history hidden in the hills. Then it was back on the road, winding through Bosnia’s beautiful valleys, each bend revealing another stunning view.

    We stopped in Mostar to see the iconic bridge, soaking up the atmosphere before crossing into Croatia. The drive along the Adriatic coast was pure magic—cliffs, turquoise water, and endless ocean views all the way to Split.

    Celebrated our arrival with some rosé on the boulevard and a reunion with Team Sauerkraut. Wrapped up the evening with incredible pizza and drinks at Bokamorra (@bokamorracroatia). Another unforgettable day on the rally!

    #BalkanExpress #RallyLife #RoadTrip #AdventureAwaits #TeamSauerkraut #VolvoAmazon #AmazonCombi #ClassicVolvo #VolvoLovers #RallyAdventure #TravelEurope #Sarajevo #BobsleighTrack #Bosnia #Mostar #Croatia #Split #AdriaticCoast #Bokamorra #PizzaLovers #OceanViews #TravelBuddies #NatureLovers    Read more

  • Balkan Express

    Along the Croatian Coast

    September 1 in Croatia ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C

    Day 12: Adriatic Dreams & Butterfly Drama

    We left Split this morning, hugging the coast as we headed north. The entire day was a rolling panorama of beauty: dramatic cliffs plunging into the deep blue Adriatic, islands dotting the horizon, and tiny seaside villages tucked between olive groves and pine forests. Every twist in the road seemed to offer a new postcard view—sunlight dancing on the water, fishing boats bobbing in sheltered coves, and the scent of salt and wild herbs in the air.

    Somewhere along the way, Tommy had a close encounter of the butterfly kind—one flew into the car and he leapt out in a panic, giving us all a good laugh. We stopped for some rosé by the roadside and couldn’t resist a dip in the crystal-clear water, refreshing body and soul.

    By evening, we rolled into Crikvenica and reunited with Team Sauerkraut. Dinner was an absolute feast of fresh seafood, and to top it all off, we got to park right at the hotel entrance—VIP rally style.

    #BalkanExpress #RallyLife #RoadTrip #AdventureAwaits #TeamSauerkraut #VolvoAmazon #AmazonCombi #ClassicVolvo #VolvoLovers #RallyAdventure #TravelEurope #Croatia #AdriaticCoast #Split #Crikvenica #SeafoodLovers #IslandViews #ButterflyAttack #RoséAllDay #TravelBuddies #NatureLovers #CrystalClearWater    Read more

  • Balkan Express

    Last day of the Rally

    September 2 in Croatia ⋅ ☁️ 23 °C

    Day 13: Rain, Rolling Hills & Rally Finish

    We left Crikvenica this morning, heading toward Rijeka. Heavy rain chased us along the coast for a while, turning the Adriatic silver and adding a dramatic backdrop to our last coastal miles. Soon, we turned inland, winding our way through the lush, rolling hills of the Istrian countryside—vineyards, old stone villages, and green fields as far as the eye could see.

    Arriving early for the finish line, we checked into @roxanich_winery, where we enjoyed an incredible lunch with perfectly paired wines. The service was top-notch, making our last rally lunch one to remember.

    Finally, we headed to the finish line, where we celebrated with all the teams—wine, whisky, and plenty of stories from the road. What a journey!

    #BalkanExpress #RallyLife #RoadTrip #AdventureAwaits #TeamSauerkraut #VolvoAmazon #AmazonCombi #ClassicVolvo #VolvoLovers #RallyAdventure #TravelEurope #Croatia #Rijeka #Istria #RoxanichWinery #WineLovers #FinishLine #TravelBuddies #NatureLovers #RainyDay #Celebration #WhiskyTime    Read more

    Trip end
    September 2, 2025
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