UK to Greece with Caravan
If you've experienced towing a van (7.3m) to Greece and back, we'd appreciate your pros and cons of this journey. 2 Adults and a dog. Are there any specifics we need to be aware of with regard to travelling through many different countries?
Having had many a month or two in Europe, we'd like to consider Southern Greece as a destination for a month or more. We've plenty of time available to get there and back and would welcome any tips recommendations with regard to route and campsites on the way.
Whilst in the early stages of planning for May-July 2018, we thought France - Italy route the most direct, but not ventured further east yet!
Not looking for overnight stops as we prefer to stay at each 'stopover' for at least two nights and only wish to travel around 250km between sites.
Comments
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Are you intending to drive all the way or use a ferry from Italy to Greece for part of the journey? I was rather intrigued to see motorhomes and caravans on a ferry (Minoan Lines) in Venice. A nice little cruise down the Adriatic all the way to Greece. I think there are ferries from much further south in Italy. Your trip sounds quite an adventure.
David
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Have a look at the magbaz.com website. I think you will find all you need to know.
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Sorry, it's magbaztravels.com
Mod Edit - Link made clickable
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If you decide to take a ferry from Italy to Greece there are several offers from each of the ferry lines that may not be available if you book through an agent. Our trip a couple of years ago cost us several hundred pounds more by booking through an agent who claimed not to know what discounts were available from the ferry operators. Some examples are Minoan Lines give a 30% discount if you book a return fare, if you take a campervan or caravan you get a free cabin each way, there are reductions for over 60s as well as vouchers for meals on board. We didn't know about any of these until afterwards and the agent stone-walled us when we complained. Booking direct with the ferry company could be a better option.
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First I would mention about the Italy to Greece Ferries. One thing that has been missed is the option during the summer months of "camping on board", where you are allowed to sleep in your own caravan or motorhome, with the use of a dedicated toilet and shower room. Here is our van in 2008. http://www.caravantalk.co.uk/community/uploads/monthly_07_2013/ccs-40786-0-13731200-1373492048.jpg
Secondly, Mag Baz travels is full of vital information, as indicated previously. We met Margaret and Barry twice on our travels, the first time in Bulgaria. A lovely couple with 22 years experience on the road.
I would have loved to give you a link to our own travel blog, but unfortunately Travelpod ceased to exist this year. I am in the process of setting it up on a new website, but that is no help! In 2008 we travelled Hull-Amsterdam, then Hamburg, Baltic coast, Potsdam/Berlin, Dresden, Prague, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania Bulgaria and into Greece, south as far as Sounion, then the boat back from Patras to Italy and France. A wonderful trip and I could provide a list of sites and recommendations if you wish.
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http://www.anek.gr/portal/page/portal/ANEK_prod/AllOffershttp://www.anek.gr/portal/page/portal/ANEK_prod/AllOffers
at foot of page
Camping On BoardCamping on board is available from 01.04.17 up to 31.10.17. Passengers spend the entire crossing in the comfort of their own camper/caravan while taking advantage of our on board showers, WCs and 220-volt power outlets. Furthermore, they can have access to all public areas on board, such as bars, restaurants, etc. All, for the price of DECK accommodation, for the passengers and the respective vehicle fare.
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That's a great idea. I'll have a look at this as an option, was considering driving all the way to experience the countries.
thanks for the heads up.
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Great insider knowledge, thanks for the tip.
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Incredible site. Many thanks for this link. I'll spend a few days or more reading this.
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In the past Superfast ferries have been brill, Ancona to Patras, good site at Stoupa. Camping on board is cheaper than cabins, but the engine noise and vibration can be quite wearing! You can book direct with Superfast.
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Or book through Viamare.com
English company, used to do discounts on booking eurotunnel and ferries.
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We are doing similar, but December to February, so are vey interested in posting to this tthread. We are in a motorhome 2 people and a dog. Very interested in the ferry idea.
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Thanks for the updates/information on this query - found the magsbaz blog a mine of information and to some extent given us some other thoughts about destinations for future trips. And maybe the best type of camper to use for this kind of touring.
Having been a caravanner for 40+ years, there is now a nagging in my mind that for trips like this, a motorhome is more convenient for our changed needs. With this in mind, maybe a road trip to Greece is not ideal for our outfit at this time. (which was behind the original question)
As an example we found our trip around Italy last year a little uncomfortable at times, towing a large van finding somewhere big enough to just park to use the facilities was a real pain. It was clear to us why most people seemed to have those little Eriba's or similar, but that is not for us. Or, they had motorhomes, big, small and some like coaches.
Caravans were in the minority and came to the conclusion its due to the facilities offered on the continent appearing to cater more for MH.
Appreciate there will be compromises either way and not wishing to re-start a debate on mh 'v' caravan, I'm sure others share this dilemma.
After investing a considerable amount of my retirement fund for a new van and tow car in 2014, the nagging isn't strong enough (yet) to take a hit on the depreciation this early on, but it is a consideration with regard to the journeys that are comfortable.
Having said all this, we have the 2017 winter months to plan 2018 ventures - keep the ideas flowing please.
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My wife is Greek so we visit the country often, and have thought many times about making the journey with the caravan.
However, like you, think that unless we made an extended trip out of it, a MH would be a better option for this type of trip. But again like you, we prefer the caravan so don't intend to go down that route (yet?)
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