Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > Europe
UK - Turkey & Back in 3 weeks UK - Turkey & Back in 3 weeks
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Europe Topics specific to Western and Eastern Europe, from UK to the Russian border, and south-east to Turkey.
Photo by Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Hendi Kaf,
in Cambodia



Like Tree2Likes
  • 1 Post By Samy
  • 1 Post By mspenz

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 18 Sep 2019
Romulus's Avatar
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Somerset, UK
Posts: 34
UK - Turkey & Back in 3 weeks
Hi All,

Planning on taking a month out from work in Summer (likely June) next year and attempt to get to Fethiye and back, from Somerset.

Predicted route so far is to blat down through France and head to the East Coast of Italy and follow it down to Brindisi, ferry over to Patras in Greece. Then head for Piraeus and on to the ferry to Chios, then Cesme and finally follow the Turkish Coast down to Fethiye/Mugla region.

I'd like to think that that'd be achievable in 8-10 days of riding. A few days off in Fethiye/OluDeniz area and then back home via the overland route following the Adriatic Coast home over the following another 8-10 days riding.

I'm travelling solo, AirBnB'ing it on a R1200GS

30 days total should be enough right??

Still early doors so am open to suggestions. Really looking for validation that my time-frame isn't too ambitious.

Thanks all.

Rich
__________________
"There are no Foreign Lands, It is the Traveller only who is Foreign" - Robert Louis Stevenson
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 22 Sep 2019
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: UK
Posts: 273
Sounds feasible, until you get sidetracked and find yourself in Doğubeyazit ;-)
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 27 Sep 2019
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Toronto, Canada
Posts: 2,134
An alternative to the route you suggested would be to ride to Ancona, Italy and then take a ferry from Ancona to either Igoumenitsa or Patras in Greece.

This is a significantly longer ferry ride than Brindisi to Patras, but I think that by the time you get to Northern Italy, your butt will be awfully sore from all that riding and you won't mind missing the roughly 500 mile that this longer ferry will save you.

The ferry ticket will be more expensive than the shorter Brindisi Patras ferry, but the difference probably won't be much more than you would pay in gas and road tolls in Italy.

You can get a bunk in a 4 person cabin on that ferry for a reasonable price - I have done that trip before.

Personally, I think that a round trip from the UK to Fethiye and back in 30 days is a bit of an "Iron Butt" ride - meaning, you probably won't want to see a motorcycle again once you arrive back in the UK - but that's your call to make. Have you mapped it out on Google Maps or similar and done the mileage calculation (and also researched the ferry costs)?

Michael
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 27 Sep 2019
Vaufi's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Munich, the beer capital
Posts: 1,060
On a comfortable big bike like the 1200GS that won't be an Iron Butt experience unlike eg. on a 650 thumper.....
A friend of mine from OZ rode up to Nord Kapp from Munich and back in just over a week and a few days later the Haute Route along the French Alps without any qualms on a 1100cc Honda street bike.
Another suggestion would be to take the ferry from Venice to Igoumenitsa (25 hrs) which saves even more expensive Italian toll and petrol.
__________________
Only when we pause to wonder
do we go beyond the limits of our little lives.
(Rod McKuen)
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 27 Sep 2019
Romulus's Avatar
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Somerset, UK
Posts: 34
Quote:
Originally Posted by PanEuropean View Post
An alternative to the route you suggested would be to ride to Ancona, Italy and then take a ferry from Ancona to either Igoumenitsa or Patras in Greece.

This is a significantly longer ferry ride than Brindisi to Patras, but I think that by the time you get to Northern Italy, your butt will be awfully sore from all that riding and you won't mind missing the roughly 500 mile that this longer ferry will save you.

The ferry ticket will be more expensive than the shorter Brindisi Patras ferry, but the difference probably won't be much more than you would pay in gas and road tolls in Italy.

You can get a bunk in a 4 person cabin on that ferry for a reasonable price - I have done that trip before.

Personally, I think that a round trip from the UK to Fethiye and back in 30 days is a bit of an "Iron Butt" ride - meaning, you probably won't want to see a motorcycle again once you arrive back in the UK - but that's your call to make. Have you mapped it out on Google Maps or similar and done the mileage calculation (and also researched the ferry costs)?

Michael
Hi Michael,

Yes, mapped out, costed both ferry and mileage, worked out 4 separate routes using a mixture of ferries and overland-only routes. with my sargeant seats and my already numb ar$e it shouldn't be too much of a hardship.

I had considered a 25 day ride to Fethiye and get the bike shipped home but MotoFreight are still waiting for their Agent in Istanbul to provide a quote.

Thanks for the tips though will look into the Ancona ferry option
__________________
"There are no Foreign Lands, It is the Traveller only who is Foreign" - Robert Louis Stevenson
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 6 Oct 2019
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: I S T
Posts: 655
I did similar route from Cesme-Chios-Piraeus-Albania-Bosnia-Croatia-Slovenia-Italy-France and . France-Italy (Venice-Ferry to Patras-Piraeus-Chios-Cesme...

To me it looks feasable...

I did mine on a 1996 R80 GS Basic

You can easily do it on a 12 GS in one month.
No hesitation...
__________________
"where the traveller goes, nobody knows ! "
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 6 Oct 2019
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Scotland 1V30
Posts: 19
Trip.
Yes, easily doable in that time, I've done virtually the same trip twice and from Scotland with my partner but we used the Venice / Patras ferry return to save time...we had 3 weeks.

If you are in Oludeniz you have to stay at Full Moon Camp...stunning
https://www.fullmooncamping.com
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 7 Oct 2019
Romulus's Avatar
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Somerset, UK
Posts: 34
Quote:
Originally Posted by mspenz View Post
If you are in Oludeniz you have to stay at Full Moon Camp...stunning
https://www.fullmooncamping.com
Oludeniz is the ultimate goal

A Seafood Platter at Buzz Beach bar is my reward!
__________________
"There are no Foreign Lands, It is the Traveller only who is Foreign" - Robert Louis Stevenson
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 9 Oct 2019
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Somerset, UK
Posts: 2
Hi Rich,

Interesting to read about your planned trip. I'm also in Somerset (Weston) and initially was planning a couple of trips to the alps to meet with friends in June. However, I'm retiring in January and have just started to think about a longer trip as I have a sister in law in Athens.

Will keep an eye on the thread to consider routes. The last time I was in Fethiye I had to leave quickly after being arrested, held, searched and released by the the military police.. a long story which started with being accused of stealing a huge sum of Norwegian Krona from a campsite bar!

Cheers
Adrian
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
5 weeks to where and back? Markpq86 South America 2 18 Sep 2018 20:51
Two Moto Kiwis Arctic To Antarctic May 2012...On Two Moto Kiwis Ride Tales 1141 16 Nov 2015 13:40
UK to Turkey and back August 2014 Crustycrutch Travellers Seeking Travellers 61 11 Sep 2014 19:40
From turkey to kazakstan and back on june-july 2014 riderofcunda Travellers Seeking Travellers 0 15 Jan 2014 22:31
HondaVsTheWorld Alaska to Argentina on HOnda C90 SPDilley North America 3 9 Dec 2012 19:04

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

Virginia: April 24-27
Queensland is back! May 2-5
Ecuador June 13-15
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1
CanWest: July 10-13
Switzerland: Date TBC
Ecuador: Date TBC
Romania: Date TBC
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 18:54.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top