Help! First trip: London to Beirut

[Mohannad]

OK guys,
I've changed my nickname, and here's the post again:

Hey guys,
This is my first post on the site! This board is absolutely filled with great information.
Anyways, I'm planning my first long trip for august this year, and plan to ride from London to Beirut.

I live in the UK but actually come from Lebanon.

My provisional route is ride is the following:
1- Ride from London to Dover
2- Take ferry to Calais
3- Ride from Calais to Bourg-en-Bresse in France and stay there overnight.
4- Ride from Bourg-en-Bresse to Bologna in Italy and stay there overnight.
5- Ride from Bologna to Bari
6- Take ferry to Patras in Greece
7- Ride to Pireaus in Greece
8- Take ferry to Turkey
9- Ride the south coast of Turkey to Syria
10- Ride from Syria to Lebanon

Do you guys have any tips regarding my route? I'm thinking it should take me around 7 to 8 days.
How hard do you think border crossing will be? Should I be extra precautions for the Turkey leg?

I know the trip sounds quite pre-planned, but I don't really want to take much risk on my first long trip!!

Btw, if any of you guys will be along my route in august, then drop me a note and we can meet up for a drink.

P.S: I will be on a 2000 Yamaha R6.

[Mohannad]

And here's Beddhist's reply:

Hi Mohannad and welcome,
Your user name is TOO user-friendly - for the creators of spambots and harvesters of email addresses. If you don't know what I mean just search the net for "spambot". The problem is that you have just published your email address. You can now expect to receive lots of 'special offers' in your mailbox!

Perhaps the almighty Grant will jump in right here, but I suggest you copy your post, then delete it, copy and delete the other post, then delete your account here and create a new one with a different nickname.

Then re-post. Your email address is then no longer visible.

Now, to your questions:

You may want to pre-book the ferry to Turkey, as you are travelling in high season. I don't know how full it might get and I don't even know whether there is a direct connection. An alternative might be ferry to Chios, have a good look around the island, then ferry to Cesme.

No problems in Turkey, it's a wonderful country to visit. I'd rather take extra precautions in Bologna (or any other big city in Italy - theft). Personally, I'd avoid the big cities anyway, I prefer the country.

Check that your Green Card covers Turkey. See posts elsewhere here.

Have a great trip!

------------------
Salut from Southern France, the bikers' paradise,

Peter.

[Mohannad]

Beddhist,

Thanks for your reply!

Out of interest, is there a recommended distance of travel in a day?
Calais to Bourg-en-Bresse takes about 700km, mostly on motorways. Do you think it's feasible to travel that long in a day?

[ozhanu]

Hi there,

I am planning to ride from the UK to Turkey this July. My route will be UK-Dover>France-Calais then all the way to Turkey. I am planning to cross 10-12 different countries. Anyway, my return journey will be by ferry and I strongly suggest you that take the ferry from Brindisi or Ancona to Cesme. So that you can save overnight accommondation, time and kilometers.

Advices for Turkey leg: Take care of the lorries and coahces especially between Antalya-Mersin. People are friendly, no problem like thieves or pickpockets. Just pay attention to the traffic. No problems at the borders, just be sure that you have all the documents (original and photocopy)

So, good luck. give me a shout when you arrive to Turkey. I'll be in Izmir till 10 th of August.

[edit]: for ferries you can visit:
www.marmaralines.com

------------------
ride safely
ozhan u.
www.ozhanu.com

[This message has been edited by ozhanu (edited 05 May 2005).]

[Mohannad]

Thanks for the advice.
I actually want to pass by Greece, as I'll be meeting a friend of mine there.

I was thinking of taking the ferry from either Bari or Brindisi to Patras. Which one would you recommend?

Then I will ride to Peiraias and take the ferry from there to Kandasi via Samos. Do you know if the ferries from Greece to Turkey run overnight?

[Steve Pickford]

Originally posted by Mohannad:
Beddhist,

Thanks for your reply!

Out of interest, is there a recommended distance of travel in a day?
Calais to Bourg-en-Bresse takes about 700km, mostly on motorways. Do you think it's feasible to travel that long in a day?

700km in one day on motorways is feasible but it depends on the bike you're riding?

[Mohannad]

Steve,
I'll be riding a 2000 Yamaha R6

[ozhanu]

Hi Muhannad;
I was going to travel via Greece as well for visit my friend but then I've changed my plans. My friend who is Greek and lives there suggest me the following route:
from Brindisi to Patra, then,
Athens to Chios and then Chios to Cesme

I've investigated relevant ferry routes and write some e-mail to the agents From that I got these results:
There is only ferry for vehicles between Chios-Cesme. No for Kusadasi. The price is 35 Euros for per person and 45 Euros for the bike.

Have fun.
[edit]: The link for the ferry:
www.ankertravel.net
------------------
ride safely
ozhan u.
www.ozhanu.com

[This message has been edited by ozhanu (edited 05 May 2005).]

[Mohannad]

Ozhanu,
Thanks for the tips. Very useful.

Btw, I had another question. On my first night in Turkey, I want to stay either in Antalya, or Alanya. Both of them seem like fabulous places, but can you recommend one?

I personally am leaning towards Alanya, the images I have seen of it are absolutely beautiful!

Thanks

Mohannad

[ozhanu]

Hi Mohannad,

Both places are beautiful. However, Antalya is a city and Alanya is a town. Antalya is much more bigger then Alanya and have better options then Alanya. Thus, I can suggest you Antalya. But, even you wanna stay in Alanya thrust me you wont be disappointed. Stay in Antalya for a night, when you drive towards west you will go throught Alanya, you may spend a couple of hours for Alanya and have a lunch there.

Good Luck
Ozhan Unverdi

------------------
ride safely
ozhan u.
www.ozhanu.com

[yourdana]

hi mohannad
we r intending to do london - beirut on a bike this year tooo
did u do ur trip last year?
please write back


dana