Greece and the islands

[Billylou]

Hi Burkey

I’ve posted this several times but happy to post again, hope it helps. I have a UK passport and my wife has an Irish passport. Please see response to an email I sent asking about the 90/180.

Thank you for contacting the Europe Direct Contact Centre.

A citizen of the UK does not, in principle, require a visa to travel for a short stay of no more than 90 days within any 180-day period in the Schengen area.

The fact that you reside with your Irish wife the UK is, on its own, not sufficient to waive the limits of the 90/180-days rule if you intend to travel on your own to a Schengen Member State.

However, if you are travelling with your wife to a Schengen country, or joining her in a Schengen country, the 90/180 days limitation does not apply. Accordingly, any stays in the Schengen area together with her will not be taken into account when you travel again on your own. Please be aware, however, that in this case you might need to have documentation to show when you were travelling with her and when you were not.

For further information, we recommend that you contact the authorities of the country you would like to travel to: https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/embassies/index_en.htm

You can also find additional information here: https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/travel/brexit-travel-documents/index_en.htm

If you wish to remain in a given country for more than 3 months, both you and your wife may need to register your residence: https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/residence/index_en.htm

Please note that as Ireland is not part of the Schengen area and because your wife is an Irish citizen, this may not apply if you wish to travel together to Ireland.

For information on the Common Travel Area between Ireland and the UK, please see: https://www.citizensinformation.ie/...n_travel_area_between_ireland_and_the_uk.html

We hope you find this information useful. Please contact us again if you have other questions about the European Union, its activities or institutions.

 

[Delboyarapaho]

I have a lot of experience of Greece over 40 years.

Originally island hopping on ferries, then with my own sailing boat for over 30 years including visiting 70 islands, then last year took our MH from Poland down to Ancona-Patras, another ferry to Patmos, spent 5 weeks there, split with a flight back to Poland(to see Basia's Mother), then to Peloponnese for two weeks and back via Venice.

To answer the immediate questions in your post:-

Yes Sept/Oct is an excellent time to visit - still pleasantly warm and sea temperature once on 31 Oct was 21C. I would plan to arrive in Greece at beginning of Sept, because that is end of tourist season and even for Greeks as the children are back at school. In many small islands the tavernas are starting to close down end Sept/early Oct.

I will deal next with 'economical route'. Are you asking about time or money? If money, you need to cost the ferry fares both across the Adriatic and also to the islands. I have never costed the driving down through the Balkans, but for 10 weeks I think you would lose 4 weeks driving against 2 weeks via ferry across the Adriatic. More about the Adriatic ferries below.

Access to islands on ferries has been answered. I have driven around islands on mopeds and cannot think os any islands where a 7m MH, like ours, would be a problem on metalled roads, nor on most dirt tracks down to secluded coves/beaches.

A couple of other pointers:-

You did not indicate whether you prefer campsites or 'wild' spots. Campsites in Greece are basic and start shutting down in Sept, but wild spots are everywhere with only a few restrictions in popular tourist areas. There are some really great spots to stop with either dramatic sunrises or sunsets - beach bars specialise in the latter.

There are water taps to be found in many villages or take a 20lt can to the bar/taverna - they are usually accommodating.. Auto gas is not usually a problem. The most difficult is dumping black water. Our solution last year was lucky in that we have a Swiss friend in Patmos who told us about a sewage pumping station at the bottom of his road with a open lid to a chamber. There must be others if you can identify them.

Now to other information:-

There is a member on here pjay who has travelled extensively in Greece over the years and if you click on his profile he has a vast map of stopovers, mainly on the Mainland but which include many on Crete and Evia, plus just a couple on Chios, which seem an anomaly and I have never asked him why.

Now ferries. You have not said which islands interest you. I personally would prefer the Aegean islands to the Ionian which have more tourists because of many airports, but are easily accessible by short ferries. Aegean ferry routes are traditionally serviced from Piraeus according to island groups(all to do with historic subsidies). In the Central and Southern Aegean Blue Star Ferries predominate, except for Crete.

First you need to decide which islands interest you and how long you wish to stay on each - some only have 2-3 times a week schedule. Next time we go I want to visit several of my favourites and want to explore the possibility of an discounted on/off island-hopping ticket.

Now how to book ferries. From many recommendations I decided to try ViaMare. The guy is an expert on Greek ferries, Adriatic and all across Greece, with real-time access into all the ferry company reservation systems. Some people have said they can get cheaper booking direct, maybe, but he got us 30% discount with different companies because we booked Adriatic and Aegean together. Also we had two changes of booking which he handled like it was business as usual.

On the Adriatic crossings Anek/Superfast offer 'Camping on deck' where you can live in the MH and have EHU. Minoan offer a 'Camping' package which includes a cabin, but no access to the MH. To get Anek's Camping on Board you have to book in Dec as soon as the schedules are open.

When you tell me the islands you are interested in maybe I can provide more detailed info.

Greece is great for MHs. especially Sept/Oct and/or end Apr/May for the Spring flowers.

Geoff

EDIT: pjay please correct me if I have got anything wrong

Great post of interest to many thanks. Just a question if I may would you feel there is good accessibility for an 8.5 m Moho to great camping spots or does that become a bit too long? And are the roads well enough made up? (Never been to Greece)

 

[nicholsong]

Great post of interest to many thanks. Just a question if I may would you feel there is good accessibility for an 8.5 m Moho to great camping spots or does that become a bit too long? And are the roads well enough made up? (Never been to Greece)

My only MH experience was last year but I cannot imagine any places where your 8.5m could not go where our 7m could. We only had one v. sharp turn in a village that we could not get round - but that was because of the bloody selfish parking of cars, otherwise we could have made it. We just went on turned-round and approached from the other direction, so you could have done the same.

Roads are OK. There are some dirt tracks going down to lovely beaches but they are usually quite passable at slow speed.

 

[Offagain]

Excellent advice from nicholsong and others.
We’re in Greece at the moment. We do the return trip twice a year and up to now have driven through France and Italy then ferried from / to Ancona or Bari, wherever we can get an Anek or Superfast ferry to/from.
When we return in a week or so we plan to drive through Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary, Austria and Germany instead. Just for a change!

We have just come back from Greece, we drove there via Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, etc. to Albania and then into Greece, we took the Superfast II ferry, Camp on Board, back from Greece to Italy (Bari). If I was going specifically to Greece and didn't have unlimited time I would now get the ferry, quicker, less miles on van, and very easy.

It took us about 6/7 days driving from Venice to Greece, we did not rush and we took a few wrong turns (Bosnia twice), not sure I would bother doing it again as a way of getting to Greece mind. May try Hungary, Bulgaria, Czech next time or the ferry.

We are 7.1m and 3.3m high, the length was never an issue the height did restrict our pitch choice alot as olive trees seem a favoured shade provider.

How did you find Hungary and Bulgaria? Apart from using a map/sat nav
Obviously we need to check that our insurance covers us and we can take the dog through without any extra paperwork, but are they quite straightforward to navigate? Any places you’d recommend or we should avoid?

 

[mubob]

I’ve heard so many good things about Greece and its islands that we are now considering going in September for 10 weeks. Is this a good time to visit ?
Is it easy to access the islands with a 7mtr motorhome ?
What would be the most economical route from Calais ?
Best stop now before your eyes glaze over but would appreciate any experienced advice please

You will definitely love Greece , the weather in September will be great, we did the trip 3 years ago sailing from Bari to Patras , camped on board in our motorhome, really good experience.
Good luck and have a great trip

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[Wyvern]

We have just left Greece after a month travelling around the Peloponnese…which is beautiful. Overall the roads are pretty good and generally MUCH better than Italy and some might say the UK.

September will be fantastic weather wise and the sea temps will be wonderful. The motorway through Italy is frankly a nightmare of hold ups and accidents to add at least an hour to what ever Google tells you.

 

[nicholsong]

I would be getting a bit worried that Greece could be overrun by MHs and 'No Overnight' signs popping up like Spain, were it not for three things: firstly, including the islands, there is a lot of it; secondly, it is too far to go for those on limited time; and thirdly, the cost of getting there and back keeps some people away.

I hope I am correct.

 

[pampam]

I love greece and it must be fantastic to travel around and visit some of the islands in a motorhome,it was always a bit of a dream to do this ,(travel europe) but i cant see it coming to fruition for me, however its nice to hear from others who are doing it

 

[Wyvern]

Somebody posted on a previous thread that one way back to Italy was significantly cheaper than the outbound. I'm mildly curious to know if it s true?

No it isn’t true if our experience is anything to go by BUT we did book the return independently at the last minute.

 

[Wyvern]

I would be getting a bit worried that Greece could be overrun by MHs and 'No Overnight' signs popping up like Spain, were it not for three things: firstly, including the islands, there is a lot of it; secondly, it is too far to go for those on limited time; and thirdly, the cost of getting there and back keeps some people away.

I hope I am correct.

Sadly not correct as it is perfectly doable for a two week holiday if you live in Germany or Austria.….and it is over run with German MoHo in the Peloponnese at the moment…not to the point of not being able to get a spot at a campsite on spec.

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[Burkey]

Looks good Geoff nicholsong only a couple of entries for Chios from other travellers as i've never been
I'd echo that spring or autumn are great times to go.

Geoff has covered it well, I would just add that if you fancy Crete then you can get inclusive combined deals with the main Italy Greece ferries that cover Crete that will save you a few scheckles, Viamare will advise.

Please feel free to use my map (link in my signature below), all I ask is you send me updates of stopovers you visit or any new spots you find. A lot of folk are happy to use the map but unfortunately don't bother.

Re getting water, dumping waste etc, please find att'd a quick guide I penned a while back if it helps.

Have a great trip.

Pete

I certainly will, thank you

 

[busby]

Not interested in any other part, but since seeing Shirley valentine always wanted to go to mykanos , what's the chance of getting there in a motorhome ?
Or is it a flying job?

Greece's answer to Sitges, ,BUSBY.

 

[chaser]

Greece's answer to Sitges, ,BUSBY.

What's sitges?

 

[Gary Redfern]

We were just in Greece (April & May) for 6 weeks and loved it. We didn't go to the islands though.

Our 2 blog posts might be of interest; Practicalities and Greece.

Gary

 

[BOWHOUSE52]

Looks good Geoff nicholsong only a couple of entries for Chios from other travellers as i've never been
I'd echo that spring or autumn are great times to go.

Geoff has covered it well, I would just add that if you fancy Crete then you can get inclusive combined deals with the main Italy Greece ferries that cover Crete that will save you a few scheckles, Viamare will advise.

Please feel free to use my map (link in my signature below), all I ask is you send me updates of stopovers you visit or any new spots you find. A lot of folk are happy to use the map but unfortunately don't bother.

Re getting water, dumping waste etc, please find att'd a quick guide I penned a while back if it helps.

Have a great trip.

Pete

Hi pjay when I press

Looks good Geoff nicholsong only a couple of entries for Chios from other travellers as i've never been
I'd echo that spring or autumn are great times to go.

Geoff has covered it well, I would just add that if you fancy Crete then you can get inclusive combined deals with the main Italy Greece ferries that cover Crete that will save you a few scheckles, Viamare will advise.

Please feel free to use my map (link in my signature below), all I ask is you send me updates of stopovers you visit or any new spots you find. A lot of folk are happy to use the map but unfortunately don't bother.

Re getting water, dumping waste etc, please find att'd a quick guide I penned a while back if it helps.

Have a great trip.

Pete

Hi pjay when I click on your black water icon I don't see any information Regards John ( Bowhouse52)

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[pjay]

Hi pjay when I click on your black water icon I don't see any information Regards John ( Bowhouse52)

Hi, when you click on the icon it should download to your computer or laptop as a pdf document.

pete

 

[Wyvern]

In the Peloponnese for 6 weeks May and June…..stunning place and people….we loved it. We are told that July and August is over run by German and Dutch…. But the time we had there we had no problems with sites and wild camping….

We are still having the post holiday blues!

 

[Ingwe]

April, May and June going round the Peloponnese in the van.
One of the nicest holidays in 12 years of travelling!!
The Greeks are the warmest people and love the Brits (thanks to our wartime support)
Brilliant !!

We did this. Five weeks in the Peloponnese in 2017. Our best trip ever. And fully concur with the comment on Greek people. Mind you, we’ve found most people to be very warm and friendly when travelling in France, Spain, Portugal, Italy and Greece.

 

[acropolis22]

The Greeks all holiday in August so that's when everywhere is most crowded. Avoid if you can. Unless you fancy Athens, which will be very quiet.

 

[Burkey]

Hi Burkey

I’ve posted this several times but happy to post again, hope it helps. I have a UK passport and my wife has an Irish passport. Please see response to an email I sent asking about the 90/180.

Thank you for contacting the Europe Direct Contact Centre.

A citizen of the UK does not, in principle, require a visa to travel for a short stay of no more than 90 days within any 180-day period in the Schengen area.

The fact that you reside with your Irish wife the UK is, on its own, not sufficient to waive the limits of the 90/180-days rule if you intend to travel on your own to a Schengen Member State.

However, if you are travelling with your wife to a Schengen country, or joining her in a Schengen country, the 90/180 days limitation does not apply. Accordingly, any stays in the Schengen area together with her will not be taken into account when you travel again on your own. Please be aware, however, that in this case you might need to have documentation to show when you were travelling with her and when you were not.

For further information, we recommend that you contact the authorities of the country you would like to travel to: https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/embassies/index_en.htm

You can also find additional information here: https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/travel/brexit-travel-documents/index_en.htm

If you wish to remain in a given country for more than 3 months, both you and your wife may need to register your residence: https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/residence/index_en.htm

Please note that as Ireland is not part of the Schengen area and because your wife is an Irish citizen, this may not apply if you wish to travel together to Ireland.

For information on the Common Travel Area between Ireland and the UK, please see: https://www.citizensinformation.ie/...n_travel_area_between_ireland_and_the_uk.html

We hope you find this information useful. Please

contact us again if you have other questions about the European Union, its activities or institutions.

Thank you very much for great in depth advice . Very appreciated

The Greeks all holiday in August so that's when everywhere is most crowded. Avoid if you can. Unless you fancy Athens, which will be very quiet.

Because of the wonderful wealth of knowledge I’ve gained from this blog I had made plans for September but now cancelled and intend to hit Greece at end of April next year. The islands in May and June sound idealic and we can’t bloody wait
Thanks for all

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[BOWHOUSE52]

Hi, when you click on the icon it should download to your computer or laptop as a pdf document.

pete

Thanks Pete works fine on iPad but not on my phone