Turkey here I come!
 

Well after dreaming of doing a biggish bike trip for years, and having to put it off for various reasons. Its finally going to happen!

Booked Plymouth to Santander ferry in July. Planning to ride through southern France, avoiding the coast. (route recomendations please?) Into Italy passing Lake Garda onto Venice to catch the Ferry to Igoumenitsa. Take a couple of days to ride accross Greece into Turkey.

Any tips on accomodation please, wont be camping on the way out as I'm taking my Wife. Got about 10/12 days on the way out doing about 200 miles a day. Do you think this is feasable?

I will be staying in Fethiye Turkey for about 10 days. On the way back will have about a week to go overland with bigger milage days. ( My Wifes flying back). As its her first bike trip I want to make it enjoyable for her so any advice greatfully received. Cheers in advance.

As you're riding from Sandtander to southern France, you might think about staying in Ainsa, a medieval town in the Pyrenees. The town is in a beautiful setting, and while the lower, modern town is pleasant but nothing too special, the upper, medieval town is really cool (but of course pricier...).

WOOOO !! Excellent.

You're gonna have a great time. :thumbup1:

200 mile days in Europe are pretty easy, especially if you avoid large cities.

Maybe consider doing some longer days (if you're upto it) so you can chill out for a couple of days in the nicer places that you find.

If it were me, i'd BLAST through Western Europe to save time and cash and enjoy Greece and Turkey as much as possible.

France and Spain are literally on our doorstep and can be enjoyed on a whim !

Hi Kaplan,

If you are spending some time in Fethiye you may want to pop down South to Kas at some time. Details here

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/cou...ey/kas-antalya

Cheers,

David

Thanks for the replies. Anyone recommend a B&B in Biarritz or close by? ( First destination off the Santander ferry.)

Also the same for Igoumenitsa. The ferry drops off at 8pm so want to pre-book accomodation rather than looking for it at that time of night.

Is Lake Garda an expensive area to stop in , or can you get reasonable priced accomodation?

Send a PM regarding anything in and around Aegean Turkey. I'm in Izmir and I'm no stranger to those HUers who made to Turkey before.

Cheers and beers from Izmir, Turkey.

can

Just my two cents: avoid France in July. The whole country is on the move from the 3rd of July due to national vacation. Meaning everything is more expensive and probably booked out. Take the backroads and avoid the highways. Have a safe trip and enjoy!

Into Turkey
 

guessing by now you are in Turkey....
Any issues?
Do you have a carnet?

I'm riding my BMW on New Zealand plates, currently crusin down through Eastern Europe and heading for Turkey.
I don't need a carnet for most places in Europe, but unsure about Turkey.

Can you or anyone advise re the carnet....

Thanks
Ken

Hi Ken, I'm riding a BMW on Qatari plates and just entered Turkey from Syrian border without a carnet. I only paid around 10 Turkish Liras (5 Euros) for insurance at the customs, which is valid for 6 months... The only catch is when you are entering the country they record the plate and chassis numbers of your motorcycle on your passport and DON'T let you leave the country without it. For some reason, if you need to leave the country without your motorcycle you have to leave it in a customs depot and get it cleared from your passport. It is quite safe to leave your motorcycle in a customs depot but they will charge you for parking.

When I was in Turkey in 2008, NO need of a Carnet, but I'm sure you won't need it also today.

Going from France into Italy, try the Monte Cenis pass, beautiful road with a lake high up.
Staying in France is easy, just look for signs that say "Gite" as you ride into each town, these are usually small cottages that can be rented cheaply night by night.
You could also stay at the "Formula 1" chain of hotels, dirt cheap (38euros) and usually clean, you can book online at their website.

Carnet info... great thanks.
Well its now direction Turkey then.
Ken

I guess you will be their before me . I'm not setting of until July. Have a great time........

You have a really great trip. I like Antalya city, I do not know whether or not you visit to Antalya. I read and fond lots of information about Antalya, but would like to hear more about it from a Antalya traveler. Hope to have good things from you. Thanks in advance.