Balkan Tour 2011

Balkan tur is organised trip to the best paragliding spots in Balkan area, which offers us amazing thermal and cross country flying potential! Our main locations are: Tolmin (Slovenia), Niška banja (Serbia), Kruševo (Macedonia), Ohrid (Macedonia) and Budva (Montenegro).

PROGRAM

DAY 1-2
Flying in Slovenia. The valley of the emerald river Soca has amazing cross-country possibilites and its frequently chosen location for various flying competition, also those of the highest level. A combination of the sea, which is only 50 km away, and the multifaceted terrain of the Julian Alps in the north creates ideal flying conditions between two very popular take-offs on each side - Kobala on the east and Kobariški stol on the west side. No mather from where you will start your flight, you will enjoy in this mighty scenery.

DAY 3
Departure from Tolmin in the morning, driving to Niška Banja. We will arrive to Niš in the afternoon. Flying this da will be organized from take off above Niška banja which offers ridge soaring till evening in case of the most usual NW winds.

DAY 4-5
Flying in Niška banja, where were organized some highest level competition in the past, including World Cup and European Championship. Depending on the weather conditions we will determine the direction of the flight - the most often route is to the east towards Bulgaria. In the case of the south wind, we will fly to the city called Zaječar in the north. With help of the nortern winds we should fly to the south to the city called Leskovar, fameous for their traditional Serbian barbecue food. For more inexperienced pilots there is more suitable take off above Niška banja, which offers ridge soaring till evening in case of the most usual NW winds. After flying we recommend some resting in the "Balkan" spa, from where the city got its name ("banja" means spa), or going to the streets of city Niš looking for the best deal of food and parties.

DAY 6-8
We will go to Macedonia, where we will fly above Prilep flatland. This is amazing place for long and enjoyable XC flatland flights. Our destination is pleasant mountain town (the highest in Macedonia) called Krusevo. The city has a really nice antique architectureand manny cultural attractions. From Krusevo to the take off in only a few minutes, and from there just a few to the cloudbase above Prilep. In Macedonia, among other surprises you will be surprised by prices of beverages and food - its even cheaper than in Serbia :).

DAY 9
In the morning we will travel through one of the oldest cities in Europe (Bitola) to the famous Ohrid lake. If the weather is suitable we will make nice panoramic flight with amazing view above the lake. However, we will also enjoy the beach, visit the city and the culinary specialties from Ohrid.

DAY 10-11
In the morning we will continue our tip over Albania to Montenegro, to the seaside city called Budva. This place achieved its reputation due to amazing sandy beaches. It is the most visited tourist destination in the Montenego coast. Above the town is take-off, so the place is also attractive for us, to have unforgetable end of our trip.

DAY 12
Returning home after a stopover in Dalmatia with Dubrovnik and Split, and soaking in one of the Dalmatian beach. Arrive in Slovenia in the late evening hours.

Hint:
Anyone who would like to extend the trip at the seaside, we will leave you in Split, from there the ferry goes to the various Dalmatian islands (our recomendation is Vis).

Some report and gallery links:

Balkan tour 2010 blog