Two Ways Across Europe
Pick your driving style — fast motorways or epic mountain canyons. The destination is the same: Leskovac.
Pre-Trip Essentials
Get these sorted at least a week before departure. Nothing ruins a trip like missing paperwork at a border. Check BorderAlarm for live border wait times before you go.
Documents
- ✓ Passport (valid 6+ months)
- ✓ V5C (original logbook)
- ✓ Insurance Certificate
- ✓ Green Card — ask your insurer specifically for Serbia
Legal Kit
- ✓ UK sticker (not GB)
- ✓ 2× high-vis vests (in the cabin, not the boot!)
- ✓ Warning triangle
- ✓ First aid kit
- ✓ Spare bulbs
Digital Vignettes
Buy online 48 hours before departure. Do not stop at the border for these!
Days 1–3: Edinburgh to Leskovac
Three days, three countries, one 1.4L Honda Civic. Let's go.
Edinburgh → Reims
🗺 The Plan
Leave Edinburgh at 3:00 AM to beat the M6/M25 traffic. Take the ferry from Dover to Calais (90 mins) — use the crossing for a full meal and a nap. Book with DFDS or P&O Ferries.
⛽ Fuel Strategy
Fill up in the UK. Avoid French motorway service stations — prices are ~20% higher.
🛏 Sleep
B&B HOTEL or Ibis Budget near Reims. These are right off the A26 motorway.
Reims → Villach, Austria
🗺 The Plan
Transit through France into Germany (A4 → A5 → A8). Use the German Autobahns to make up time. Your 1.4L Civic is happiest cruising at 70–80 mph; pushing it to 100 mph will tank your fuel economy.
⛽ Fuel Strategy
Fill up in Luxembourg if you take a slight detour (cheapest in Western Europe) or wait until you hit Austria. Avoid German petrol stations.
🛏 Sleep
A budget "Gasthof" or motorway hotel near Villach (near the Slovenian border).
Villach → Leskovac
🗺 The Plan
Cross into Slovenia through the Karavanke Tunnel, then onto Croatia's A3 motorway. This is a straight, flat shot — perfect for your Civic's fuel efficiency.
The "Border Trap"
Late August means the main Bajakovo–Batrovci border (Croatia → Serbia) can have 5+ hour queues due to Gastarbeiters returning to Western Europe.
Pro Tip
Check BorderAlarm for live wait times. If Batrovci is red, divert to the Tovarnik (HR) – Šid (SRB) crossing. It adds 20 mins of driving but saves hours of idling.
🎉 Arrival
You'll hit Leskovac in time for dinner. Follow the smell of grilled meat to the city center!
🔥 Leskovac — Days 4–8
Five full days at the Roštiljijada — one of the largest BBQ festivals in the Balkans, attracting 500,000+ visitors. The festival usually runs late August–early September; check the city tourist guide for exact dates. Welcome to meat paradise.
The Festival
Most of the action happens on Široka Čaršija (the main boulevard). Live music, competitions, and a carnival atmosphere fill the streets from dusk till dawn. See Serbia.com on Leskovac & the grill.
The Food
You must try the Leskovački voz ("Leskovac Train") — a parade of meat courses brought out one after another: ćevapi, pljeskavica, ražnjići, and the famous Leskovac kebab. Multiple courses of grilled meat served in sequence — a must-do at the festival.
Day Trip: Vlasina Lake
Need a break from the smoke? Drive 30 minutes to Vlasina Lake for cooler mountain air, famous floating islands, and stunning scenery.
Serbia uses the Serbian Dinar (RSD), but many places also accept EUR. ATMs are widely available.
Days 9–10: The return journey follows the same route back to Edinburgh. Plan for the same stops and border timings.
💰 Budget Breakdown
Estimated costs for the one-way journey via the Highway route, excluding food and entertainment.
Petrol
Based on 45 mpg, 2026 prices
Ferry (Dover–Calais)
Booked in advance
French Tolls
Calais to Reims
Austrian Vignette
10-day pass
Slovenian Vignette
7-day pass
Croatia Tolls
Pay by card at booths
Serbia Tolls
Šid to Leskovac, pay by card
Hotels (2 nights)
Budget motorway chains
Estimated Total
Per way, excluding food
🥩 Leskovac Costs (5 Days)
Estimated costs for your 5-day stay during the Roštiljijada festival. Prices are per person, assuming shared accommodation.
Budget Accommodation
Local apartments & guesthouses (e.g., Family Apartmani Le)
3-Star Mid-Range Hotel
Comfortable stays with amenities (e.g., Hotel Bella Nella, Bell Inn)
4-Star Premium Hotel
Modern, central locations (e.g., Hotel ABC)
Festival Food & Drink
Pljeskavica (~400 RSD / £3), local beers, daily grills
Festival Entry & Concerts
Street festival access and live music
Local Extras
Taxis, parking, and small incidentals
Estimated 5-Day Stay
Based on 3-Star accommodation and daily festival food
⚠️ Read Before You Drive
These three things can ruin your trip (and your wallet) if you're not careful.
Speed Cameras
Serbia and Croatia use "Section Control" on motorways. They calculate your average speed between toll booths. If you arrive at the next booth too early, you get a fine on the spot.
Slovenian Vignette
Fines are €300+ and they use cameras. Ensure your vignette is active before you cross the border. Buy it online 48 hours in advance to be safe.
Hydration & Heat
August in the Balkans can hit 35–40°C. Your Civic's AC will be working hard — keep an eye on the temperature gauge when climbing the Austrian Alps. Stock up on water.