Touring - touring eastern europe down to croatia

We're thinking of doing around a 4 week cycle tour from Prague, through Slovakia, Hungary then down the Croatia coast. Ferry out of Dubrovinik to Italy. If there's time and it's possible and good we'd like to go down to Albania and ferry back across to Italy and fly out from Rome.

Is this a good route and what is the best time to go and what are the pitfalls ie. too many mountains, heavy traffic bad roads etc.

Is there a better route?

Are there any guides for these regions like Lonely Planet do? (unfortunetly they don't do one for the region. We followed their guide for 6 weeks through Cuba and it was great)

Like to hear who's done it.

Cheers

Never been to Albania but from what I hear (from other cyclists) its a very dangerous place to go, I'd be carefull going there. Best bet is to take the boat from Croatia to Italy or Greece.

If you can fit Slovenia in, I can recommend it. There are some spectacular mountain passes, really pretty countryside, excellent camping and tourist farms and lots more to see.

Michael, how is the traffic in that area? In western Europe although the drivers are VERY good they are also spectacularly FAST. Is it that way on the narrow roads in old Yugoslavia?

I need to get out to the islands and visit family members.

The main routes between towns can be quite fast and busy. There is a very good network of small, quiet rural lanes that are ideal for cycling. There are also plenty of unpaved forestry roads which were easy to ride on a std touring bike.
I never had a problem with traffic.
The signposting is not comprehensive so take a compass as well as a good map.

Don't go to Albania ! it is a dangerous country, the will sell there mothers for a few dollars.