Mixed Messages

The panniers are packed and we're ready for our next adventure but I'm just wondering how adventurous we really are. The plan is to leave home tomorrow and stay overnight in Kent. An early train through the Chunnel on Friday will be the prelude to three days of motorway driving to the north of Italy. Monday will see us on an overnight ferry to Greece, from where we will make our way up through Albania, Montenegro,Croatia, a little bit of Bosnia and Slovenia.

The Balkans - synonymous with recent wars, land mines, ethnic cleansing and organised crime. Our bike insurance companies will not provide insurance for Albania, Montenegro or Bosnia. We apparently can buy 3rd party insurance at the border. It all sounds a bit dodgy.

The Lonely Planet Guide, however, states that the Western Balkans is slightly safer than the developed world average. In Muslim areas in particular there is less street crime due to low alcohol consumption. There is some fantastic scenery and historical sites ( and sights!) and all the countries we're visiting are keen to increase tourism. The greatest danger seems to be driving standards in Albania. So, we will have to wait and see. Watch this space!