Q: Greece via Bari or Balcans?

[Athanman]

Despite your main problem is the time , i can assure you that a trip to Greece is now not so expensive as it was a couple of years ago.As Two Plugs mentioned above as soon as you decide to visit Greece, ancona is the better option for departure ,and in Greece you have many tourist options  in which scenic and stunning landscape you would prefer to visit( mountain or coast routes).For instance i will say to you that a tour from Greece to Spain and reverse , needs almost 3 weeks in order to have a normal schedule + visit as much point of interest as you can around the country and not only visit a specific area (for instance Barcelona). I had the same problem as you in the past and i finally cancelled my tour to Spain cause of time . The costs are not so high  if you are not a 5 star
accomodation fan , i assure you that you can find rooms or studios in a very cool price.

Whenever you decide to make a trip to Greece , please dont hesitate i would be glad to help.

PS:if you dont want to spend a fortune in ferry tickets and trains .... why dont you try to visit the Dutch coasts ,i assume that you are having plenty of time for a trip like this!

[JosepM]

Hello friends!

As of today, our decision is: England.

Our tight time schedule has made us think that we'd better leave the much there's to see in Greece and the Balkans for some other time.

On the other hand, seeing a few pictures of megalithic remnants in the SW, and landscapes in Yorkshire and Cumbria has helped the decision a lot!

So, it seems we'll be heading N around the 20th of July, and have some 11 days to visit the S and SW of England and/or Yorkshire&Lake District and/or a bit (again!) of London.
Our mood in the moment, plus what we find along the way, plus weather will tell where we stay longer.

BTW. A quick search for road&tourism maps at a scale of about 1:250000 has given AA, Collins and Michelin. Which one would you recommend to buy?
I have downloaded the OrdnanceSurvey 1:250000 ones, but they seem not to print them (maybe I'll have to print my own atlas again  ).

Thanks to all for your infos and advice,

Josep

[meine dicke]

Hey Josep,

for planing such a long tour I recommend a country map with scale 1:800000.

Such a map from Scandinavia I used for my planing of the tour to VCIM16.

It's from FALK and it costs 9,99 EURO in Germany.


Rainer

[jackyork]

Hey Josep,

I hope we can meet up if you come to Yorkshire ; The Dales es el mio campo!

The best maps I have used are Michelin 1:200 000 but the atlas is bulky to carry; last years Euro trip was done using Phillips multiscale Europe; 1:1000 000 detail and 1:2000 000 route planning (£12), then buying more detailed local maps if needed.
O/S discourage downloads as they have to make a living; if you want to use them, there's a way to buy them.

When you have narrowed down your route, my friend Gordon may be able to send you some information.

A website called 'twisty rides. com is useful avoiding motorways but treat with caution as the times cannot be trusted.

jk

[vko82]

Hello!
 
First sorry my bad english skill 

I have Two times drive Finland To Greece (and back)

I think this one was best route!
Ex jugoslavian "beach road" + (Albania)  and back Patras -> Italy Bari.

I have some videos when i travel  whit my Varadero

This one is from Albania " big road"

Put HD quality and lower sound!


Enjoy!

[numptyspence]

@PastIt Thank you Barry for the information; regrettably, our holidays are when they are.
Accommodation? I don't remember ever having problems to find B&B. Do you think this could be an issue in any part of England by late July?

I cant see it being an issue. I guess weekends will be the worst but all that means is you might have to call ahead. 

As of today, our decision is: England.

If you do come over keep us in the know and im sure there will be a few friends from vim be happy to meet up, and show you around.

[JosepM]

Again, thank you very much!

I have easily gathered a few names, good point is there's a lot of information about England in English 

So I will leave this aside until June, so that in July I can have places and all fresh in my head.

Sure, I'll let you know about our trip a few days before we depart. Wife (and your obligations) permitting, I'd like to drink a pint with you guys. 

Regards,

Josep

[Jyrays]

Josep,

Welcome to north

I am on your way, by Chartres cathedral ... if u need a stop in France

[JosepM]

Josep,

Welcome to north

I am on your way, by Chartres cathedral ... if u need a stop in France

Hello man! 

Every year I make some stops in France; I must, and and enjoy! 
Last time I went to Chartres, and visited its magnificent Cathedral, the Sancta Camisa was not on display, I don't know for how long. One lady there, however, was so kind to allow us a short visit. May God bless her.

Regards,

Josep

[Jyrays]

  well, I have also garage with two parking slots and some spare beds

[Big Dave]

Hi Josep,

i would love to show you around the Dales and the Lakes.
And more especially share a few/lot of Beers with you again.
i owe you a few for all your assistance in Tarragona.

Lets us know when you will arrive in the North of England and i'm sure we can all meet up and share some beers and stories again.

BD

[varakurt]

Hi Josep

In 2011 Verena and i had a journey an the balcan peninsula down to Albania ... so have a look on my photos and i think if you will drive to greece there aren't any questions which way you will take ... there is so much to see!!!

[JosepM]

@Jyrays Thank you, much appreciated, but I am afraid my wife says it's been too long since our last dinner in Paris  Our trip schedule is, for the moment, Tarragona-Paris (first day), Paris-Dover (the morning after) 

@BigDave Thank you for the offer! C'mon, you are NOT in debt with me! Anyway, if we come up to your area, as I hope and expect, I'll let you know and have that pint! (too bad my wife can speak no English whatsoever)

@varakurt Sorry, but we've left the Balkans and Greece for some other time. After taking this decision, I believe it's better NOT to see any more pictures of the area  OK, OK, I'll have a look at them 

Regards to all,

Josep