Having been stuck in Europe since 2019 (yep, because #rona), I’ve covered most of the countries on the continent aboard my DR650. I traveled through some of them (Germany, Switzerland, Austria) quickly because they’re expensive, spent more time in others (Croatia, Spain) longer because of spectacular scenery, and limped out of some with a broken bike (Greece, Italy) because of attempted rally races. All in all, the old continent is a fantastic place to ride, and here are some lessons learned from riding Europe:

Poland Is the Adventure Bike Paradise

No, seriously. Poland is huge, it’s got unlimited off-road riding, tranquil scenery, and it’s great value for your $$$ as food, fuel, and accommodation here is still much cheaper than in neighbouring Germany or Czech republic. The people are friendly, there’s plenty of history, pretty much everyone speaks good English, there’s no shortage of good bike mechanics and places to get parts – all in all, it’s a fantastic country for adventure riding, and you can easily spend a couple of months exploring at a leisurely pace.

Greece is the Place to Rally

希腊要迷死人的南加州爱迪生公司的时候nery and off-road riding, but the best part, at least for me, is the fact that it’s home to two of Europe’s biggest rally races: Hellas Rally Raid and Greece Rally. If you want to try your mojo at amateur roadbook navigation rally racing, head to Greece. I’ve only done the Hellas Lite version of Hellas Rally Raid, but it will forever remain my favourite rally because of its excellent organization, reasonable entry fees, spectacular scenery, and the fact that it’s got a static bivouac.

Don’t Mess With France

Okay, so the French TET (Trans Euro Trail – a network of dirt and backcountry roads in Europe) is awesome, but don’t mess with France, especially if you don’t speak French and areprone to disastrous cultural blunders(guilty). The legendary French attitude aside, France is on the more expensive side hen it comes to traveling, so if you’re on a budget, prepare to camp a lot and eat your own food (just not in shopping malls).

Sardinia for Freedom and SWANK Races

Most people who ride Italy ride the Alps and the Dolomites, and reasonably so. But if you get the chance, take a ferry from Genoa and head to Sardinia. Somehow, Sardinia is even more relaxed and has embraced the dolce vita concept more fully than mainland Italy; everyone is so friendly and so laid back you kind of don’t want to leave, and the scenery, the off-road riding, and the island vibes are a winning combination. Especially if you’re there in October during the SAWNK Sardinia Rally.

You’ll Meet the Nicest People on a Honda – and in the Balkans

我爱骑克罗地亚、波斯尼亚、阿尔巴尼亚和Montenegro for two reasons: the off-road riding here is nothing short of spectacular, and the people are so nice you’re guaranteed to make friends for a lifetime. Croatia and Bosnia are my favourite Balkan countries as I’ve made friends wth locals riders in Zagreb and Sarajevo in record time, and it’s always so good to be back – it’s like returning to you long lost home. Yes, the Balkan hospitality isthatincredible.

Romania Is Merciless, But Stunning

Romania on road is beautiful; Romania off-road is merciless. Having gone on several off-road training tours in Romania, I can attest to the fact that the terrain and the local riders are absolutely, positively nuts. The good thing about it is that you learn to ride near vertical ascends and monster rocks you previously thought were impossible, and the local riders are the kindest and most hilarious people you’ll ever meet. Still: it’s a tough gig.

Spain for the Win

I’ve spent the biggest chunk of my time in Europe riding Spain, and I’m still not quite ready to leave. For me, Spain has got it all: insanely diverse scenery ranging from mountains to deserts to forests and coastal routes, great food, fantastic people, a language that’s easy to learn, plenty of off-road riding, several rally races and rally training schools, and it’s still fairly cheap to travel compared to most other Western European countries. From Andalucia to Aragon to Galicia, the scenery and the terrain change so much it’s like you’re traveling through several countries, and the off-road riding here offers everything from hard packed dirt to sand and rocky trails.

Although the more touristy spots get overcrowded during the high season, there are so many places to explore on your bike where there aren’t any crowds at all – think Tabernas Desert, the Pyrenees, Castilla y Leon – and you’ve got the place to yourself free to travel, wild-camp, and ride as much dirt as you like.

What are your favorite places to ride in Europe? Share in the comments below!