Jun
13th
Stage 4: Bosnia to Albania
By Balkan Rally James
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.
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.
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