Travel

GREAT TRAVELLERS – 4

“SABRINANDREA” SET OFF ON AN ADVENTURE BETWEEN THE MOUNTAINS AND THE SEA OF THE BALKANS, IN THE SADDLE OF THEIR TRUSTY MAYA (V7 850)

Kotor Bay, Montenegro’s most spectacular fjord. SabrinAndrea’s Moto Guzzi bike, ‘Maya’.

ON THE ROAD THROUGH BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA, MONTENEGRO, ALBANIA. WITH ANDREA’S HOMAGE, “WHY THE MOTORBIKE”

March 2026 (G.T.) – Article and photos by “SabrinAndrea”.

There is something hypnotic about the way the sun reflects off the yellow fuel tank of our Maya (Moto Guzzi V7 850). It’s a colour that carries an air of adventure, standing out against the green of the mountains and the blue of the Adriatic. This was not simply a journey, but a dance encompassing the bends and flavours of three countries, with the twin-cylinder bike from Mandello as our faithful companion: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Albania.
Bosnia and Herzegovina: spirituality and natural waterfalls. We arrived in Medjugorje to visit the places of worship that are as famous as they are mysterious and mystical. We had travelled from Rogoznica in Croatia, where we traversed the mountains and crossed the border near Posusje; from there, we travelled the length of the valley until we reached the town known for the appearance of the Virgin Mary. The village is small and easy to explore on foot, right up to the top of Apparition Hill: Podbrdo.

Medjugorje.

We enjoyed an obligatory stop in Mostar, 20 km further north, to admire the old bridge over the Neretva River, witness to the brutal Balkan War of the 1990s, and to wander through the old town with its local craft shops.

Mostar.

Departing from Medjugorje felt particularly special. The streets were quiet at dawn, the air was fresh and charged with a suspended energy. After a few kilometres of gentle bends, we found ourselves immersed in the paradise of the Kravice Waterfalls, where visitors can take a dip in its crystal-clear waters.

Kravice waterfalls.

Parking the Maya (V7) amongst the trees and hearing the roar of the water is a purifying experience. Here, you can enjoy ćevapi accompanied by an ice-cold Sarajevsko beer, whilst the metalwork of the motorbike scorches under the Bosnian sun and the road awaits, with its hot tarmac ready to burn the tyres of the ‘legendary’ two-wheeler.

On the road, from Bosnia to Montenegro. The ‘Motorcycle Wanderers’: Sabrina and Andrea (he’s taking the photo here) and their ‘legendary’ Maya, faithful travelling companion.

Visit Bosnia & Herzegovina:

https://www.tourismbih.com/

https://www.facebook.com/bosniaandherzegovinaa

Montenegro: from the peaks to the fjords and the splendour of Bar. Crossing the border into Montenegro calls for a change in pace. After taking on the hairpin bends of Kotor Bay, we arrive at the port, where we park the bike to admire the fjord landscape with its enormous moored cruise ships.

Road in Montenegro, towards Kotor Bay and the port.

Having crossed the mountains, we catch sight of elegant Sveti Stefan, the peninsula that is home to a fortified village which once served as a refuge against Turkish raids; here, the turquoise sea and the red beach are a real sight for sore eyes.

Sveti Stefan.

We continue along the coastal road that takes us south, riding our ‘legendary’ bike through groves of centuries-old olive trees and maritime pines, with helmet visors raised so as not to miss that scent of resin mingled with the sea. We arrive at magnificent Bar.

View of the Montenegro sea and a refreshing stop.

Here, a stop is a must, for a visit to the Cathedral of St John Vladimir. In front of its white façade and golden domes sparkling in the sun, the yellow Guzzi seems to have found its natural altar. The interior is a triumph of frescoes and light, a moment of peace before we get back in the saddle.

Bar Cathedral.

Visit Montenegro:

https://www.montenegro.travel/en

https://www.facebook.com/ntocg

Albania: descent into the blue of Dhermi. Entering Albania is like taking a leap into a vibrant world. We press on south, passing by Lake Shkodra, riding through Vlorë and climbing up the Llogara Pass, where the sky meets the sea.

Welcome in Albania.

The final destination is Dhermi. Here, blue is not just a colour, it is a state of mind. The sea is so crystal clear that the boats seem to be suspended in mid-air, and the water is so inviting that it’d be rude not to take a refreshing dip.

Dhermi.

The Albanian people are very hospitable, so don’t be surprised if, when you park up, someone approaches you out of curiosity to offer you a coffee or a glass of Rakija (an excellent plum brandy produced in these parts); however, at the end of the day, the real pleasure lies in sipping an ice-cold beer with your feet in the sand, admiring the pink of the sunset as it turns to orange along the horizon.

Visit Albania:
https://akt.gov.al/en/

https://www.facebook.com/AgjenciaKombetareTurizmit/

The magic of travel. Our Maya (Moto Guzzi V7) hasn’t just covered many kilometres; she’s forged connections. From the mysticism of Medjugorje to the golden splendour of Bar Cathedral, right through to the crystal-clear waters of Dhermi, our companion’s “yellow” paintwork was the common thread running through an intense experience, characterised by a slow pace and stunning views; there’s no rush to savour a journey, but remember to get stuck in, and don’t be afraid to overdo it! Best wishes from SabrinAndrea. Until next time.

A new addition to the SabrinAndrea garage: “Rudolph”.

Andrea adds: “This year, we’ve added a new Guzzi to the team: a V85 TT, which we call ‘Rudolph’ (she’s female), because she’s our reindeer, just like Santa’s... So now we have Maya (V7) and Rudolph (V85 TT) in the garage, and every time I open the door, I’m blown away to see such beauty; I wanted to try and put my joy and passion for motorbikes into words.” Below is his homage.

Because a motorbike is the essence of freedom.
“There is a precise moment, every time I open the garage, when the outside world fades away. It’s not just a question of mechanics or horsepower; it’s a fatal attraction that begins with a glance and ends deep in your heart. Owning a motorbike is not just a hobby - it’s a constant declaration of love for the open road.
An aesthetic that stands the test of time.
The first impression is always visual. The lines of the bike don’t simply follow fashion; they are sketched in our imagination. Every curve of the tank, every reflection tells a story of passion.
It’s a kind of beauty that makes you turn around and look back at it every time you park. It’s not just design: it’s harmony in motion. Whether it’s stationary at sunset or speeding down the motorway, the motorcycle has a real presence that turns every café stop into a mini exhibition of modern art. You forget about back pain or tiredness after just a few kilometres. Climbing onto the saddle is like slipping into a tailor-made suit. The triangle that is created between the seat, the footrests and the handlebars is the perfect position, one I was born for - here, I can eat up hundreds of kilometres without the slightest urge to get off, like a child who never lets go of his toy.
On the road, the motorbike becomes my comfort zone. Worries and thoughts are left at home or lost on the tarmac beneath the tyres, and we forget who we are and where we come from: the story begins again every time we start the bike, leaving us with nothing but the pleasure of the passing scenery. But the real magic happens when I press the start button. The sound of the engine is like the song of the sirens of Ulysses - it draws you in, bewitches you, causing you to melt and become an integral part of your motorbike. • When idling, it is a steady, reassuring heartbeat.
• When accelerating, it turns into a roar that vibrates through you, right down to your bones.
• When you release the throttle, it produces that rumble that is music to the ears of every true motorcyclist.
Every gear is a note in a complex symphony, a constant dialogue between human and machine that needs no words. That sound is the promise of distant journeys, endless landscapes and constant thrills.
‘You don’t travel to arrive, but to enjoy every inch of the road along the way.’
Owning a motorbike means always having the key to escaping reality right there in your pocket. It’s a joy to look at, sublime to ride and heavenly to listen to. And every time the helmet clicks shut, I know I’m about to write the best chapter of my day

L’Andrea dei SabrinAndrea.

WIDE REWIND – READ THE PREVIOUS ARTICLE:
https://wide.piaggiogroup.com/en/articles/travels/greece-motorbiking-wayfarers-sabrinandrea-among-the-sacred-peaks-a-journey-to-meteora/index.html