Athens and back (Season 2)

[kevm]

Some of you may recall Season 1 of this trip here. Well I’m doing it again! Different route, different bike but the same idea; combine a family holiday in Greece with some motorcycling in the less- travelled parts of south east Europe.

So it’s out with the 1200GS with all the touring bling and and in with a bog standard 2018 R Nine T classic. And instead of Bulgaria, Romania and Hungary, it’ll be Montenegro, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Albania and (obviously) Greece. I’ll be on the road a bit longer this time; about 18 days. As per last time it’ll be strictly tarmac and no camping.

All I’ve booked so far are two Adriatic ferry crossings (Ancona-Bar and Durres-Bari); I’ll sort out the rest as I go. I’ll do a write up like last time; I quite enjoy it and it helps me remember where I’ve been.

Any tips on/experiences of any of these places welcome

 

[Monsieur]

Sounds good, looking forward to this

 

[stever1]

Some of you may recall Season 1 of this trip here. Well I’m doing it again! Different route, different bike but the same idea; combine a family holiday in Greece with some motorcycling in the less- travelled parts of south east Europe.

So it’s out with the 1200GS with all the touring bling and and in with a bog standard 2018 R Nine T classic. And instead of Bulgaria, Romania and Hungary, it’ll be Montenegro, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Albania and (obviously) Greece. I’ll be on the road a bit longer this time; about 18 days. As per last time it’ll be strictly tarmac and no camping.

All I’ve booked so far are two Adriatic ferry crossings (Ancona-Bar and Durres-Bari); I’ll sort out the rest as I go. I’ll do a write up like last time; I quite enjoy it and it helps me remember where I’ve been.

Any tips on/experiences of any of these places welcome

I went to Greece from Italy down the Adriatic coast. It’s all good. If you follow the SH8 down the coast you’ll love it. In particular I’d mention going from Vlore to Sarande, through the Logarra national park in Albania. It’s beautiful.
We did 13 days in Albania and Nth Macedonia last year. They say vehicle crime is a thing of the past, BUT, still a lot of foreign plates and pulled out locks on cars etc. don’t leave it without locking it up.

 

[spm0912]

I'm doing something similar in October but ending up in Crete where the wife is flying out too so following with interest. Just wondering why you're going via Italy rather than go through Croatia and down the coast thus avoiding ferries?

 

[Aidan1150]

Look at taking in the Komani Lake Ferry in Albania it's well worth the effort. Details Here

 

[kevm]

I'm doing something similar in October but ending up in Crete where the wife is flying out too so following with interest. Just wondering why you're going via Italy rather than go through Croatia and down the coast thus avoiding ferries?

Good question. It saves a few miles on the way out and I was in Croatia last year. Also I'm planning to visit friends near Grenoble on the way home. I won't/wouldn't be stopping in Italy/Croatia and I suppose one motorway is as good as another. And I quite like ferries.

 

[kevm]

slightly delayed start to trip report here