Stgt Germany to Santorini Greece - help to plan trip for June 08

[JogiCR]

I'm planning to ride from Stuttgart-Germany to Santorini-Greece an Island south of Athens for a visit.
I have about 10 -14 days to go stay and come back. I'm on a Yamaha FZ1N and able to ride 7-10 hours a day.
I plan on going through Italy and back through Croatia or as well Turkey.
I would appreciate for any help on interesting routes - roads, best ferry crossings and places to stay. Avoid too many higways and search for scenic roads with lots of turns. Please give recommendations and ideas in English or German.

[Vaufi]

Finding a nice road across the Alps shouldn't be a problem, go for the smaller roads, meaning less frequented mountain passes.

Travelling through Croatia, the most scenic route is along the coast to Dubrovnik, esp. the part south of Rijeka. Don't miss Trogir.

Montenegro has beauiful winding roads, since it is mostly very mountainous, but the coastal part past the town of Kotor isn't bad either.

Macedonia I don't know, but according to some ride reports also nice. Should you decide to pass through Albania,the main road going ftrom Shkodra via Tirana to the south is in good condition, but in the first parts fairly boring. The southern stretch around Gjirokaster is scenic. The coastal road in the south of Albania is brilliant, but in parts a bit rough for a street bike, since the last 100 kms before Sarande are under construction.

The last part up to the Greek border is very mountainous and good to ride. This is already part of the Pindos mountains, which reach far into Greece. Hence the northern parts of Greece are equally beautiful roads.

Enjoy!
Hans

[xrnik]

Hello there, if i had 10-15 days I would prefer the easiest way to come to Santorini, relax, have fun and then return back. So, in my opinion you should travel along Germany to Italy and then take ferry to Greece. Ports in Italy are plenty (from Venice down to Brindisi). The best choice, as I ve tested them all, is from Ancona to Patras. You stay one night at the ship and you dont have to cover all Italy with expensive tolls. (ANEK LINES Official Website , www.minoan.gr) From there Athens is 210 km. Easy job.
When you reach the port ( Υπουργείο Εμπορικής Ναυτιλίας, Αιγαίου & Νησιωτικής Î*ολιτικής - Δρομολόγια) you can easily find a ferry to Santorini. There are plenty of, fast or slower and I dont think that you should book in advance. You can have a look on this site..
Óáíôïñßíç ÔáîéäéùôéêÝò Ðëçñïöïñßåò - Santorini Travel Information, Santorini Airport, Ferry, Local Transportation
As for the return I would suggest to return by the same way, in order to spent more days on the island... Have fun,if you need any info please contact..

[JogiCR]

Thanks for the good info. I will consider the ideas you gave me beside the fact that I live on the beach since 13 years. I do this trip to relax by riding my bike (Motorcycle) rather then being trapped on a ferry or an island (or at the beach forced to lay in the sand to relax - lol)

[dathaifrench]

Did a similar trip when living in Stuttgart on the closely
related YZF1000R Thunderace

You'll already be familiar with the Alps so a quick blast over to Milano,
long boring but fast stretch to Brindisi, ferry over to Igoumenitsa
and without much delay you're a good distance away from home.
On the way back, I'd highly recommend Shkodra to Sarajevo
(although be careful in Albania) , Dubrovnik to Split is gorgeous
as is Montenegro. Lake Bled in Slovenia has some good camping
before you head back north. Sea front camping in Croatia is good.

A detour to Edirne in Turkey is worthwhile but 10-15 days may not
be enough depending on your idea of holiday.
If it's biking you're after the mileage shouldn't be an issue.

DF

[JogiCR]

Originally Posted by dathaifrench

On the way back, I'd highly recommend Shkodra to Sarajevo
(although be careful in Albania) , Dubrovnik to Split is gorgeous
as is Montenegro.
DF

Hi dathaifrench,
good info thanks. What are the issues in Albania. Crime - roads ? Please advise.
rgs JogiCR

[dathaifrench]

It's over five years since I was there and apparently
a lot has improved but back then the roads were ok
(although with big unsurfaced stretches in the east).

Crime / general lawlessness was the main concern, especially
in the North of the country where even locals warned
me not to stop for strangers. Didn't have any real problem though.
Safe parking in Tirana is a requirement of course.

Hoping to go there again this year and if so I'll post it up.

DF

[JogiCR]

Thanks for all guys, Vaifi, xrnik and dathaifrench. I hope Albania is better now with the crime. I live in Central America and recently traveled 5 different countries there so I'm a little prepared regarding this issue and dirth roads and big potholes.
Does anybody can recommend a good road map (s), accurate and up to date for this tour.

[JogiCR]

Hi guys, it's short after midnight and tomorrow in the morning I'm rolling.

First a bid on the Autobahn (grr) to Ulm and them Kempten, ridng by the Lago di Garda.
Any good Hotel or place to stay you can recommend around Modena ?

On the following day I will try to catch the ferry from Bari or Brindisi to Igomentisa overnight.

[amonil]

Hi,
I will be traveling to Berlin with my family in August and will stay for almost a week. Where do you recommend me to stay.Are there any hotels with family rooms and can anyone recommend any apartments?
Thanks,