Croatia Greece , Italy trip next year

[Jewellbags]

Considering driving down to Greece next year and catching the ferry across to Italy for the return leg . If funsters have any experience then would appreciate any tips . I will allow 6-8 weeks , go via the fast roads in Germany to get to north Italy / Slovenia . Will be travelling early to mid September to avoid much of the holiday crowd .

Questions like , recommended shore line stops for a few days r&r, do we need to pre book the ferry and who with , and anything else to consider ?

I don’t want to plan the heck out of it but just to avoid the pitfalls I guess as the last trip (just finished) went very smoothly .

Thanks I’m anticipation

 

[Eddieb]

We drove to Istanbul this year and came back via a round trip in Greece. Favourite campsites were Camp Hellas near Gatzea and Camping Erodios in the Navarino Bay both with lovely beach side pitches. Coming home via Italy we pre booked a ferry from Igoumenitsa to Brindisi with Grimaldi Lines through the Direct ferries website which went quite well. Although we made the mistake of getting to the port too early as we did not board till after midnight.

 

[Orion]

Unless you really want to spend time in southern Italy then Ancona would be the port I’d head for. After a couple of bad experiences booking though agents I will wherever possible go direct to the ferry company and Anek were good to deal with for their ‘camping on board’ when we went this year. Whichever route or carrier you decide on I’d advise getting in early as they get filled quickly.

 

[Jewellbags]

We drove to Istanbul this year and came back via a round trip in Greece. Favourite campsites were Camp Hellas near Gatzea and Camping Erodios in the Navarino Bay both with lovely beach side pitches. Coming home via Italy we pre booked a ferry from Igoumenitsa to Brindisi with Grimaldi Lines through the Direct ferries website which went quite well. Although we made the mistake of getting to the port too early as we did not board till after midnight.

Out of interest how far ahead did you book the ferry ? And what time of year was this ?

 

[Jewellbags]

Unless you really want to spend time in southern Italy then Ancona would be the port I’d head for. After a couple of bad experiences booking though agents I will wherever possible go direct to the ferry company and Anek were good to deal with for their ‘camping on board’ when we went this year. Whichever route or carrier you decide on I’d advise getting in early as they get filled quickly.

Good advise ta

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[Eddieb]

Booked ferry about 2 months in advance and was in May

 

[Orion]

I couldn’t get the Ancona routing for dates in May/June as that was all sold out in December. Ended up Bari/Patras & Igoumenitsa/Bari and endured the E55 (although that was infinitely better than the SS16 we briefly tried!).

 

[Eddieb]

The SS7 from Brindisi to Taranto is one to avoid - just one long pothole!

 

[Jewellbags]

I couldn’t get the Ancona routing for dates in May/June as that was all sold out in December. Ended up Bari/Patras & Igoumenitsa/Bari and endured the E55 (although that was infinitely better than the SS16 we briefly tried!).

I assume these are roads ?

 

[nicholsong]

Out of interest how far ahead did you book the ferry ? And what time of year was this ?

We have recently returned from Greece by ferry.

There are two ways to take a MH on the ferry - camping on board(where you live in the MH. which only ANEK/Superfast do, on Venice(expensive), Ancona and, I think, Bari(very far South). Another company does a deal where they give a cabin for free for MH bookings. We booked ANEK Ancona-Patras-Ancona last December for Sept outbound and late October return and even then could not get the October return date we wanted.

We book via VIaMare an agent in London, highly recommended and he has successfully booked 8 ferries for us, including changing dates and has been faultless. He can give you an answer about availability within minutes on the phone as he has access to all the company websites, so you know instantly that you have a reservation. Even got us on when the company website was showing no availability.

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[Orion]

Yes, E55 mainly toll autostrada and the previous main north/south route Strada Statale 16 Adriatica, which will remove any fillings you have in short order.

 

[Jewellbags]

Is folks are driving to Greece do they “typically” go via Italy and avoid Albania etc (as insurance seems an issue ) or is it a simple process to drive straight through ?

 

[Brains]

My sister used to drive to Greece every summer for family reasons.

After about 5 years she perfected the route.
Unless you live in the west country the best ferry is the night trip Harwich/Hoek of Holland

Day one: UK - Drive to port
Night one either Canterbury P&R or in a cabin on the Harwich ferry
Day two: Calais to Koln area (450km)
Or Harwich to Koblenz area (400km)
Night two at Green Camping (Koblenz)
Day three: Koblenz to Kufstein on the Austrian border( 600km) (Koblenz/Kufstein would be 700km)
Day Four: Kufstein to Ancona (700km)
Night Four: On the Ancona/Patras ferry
Day five: Patras to Athens

Same route in reverse on the way back

Book the ferries and the camp sites before Xmas!

 

[Baggydave]

Viamare were excellent on our trip Ancona to ignomesta with camping on board. Loved the camping bit, just drive on, plug in the mains & done. Showers & toilets on the same deck too. Great to go to sleep & wake up in another country. So easy.

 

[Jewellbags]

I’m a little disappointed that the driving the loop via Albania etc looks not as easy as I’d hoped , but we will keep researching - thanks for the feedback though folks

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[Orion]

A few ‘camping on deck’ pics to whet your appetite:

Waiting at Igoumenitsa dockside.

Our ‘pitch’ for the night arrives:

And the ‘wardens’ are waiting to guide us between the pegs!

On deck and connected to the drop down EHU:

Be aware of possible voltage discrepancies when the ship is generating power in port. Our Sollatek AVS30 protection dropped out until we got going, then no problem overnight. It’s a great way to travel.

 

[Baggydave]

I’m a little disappointed that the driving the loop via Albania etc looks not as easy as I’d hoped , but we will keep researching - thanks for the feedback though folks

We have also done this route from Greek end through to Italy & had no problems. it’s a bit hilly on the coastal road. We found Albania to be very friendly & people helpful.

 

[Jewellbags]

We have also done this route from Greek end through to Italy & had no problems. it’s a bit hilly on the coastal road. We found Albania to be very friendly & people helpful.

What did you do about insurance ? Just opt for the green card ?

 

[jongood]

My sister used to drive to Greece every summer for family reasons.

After about 5 years she perfected the route.
Unless you live in the west country the best ferry is the night trip Harwich/Hoek of Holland

Day one: UK - Drive to port
Night one either Canterbury P&R or in a cabin on the Harwich ferry
Day two: Calais to Koln area (450km)
Or Harwich to Koblenz area (400km)
Night two at Green Camping (Koblenz)
Day three: Koblenz to Kufstein on the Austrian border( 600km) (Koblenz/Kufstein would be 700km)
Day Four: Kufstein to Ancona (700km)
Night Four: On the Ancona/Patras ferry
Day five: Patras to Athens

Same route in reverse on the way back

Book the ferries and the camp sites before Xmas!

Do Stena pay you commission?
You keep trying to push a somewhat limited service

 

[benellioldman1]

Do Stena pay you commission?
You keep trying to push a somewhat limited service

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[Soycd]

Considering driving down to Greece next year and catching the ferry across to Italy for the return leg . If funsters have any experience then would appreciate any tips . I will allow 6-8 weeks , go via the fast roads in Germany to get to north Italy / Slovenia . Will be travelling early to mid September to avoid much of the holiday crowd .

Questions like , recommended shore line stops for a few days r&r, do we need to pre book the ferry and who with , and anything else to consider ?

I don’t want to plan the heck out of it but just to avoid the pitfalls I guess as the last trip (just finished) went very smoothly .

Thanks I’m anticipation

Considering doing similar if new van arrives in January! Plan is to go to Caravan Salon in Duss at end of August then make our way down. Possible route will involve Germany, Austria, Italy with a stop at sister-in-laws near Lago Di Bolsena. Head down to Ancona, ferry to Spilt. We've used Snav last year and booking in January got a crossing for €250 for 2 + 6m PVC and outside cabin at end of July, so a bargain. Plan is then flexible, depending on insurance. If we go with Caravan Guard they do green card cover for Montenegro, Albania and Macedonia so that will probably be the route. If it's Comfort we have to use then Croatia, Bosnia, Bulgaria. Once in Greece we'll definately go to Camping Sikia at Kato Gatzea, below Volos on Pelion (next door to Hellas that someone else mentioned) We been to Greece a lot of time in vans over the years but last time was for Olympics, so I expect things have changed a bit!! After that no firm plans yet but return route might be short crossing to Brindisi then down to Palermo and up on ferry to maybe Livorno or one of the northern Italian ports. Then probably head home. As others have mentioned camping on board is great, have done it a few times but long ago. Via Mare are the ones for that. I'd let them know soon what you want to do and they'll advise you when to book etc. It's usually just before Xmas when you can book. We had it booked for 2020 and again for 2021 but we know what happened then and we had to cancel.

 

[Jewellbags]

Considering doing similar if new van arrives in January! Plan is to go to Caravan Salon in Duss at end of August then make our way down. Possible route will involve Germany, Austria, Italy with a stop at sister-in-laws near Lago Di Bolsena. Head down to Ancona, ferry to Spilt. We've used Snav last year and booking in January got a crossing for €250 for 2 + 6m PVC and outside cabin at end of July, so a bargain. Plan is then flexible, depending on insurance. If we go with Caravan Guard they do green card cover for Montenegro, Albania and Macedonia so that will probably be the route. If it's Comfort we have to use then Croatia, Bosnia, Bulgaria. Once in Greece we'll definately go to Camping Sikia at Kato Gatzea, below Volos on Pelion (next door to Hellas that someone else mentioned) We been to Greece a lot of time in vans over the years but last time was for Olympics, so I expect things have changed a bit!! After that no firm plans yet but return route might be short crossing to Brindisi then down to Palermo and up on ferry to maybe Livorno or one of the northern Italian ports. Then probably head home. As others have mentioned camping on board is great, have done it a few times but long ago. Via Mare are the ones for that. I'd let them know soon what you want to do and they'll advise you when to book etc. It's usually just before Xmas when you can book. We had it booked for 2020 and again for 2021 but we know what happened then and we had to cancel.

Great info thanks very much

 

[Brains]

Do Stena pay you commission?
You keep trying to push a somewhat limited service

I think people need to be told about it.

For the majority of Motorhomers going to the mainland anywhere in Eastern France, Italy, Germany etc it is the logical route.
The only other logical route is the tunnel.
The Dover/Calais ferry route should be last on most motorhomes options.

However if you Google a route London to Hoek, the 'preferred' route, which is over 300 road miles further and at least a couple of hours slower is via Calais, therefore people don't think to even look at the best route

If you left London at the end of a working day, you would be in the Netherlands by 8am the next day, having slept all night in a bed.
Unless you drove all night no way you could do that via Calais.
But Google does not tell you that.

 

[jongood]

If people really wanted to go to Holland (Theres a reason why you see so many Dutch in Southern Europe) - would they use a service that only has 2 sailings per day ( not even at good times) and takes at least 6 hours? I suspect not many would. The only thing it has going for it is it avoids the M25 but then the A14 isnt much better.

 

[Ziggy123]

Have any of you done this trip down to Greece with a dog? I'm about to start researching ferries..although Im not sure if he will like them very much, he didn't lay down when we were going through the channel tunnel!

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[john4d]

You've had some good advice. I concur that Via Mare is excellent, speak to Dale. I booked with them Italy/Greece and Pireas/Souda {Crete) and Greece/Italy in late August this year. Not surprisingly I was unable to get Ancona/Patra at such short notice, but Dale managed to find me Camping on Board Bari/Patra. My return journey, in early November, he was able to book me Patra/Ancona but as they do not Camping on Board that late in the season I've booked a cabin.
I was due to sail Souda/Pireas on 10th November {this Friday} and Patra/Ancona on the 11th. Unfortunately due to a mechanical problem with the MH, since diagnosed as a faulty ABS control unit I have been delayed. Because of the age of the vehicle I've been told from the UK that they probably won't be able to obtain the part. Mercedes here in Crete said they could get the part but it would take 10 days to arrive. The part came yesterday and I took the vehicle to Mercedes today to have it fitted. I will find out tomorrow if they have been successful.
I went to the ANEK main agent in Souda and explained the problem. He cancelled both of my ferry journeys and re-issued 'Open' tickets, valid for one year. He explained that the Souda/Pireas route was 'no problem' and he could book a MH anytime. However the Patra/Ancona was more difficult but there was some availability in November. As soon as I know when I can leave I must contact him and he will try and find me a crossing.
When I get my, hopefully repaired, MH back I will try and make that booking.
I'm keeping my fingers crossed.
My fall back position is to leave the MH here and fly back, returning in the Spring to drive it back. This presents a few difficulties, no MOT and the fact that a 'foreign' vehicle can only stop in Greece for 6 months. But this is Crete.
I'm applying for a 'Residence Permit' so the 90 day rule will no longer apply

 

[Charente16]

Have any of you done this trip down to Greece with a dog? I'm about to start researching ferries..although Im not sure if he will like them very much, he didn't lay down when we were going through the channel tunnel!

Further to Ziggy123 above.

We are heading to Greece next April with Doggo and have decided to ‘stick to’ the Pet Passport countries ie Slovenia, Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria on the in - bound journey. Exiting Greece we would like to drive up through the ‘Balkans’ to Dubrovnik, but it appears that not many people take dogs on that route, preferring the Ferry to Italy.

If anybody has done the ‘Balkans‘ Route‘ we would be grateful for any information about your experience.

Many Thanks

Robert

 

[Baggydave]

What did you do about insurance ? Just opt for the green card ?

Just green card for the month we were there

 

[Mad dog]

Travelled to Slovenia & thru Croatia, Montenegro Albania to Greece, then took ferry from Igoumenitsa to Italy. The Balvans are much more interesting than East Italy in our opinion (not done Italy West coast yet). Caravan Guard will cover Montenegro & Albania for £25 extra ish. Yes, we took a dog - no problems at all. Booked Greece ferry a few days before, but it was in March - loading up was interesting!!! Albania is nice but an.eye opener & very cheap - lovely people. Go for it

 

[Ziggy123]

Brill thanks for the replies re the dogs, I've always fancied doing spring in Greece before the holiday makers all arrive and watching it come back to life and hadn't considered that was also something we can now do in our own Motorhome so this is great!