Through Europe
 

Hi guy's
Leaving for three week through Europe next week. Hoping to go through Italy, Greece, Turkey, up through eastern europe and back to the ferry in france. Hoping for some advice on a few topics? is Turkey or any of the eastern european countries troublesome with insurance/entry etc? If need to replace bike tyres are most countries ok or not? (1998 honda fireblade) are campsites bike friendly and any essential equipment recommended? I have never done a trip like this before and going solo so appreciate any help/advice on offer
Thank's
Stevo

That's a stiff itinerary for three weeks.... :eek3:

Italy and Greece and I suppose Istanbul or Ankara aren't the problem for buying new tires, but Bulgaria and Romania this might only be possible in their capitals.

Can't speak for Turkey, but the EU countries are all satisfied with the green insurance card. Entry into all these countries is no issue.

Major roads through BG and RO are OK for street bikes, but secondary roads are more comfortably done on an enduro. Slovakia, Czech Rep, Poland have mostly good roads.

In the east european countries, esp. RO & BG, I wouldn't bother to search for camp sites. They are scarce and rooms are fairly low priced.

Second that. I've been told by locals that a) there are practically no camp sites in Bulgaria and b) even if there were any, they'd not be safe. Hotels are decently priced though. Careful in Serbia, don't drive at night and especially not by yourself. I've been told - once again by locals - that the streets are not safe at night. Camping in Poland and the Czech Republic should be just fine - been there done that.

Camp site in Bulgaria
 

Just for information, we run a good campsite in south-eastern Bulgaria, close to the Turkish and Greek borders. There is another British-run one in northern Bulgaria, so it is no problem to cross the country, stopping once in the south and once in the north. Romania has lots of good campsites, some owned and run by Dutch people, and equally good as ours.
Look us up on Camping Bulgaria at Sakar Hills
Happy travelling
Martin T Jeffes
Sakar Hills Camping
Nr Harmanli
Bulgaria

Martin, that's good to know. My wife's Bulgarian, so I'll make sure to visit you next time we're there :)
It'd be interesting to know tho how you deal with safety. Don't get me wrong, I haven't had anything stolen in Bulgaria and in my experience, Bulgarians are among the nicest, friendliest and most enchanting people I have ever met. But I've been warned by practically every local not to drive around Bulgaria in a foreign car or motorcycle, and to generally be very careful.

Safety in Bulgaria
 

MJungowski,
thanks for your reply.
The question of personal safety and/or risk to property and possessions is something that we have not had to look at. Our region, tucked away in the south-east of Bulgaria, may be a bit of a backwater, and, therefore, crime is not a problem. It is probably the case that in the larger towns and cities, and perhaps on the Black Sea coast, crime is on the increase, with, in the cased of the Black Sea region, some of it is being perpetrated by expat Brits living there or on holiday.
Our campsite is on the edge of a village called Biser, and all the locals know us, and, indeed, welcome us, as we bring income to the local shops and cafes from people who stay with us. So the locals look out for us, and would be quick to report anything unusual.
One of the things you quickly learn if you travel around eastern europe is that in each country that you visit, the natives of that country have a deep distrust of the natives of the neighbouring countries, and advise against you going there.
The only country that I would advise caution in is Serbia. We know of people having credit cards cloned by officials at motorway toll booths, but we've driven through the country without stopping, and found it to be ok.
Bulgaria is great, once you look past all the concrete appartment buildings in the towns, and the derelict factory buildings. The people are friendly and patient with us Brits, who struggle to master their impossible language. The countryside is beautiful, our house is surrounded by 10,000 decares of vineyards, with views to the Rhodope mountains in the distance. Don't worry about what other people tell you about personal safety, come and see for yourself.
Best wishes,
Martin T Jeffes
Sakar Hills Camping.

Camp site in Bulgaria
 

Martin,
Am planning coming through Bulgaria on the way to Istanbul around end Oct / early Nov. Will your campsite still be open?
Have been through Bulgaria before to Istanbul, but via Varna and Burgas last time.

May enter from Macedonia this time, not yet decided.

Cheers.

Martin (aka Mr. Namesake ;)), I just found out that your campsite is actually pretty close to where my wife is from (Dimitrovgrad). Which, in other words, means we'll definitely pay you a visit next time we're around.

Hi McCrankpin,
we can be open into early November, and it shouldn't be too cold by then. My son lives on the site so there's no problem. We plan to close the house down for the worst of the winter, but that won't be until late December, so look forward to seeing you.

MJungowski,
I know Dimitrovgrad, it's about 30 miles from here. Not one of Bulgaria's prettiest towns, but it has a good weekend market, for anything to do with cars and hardware stuff, which is ok. Let us know when you are over here, and we can meet up. There's a phone number on our website. Camping Bulgaria at Sakar Hills
Cheers,
Martin.

Hi Martin,
Your site is well placed for us on route to India leaving 15 August, we should get down your way around mid September, make sure the beers cold :thumbup1: and we'll see you in a couple of months.

Pete & Caf

Hi Pete & Caf
I've just looked at your website and am most impressed.
Here in Bulgaria there are no Indian restaurants, well maybe one or two in the capital, but not down here, so what's the chances of you rustling up a curry if you come to stay with us.
Cold beers always ready for weary travellers.
Look forward to seeing you.
Martin
Sakar Hills Camping.

Martin, no problem so long as you have a big enough pot to cook it in as our cooking pan isn't going to feed many.

Pete & Caf

romania part of your trip
 

hi stevo if you need a place to stay in Romania your welcome at our home in brasov. the campsite in Bulgaria does look good, from there why not head towards the black sea nesbar and varna are nice and as you cross the bugarian/ romanian boarder there is a village called vama veche where you can camp on the beach or take a room at one of the small hotels nice bars and cheap food a place chill out and party a bit. then theres a good mountain road to bring you to us you can have some washing done and give the bike a once over have all to tools you need.
hope to see you soon
mike