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London - Istanbul. Is Bulgaria best avoided? London - Istanbul. Is Bulgaria best avoided?
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Europe Topics specific to Western and Eastern Europe, from UK to the Russian border, and south-east to Turkey.
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  #16  
Old 15 Nov 2010
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I went on my first trip in Europe this summer, England to Cyprus and return, I travelled across from Italy to Greece on the outward part of the trip and returned across Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary and Slovenia. The only borders with any delays were crossing into Turkey from Greece and Cyprus. I found all of the countries interesting and full of wonderful people......... go for it.... I wish I had started travelling years ago!!!
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  #17  
Old 18 Nov 2010
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Thanks for all the positive feedback.

I know it's hard to predict, but what are the roads and weather like taking this route in winter?

I'm not decided upon whether to go this way gong down or coming back in Spring.
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  #18  
Old 22 Dec 2010
ilian's Avatar
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By car - no worries. Some mountain passes may be closed due to weather but there are always alternatives not far away. The busy passes stay open throughout the winter.
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  #19  
Old 22 Dec 2010
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Hi, i have travelled through Bulgaria 3 times in the last 4 years without any problems. Borders were very quick and easy especially with a green card. its a great country, enjoy. Andy
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  #20  
Old 25 Dec 2010
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I'll stick to the south route down, doesn't sound to me that everything stayed safe and open this last week on the Balkan route.
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  #21  
Old 28 Dec 2010
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Hope to see you in our club in istanbul and wish all the best.
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  #22  
Old 3 Jan 2011
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Hey,
I lead guided motorcycle tours trough the area (FTH motorcycle rental & tours), Bulgaria is amazing, although its easy to get lost even with a GPS, border crossings are smooth, use the car if you travel in winter time, temps. are low this period.
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  #23  
Old 3 Jan 2011
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Thanks for the invite and further advice.

I took the south route (by car) after the weather in France settled down and the forecast looked o'k. The worst we experienced was fog in the high alps, but not thick enough to cause any delay. We'd climbed the foothills in brilliant sunshine and conditions cleared again approaching mont blanc.

Emerging on the Italian side the virtual freewheel down to Ivrea was hypnotic. The engine silent, and the whoosh in the tunnels as sunset gave way to twinkling lights below.

I can't believe the relaxed ambience and relative temperature difference here in nw Greece these past two days. I crossed in winter at a similar time last year but it wasn't the same.

As a consequence we decided to head south down the coast instead of straight across to turkey - it's a beautiful driving road from igoumenitsa to preveza. I love the feel of relatively smooth but uneven road surfaces caused by large area tarmac buckles in the hot countries.
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