Istanbul or bust

[nanook]

Hi folks,

I'm new to this forum and name is Joe and I live in the Highlands of Scotland. A mate and I are riding from here to Istanbul via Belgium, Germany, Austria, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia H, Macedonia and Bulgaria. We'll be returning via Greece, Italy and France. Start date is 17th May and we'll be taking three weeks over the trip. Whilst we've ridden in Belgium and France a few times going further afield will be a bit of an adventure for us. So we would appreciate any hints, tips or experiences that you could share with us. :confused1::confused1:

Regards,

Joe

[Walkabout]

Well Joe, stick any one of those countries' names into the search facility in here and read on, then come back with any specific questions, if you have any after that.

Good travels and

[Caminando]

Hi Nook,

Yes, tons on the HUBB on this trip. I did it in 2005, almost identical, so any specific questions...

That CBF might give you a funny walk after a few hundred miles - but run what ya brung! as long as you go! Good luck!

[lampmeister]

Hi Joe,

I'm afraid I can't give any advice but I'd love to hear of your experiences as I'm planning something similar for 2009 or 2010.

Good luck!

David.

[sciii]

Hi, it`s Europa, normal roads, just seat and go on the way, it`s easy. If you have any problem on the way in the Balkans, call me and we fix it

[martinjeffes]

Hello Joe,
I have just read about your proposed trip to Istanbul, a great place.
I run a small camping and caravan park in southern Bulgaria, about 40 miles from the Turkish border. We also have an appartment rentable. All with hot showers, etc.
So if you want somewhere to stay for a night look us up, our website is sakarhills.com.
Be careful in Bosnia, and or Serbia. Do not show anyone any credit cards, and only appear to have a limited amount of cash on you. They are very clever at toll stations at relieving unsuspecting tourists of lots of money.
If you want any info about Bulgaria contact me via our website.
Cheers,
Martin T. Jeffes.
Sakar Hills Touring Park.

[BoRaBoRa]

Hi Joe,

can you please tell me your route in turkey?

maybe i can advise you some...

[nanook]

Originally Posted by Caminando

Hi Nook,

Yes, tons on the HUBB on this trip. I did it in 2005, almost identical, so any specific questions...

That CBF might give you a funny walk after a few hundred miles - but run what ya brung! as long as you go! Good luck!

I'm struggling with insurance cover, do you have any advice or recommendations? I'd be really grateful.

[nanook]

Originally Posted by martinjeffes

Hello Joe,
I have just read about your proposed trip to Istanbul, a great place.
I run a small camping and caravan park in southern Bulgaria, about 40 miles from the Turkish border. We also have an appartment rentable. All with hot showers, etc.
So if you want somewhere to stay for a night look us up, our website is sakarhills.com.
Be careful in Bosnia, and or Serbia. Do not show anyone any credit cards, and only appear to have a limited amount of cash on you. They are very clever at toll stations at relieving unsuspecting tourists of lots of money.
If you want any info about Bulgaria contact me via our website.
Cheers,
Martin T. Jeffes.
Sakar Hills Touring Park.

Hi Martin, thanks for the advice it's very useful. I'll have a look at your website and get back to you.

[nanook]

Originally Posted by BoRaBoRa

Hi Joe,

can you please tell me your route in turkey?

maybe i can advise you some...

I'm intending to cut through the south west corner of Bulgaria and then head to Istanbul. I don't have a definate route south of Slovenia but will decide as I ride. Any advice would be useful on good roads and places to visit. Thanks for the interest mate

[ozhanu]

about insurance: most of the uk insurance companies cover all the EU countries. mine was bennetts when i was in the UK and no problem in EU contries. In Turkiye, you can buy insurance at the border for about 10-15 Euros. I know the insurance dealer at Greece-Turkiye border but no idea at Bulgaria border.

speak with your insurance company and ask them which countries they cover.

any question about Turkiye always welcome!

ride safe

[Brendy]

Hi Nanook
s'funny I found this item, as I had been planning the same trip until yesterday, and have been put off because of the insurance problems, especially for Bosnia-Hergovinia.

However, I dont mind as this is my first Euro trip, so now intend to go from Ireland to Wales, through the Chunnel and onto The Somme, and Millau bridge and then onto Spain.

Incidentally, how did the trip go?

Regards

Brendy

[gypsyprincess]

Hi Joe

our German insurance covers all countries in Europe including Turkey.

Please take also a look at these blogs:

overview: betty & wilma: to turkey and back!! - journizer.com
fernweh > journize ararat > 26. pamukkale > logbook - journizer.com
overview: the big motorcycle trip 2008! - journizer.com
overview: cycling 101 - journizer.com

all went more or less the same route to Turkey. Maybe you get some ideas from it. We are at the moment in Pamukkale, it has been an awesome trip so far.
A podcast about the trip will be released in the next few days as well about the trip, if you want to check it out: journizer.com

Greetings from Turkey
Sherrie