The View

Eastern Europe & Balkans Tour on a Ducati

I did it! I left home, wife and kids for a new adventure. Special thanks to my wife Ines for her help and support 😘

I’m on a solo motorcycle camping tour across the balkans, planing to visit as much as possible of the following countries:

  • Czech Republic 🇨🇿
  • Slovakia 🇸🇰
  • Hungary 🇭🇺
  • Romania 🇷🇴
  • Bulgaria 🇧🇬
  • North Macedonia 🇲🇰
  • Albania 🇦🇱
  • Italy 🇮🇹

I’ve a rough plan but it’s definitely going to change, as the “journey” is my destination. If time allows, I might be throwing also some Serbia 🇷🇸 in the mix 😉

Instead of just riding from an hotel to the next and enjoying all the comforts, I will mainly stick to camping sites, alternate local food to self cooked meals and go often for a hike in the nature. It’s a kind of moto-hike tour.

It is also a minimalistic experience with just the basic stuff and no fuzz. I’ve no laptop, no tablet, no drone, no action camera. You get the point.
The only things that need charging are my smartphone and my sport watch. Then why am I writing a blog?
It wasn’t planned but so many friends asked to receive news and photos. Plus I always wanted to start a blog and I’m curious to see where this can go as I‘ve bigger plans for it. I will explain more down the road.

It all started when, after a long motorcycle pause of 25 years, in September 2020 I bought a Ducati Multistrada.

Ducati Multistrada 950S


The idea was to learn again to ride on two wheels on paved roads and enjoy my surroundings. Little that I knew, the Ducati turned out to be one of the best investments. First I discovered the adventure bike world, then I took a one-day enduro training course and learned new skills and fun ways to ride. Now I’ve embarked on an fantastic journey.

Most adventure riders ride an Honda Africa Twin, a BMW GS, a Yamaha Tenere or KTM to name just a few.
It’s rare to find a Ducati in the wild, especially when it comes to enduro trails. Being Italian on an Italian bike makes this adventure more special and with style 😎

It feels strange to be for six weeks away from my wife, my four boys, friends and without a booked accomodation but the adventure is “the unexpected”.

I already experienced this feelings before. It is so much new input in such a short time, that it’s hard to assimilate it. You need more time to let is settle. You feel alive more than ever.

Feel free to leave a comment below if any of this resonates with you!

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11 responses to “Eastern Europe & Balkans Tour on a Ducati”

  1. Wohoo! Love the idea of a blog and I can’t wait to read all about your stories.
    I’m especially interested in Transylvania haha. Have an amazing and most adventurous trip 🏍

  2. Ciccio!! So 😎 cool!
    What about Slovenia?!? So great and fantastic roads for you over there, you cannot miss my mums hometown! I wish you a very safe travel and excited to read more from your adventure/s- you deserve it! Special warm greetings to your fab family & their support! ♥️ Enjoy your time and free your head! Take care mi amigo! See u soon in your blog! 😃💪☀️☀️☀️Xox

    • Hola Ramona!
      Slovenia is on my list but not for this time. I can reach Slovenia quite easily and spend a week or so only there, so I keep it for later 😉
      Grazie mille for your message and greetings 😘
      Take care

  3. Go Indy, go! And watch out for the Crystal skulls!!! 😆
    Amazing view and great memories.
    Enjoy this adventure

  4. Hello Raffa. It’s nice to read about your adventures every day. I would love to be in your role and do a similar tour on a motorcycle. Maybe the dream will come true one day. I think it’s great that you chose the underrated Eastern Europe for your trip. The beautiful landscape and the hospitable people are fantastic. By the way, everything is okay here on Haselnussweg. There isn’t much that is new so your decision to do the tour was the right one. Greetings from your neighbors Sandra and Christian 🙂

    • Christian, my good friend 😃
      Thank you so much for your words.
      I totally agree on both the beautiful landscapes and the fantastic hospitality. I met lots of people on the way and they made the experience here special.
      Good to know that back home is all good 👍 I would love to have a trip together one day. You can begin planning the route 🧭
      A big hug from Budapest
      Raffaele

  6. Ciccio, tanti auguri, habe eine guten Trip, hoffentlich geht es dir gut? Grüße aus Dänemark, von Rømø.

    LG Basti mit Familie

    • Grande Basti! Danke mein lieber 😃
      Uns geht’s alle gut und wir sind gerade in Rom. Und Ihr seid in Rømø 😂
      Liebe Grüße an die Family von uns allen.