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....

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.

__________________
Only when we pause to wonder
do we go beyond the limits of our little lives.
(Rod McKuen)

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.

__________________
"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in one pretty and well preserved piece, but to skid across the line broadside, thoroughly used up, worn out, leaking oil, shouting GERONIMO!"

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.

__________________
"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in one pretty and well preserved piece, but to skid across the line broadside, thoroughly used up, worn out, leaking oil, shouting GERONIMO!"

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.