Hungary – Pécs, 07 – 09 July 2025

Posted on Wednesday, 9-July-2025 by Chris Desmond
Zagreb to Pecs – 226 kms in 3:49 hrs, this was on the back roads of Croatia so no tolls and Hungary has a single toll for all roads, cost for a motorcycle for 10 days is €11.21 which is very cheap. No freeways on my route small towns and villages made it slow going and picturesque. The roads deteriorated immediately I crossed the border into Hungary. My bike is built to handle bumpy roads so it just became a fun ride until somehow a bee got into my jacket and stung me in the small of my back, probably flew up my open sleeve hahaha. Then a nice surprise for the last 30 minutes when I rode into a thunderstorm and I mean a storm, heavy rain, wind, thunder and lightning, scary because I could not see a thing especially when a truck came past the other way and drenched me, I was just following brake lights and keeping my distance. I saw a service station and thought about pulling over but it was already jammed with cars hiding from the storm. I did not anticipate this weather and was wearing summer gloves and my sleeves were open so I got soaked. Finding and checking into my accommodation in the downpour was also fun. All’s well that ends well. Pecs – a surprisingly nice place, many beautiful old buildings, a Synagogue, a church that over the centuries was converted into a mosque and then back to a church, a magnificent cathedral and the pedestrian only part of town. .
Posted in Hungary | 2 Comments

Croatia – Zagreb, Rab Island, Batina, 23 June – 06 July 2025

Posted on Sunday, 6-July-2025 by Chris Desmond
Pocenia to Zagreb – 300 kms in 3:42 hrs, first a toll to the Slovenian border €1.70 then the Slovenia evignette which you buy online in advance  7 days for €8.00 and finally a toll from the Slovenia border to Zagreb €0.60. The speed limit drops to 110kph in Slovenia, it is a mountainous country and a fun ride. I have covered 6,000 kms since leaving Hastings and it is time for an oil change. This is the most expensive oil I have every bought for my bike, avoid buying oil in Croatia 3 litres for €50. I made a trip to Rab Island. This island was ruled by Venice in the past and there is still a link between this island and the town of San Marino in Italy. They have an annual ancient crossbow competition along with entertainment, very nice. I also made a trip to Batina on the Danube. .
Posted in Croatia | Leave a comment

Italy – Palazzolo, Trieste, Latisana, Pordenone, Udine, Caorle, Palmanova, 09 – 22 June 2025

Posted on Sunday, 22-June-2025 by Chris Desmond
Verona to Pocenia – 200 kms in 2:24 hrs, 2 toll stops €7.15 and 8.90, at the final toll stop in Latisana I had to queue for 20 min in the sun because people are still paying the toll with cash. A large number of German and Austrian tourists visit the seaside here. An uneventful ride through vineyards and farmland. Palazzolo – I stayed at a farm near here. My chain has been making a racket for a while and I finally decided to check it and it needs to be replaced, should have done it 10,000kms ago but all the workshops in the UK are fully booked so I gave it a miss. Went to see the nearest Suzuki dealer and booked the bike in for a replacement chain and sprockets. The fuel consumption has increased as well so I ordered an air filter and changed it myself and while at it installed a USB charger. While waiting for all the parts to arrive etc I visited the surrounding area which I am familiar with and like from past visits. Trieste – one of my favourite cities which I have visited many times. Pordenone Udine Caorle – seaside town with many colourful buildings. Palmanova – a town built like a fortress
Posted in Italy | 2 Comments

Italy – Verona – 06 – 08 June 2025

Posted on Sunday, 8-June-2025 by Chris Desmond
Cannes to Verona – 498 kms in 5:35 hrs, 2 fuel stops. The first 3 hours were along the coast which was non-stop viaducts and tunnels and roadworks, slow going and not a minute to relax, cool with a light drizzle for a few minutes. Three toll stops in France which was ridiculous for such a short distance €3.50, 1.50 and 2.00. Finally turned north just before Genoa and headed for the Italian plains. One stop to get a toll ticket and then one at the end to pay for it €42.50 ouch and when I arrived in Verona it was 31c. Verona – where the story of Romeo and Juliet takes place. First of all this is a story but there is a Balcony for Juliet and she even has a tomb while Romeo only gets a house. A very popular tourist destination and a great place to visit. .
Posted in Italy | 2 Comments

France – Cannes, 03 – 05 June 2025

Posted on Friday, 6-June-2025 by Chris Desmond
Montpellier to Cannes – 295 kms in 3:25 hrs, 1 fuel stop. Short ride, quite a few trucks until I got past Marseille 3 toll stops €4.30, 2.90 and 10.90, very annoying. Filling up fuel in France takes ages, first you have to go inside and pay an amount and you get given a receipt for that amount which you take back to the pump and scan. This unlocks the pump and you fill up then you have to go back inside and get your change which can be as a credit to your card or in cash and each time you have to take your turn in the queue, unbelievable. I had no idea what was going on someone had to show me, this rigamarole has only been introduced recently. Cannes – famous for its film festival and it also hosts many conferences. The Ile Sainte-Marguerite is where the “Man in the Iron Mask” was imprisoned, it is a 15 min ferry ride from the mainland. An interesting piece of history.
Posted in France | Leave a comment

France – Montpellier, 31 May – 02 June 2025

Posted on Monday, 2-June-2025 by Chris Desmond
Zaragoza to Montpellier – 637 kms in 6:56 hrs, 3 fuel stops. I had to go past Barcelona and there were a number of traffic jams which I got around by riding down the emergency lane but still slow going. Temperature became cooler as I travelled north, a long ride. Toll €12.60 from the Spanish Border to Montepellier. Montpellier – the only reason I stopped here was to break journey for a few days as I head east. It is a nice place, clean, organised, good facilities but not what I would call a tourist city. There is a fairly plain Cathedral and some other monuments scattered around. I managed to find some street art. They have busses and trams, I bought a 48 hour pass for €10. Everything is more expensive than Spain.
Posted in France | 2 Comments

Spain – Zaragoza, 28 – 30 May 2025

Posted on Friday, 30-May-2025 by Chris Desmond

Toledo to Zaragoza – 408 kms in 4:38 hrs, 3 fuel stops. I had to go past Madrid which meant a little more traffic than usual but not too bad. Mountains and plains combined and I must have discovered the last Toll road in Spain, a short stretch that cost E5.05. Temperature was 34c uncomfortable.

Zaragoza – nice place, clean, organised, good facilities but not what I would call a tourist city. There are a couple of Cathedrals and some Roman ruins, it is flat so quite easy to walk around.

Posted in Spain | 2 Comments

Spain – Toledo, 25 – 27 May 2025

Posted on Tuesday, 27-May-2025 by Chris Desmond

Malaga to Toledo 484 kms in 5 hrs with 2 stops for fuel. Good ride again, mountains and winding roads, blue skies couldn’t ask for more.

Through the mountains
.
.
.
Snow capped
.
Olive Groves everywhere
Still in one piece
Tunnels
.
.
Bulls
Troubadour
Not the Netherlands
Many Bulls
Pretty

Toledo – this is the most amazing old town I have been to! It is a walled town on a hill with narrow winding streets that go up and down. Beware you will both stuff your knees up and have a heart attack hahaha. It is popular with many tourists and tour groups.

Pretty
Art
Souvenirs
Tinto de Virano
Mezquita del Cristo de la Luz
Roman Road
Lookout for the Door above
City Gate
Walled city
The view
Federico Martín Bahamontes
Outside the Old Town
Plaza del Ayuntamiento
Cervantes author of Don Quixote

Museum of Santa Cruz – this place has some El Greco paintings and other artists. The painting that impressed me the most was one of Mary. She is usually portrayed in a very other worldly setting but here she is shown as a mother carrying her baby in the street.

Daydream – The working Virgin by Vincente Toraya 1897
Museum of Santa Cruz
El Greco
El Greco
El Greco
Salmorejo

The Alcazar and the Army Museum are in connected buildings and I must have spent three hours in there, many exhibits showing Spanish history.

Santa Iglesia Catedral Primada de Toledo – This is a massive cathedral with a huge amount of art work inside and painted ceilings.

Santa Iglesia Catedral Primada de Toledo
Soup
Paella

Posted in Spain | 2 Comments

Spain – Malaga, 21 – 24 May 2025.

Posted on Saturday, 24-May-2025 by Chris Desmond

Benidorm to Malaga – Great ride through the mountains and high plains past Granada cool and non-stop winding roads 519 kms in 4:55 hrs with 2 fuel stops.

Málaga’s history spans about 2,800 years, making it one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in Western Europe. According to most scholars, it was founded about 770 BC by the Phoenicians from Tyre as Malaka (Wikipedia). Picasso was born here and there are a couple of museums celebrating his life and works. The old town is a very nice place to wander around and so is the Port area. Everything is clean and organised and there are many tourists.

Picasso House Museum

Malaga Museum, very good and worth a visit.

Malaga Street Art

Malaga Cathedral, The Port, Plazuela Cristo del Amor, Roman Theatre, Markets etc.

Posted in Spain | Leave a comment

Spain – Benidorm, 18 – 20 May 2025.

Posted on Tuesday, 20-May-2025 by Chris Desmond

Benicassim to Benidorm – Easy ride 221 kms in 2:07 hrs on the freeway.

Benidorm is a Mediterranean city with a population of 75,000 which grows to 400,000 in summer densly packed into a very small area. It has the most skyscrapers in Spain and is second only to New York in the world. It is one of the most well known tourist destinations in the entire Mediterranean thanks to its beaches and nightlife. It is a party town and is very popular with British tourists. Some parts have a carnival atmosphere. I have never seen anything like it anywhere in Europe.

Posted in Spain | 2 Comments