Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > Europe
London - Istanbul. Is Bulgaria best avoided? London - Istanbul. Is Bulgaria best avoided?
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 George Guille, It's going to be a long 300km... Bolivian Amazon

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


Photo by George Guille
It's going to be a long 300km...
Bolivian Amazon



Reply
Page 2 of 2 1 2
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #16  
Old 15 Nov 2010
Contributing Member
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: May 2009
Location: On a narrowboat in UK
Posts: 24
I went on my first trip in Europe this summer, England to Cyprus and return, I travelled across from Italy to Greece on the outward part of the trip and returned across Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary and Slovenia. The only borders with any delays were crossing into Turkey from Greece and Cyprus. I found all of the countries interesting and full of wonderful people......... go for it.... I wish I had started travelling years ago!!!
Reply With Quote
  #17  
Old 18 Nov 2010
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: uk
Posts: 110
Thanks for all the positive feedback.

I know it's hard to predict, but what are the roads and weather like taking this route in winter?

I'm not decided upon whether to go this way gong down or coming back in Spring.
Reply With Quote
  #18  
Old 22 Dec 2010
ilian's Avatar
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Sofia, Bulgaria
Posts: 7
By car - no worries. Some mountain passes may be closed due to weather but there are always alternatives not far away. The busy passes stay open throughout the winter.
Reply With Quote
  #19  
Old 22 Dec 2010
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Glasgow
Posts: 296
Hi, i have travelled through Bulgaria 3 times in the last 4 years without any problems. Borders were very quick and easy especially with a green card. its a great country, enjoy. Andy
Reply With Quote
  #20  
Old 25 Dec 2010
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: uk
Posts: 110
I'll stick to the south route down, doesn't sound to me that everything stayed safe and open this last week on the Balkan route.
Reply With Quote
  #21  
Old 28 Dec 2010
Mehmet Zeki Avar's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: istanbul
Posts: 755
Hope to see you in our club in istanbul and wish all the best.
__________________
Mehmet Zeki Avar
''Borderlines divide countries,HU friendship finds a way to reunited"
https://www.facebook.com/mehmet.avar.12?ref=tn_tnmn
Reply With Quote
  #22  
Old 3 Jan 2011
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Transylvania, Romania
Posts: 4
Hey,
I lead guided motorcycle tours trough the area (FTH motorcycle rental & tours), Bulgaria is amazing, although its easy to get lost even with a GPS, border crossings are smooth, use the car if you travel in winter time, temps. are low this period.
Reply With Quote
  #23  
Old 3 Jan 2011
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: uk
Posts: 110
Thanks for the invite and further advice.

I took the south route (by car) after the weather in France settled down and the forecast looked o'k. The worst we experienced was fog in the high alps, but not thick enough to cause any delay. We'd climbed the foothills in brilliant sunshine and conditions cleared again approaching mont blanc.

Emerging on the Italian side the virtual freewheel down to Ivrea was hypnotic. The engine silent, and the whoosh in the tunnels as sunset gave way to twinkling lights below.

I can't believe the relaxed ambience and relative temperature difference here in nw Greece these past two days. I crossed in winter at a similar time last year but it wasn't the same.

As a consequence we decided to head south down the coast instead of straight across to turkey - it's a beautiful driving road from igoumenitsa to preveza. I love the feel of relatively smooth but uneven road surfaces caused by large area tarmac buckles in the hot countries.
Reply With Quote
Reply
Page 2 of 2 1 2

« 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
London to Istanbul MostlyHarmless Route Planning 5 29 Sep 2009 22:54
Istanbul to London Jimi-Ray Trip Transport 2 28 Aug 2008 08:48
London to Istanbul on a C90 Louis Monk Route Planning 1 20 Jun 2008 07:44
London -> Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary... phoenix Travellers Seeking Travellers 8 20 Apr 2007 09:44

 
 

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

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

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...

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 04:24.

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