Balkan Odyssey

Homer's original Odyssey followed Ulysses, King of Ithaca, on a gruelling ten-year journey home from the Trojan War. TDA's Balkan Odyssey is a little more manageable: six weeks and around 2,100km from Athens, Greece to Zagreb, Croatia, through five European countries. Riders won't have to deal with the songs of the Sirens or the six-headed monster Scylla, but they will face some challenges, tempered by great scenery, amazing food, incredible history and fascinating cultures.

The journey begins in the shadow of Athens' ancient Acropolis. Riders head northwest through the hilly Greek countryside, passing the historic sites of Delphi and the cliff-top monasteries of Meteora, before crossing into enigmatic Albania. From there the route climbs into the mountains of Montenegro and on into Bosnia, with visits to the historic cities of Sarajevo and Mostar, home of the famous Stari Most bridge.

The route then heads to the sun-drenched Croatian coast, taking in Dubrovnik before island-hopping through the Adriatic Sea. Back on the mainland, riders spin into Zagreb to complete this rewarding cycling challenge. The tour can also be booked as two standalone sections, Road to Sarajevo and Dalmatian Coast, for riders who prefer a shorter commitment.

Highlights:

• Start beneath the Acropolis in Athens
• Ancient Delphi and the monasteries of Meteora
• Albania and the mountains of Montenegro
• Sarajevo and the Stari Most bridge in Mostar
• Dubrovnik and the Dalmatian coast
• Island-hopping through the Croatian Adriatic

Surface and terrain:
Less than 1% unpaved, so almost entirely sealed roads. Hilly Greek countryside and mountainous stretches through Montenegro and Bosnia, easing to coastal and island riding in Croatia.

Likely Weather:
Typically warm and mostly dry in May and June, around 20–28°C, rising to the low 30s in Greece and on the Adriatic coast by mid-June. It's cooler in the mountains of Montenegro and Bosnia, where showers are possible.

Suitable for:
Fit riders comfortable with daily distances averaging around 77km over hilly and mountainous terrain, who want history, food and culture as much as the riding. Touring category, 3/5 difficulty.