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Istanbul - South-East Europe XXL

Guided road tour for all makes and models

Dates 2026/2027

26IST01 24.09. - 10.10.2026
27IST01 23.09. - 09.10.2027

Difficulty level:

Medium-High
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Description

Istanbul - Constantinople - Byzantium. Hagia Sophia - Topkapi Palace Grand Bazaar. Bosporus - Golden Horn - Marmara Sea - Dardanelles. Sounding names that you wouldn't normally associate with a motorbike tour.

This extraordinary motorbike tour takes us through Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria and Serbia to Turkey. With one night in Edirne, three nights in Istanbul and one night on the Asian side of Turkey in the south of the Sea of Marmara, we immerse ourselves in this unfamiliar world for six days, with a local German-speaking tour guide included. On the way back, Greece, Albania, Montenegro, Croatia and Slovenia are still on the itinerary. A total of 11 countries and a visit to the Asian continent. Truly a motorbike tour South-East Europe XXL!

Tour dates: 11 countries - 2 continents.
From the Graz area approx. 4,600 km. Medium to high difficulty. Short unpaved sections or sections without tarmac possible. With mountain passes including hairpin bends, city rides and motorway stages. Generally roads of varying quality with possible imperfections, some with potholes. Not suitable for beginners or riders with little experience in alpine terrain.

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Our exclusive travel programme

Day 1: Graz (AUT) - Timisoara (RO)

600 km

Meet at the agreed starting point near Graz. After getting to know each other briefly, you'll be on your way. Via a mix of motorway and country road through Austria and Hungary, you will reach your first overnight stop in Timisoara (RO).

TIP: There is a hotel at the starting point of the tour. For participants who have a further journey to Graz, it is recommended that they arrive the day before and spend the night there.
We also recommend this extra night for participants with one of our rental motorbikes!
And those who want to come to the start of the tour with a car and motorbike trailer can park the car at the hotel during the tour.

Day 2: Timisoara - Orsova (RO)

310 km

One of the greatest motorbike routes in Romania awaits you! Over the mountains and along the Danube to the Iron Gate on the Serbian border. Overnight stay in the Orsova area (RO).

Day 3: Orsova - Dimitrovgrad (RS)

330 km

You leave Romania behind and cross the border into Serbia. Overnight stay in the area of south-eastern Serbia near Dimitrovgrad (RS).

Day 4: Dimitrovgrad - Plovdiv (BG)

270 km

After the exciting short visit to Serbia, the next country awaits you: Bulgaria. There are curves there too, as you will see tomorrow morning at the latest! Today, however, you will spend the night in one of the oldest cities in the country, Plovdiv (BG).

Day 5: Plovdiv - Edirne (TR)

290 km

Turkey is on the agenda from today! Directly after the border, your Turkish guide will be waiting to look after you until you leave the country. First night in Turkey, in the former capital of the Ottoman Empire, Edirne (TR).

Day 6: Edirne - Istanbul (TR)

240 km

You will reach Istanbul, a metropolis of 15 million inhabitants, mainly via the motorway. After arriving at the hotel, you will start your sightseeing programme. During the next few days, you will see the Topkapi Palace, the Hagia Sophia, the Hippodrome Square, the Grand Bazaar with various shopping opportunities and take a boat trip on the Bosphorus. First of 3 nights in Istanbul.

Day 7: Istanbul - Sightseeing

0 km

Continue with your local guide and the sights of Turkey's largest city. You will be on the road all day and fall into bed in the evening very impressed. This will not be a day of rest! Second night in Istanbul.

Day 8: Istanbul / Sightseeing / Day off

0 km

You have the choice: Either a bit of sightseeing and some rest from midday, or take it easy all day and let Istanbul work its magic on you. Third and last night in Istanbul.

Day 9: Istanbul - Asian part of Turkey - Bandirma

320 km

It's off to - Asia! And around the Marmara Sea! So that the day is not too long, you take the motorway in between. The drive over the 2,682 m long Ozman Gazi suspension bridge is a special experience. Overnight stay in Bandirma, in the south of the Marmara Sea.

Day 10: Bandirma - Gelibolu(TR)

170 km

A half day's rest is good for everyone, so today you enjoy a short day's drive in Asia and have a good time at the city hotel in the afternoon. Before you reach the hotel, however, you have to cross the world's longest suspension bridge (4,608 metres) and the famous Daradanelles strait above it! Sixth and last night in Turkey.

Day 11: Gelibolu - Alexandroupolis (GR)

160 km

Slowly you have to think about going home. But you don't say "farewell" to Turkey, just "goodbye", maybe you'll come back one day! Your Turkish travel guide will accompany you to the Greek border. Overnight stay in the Alexandroupolis area in Thrace (GR). Depending on how quickly the border formalities are completed, you may still have time for a swim in the Aegean Sea after arriving at your hotel. Overnight stay in the Alexandrupolis area.

Day 12: Alexandroupolis - Western Macedonia (GR)

360 km

Heading directly west, you cross the regions of Eastern and Central Macedonia. As there is a lack of beautiful motorcycle routes, you stay on the toll motorway for the most part. Overnight stay in Western Macedonia.

Day 13: Western Macedonia - Tirana (AL)

360 km

The next exciting country awaits you! Around midday and after many bends you reach the Albanian border, your overnight stop (many more bends later) is the capital Tirana (AL).

Day 14: Tirana - Herceg Novi (MNE)

285 km

So that you can really enjoy the bends in Montenegro, you leave Tirana via the motorway. After the border, it's back to motorcycling at its best until you reach your overnight stay in Herceg Novi just before the Croatian border.

Day 15: Herceg Novi - Brela(HR)

225 km

Some of the most spectacular parts of the Croatian coastal road are on the programme, the overnight stay is in the Brela area (HR).

Day 16: Brela - Cirkvenica(HR)

390 km

 The last day of travelling in Croatia is perhaps one of the most beautiful of the whole trip: The section of the Jadranska Magistrale along the Velebit Canal is certainly one of the most beautiful coastal roads in the world. You will spend the last night together on this very special South-East Europe XXL trip to Istanbul in the Rijeka area. In the evening, you can toast to the end of the tour in a convivial atmosphere and reflect on your experiences.

Day 17: Cirkvenica - Graz (AUT)

310 km

Unfortunately, it's time to say goodbye today. You make your way back home with many wonderful memories. Your team will guide you for the most part on the motorway to the tour start location near Graz, where the tour ends.
the tour.

TIP: For those for whom the route to Graz would be a diversion on the way home, they can either say goodbye to the other tour participants on the way or already at the last hotel and make their way home independently!

Our inclusive services

  • 17-day guided motorbike tour along some of the most beautiful motorbike routes in south-east Europe from/to Graz to Istanbul in Turkey
  • German-speaking tour guide with motorbike from/to Graz area (AT)
  • Morning tour briefing before departure
  • Support vehicle incl. motorbike trailer or transporter for luggage from/to Graz area
  • 16 nights in a double room in carefully selected mid-range and top hotels (shower, WC), including 6 nights in Turkey (3 nights in Istanbul)
  • incl. half board with breakfast and dinner on the driving days (sightseeing days only breakfast)
  • Local, German-speaking guide additionally in Turkey (on driving days on motorbike)
  • City tour of Istanbul with local, German-speaking guide incl. all entrance fees, activities, etc. as per programme
  • *Rental motorbike BMW F 750 GS or R 1250 GS incl.
    • Third party liability and fully comprehensive insurance (excess = deposit € 1,500 or € 2,000)
    • free kilometre and
    • Pick-up in the afternoon before the tour starts
  • Customer Money Protection in accordance with the European Package Travel Regulation

Not included: Meals except breakfast and dinner on the driving days, petrol, oil, tolls, personal expenses, entrance fees, tips. Furthermore, all services that are not expressly listed as included. Also not included but necessary: Travel insurance with cancellation protection.

Prices

Per person in a double room

Rider with own motorbike

€ 4.599

Passenger

€ 4.599

Single room supplement

€ 939

Price for rider in double room incl. rental motorbike:

BMW F 750 GS / F 800 GS

€ 7.029

BMW R 1250 GS / R 1300 GS

€ 8.109

OPTIONAL: Travel insurance
We recommend taking out travel insurance with cancellation cover for all motorbike trips with your own motorbike "PREMIUM" by Allianz Travel. Cancellation also covered for your personal and verifiable reasons! Cancellation cover, trip interruption, international health insurance, baggage insurance, accident insurance, extra return journey and liability insurance.

Conditions of travel

The special conditions for this trip by Motorrad und Urlaub apply. These will be handed out before booking the tour. Minimum number of participants: 12 persons. If the minimum number of participants is not reached, we reserve the right to cancel the tour up to three weeks before the start of the tour.

Recommendations

Motorrad und Urlaub recommends motorbike protective clothing from KLIM.

Special notes for this trip:

Travel insurance with foreign health insurance incl. return service (ambulance jet or transport home) and accident insurance is a prerequisite for participation in the tour. In addition, a "motor vehicle return insurance" (e.g.: protective cover) is also required for all motorbikes. The motorbikes must be in perfect technical condition (tyres!) before departure. Technical assistance or spare parts service in case of breakdown or damage is only possible to a limited extent on site. In the worst case, a breakdown can result in the participant having to abandon the tour and return home independently.

A frank word among bikers

On guided motorbike tours with your own motorbike, riders and passengers from different countries of origin and with different motorbikes meet for a joint trip. As different as the participants are, as different will usually be the motorbikes, which makes for a fun and interesting trip. As with all group activities, a certain team spirit and adaptation of the individual to the group is necessary on these trips so that everyone can enjoy the trip and their motorbike holiday.