 | Home > Expedition & Overland > Greece to UK overland...... Any advice |
 
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| LandRoverAnorak Member Since: 17 Jul 2011 Location: Surrey Posts: 11324  
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My wife and I did a 'grand tour' of the middle of Europw a few years ago - essentially a large circle through the countries around Switzerland. One of the highlights was the Grossglockner Pass in Austria.
We also stayed in a campsite on the shore of Lake Maggiore in northern Italy that was the poshest site I've ever been to. When we turned up covered in dust and towing the strangest trailer tent they'd ever seen, we definitely lowered the tone  Darren
110 USW BUILD THREAD - EXPEDITION TRAILER - 200tdi 90 BUILD THREAD - SANKEY TRAILER - IG@landroveranorak "You came in that thing? You're braver than I thought!" - Princess Leia |
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28th Jun 2012 9:30am |
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| ben_j85jty Member Since: 02 Sep 2008 Location: Bicester, Oxfordshire Posts: 491 
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I take it the news wasn't great last week?
If I were in your position, I would plan the route to see as much of europe I could afford before arriving back in Blighty ready to start a new career. Make the most of it! 2002 Defender 110 DC |
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28th Jun 2012 10:38am |
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| lrMike Member Since: 26 Feb 2010 Location: Athens Posts: 177 
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Hello Glyn !!
Glad to know you are visiting our neighborhood !! I can recommend you a very nice route during your travel through Greece but it depends on how many nights you want to spend here and what type of sceneries you prefer to see... Mostly sea and swimming or mountainous areas full of waterfalls, lakes and vegetation? The second would be much more challenging for your toy! Give me some hints and I will try my best to help. Welcome !! Mike. |
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28th Jun 2012 10:53am |
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| Glynparry25 Member Since: 16 Feb 2009 Location: Miserable Midlands Posts: 3015  
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Hmmmmm, maybe I should stay away from there...... unles they are Redneck friendly, lol.
Bad news...... Depends on how you look at it. I see it is AWEOSME news (was going to volunteer next year anyhow). Over the past 3-4 years I have slowly started to dislike the forces. For example.... I have been a Sergeant for 6 years... I have hit my ceiling for pay and won't be eligible for promotion for another 4 years no matter how good or bad a job I do. There is no such thing as overpay and there are no benefits to working hard. If all goes well, I will get the job I am aiming for and once qualified I should be looking at earning double what I do now but with more time off, possibility of working more for extra cash and actually getting recognised for doing good work..... Otherwise I will just bite the bullet, move to Australia and work for the same company as my brother and earn even more...... I am just not into environmental type stuff though. I have approx 4 months off to do my resettlement. In that time I need to do 2 months worth of courses (plus finish my HNC). The rest is up to me- I am not returning to the UK until the last minute so maybe I will become a beach bum for a month, lol.
Kalimera Mike, I am looking at all of that..... Basically when I head out I will be free from any work for as long as I want so making the most of the opportunity. I want to see all the 'Must see' things. The route on the map is just a quick possible route... but if there is anything better I will more than happily add some more miles on. Yasoo, Glyn   |
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29th Jun 2012 12:01pm |
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| lrMike Member Since: 26 Feb 2010 Location: Athens Posts: 177
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Kalimera Glyn !!
Since you want to see all the "must see things" I will sit during the weekend and prepare a route for you with as many details as I can. I will try my best and come back to you. Mike |
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29th Jun 2012 12:41pm |
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| Glynparry25 Member Since: 16 Feb 2009 Location: Miserable Midlands Posts: 3015
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Efharisto Mike, that is poly kala....... Looks like I will have to brush up on my Greek!! Now all I need is contact with Albanian, Croatian, Bosnian forum members 
Glyn |
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29th Jun 2012 12:47pm |
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| davew Member Since: 02 Jan 2012 Location: North Yorkshire Posts: 888  
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Whilst you are in the area you might want to consider taking in the southern part of the "Route de Napoleon" heading north from Grasse. It would make the route into/through Switzerland slightly more complicated though.
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29th Jun 2012 2:09pm |
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| ARMYBOB Member Since: 16 May 2009 Location: north luffenham, rutland Posts: 81 
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glyn my dad did the drive way back when we left, although he got the ferry to italy from greece and went that way
did you get the sack? i have a friend , ex tech who lived in crotia and will still have loads of friends there, i will ask him if any are LR/4x4 types who might put you up? also if you fancy a detour into romania, i have a friend there who is a n LR guy, used to run a 4x4 travel buisness as featured in LRO a year or so ago, he is still there and would gladly put you up/ show you around food for thought huh |
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29th Jun 2012 2:14pm |
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| PC Member Since: 17 Apr 2012 Location: Essex Marshes Posts: 30 
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Australia Glyn, every time. Work for a couple of years, get your dual-passport and then the world is your lobster. Enviro stuff is always great for a CV.
Good luck dude - pop in when you get back. 
Paul C. |
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29th Jun 2012 2:21pm |
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| MartinK Member Since: 02 Mar 2011 Location: Silverdale (Lancashire/Cumbria Border) Posts: 2665 
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Been down towards you a few times. Croatia by Motorbike (from Scotland) and right down to Dubrovnic by car.
I really liked: Plitvice Lakes in Croatia Dubrovnic Rovinj is a favourite 
Venice is a small detour (my 2nd favourite "city break" after Rome). We played in the Alps as well (Grosglockner is awesome on a motorbike!) Have fun! Defender "Puma" 2.4 110 County Utility (possibly the last of the 2.4's) |
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29th Jun 2012 2:50pm |
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| Birdy Member Since: 07 Oct 2011 Location: Côte d'Azur Posts: 865  
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I lived and worked from 2001 to 2005 in Sarajevo and still have contacts; used to drive home to the UK two or three times a year in the old TD5, normally via Slovenia, Austria, Germany.
Absolutely no problem - it’s Europe we’re talking about, not darkest Africa - other than insurance for non-EU countries such as Albania, Montenegro and Bosnia-Herzegovina (although your local insurance might cover them, mine did), but if you fancy spending a few days visiting BiH’s battlefields - shame you’re not doing it in Winter, cheapest ski-ing in Europe, and on Jahorina or Bjelašnica, the slopes used for the 1984 Winter Olympics - get in touch pm. Luxembourg’s also worth a detour, lived there from 1979 to 1993, still visit friends/relatives a couple of times each year. Once you’ve got a list of places you want to visit, I’m sure you’ll get lots of tips for lodgings etc. from people on here. Peter |
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29th Jun 2012 8:34pm |
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| BigRuss Member Since: 15 May 2010 Location: Norfolk Posts: 2785 
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May not be the best route for driving, but I have been in several cars traveling from athens to the uk and it may be a bit quicker is a 2 and 1/2 day ferry crossing from patra to Ancona in Italy. Then there is a train that travels from about an hour drive from Ancona which travels though the alps at night and you will wake up in Calais in the morning.
The baltics was not safe to travel through when we were doing the trip
Well good news you've got a chance to do something new you wanna try, any good prospects with any companies yet? Russell 2011MY 110 XS USW Black |
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29th Jun 2012 9:32pm |
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| BigRuss Member Since: 15 May 2010 Location: Norfolk Posts: 2785
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You could also try some island hopping to get the Athens
 Russell
2011MY 110 XS USW Black |
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29th Jun 2012 9:34pm |
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| lrMike Member Since: 26 Feb 2010 Location: Athens Posts: 177
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Hello Glyn,
As promised I made my homework and prepared a very nice route around Greece trying to make a combination of most of the sceneries that you can find in Greece. I tried to combine some places with historical sites, some seaside places but avoiding to visit the islands which need ferries and some mountainous areas. I also included a place called Meteora which to me should be included in the world's wonders and is the place where some monasteries are built on top of huge rocks in the middle of a valley. So enough with the words and let's begin our journey!! Day 1 You will arrive in the port of Piraeus (I don't know what time) and considering that the long trip from Cyprus would be very tiring I chose to send you directly to your base camp in the Northern part of Athens and rest for the rest of the day (or night) there. You must be aware of the fact that free camping is not allowed anywhere in Greece according to the law but as with many of these  laws there are some exceptions (informal) and I tried to choose the kind of places where free camping is something normal and done by many people locals and tourists.
Your base camp named Schinias beach is 50km north if Piraeus and 40km north of the centre of Athens. It is actually a very nice beach surrounded by big pine trees with plenty of shade and has 2 decent Tavernas. The location is: N 38o 08' 33.138'' E 24o 02' 06.895'' In the map shown below you will find the route marked with a cyan line from Piraeus to Schinias beach.  Click image to enlarge Zooming to your camp Click image to enlarge Day 2 The second day is reserved for a nice trip to the Southern part of Athens where is the temple of Poseidon. This is the place whrere King Aegeus commited suicide and from his name the Aegean sea was named. From Wikipedia: Theseus (son of Aegeus) departed for Crete. Upon his departure, Aegeus told him to put up white sails when returning if he was successful in killing the Minotaur. However, when Theseus returned, he forgot these instructions. When Aegeus saw the black sails coming into Athens, he jumped into the sea and drowned, mistaken in his belief that his son had been slain.[6] Henceforth, this sea was known as the Aegean Sea. You will find the route from your base camp to Temple of Poseidon and then to the scenic seaside road and back to your camp in the map below: Click image to enlarge Day 3 Being in Athens and not visiting the Acropolis and Parthenon is a "crime" 
So this day is reserved for the visit to Athens centre where you will also taste the traditional greek Souvlaki in Bairaktaris just outside the station of Monastiraki. You can go by your LAndy (not recommended) or drive to Kifissia (shown in the map) and then take the train to the centre. Click image to enlarge You will follow the same route back to your base camp and make the most out of this day because it is your last one in Athens. Day 4 You will leave Schinias beach and head for Delphi driving for around 180km. In the ancient times Delphi area was considered as the centre of the world. This is the place where Oracle was based. More on this place can be found here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delphi For your accomodation you will either chose this organised camping site very close to the historical site http://www.delphicamping.com/ Or you can chose something more adventurous and head for the mountain on top of Delphi named Parnassos which is very well known for its ski resort (not that it's worth visiting this time of the year) but the scenery is beautiful. There is a very nice place where you can set up camp at a distance of 26km from Delphi. Have in mind that it will be chily during the night because the altitude is 1480m. The location is: N 38o 33' 35.451'' E 22o 32' 58.112'' Map for your route from Schinias to Delphi and Mt. Parnassos Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Around Mt. Parnassos you will find perfect areas for some greenlaning with your Landy. Also note that we are still very lucky in Greece to have the freedom to drive around any of the greenlanes around Greece. Day 5 You can stay another day in the area and maybe head for the nice village of Arachova or pack your things and go for your next adventure towards the island of Lefkada. This island is actually connected to the mainland with a narrow strip of land so you won't need any ferry bookings and I believe it has the best beaches in Greece. The trip from Delphi to Lefkada island is 264km the road is twisty and it will take some time and luck with your defender, but once you reach those waters you won't believe the beauty of it. There is a very nice place on a beach called Pefkoulia where you can set up your camp. The location is: N 38o 48' 11.506'' E 20o 37' 48.762'' The route from Delphi to Lefkada island: Click image to enlarge zoom towards Lefkada Click image to enlarge zoom more on Lefkada Click image to enlarge zoom more on the camp site Click image to enlarge Day 6 I am sure you will spend some days in Lefkada and I suggest that you make a round trip around the island in order to see all the beaches. According to me Egremnoi is the best one by far. You can also visit Nydri from where you can hire a small boat for 1 day and go around the small islands just next to it. Those islands are fantastic. Not to mention that Aristotelis Onassis one of the most powerfull men some decades ago has bought Skorpios which is one of the small islands that you can visit. Day 7 or whatever... You will leave Lefkada island and head for the central part of Greece where you will visit Plastira lake after driving for around 260km (Not easy). It is a perfect place both during summer and winter and you can set camp just next to the lake close to a village named Kastania. The location is: N 39o 14' 25.788'' E 21o 46' 55.659'' The route from Lefkada island to Plastira lake Click image to enlarge zoom on plastira lake Click image to enlarge In the unlikely event that you won't like to visit Lefkada island and you prefer to go directly from Delphi to Plastira lake the distance is 190km and the route is shown here: Click image to enlarge Day 8 You will drive around the lake and visit some of the nice tavernas in Kalivia Pezoulas village. Very nice local food in oder to fill up your "batteries" for the rest of your trip. Day 9 You will head for a short trip from Plastira lake to Meteora (80km) Meteora is a nature's wonder as I told you in the beginning where you will see the monasteries on the rocks. I don't know if you are a religious man but once you visit this place you will start considering it
More info here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meteora Since I don't think it is very easy to set free camp there I got some recommendations for Arsenis organised camping just next to Agia Triada monastery. You can contact him here: Tel. +30-24320-23500 +30-24320-24250 Day 10 You will leave Meteora and head for the mountainous area of Metsovo. This is the area where the greek bears are living  The distance is 74km very twisty and challenging for your toy but worth the sceneries. You must visit the village of Metsovo which is very well known for its smoked cheese and wines. You can stay in a hotel inside Metsovo or if you want to be more adventurous you cen set camp about 6km from Metsovo in the Aoos reservoir area where you will have a beautiful lake in front of you. Mind you the altitude is high so the night will be cold. The location of the place where you can set camp in front of the Lake...
The location is: N 39o 49' 14.441'' E 21o 05' 16.985'' The route from Meteora to Metsovo and Aoos reservoir is here: Click image to enlarge Zoom to Metsovo Click image to enlarge Day 11 Greenlaning around the lake and the Valea Calda (Hot valley) area is a must and you should spend a day there. Day 12 You are leaving Aoos reservoir and you will travel for 330km through Egnatia road (Don't worry about the distance the road is perfect) towards the Chalkidiki peninsulas. This area is very nice and you will pass by the second biggest town in Greece and capital of Macedonia perfecture, Thessaloniki. The beaches in Chalkidiki are perfect and you can stay in the Posidi camping, for some nightlife at the beach bar as well. Tel. of Posidi camping: +30-23740-41123 +30-23740-41550 The location is: N 39o 59' 22.924'' E 23o 22' 54.146'' The route from Aoos reservoir to Chalkidiki : Click image to enlarge zoom to Chalkidiki Click image to enlarge Day 13 A lot of people believe that the Eastern peninsula of Chalkidiki named Sithonia is much better and not so spoiled compared to the western one named Kasandra where Posidi is. If you have the time it's worth visiting. Day 14 You will have to decide wether to spend the rest of your life in Greece after all the places that you have seen or head up for the cold and wet central Europe. It will be hard to decide and some phonecalls will make the difference
Should you decide to leave, this is the route from Chalkidiki to the borders with FYROM (Distance around 180km). Click image to enlarge I hope my post will be helpful. I will try to meet you during your stay in the Schinias beach base camp in Athens and maybe add some small tips for the rest of your journey. I wish I could do this trip once, and even though all those magnificent and magic places are just next to me I have to work hard in order to pay the bank's debt towards the rest of the European countries that I didn't create. But for the rest of you, Greece is here and Greeks are waiting to offer our hospitality, enjoy it you only have one life, live it. We also have one life but we can't live it, they took it. |
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1st Jul 2012 10:46pm |
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