Pedal Journeys in the Balkans

To avoid pedaling in the midday heat, I woke up very early and started my journey towards Herceg Novi. I pedaled 20 km to the ferry station and another 15 km on the other side of the bay until reaching Herceg Novi. This will be my last day of this Balkan trip in Montenegro, as I'll be crossing into Croatia tomorrow. Herceg Novi is fantastic, with its combination of stone walls, sea views, and relaxed vibes. Don't miss the chance to visit Kanli Kula in the old town. The view from there is stunning! Entrance is 4 euros.

Jon departed today for a week, needing to catch a flight. He asked the owner of Grispolis to store his bike, and the owner kindly agreed without hesitation. It's nice to be back in a place with genuinely good people who take pride in their work. The owner goes out every morning with his team to catch fresh fish for the afternoon, showcasing their dedication and hospitality. Thanks again!

We pedaled 35.8 km in 2 hours at a scorching 38 degrees—the most uncomfortable ride we've ever had. It felt like cycling through a desert, with heat radiating from the asphalt right into our faces. Originally, we were looking for a glamping site and a restaurant in Vranovici, but the town was deserted. So, we recalculated our route and headed to Bigova instead, which turned out to be a great choice! We needed to stay close to the area since Jon had a flight from Tivat Airport the next day. If you find yourself in a similar situation, Bigova Bay is an excellent option. When we arrived, we headed to the only restaurant in town: Grispolis. The place is a paradise with fresh seafood, a fantastic environment where locals arrive by boat to spend the day, and well-cooked food. The restaurant has direct access to the sea, which feels like a big pool. The bay is surrounded by houses with private entries to the water, lots of greenery, and it's a fabulous spot for sunsets. Grispolis als

We kickstarted the day with a 50km lap around Kotor Bay, completing it in about two hours. Along the way, we discovered quiet, charming towns that offer better options to stay than Kotor. These towns have fewer people, nice entries to the sea with little beaches and platforms to jump into the water, and a more local atmosphere. The architecture is beautiful, with most houses being rock structures adorned with greenery and vines. We particularly liked Prcanj, so be sure to check it out if you're in the area.

Our experience with our accommodation in Kotor was unpleasant. We booked and paid for our stay through Booking.com, and had never encountered any issues with these reservations until that day. The person in charge of the accommodation arrived in the morning, demanding payment that had already been made through the platform, for which we had proof (from the bank and Booking.com). She was very rude, yelling and threatening to call the police, creating an incredibly grotesque scene. If you pass through Kotor, never stay at Ocea Apartments . After dealing with that scam, we continued our journey towards Perast. We pedaled 26.6 km along the bay until we reached our next destination. Perast has a better atmosphere than Kotor but is still a hub for mass tourism. Buses full of tourists arrive throughout the day, along with people from cruise ships, just like in Kotor. The local minimarket also tried to charge us double for some drinks and a bag of chips. When we confronted the cashier, she s

We covered 28.21 km with a 449-meter uphill climb in one hour and 49 minutes. The journey was hectic as we took a secondary road (M-11) for approximately 8 km. The route was challenging due to heavy traffic, limited scenery, and many cars speeding by very close to our bikes. The last third of the way featured steep, zigzagging inclines, made even more challenging by the 30-degree temperature. Upon reaching the summit, we snapped some photos of the Bay of Kotor and then began our descent. Once we settled into our accommodation, we went for a walk around the old town, which is enclosed within a spectacular stone wall. There are many options for dining, having a coffee, or enjoying an ice cream. We loved exploring its narrow streets and stopped for a dessert before heading back to our accommodation to rest. Kotor is a bustling city with heavy traffic and crowds. It’s the first time we've felt overwhelmed by tourists during our bike trip in Montenegro. We also found the food and plac