Tam and Toby ~~ Hunting Zorba .....Take two.

[Hymerbell]

Why packed in so tight on an empty boat? And how come not out on deck ?

I was the 3rd one on....it was full up by the time we left...that was the DecK....nothing above...open to sea at sides...Lorries put at back as air conditioning was loud....if you got on late you were nearer to them so best get on earlier...had the perfect spot...some people even got their deck chairs and tables out

 

[Hymerbell]

Currently that is the situation Tam, you might be subject to random test once you have disembarked but that is the chance you take, but you will not be refused entry. Probable temperature check at Bari check in.

They randomly pick vans out as you get off in Igoumenitsa and tell you to park up get out and join the queue to see doctor...as it was 5 am and a long queue ....looked like about a 1 hourer ...I just drove on out of the dock...very fast........waiting for hand on shoulder ever since...

 

[Hymerbell]

You lot are making Greece sound very appealing.

It Is...and lovely empty beaches...and friendly people....wild camped within 20 meters of each of those beaches.

 

[TM59]

I believe you are VW man

 

[Northernraider]

I believe you are VW man
View attachment 434937

Aye ive seen that before

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[The Dudess]

They randomly pick vans out as you get off in Igoumenitsa and tell you to park up get out and join the queue to see doctor...as it was 5 am and a long queue ....looked like about a 1 hourer ...I just drove on out of the dock...very fast........waiting for hand on shoulder ever since...

We didn't get stopped for a Covid test when we arrived on 12/09 but I did see a queue of people who were waiting to be tested. I believe you still have to complete the PLF form and get a QCode which will be sent to your mobile before disembarking in Greece. I was quite anxious about this just in case the QCode didn't come through, but it all worked very well. You don't have to do anything special about the dogs.

Protocol for Arrivals in Greece - travel.gov.gr

Beginning July 1, 2020, the Greek government has determined how the country will welcome travellers, carry out the necessary diagnostic screening and keep everyone safe throughout the season.

travel.gov.gr

 

[Offagain]

Currently the Greece situation is that all arrivals by sea are subject to random PCR test on arrival, positive result will require quarantine and second test after 5 days. All the covid regs are scheduled for revision 25th October. I think they are using the new test with results given in about 20mins ( bit faster than the Germans eh ! )

So i dont need any tests before boarding? And wont be refused entry?
Dont want to book and pay for ferry to get turned away

They randomly pick vans out as you get off in Igoumenitsa and tell you to park up get out and join the queue to see doctor...as it was 5 am and a long queue ....looked like about a 1 hourer ...I just drove on out of the dock...very fast........waiting for hand on shoulder ever since...

When we travelled with Anek to Igoumenitsa from Ancona at the beginning of September this year there were only about 100 people on the ferry and only around 10 motor homes. All of which were parked in one corner of the deck, I’ll see if I can find a picture, it was very strange. Much busier on the way back on last Sunday night. In fact when I booked a couple of weeks ago we were lucky to get a space on the open deck as they were so full.
Everyone who got off the ferry on the trip to Igoumenitsa was swabbed for Covid. No checks at all going from Greece to Italy. Not even passports! In fact the only time anyone “Official” has shown any interest in us at all was just before the Mont Blanc tunnel yesterday when we were waved to one side by a group of police and once we had stopped waved on again .
You probably know that you need to complete the PLf online (I can send you a link if you need it) before getting on the ferry and the ferry office will want to see an email confirming that you have done it when you collect your tickets at the port. Then you get a qr code emailed to you overnight. The swabbing people will need to scan the qr code.
Edit: I see The Dudess has supplied you with the plf and qr code info

 

[Offagain]

This is the fully loaded open deck of the ferry from Ancona to Igoumonitsa on 3rd September taken from the back by the ramps. If you scroll in a lot you'll see a handful of motor homes in the left hand corner!

Actually looking at it closer I suspect there were less than 10

 

[pjay]

Tam, if youre travelling after end of October then Minoan do 'camping all inclusive' on the Ancona route where yo get the van hooked up and an inside cabin for the price of deck passage, you should also be able to get a pet friendly cabin upgrade if the crossing is not too busy. Viamare should be able to sort it out for you.

<Broken link removed>

Avagudun

Pete

 

[Northernraider]

Tam, if youre travelling after end of October then Minoan do 'camping all inclusive' on the Ancona route where yo get the van hooked up and an inside cabin for the price of deck passage, you should also be able to get a pet friendly cabin upgrade if the crossing is not too busy. Viamare should be able to sort it out for you.

<Broken link removed>

Avagudun

Pete

I followed that link thinking it would be an easy system direct to camping all inclusive but again its a webpage with so many choices i haven't a clue what you tick


I absolutely hate these online booking systems far too confusing


And this guy from viamare does not seem very keen for business

I left 2 messages yesterday none were returned
I finally got him on the phone and was told he was just popping out the office coukd he call me back in 30 minutes ....never called

And again this morning its just answering service again

Its a joke

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[pjay]

Why packed in so tight on an empty boat? And how come not out on deck ?

With Anek and Minoan all the camping decks are enclosed. Superfast have a few ships with an open camping deck at the rear but you can also get shoved under cover too if you're unlucky.
Its also worth pointing out that you're not guaranteed a spot at the side overlooking the sea, especially if the boat is busy, you can end up in the middle of the boat.

Pete

 

[pjay]

I followed that link thinking it would be an easy system direct to camping all inclusive but again its a webpage with so many choices i haven't a clue what you tick


I absolutely hate these online booking systems far too confusing


And this guy from viamare does not seem very keen for business

I left 2 messages yesterday none were returned
I finally got him on the phone and was told he was just popping out the office coukd he call me back in 30 minutes ....never called

And again this morning its just answering service again

Its a joke

Its always been a bit confusing booking online, i've always recommended folk booking with Viamare, i'm surprised you're having problems with them, they've always been good for us and we've used them quite a few times

Pete.

 

[nicholsong]

Tam

I know this is getting a bit ahead as you have not got to Greece yet but if you are talking to ViaMare today you may want to ask.

There is a ferry from Gythion (S. Pelopnese) to Kissamos (Crete). From one booking site it appears to be running once a week, at least on 11th Nov. It takes cars. It might be cheaper than Athens-Crete. Just ask ViaMare.

Geoff

 

[Northernraider]

Tam

I know this is getting a bit ahead as you have not got to Greece yet but if you are talking to ViaMare today you may want to ask.

There is a ferry from Gythion (S. Pelopnese) to Kissamos (Crete). From one booking site it appears to be running once a week, at least on 11th Nov. It takes cars. It might be cheaper than Athens-Crete. Just ask ViaMare.

Geoff

At present ive no intention of going to crete ...been before and wasn't too keen

 

[Northernraider]

Its always been a bit confusing booking online, i've always recommended folk booking with Viamare, i'm surprised you're having problems with them, they've always been good for us and we've used them quite a few times

Pete.

He did say many were on furlough so maybe busy but it's a bit annoying

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[Lenny HB]

He did say many were on furlough so maybe busy but it's a bit annoying

Maybe when I used them they were superb.

 

[pjay]

Tam, Just thought you might be interested in this guys take on 'camping on deck', he must have had a job banging the pegs in

 

[Northernraider]

Ok i finally got hold of the guy in viamare

No difference in price but im booked on the superfast ferry camping on board 31st October. £265 was the best price

 

[The Dudess]

At present ive no intention of going to crete ...been before and wasn't too keen

Hissssss! Boooooo!

 

[The Dudess]

Ok i finally got hold of the guy in viamare

No difference in price but im booked on the superfast ferry camping on board 31st October. £265 was the best price

Well we'll be ships that pass in the night as that's the date we are starting our return journey from Crete. Hope you have a really great time in Greece.

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[Northernraider]

Hissssss! Boooooo!

Granted i was in a resort at the end of October so we didn't see all of it ...i hired a jeep and drove up to the hills etc but i didnt think it was as nice as zante ....

Will see how i get on with mainland

 

[The Dudess]

Granted i was in a resort at the end of October so we didn't see all of it ...i hired a jeep and drove up to the hills etc but i didnt think it was as nice as zante ....

Will see how i get on with mainland

Tam, this blog was written by some good friends of ours who, like you, prefer wild camping. You may find it useful.

Greece – followourmotorhome

Posts about Greece written by followourmotorhome

followourmotorhome.co.uk

 

[chaser]

Ok i finally got hold of the guy in viamare

No difference in price but im booked on the superfast ferry camping on board 31st October. £265 was the best price

So where is from and to?

 

[Northernraider]

So where is from and to?

Bari to igoumenitsa. So i have 10 days to work my way down there ...but i want to visit venice , pisa and a bit of florence on route ill probably get to venice tomorrow ..

 

[Figaro]

Tam, Just thought you might be interested in this guys take on 'camping on deck', he must have had a job banging the pegs in

That really is camping on board.
Bit of a hard base I'd imagine

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[Northernraider]

Tam, this blog was written by some good friends of ours who, like you, prefer wild camping. You may find it useful.

Greece – followourmotorhome

Posts about Greece written by followourmotorhome

followourmotorhome.co.uk

Cheers ill have a read of that later

 

[Figaro]

Do you know where your parking in Venice ?
The bus service is pretty good onto lagoon if you need to park outside

 

[Drum Major]

Looking forward to your remaining tour of Italy definitely on the cards for next year

 

[Northernraider]

Do you know where your parking in Venice ?
The bus service is pretty good onto lagoon if you need to park outside

Ive been eying up a free spot on the mainland and then walking in if that's possible...will have dogs with me and prefer to avoid public transport if i can .

Doesnt look far on the map

 

[fat haggis]

Stunning places you have woken up to mate. And now a boat trip to the sun I’ll join you next year.

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