Balkan in Comfort: Banja Luka & Gjirokastra, 15 Days

The start is at the meeting point near Graz. Through Slovenia and Croatia – the first winding sections are already here – you reach Banja Luka in Bosnia-Herzegovina in the evening, where a stroll through the old town awaits the group.

On quiet country roads you cross Bosnia-Herzegovina heading south. Once in Neum a swim in the sea refreshes you, before the night in the small coastal town on Bosnia's short Adriatic shoreline.

The Adriatic coastal road is a delight: through Croatia and Montenegro the way leads to Shkodra, Albania's northernmost city, where you check into your hotel for three nights. A city walk shows you the town at the foot of the mountains.

Today's programme features the Koman reservoir ferry. Between high rock faces the way heads inland and back to Shkodra on excellent roads – one of the highlights of this route through Southeast Europe.

The Albanian Alps deserve a full day: the tarmac is in places brand new and the curves are a dream. This leg stays in the memory for a long time, and the evening brings the third night in Shkodra before the next morning.

A final excursion into the Albanian Alps and the ride on to the overnight stop in Peshkopi bring a real curves party with views over rugged mountain ranges. This leg leads deep into the wild north of Albania.

A brief detour into North Macedonia takes you to Lake Ohrid at lunchtime, with views over the Albanian shore. Afterwards the way leads back to Korca, the cradle of Albanian culture.

The Greek border comes close several times today before the way leads to Albania's southernmost city. This leg ends on the Albanian Riviera in Saranda, with fresh fish in the evening.

Culture is not neglected: the visit to the UNESCO World Heritage Gjirokastra impresses as much as the mountain scenery of southern Albania. The guide shows you facets away from the coast, and the evening brings the second night in Saranda.

After a week in the saddle, today is for relaxing: the rest day in Saranda leaves time for swimming, strolling along the promenade and resting before the final legs. Third and last night in Saranda.

The first 100 kilometres to the lunch stop are a pleasure of fine road and sea views. The day's highlight is Berat, the City of a Thousand Windows and a UNESCO World Heritage site, with its houses stacked one above the other.

The way to Tirana leads once more through the mountains before you join the city motorway into the centre. A city walk gives you insights into Albania's capital, and the night is spent right in the heart of the city.

The way home slowly begins: you leave Albania heading towards Bosnia-Herzegovina. This second leg through the country takes you to Mostar, where an evening walk across the famous bridge awaits.

Bihać in north-west Bosnia is the last overnight stop of this extraordinary loop, before the following day brings the way back to Austria. In the evening you relive the highlights in good company.

Time to say goodbye: with many fine memories the way leads back to the start near Graz, where your guide brings the group safely to the finish. Here end 15 eventful days and around 3,600 kilometres in the Balkans.