Travel to Greece Via Holland - advice & tips please

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Hippo999

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It's been more than 10 years since we last went to Greece and that was via France. This year we're going from Harwich to the Hook and then Germany, Austria and Italy. We previously got a ferry from Ancona and camped in our van but I learnt here that you can't do that any more so plan to get the ferry from Bari. Any tips, suggestions for campsites both en route and in Greece would be most welcome. In particular sites near the ferry ports would be helpful.
Thanks in advance :giggle:
 
Sorry can't help with ferries but being ignorant, but is there a reason to not go overland all the way now?
 
Regarding ferry routes. We travelled Bari to Patras out and Igoumenitsa to Bari back when camping onboard was available. The Autopista down the east coast we found to be a drag as its often dual carriageway and very hilly and twisty - quite unlike others we’ve used in Italy. The A road is not a viable alternative unless you want your fillings removed or wish to visit roadside ladies on plastic chairs advertising their wares. When we go again, and unless touring in southern Italy, it will be from Ancona.
 
We have used Ancona-Patras return the previous two times but last year came back to Bari because we wanted to see further S. in Italy. We were disappointed and as said the roads down there are not good, because it is the poorer part of the country. We also found it quite boring so if we ferry again it will be from Ancona.

It is a great shame that Anek/Superfast 'Camping on Deck' has stopped. One has to take a cabin now. At one time Minoan, who did not have it offered MHs a free cabin, but now Anek have dropped on deck Minoan have dropped the free cabin. This was confirmed yesterday talking to ViaMare agents, who we always use. I would always recommend Anek over Minoan.

Last evening I was looking at driving down later this year. Obviously for us that is a bit different from S. Poland than from UK. I costed the tolls through Slowakia, Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria, and they came to about €100 total.

We cannot be much help regarding campsites as we only wildcamp/aires, but I suggest that anywhere within 50km of Patras/Igoumenitsa is to be avoided, because of illegal immigrants trying to get to Italy and beyond.

Greece is still a great touring area and very relaxed.

Kalou taxidi, Enjoy.
 
meanders said:
Sorry can't help with ferries but being ignorant, but is there a reason to not go overland all the way now?
Click to expand...
Just the extra distance really. My wife & I share the driving but we still prefer to be lounging around on a campsite rather than driving.

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Orion said:
Regarding ferry routes. We travelled Bari to Patras out and Igoumenitsa to Bari back when camping onboard was available. The Autopista down the east coast we found to be a drag as its often dual carriageway and very hilly and twisty - quite unlike others we’ve used in Italy. The A road is not a viable alternative unless you want your fillings removed or wish to visit roadside ladies on plastic chairs advertising their wares. When we go again, and unless touring in southern Italy, it will be from Ancona.
Click to expand...
Thanks for that advice about the east coast, I think we will follow you and get a ferry from Ancona (or maybe Venice?).
 
nicholsong said:
We have used Ancona-Patras return the previous two times but last year came back to Bari because we wanted to see further S. in Italy. We were disappointed and as said the roads down there are not good, because it is the poorer part of the country. We also found it quite boring so if we ferry again it will be from Ancona.

It is a great shame that Anek/Superfast 'Camping on Deck' has stopped. One has to take a cabin now. At one time Minoan, who did not have it offered MHs a free cabin, but now Anek have dropped on deck Minoan have dropped the free cabin. This was confirmed yesterday talking to ViaMare agents, who we always use. I would always recommend Anek over Minoan.

Last evening I was looking at driving down later this year. Obviously for us that is a bit different from S. Poland than from UK. I costed the tolls through Slowakia, Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria, and they came to about €100 total.

We cannot be much help regarding campsites as we only wildcamp/aires, but I suggest that anywhere within 50km of Patras/Igoumenitsa is to be avoided, because of illegal immigrants trying to get to Italy and beyond.

Greece is still a great touring area and very relaxed.

Kalou taxidi, Enjoy.
Click to expand...
More useful advice, particularly with regard to the quality of the ferries. I'm not familiar with ViaMare. When we travelled to Greece before I booked the ferries direct on their website. I also got a discount because of being a member of the AA. Does that still apply does anyone know? It was quite a big discount if I recall correctly.
 
Hippo999 said:
More useful advice, particularly with regard to the quality of the ferries. I'm not familiar with ViaMare. When we travelled to Greece before I booked the ferries direct on their website. I also got a discount because of being a member of the AA. Does that still apply does anyone know? It was quite a big discount if I recall correctly.
Click to expand...

Dale at ViaMare is an expert on Greek ferries and does no load the fares as he gets commission from the ferry companies. I once wanted camping on deck and the ferry booking system was only showing 6m left available, he called them and got our 7m on. He also re-booked us from Patmos and the ticket was in the agent's office when we went there.

Re discounts for motoring organisation members, I checked Anek this week and no UK organisation is listed for discount, but I did not check Minoan.
 
If your Bari ferry lands you at Igouminista, then I'd recommend Camping Kalamari
campingkalamibeach.gr

Camping Plataria Igoumenitsa | Camping Kalami Beach

Camping Kalami extends amphitheatrically along the coast of Plataria Bay and is located on Kalami Beach, on the road between Igoumenitsa and Plataria.
campingkalamibeach.gr campingkalamibeach.gr
Nice site not too far from the port. If you have the ACSI card then they offer discounts out of season. In fact when we toured Greece during May and June 2 years ago, the ACSI subscription more than paid for itself.
Lovely trip ahead for you 👍
 
We’ve had insurance for Albania the last couple of years. Surprisingly quick to get into Greece through there with fairly good roads. The difference in distance overland as against down to Bari is not that huge with the added bonus of Croatia, Montenegro etc

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Hippo999 said:
It's been more than 10 years since we last went to Greece and that was via France. This year we're going from Harwich to the Hook and then Germany, Austria and Italy. We previously got a ferry from Ancona and camped in our van but I learnt here that you can't do that any more so plan to get the ferry from Bari. Any tips, suggestions for campsites both en route and in Greece would be most welcome. In particular sites near the ferry ports would be helpful.
Thanks in advance :giggle:
Click to expand...
Hi, we arrived in Patras last night and used the “Superfast XI” ferry, departed from Ancona at 19:30 and arrived 20:45. As previously stated no camping on board but IMO the ferry was better than the P&O ones from Hull to Rotterdam. We have just started a 31 day tour of Greece with GB Tours. We have 8 meter Moho and 5500kg and no issues with ferry. As we arrived late we stayed in the Patras truck stop which is 2.6 miles from the port, they are 16 moho’s on the tour. Very quiet night and secure with toilets and showers. Hope this helps.
 
DavenPam said:
Hi, we arrived in Patras last night and used the “Superfast XI” ferry, departed from Ancona at 19:30 and arrived 20:45. As previously stated no camping on board but IMO the ferry was better than the P&O ones from Hull to Rotterdam. We have just started a 31 day tour of Greece with GB Tours. We have 8 meter Moho and 5500kg and no issues with ferry. As we arrived late we stayed in the Patras truck stop which is 2.6 miles from the port, they are 16 moho’s on the tour. Very quiet night and secure with toilets and showers. Hope this helps.
Click to expand...
Where does the tour go next?
 

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