The Balkan Rally | The Party Rally from England to Macedonia.

This is hardcore...

Serious ralliers only please. The fourth section of the rally is the organiser's favourite for good reason. This part of Europe is undiscovered and very different from the rest of it. Parts of Albania look like Nigeria. Parts of Bosnia look like Sierre Leone... well perhaps not but the half blown up buildings riddled with bullet holes do take some getting used to.

The best thing about travelling through these places though is without a doubt, the locals. This is your chance to get off the beaten track and experience real Balkan hospitality and kindness. I have every faith that countries like Bosnia, Monenegro and Albania will feature on ralliers "Top 5 ever" lists.

We start where we left off. Into Bosnia we will take you. Heading for Mostar, home of a world famous bridge which fearless locals will jump off to amuse the tourists (and for a small fee). Though we will be visiting this pretty town, we will be sleeping outside, in a beautiful secret scenic location, far enough from civilisation for some appreciation of Bosnia's bountiful natural beauty, close enough to civilisation that we can take you to the local village Taverna for a traditional experience that no money can buy (except £135 for the Balkan Rally!).

The next evening we are in Dubrovnik, Pearl of the Adriatic, this city needs no introduction, many of you will have visited before, possibly with parents. The city takes your breath away every time you glimpse it from the cliff top road that leads there. No trip to the Balkans would be complete without a visit here. You'll be hungover and therefore the Jazz evening we have planned for you will be just what you need (The organisers know what's best for you!).

 The following day we go Cliff jumping, there are heights for all 'cohones'. Keep your arms tucked though, unless you want to go home in a stretcher. That day we drive along the coast to Kotor, lazy souls can enjoy a beer in the town square, exercise-minded people can take to the 1000 (probably) steps which lead up to the fort that overlooks the town, bring water with you because no matter what you think, you will pay the extortionate price charged for it at the top.

In the evening we split up. Those who don't care about their cars or are driving 4x4s pay attention! You can do our rally stage. I am going to tell you absolutely nothing about this right now however I will say this. Every rallier that took part in this two day 300 km round trip last year agrees, it is not to be missed. If you have the car and the balls for it, there really is no better way to spend 48 hours.

That's not to say that the alternate activity is any less fun. Miracle is a mafia owned Ibiza style outdoor club perched on top of a mountain overlooking Budva in Montenegro. It has a huge stage, more jacuzzis than you could ever justify, and plenty of oppurtunities to be bundled into the trunk of a Zastava and fed to the piggies on the edge of town.

If you survive the previous night and think you want something a little more edgy, a little less Ayia Napa, and a little more Burkina Faso then, perhaps Albania will be just what you're after. We head to Tirana, the capital, where we are united with the rally stage group. Clubbing in Tirana is at odds with the rest of the country, you have never seen a more glamorous clientele. The music is good, the drinks are cheap, the partying is till late.

Don't overdo it though, the following day we head to Lake Ohrid, Macedonia for the party to end all parties. 'Stage 5: The finish party' coming soon.

Croatia: poster boy for the Western Balkans, the new Ibiza, beautiful coastline and quaint villages abound.

Slovenia, where's that? This tiny country is oft overshadowed by its southern neighbour however to ignore it is to miss out on what many of the 2010 ralliers considered to be some of the best couple of days on the rally.

We start in the Far North of the country (only two ours drive from the far South). Slovenia is right on the South Eastern tip of the alps so the scenery is breathtaking. Spend the afternoon setting up camp on the shores of Lake Bled's lesser known but more peaceful sister, Lake Bohinj. Campfires, marshmallows and other traditional camping shit is on the menu, aside from feeling the effects of a beer hall crawl the night before you will need your sleep for the following day when the organisers will be taking you on a tour of the local area. Expect plenty of outdoor activities and swimming. This is where you can get photos to satisfy parents that you have done more than just sunbathe and drink all summer.

That evening you make the 1-hour long drive to Ljubljana, Slovenia's phonetically challenging capital city. You will be placed under the control of Andrej Jakos, a maverick, a  yes man, a lunatic, and an excellent guide for the evening's pub crawl. He knows Ljubljana better than anyone and can be relied upon to show you everything that is weird and wonderful about the city. This is NOT your Stag weekend tour, this is about partying at the best places where only a local would know to go.

The following day we hit Croatia and go straight to Pag island which is what I imagine Ibiza is like though I'm yet to go. House music, Babes, Swimming Pools, Bunjy jumping, Foam, Speedos, Chest hair, and hopefully; beautiful weather. Check out this extract from the feature length 2010 Balkan Rally film if you don't believe me: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WDYHvl_9g3c
Pag island is very very fun.

After two days of insane partying you need to relax which is why we go to Zadar, only 45 minutes from Pag. The Garden is the open air club owned by ex-UB40 drummer James Brown and sits on top of the fortress walls in the old city from where you can look out across the marina one way and over the terracotta roofs of the town in the other. The garden is a garden as the name suggests and has loads of beds in which you can totally relax, it is the prefect antidote to the craziness of Pag. The city of Zadar itself can easily entertain for a few hours, explore the back-streets and immerse yourself.

Your next destination will be Bosnia, where you can really appreciate the whole region's fraught recent history. Stage 4 is Bosnia to Albania

 

Exhausted though you will be after the festival, your first days driving will require some willpower and stamina as you need to make your way to Brugge. The good news is that we have sorted both your ferry ticket and booked accomodation for the evening. Using the handy maps provided in The Balkan Bible is easy and as soon as you arrive in Brugge you can go into lock-down. That is except that we're going to one of the oldest pubs in Brugge to sample an extensive range of Belgian beers.

You'll need your rest though; The following day we hit Amsterdam where nothing is as expected. In this vein we have organised a mystery event, we don't even know what to expect. Doubtless this great city of vice will provide. Last year's evening in Amsterdam was so extreme that almost no one made it the next day to the beer hall crawl in Munich.

To sort this out we have added another destination; Heidelberg. Heidelberg sits on the neckar river in the rhine valley and is surrounded by forests. It is regarded as one of the most attractive towns in Germany and is said to have the best climate. We are staying in a campsite right on the river.

 Munich, capital of Bavaria, the heart of Germany, full of history and with probably the finest brewing culture of any city in the world. Jakob, our man on the ground, will be donning his Lederhosen for the second time to lead you on a tour of this great city's world famous beerhalls, expect some live Bavarian music  at the Hofbrauhaus plus visits to other less infamous but more traditional 'locals' beerhalls.

That concludes this brief teaser on Stage 2. Stand-by to find out what's in store for Stage 3: Slovenia and Croatia

This years Underhill Festival is the start to the Balkan Rally and is included in the entry price. The festival has grown since last year to a two day event with 3 music stages and a host of other activities to keep you amused.

Right in the centre of the site will be the Balkan music stage where you will here some of the leading voices in the gypsy music scene. Headliner’s Gypsy Hill (http://www.myspace.com/gypsyhill/music) are an incredible act, and supporting them will be everything from Belly Dancer’s to Balkan magicians and more amazing bands.

On the other stages you will find some of the world’s leading DJs performing and some incredible up-and-coming acts. Artists such as Zombie Disco Squad (http://www.myspace.com/zombiediscosquad), Krafty Kuts (http://www.myspace.com/djkraftykuts), Lone (http://www.myspace.com/lonemusic), Le Jockey (http://www.myspace.com/lejockey/music) and Richy Ahmed (http://www.residentadvisor.net/dj/richyahmed) will all be tearing it up. That still leaves the Mystery Headliner, a man who is frequently regarded as being one of the Top 10 DJs in the world. I cannot name names but this is huge.

As anyone who made it to the inaugural event last year will testify, Underhill is about much more than just music. Arts and activities events will all be laid on over the weekend, as will some delicious food and drink including some local ales and ciders.

On the final day Ralliers will assemble as best they can for the grand see-off from their very own section of the festival site. After a quick speech from the mayor and a ribbon cut by miss Wessex 2011, it’ll be time to head off into the unknown bound for Brugge…

Watch this space for the next instalment where I’ll be telling you what’s in store for the rallier’s in Western Europe

Dear prospective ralliers,

You will be pleased to know that work on this years rally is coming on extremely well. This update is not about some big event but more just to let you know that the rally is shaping up to be something very special.

Like last year your rally will kick off with Underhill Festival. Two days partying with some incredible Balkan Bands and world famous DJs such as Krafty Kuts, Joy Orbison and a very very special secret headliner (he's big).

On Sunday morning after a short ceremony you will drive off into the unknown. Through Western Europe you will be taken to some awesome events and very cool hand-picked nightspots. There will be local representatives at much of the places we visit who have been meticulously planning for weeks to give you an excellent evening.

Once you hit the Balkans everything gets a whole lot stranger and more crazy. One night you'll be partying in Jacuzzis with bikini clad women and speedo clad men, the next you'll be swigging beer at a local tavern before bedding down in a field full of goats*.

Finally, preparations for the finish party are coming along nicely. I don't want to divulge to many details but I am sure you will love it.

So, those signed up already, congratualtions you've made a great decision, those yet to sign up.... you know what to do.



 *You'll pleased to know there probably won't be goats... or will there?

The Balkan Rally Screening and after party pub crawl extravaganza took place last weekend. It was good to see most of the ralliers from last year make it, alot had flown in especially from far flung exotic places like Ireland and Scotland. It was good to see also some people who didn't join us last year. Everyone seemed to enjoy the film even if they didn't understand the miriad of private jokes that featured.

After the 5pm screening we enjoyed a pub crawl through Oxford's many historic and famous pubs. Illustrious venues like The Turf Tavern, The Kings Arms and The Bear. We finished the night (early due to the state of the ralliers) at The Cellar club for some Funk & 80s Hip Hop. An amazing reunion and a good oppurtunity to meet some of the people coming in 2011.

DVDs of the movie have been sent to all ralliers though unfortunately this 1hr long epic will not be available online. Instead we will be releasing selected clips over the coming weeks. Make sure you keep checking the website for these hilarious visual nuggets of 'the very best thing to do last summer'

The 2011 Balkan Rally dates have been posted. It will begin on the 29th July with Underhill Festival, the Balkan and Dance music festival in the West Country. It finishes a fortnight later on the 12th August on the shores of Lake Ohrid, Macedonia, at a special Balkan Rally beach party. Sign up today for early bird tickets for £125. Only 30 are available so get in quick.

The Balkan Rally 2010 film screening is edging closer. It will take place on the 12th February in Oxford and anyone can come along for free. It will be followed by a pub crawl round some of the city's renowned pubs and bars before finishing up at one of Oxford's best nightclubs. The cinema is the Ultimate Picture palace, one of the UK's oldest cinemas and one of the few with a bar inside the theatre. The film is looking excellent, I highly recommend everyone make the journey.

See you on the 12th...

The first ever Balkan Rally ended on time at Lake Ohrid. A Barbeque, awards ceremony and all night party on a private beach was there to greet the ralliers.

A fun time was had by all and I am looking forward to next year. The Balkan Bible for 2011 has already started being written.

The screening of The Balkan Rally 2010 movie will be taking place at a cinema near Christmas, more details coming soon, everyone is welcome! 

Dearest Ralliers

Underhill Festival:

We are less than 38 days from Underhill Festival – your launch party, marking the beginning of the Balkan Rally and more importantly, the beginning of your adventure. For Underhill, there are only 400 tickets available to the public / those wanting to see you off - get in quick. Early bird tickets are still available at just £18.

Visit Underhill to grab yours now!

Crunch Time: 7 days to confirm your place

Over half of the 118 participants signed so far have paid their deposit, a good number to take on the Balkans. To everyone else,you have just a week to pay your deposit, guaranteeing your place on this years rally.

Pay your deposit now to join us this summer!

Ben Stevenson: Official Balkan Rally Film
When Just Happened is the official production company for The Balkan Rally. They will be filming all escapades from here to well… wherever you end up! Ben and his camera will not however have a car but will be relying on you guys and gals to show him the way - hitchhiking in other words! Therefore, allowing When Just Happenedto create the most exciting and intimate film of this once in a lifetime journey for you all to see and share. 

Do you have an extraordinary story to tell? If you wish to be featured or not as the case maybe, send an email to:studio@whenjusthappened.com or call the production mobile on +447776306603 at anytime day or night between now and the end of the rally!

That's all for now, see you at the launch!

Love and kisses, BR Team

 

5 places left at £98:

The Kiro Gligorov offer a lot of you have taken advantage of is nearly over. Only 5 places of the 50 we have offered remain, make sure all your team members are signed up – they’ll go in no time. 

We are able to provide details on three of our events this summer. Check the events section for further details on the rest.

Underhill Festival: 30th July 2010

We’re bringing the Balkans to the West country, our launch at Underhill Festival promises to get you in the mood. A one-day festival of Balkan music set amongst Dorset’s countryside. We are teaming up with Scottish club night, Balkanarama to bring you a hot Balkan Instrumental orgy. Later on the music gets a little heavier as we team up with music blog ‘You Can Call Me Pelski’ who will take us into the early hours with DJs playing dubstep, house, techno, and Balkan influenced dance music.

There will be plentiful food and local brews on offer. Try the Cheddar Valley for a really good night… The launch party will be free to all those on the rally, for everyone else, they are able to buy a ticket here. (Website coming shortly...)

The Hague – After Party: 31st July 2010

This year, The Balkan Rally is redefining the after party… You don’t have long to get yourselves from the West Country to the Netherlands, but we don’t mind waiting up. For all those who brake down, miss their ferry and got a puncture – you’re already behind! 

With Amsterdam no doubt on your mind, we’ll break you in to life on the continent. We’re working exclusively with a top promoter in The Hague to offer you a truly unique experience. A huge glass beach house by the sea waits your arrival.

Finsh Party – Lake Ohrid: 12th August 2010

The finish party takes place on the shores of Lake Ohrid in Macedonia – one of the most beautiful corners of Europe, on a beach.

We start with traditional local music. This time showcasing the best gypsy polka the Balkans have to offer. A barbecue will be cooking up the finest Tavče Gravče whilst the bar will be serving throughout the night to keep everyone liquidated.

Later on, the music will move onto some of the Balkan’s biggest beats to keep you going strong until the sunshine appears.