bettlejuice
Registered user
Having just come back from 3 weeks with my GS in Morocco (2nd trip) and a couple of years ago having done a similar trip in the Peloponnese ( southern most chunk of Greek mainland) I thought I would offer a comparison as I think its seriously worth considering. Don’t make the mistake of confusing any Greek island holiday experiences with the Peloponnese, it is much less touristy and has few if any UK tourist (Germans and Greeks mostly), food is miles better than you get on the islands, especially in the Mani
1. Getting there: Similar but you drive down to Venice (which the ferry gives you a dramatic view of) and then take the ferry from there to Patras. Road distances and ferry time similar although ferry cost slightly cheaper ( you can go deck class) going to Greece.
2. Preparations: Greece easier no need for Green card, no special vaccinations needed, currency arrangements easier. Breakdown cover standard European cover is fine, and BMW breakdown cover extends to Greece as there are dealers in Greece.
3. Off Road Riding: There is a huge range of off road pistes in the Peloponnese in varying landscape from gentle hills to dramatic mountains. Much of the mountain scenery is indistinguishable from the North side of the High Altas. Agreed there is nothing quite as dramatic as the Tordes Gorges but in the Mani the mountains range up to over 7,000 feet and rise straight up from the sea. Which brings me onto the MAJOR advantage over Morocco imho , your off road ride can very easily have its lunch time stop or end in a deserted little cove with a crystal blue clear Mediterranean , pristine bleached white pebble beach, rip of the sweaty riding gear and dive in (often nobody in site so skinny dipping is fine). Overall I thing the off road riding experience is everybit as good as Morocco
4. Maps: If your interested I can direct you to somebody who supplies Topo off road GPS maps for the area
5. People: Big advantage here that in Greece although the people are very friendly you don’t get the constant hassle you get in Morocco from people trying to sell you stuff, beg, scam you, which imho starts to get tiresome.
6. Entry: no hassle incomparably easier than Morocco, nobody trying to scam money off you.
7. Exotic factor: ok Morocco wins on that
8. Drinking: much easier, cheaper, more range, better beer ( , also arrange a stop off in the Wine growing areas and load up the panniers with some excellent but unbelievably cheaper plonk ( I filled up my 2L Tourtech bottle on the back of my pannier with white then left it dangling in the Med to cool it..wonderful)
9. Food: in the Peloponnese once you get well south of Athens its fantastic and safe (see below)
10. Health/Hygiene: Very clean compared to Morocco and generally you don’t need to worry where you eat, never had the shits in Greece but in Morocco it’s a certainty.
11. Other Drivers: well Greece is probably worst in Europe but I would put it slightly better than Morocco. People have more road sense and don’t just walk/drive out in front of you.
12. Climate: Avoid August as its too hot, especially away from the coast, also can get pretty wet in Winter. Watch out for violent thunderstorms in the Mani in the Summer.
Overall I’ve decided I won’t be going back to Morocco as the Peloponnese offers all the off road riding I want and is less hassle and generally more pleasant . You can also consider sending the family out by plane ( try flights to Kalamata) parking them in a villa and riding the bike out. You can spend your days up in the mountains exploring the tracks while the family is on the beach..
Anybody want more info let me know, I may be planning a trip next year.
cheers Nigbo
1. Getting there: Similar but you drive down to Venice (which the ferry gives you a dramatic view of) and then take the ferry from there to Patras. Road distances and ferry time similar although ferry cost slightly cheaper ( you can go deck class) going to Greece.
2. Preparations: Greece easier no need for Green card, no special vaccinations needed, currency arrangements easier. Breakdown cover standard European cover is fine, and BMW breakdown cover extends to Greece as there are dealers in Greece.
3. Off Road Riding: There is a huge range of off road pistes in the Peloponnese in varying landscape from gentle hills to dramatic mountains. Much of the mountain scenery is indistinguishable from the North side of the High Altas. Agreed there is nothing quite as dramatic as the Tordes Gorges but in the Mani the mountains range up to over 7,000 feet and rise straight up from the sea. Which brings me onto the MAJOR advantage over Morocco imho , your off road ride can very easily have its lunch time stop or end in a deserted little cove with a crystal blue clear Mediterranean , pristine bleached white pebble beach, rip of the sweaty riding gear and dive in (often nobody in site so skinny dipping is fine). Overall I thing the off road riding experience is everybit as good as Morocco
4. Maps: If your interested I can direct you to somebody who supplies Topo off road GPS maps for the area
5. People: Big advantage here that in Greece although the people are very friendly you don’t get the constant hassle you get in Morocco from people trying to sell you stuff, beg, scam you, which imho starts to get tiresome.
6. Entry: no hassle incomparably easier than Morocco, nobody trying to scam money off you.
7. Exotic factor: ok Morocco wins on that
8. Drinking: much easier, cheaper, more range, better beer ( , also arrange a stop off in the Wine growing areas and load up the panniers with some excellent but unbelievably cheaper plonk ( I filled up my 2L Tourtech bottle on the back of my pannier with white then left it dangling in the Med to cool it..wonderful)
9. Food: in the Peloponnese once you get well south of Athens its fantastic and safe (see below)
10. Health/Hygiene: Very clean compared to Morocco and generally you don’t need to worry where you eat, never had the shits in Greece but in Morocco it’s a certainty.
11. Other Drivers: well Greece is probably worst in Europe but I would put it slightly better than Morocco. People have more road sense and don’t just walk/drive out in front of you.
12. Climate: Avoid August as its too hot, especially away from the coast, also can get pretty wet in Winter. Watch out for violent thunderstorms in the Mani in the Summer.
Overall I’ve decided I won’t be going back to Morocco as the Peloponnese offers all the off road riding I want and is less hassle and generally more pleasant . You can also consider sending the family out by plane ( try flights to Kalamata) parking them in a villa and riding the bike out. You can spend your days up in the mountains exploring the tracks while the family is on the beach..
Anybody want more info let me know, I may be planning a trip next year.
cheers Nigbo
