It’s all Greek to me

 
 
 
 
 
StrandCampingDoonbeg
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Subject:

It’s all Greek to me

 · 
Posted: 13.11.2024  ·  #1
Rain, had some rain yesterday, the first we have seen in over a month. The weather from early October until the 12 of November has been very kind in Greece. Most days have been low to mid 20s degrees also warm at night but not unbearably so.

Yesterday also saw our first power cut happened in the early hours and was back on at 4pm. I was pleased that we had the fridge freezer set to auto and it switched to gas when we lost electricity.

Some bad news is that Anek Lines have stated they will no longer be offering camping on board. Which we much preferred staying in our van rather than lugging all we need to a cabin.

We have found the logistics of our trip back to Ireland using three different ferry companies difficult, we have Anek lines Patras to Bari, then Grimaldi lines Civitavecchia to Barcelona then Brittany ferry’s Bilbao to Rosslare. We had them all booked only for Grimaldi to cancel our scheduled date and offer dates either side. It gives us less time in Italy but more time in Spain.

For those interested dog friendly cabin on Brittany was clean and comfortable, the pet exercise area was a 30m x5m outdoor metal corridor not great.
Grimaldi cabin not as clean but ok dogs were allowed pretty much everywhere with three pee pee parks with artificial grass on an open deck with an outdoor bar. Anek lines cabin better than Grimaldi but not as clean as Brittany dogs allowed pretty much everywhere.

In early October we got diesel in Spain for 1.13 per litre but also saw it at €1.40 in some garages. Italy was around €1.55 a litre and in Greece around €1.45 a litre.

Campsites in Greece, the most we have paid is €25 per night for 2 people with Ehu. We are going to the cheapest we have seen advertised so far at €17 per night (ACSI Rate) there are plenty of off grid places, very few with services. Plenty of restaurants or bars the allow overnight stays for free or about €10. Only one campsite had showers that meant I used the one in the van but it was in a great location. We have found the campsites to generally be excellent and good value. I’m not a fan in putting toilet roll in a bin but as I am not responsible for emptying the bins I do what all campsites here insist you do.

Eating out a portion of souvlaki (3 skewers of chicken or pork) with chips €8/10 euros. 500 ml of lager €3/4. Half a kg of wine, that’s 500ml to us is around €5. Shopping is a bit more expensive than Spain but cheaper than Ireland. There are big chains here including Lidl but as some of the sites we have stayed on have not been near a big town we have used mini markets a bit and they tend to be quite expensive.

Not one campsite has been full, far from it, so advance reservations are not required. All places, shops, restaurants, garages and campsites speak English. What Is amusing is that the Germans speak in English and the Greeks speak in English even though around 80% of the campers here are German.

The roads are generally good and when using tolls they are reasonable. Helmets on scooters or motorbikes are not a legal requirement and so I have been the only person wearing one.

This has been my second winter in Greece and guess what? Yep I aim to get back next winter. Although next trip I’m planning on driving from Cherbourg to Patras.
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soontobetravelling
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Re: It’s all Greek to me

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Posted: 13.11.2024  ·  #2
Looks and sounds like a superb way to be spending winter! Shame about the switch away from camping on the ferry. Haven't done it, but like the idea.

Had the same views on dog cabins and area on rosslare to bilboa route in may this year. One thing I'd add is to anticipate a strong enough smell of wee by the time you're nearing the 28 hours mark! This is a trip I'd love to do at some stage, thanks for the update!


mtravel
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Re: It’s all Greek to me

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Posted: 13.11.2024  ·  #3
I really like Greece.
But have you ever thought about Sicily?
In addition to a wonderful sea, it has unique heritage in Europe.
Just think of the stunning Norman Cathedrals (Palermo, Cefalù, Monreale) or the Baroque architecture of Val di Noto.
Then Erice, Romans and Greeks (Agrigento, Selinunte, Segesta, Taormina, Syracuse, etc.).

There are enough to fill months of stay.

Max

p.s. Oops, forgot. Superb food.


relay racer
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Re: It’s all Greek to me

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Posted: 05.12.2024  ·  #4
Quote by StrandCampingDoonbeg

Rain, had some rain yesterday, the first we have seen in over a month. The weather from early October until the 12 of November has been very kind in Greece. Most days have been low to mid 20s degrees also warm at night but not unbearably so.

Yesterday also saw our first power cut happened in the early hours and was back on at 4pm. I was pleased that we had the fridge freezer set to auto and it switched to gas when we lost electricity.

Some bad news is that Anek Lines have stated they will no longer be offering camping on board. Which we much preferred staying in our van rather than lugging all we need to a cabin.

We have found the logistics of our trip back to Ireland using three different ferry companies difficult, we have Anek lines Patras to Bari, then Grimaldi lines Civitavecchia to Barcelona then Brittany ferry’s Bilbao to Rosslare. We had them all booked only for Grimaldi to cancel our scheduled date and offer dates either side. It gives us less time in Italy but more time in Spain.

For those interested dog friendly cabin on Brittany was clean and comfortable, the pet exercise area was a 30m x5m outdoor metal corridor not great.
Grimaldi cabin not as clean but ok dogs were allowed pretty much everywhere with three pee pee parks with artificial grass on an open deck with an outdoor bar. Anek lines cabin better than Grimaldi but not as clean as Brittany dogs allowed pretty much everywhere.

In early October we got diesel in Spain for 1.13 per litre but also saw it at €1.40 in some garages. Italy was around €1.55 a litre and in Greece around €1.45 a litre.

Campsites in Greece, the most we have paid is €25 per night for 2 people with Ehu. We are going to the cheapest we have seen advertised so far at €17 per night (ACSI Rate) there are plenty of off grid places, very few with services. Plenty of restaurants or bars the allow overnight stays for free or about €10. Only one campsite had showers that meant I used the one in the van but it was in a great location. We have found the campsites to generally be excellent and good value. I’m not a fan in putting toilet roll in a bin but as I am not responsible for emptying the bins I do what all campsites here insist you do.

Eating out a portion of souvlaki (3 skewers of chicken or pork) with chips €8/10 euros. 500 ml of lager €3/4. Half a kg of wine, that’s 500ml to us is around €5. Shopping is a bit more expensive than Spain but cheaper than Ireland. There are big chains here including Lidl but as some of the sites we have stayed on have not been near a big town we have used mini markets a bit and they tend to be quite expensive.

Not one campsite has been full, far from it, so advance reservations are not required. All places, shops, restaurants, garages and campsites speak English. What Is amusing is that the Germans speak in English and the Greeks speak in English even though around 80% of the campers here are German.

The roads are generally good and when using tolls they are reasonable. Helmets on scooters or motorbikes are not a legal requirement and so I have been the only person wearing one.

This has been my second winter in Greece and guess what? Yep I aim to get back next winter. Although next trip I’m planning on driving from Cherbourg to Patras.

How was that civitavecchia ferry Jamie in terms of food comfort price and daylight sailings and ease of port entry


StrandCampingDoonbeg
Eat's Sleep's craic
Avatar
Gender: n/a
Location: Kilrush Co Clare
Age: 58
Posts: 1997
Registered: 05 / 2014
My Motorhome: mobilvetta mh 85
Base Vehicle: Fiat
Subject:

Re: It’s all Greek to me

 · 
Posted: 06.12.2024  ·  #5
Quote by relay racer

Quote by StrandCampingDoonbeg

Rain, had some rain yesterday, the first we have seen in over a month. The weather from early October until the 12 of November has been very kind in Greece. Most days have been low to mid 20s degrees also warm at night but not unbearably so.

Yesterday also saw our first power cut happened in the early hours and was back on at 4pm. I was pleased that we had the fridge freezer set to auto and it switched to gas when we lost electricity.

Some bad news is that Anek Lines have stated they will no longer be offering camping on board. Which we much preferred staying in our van rather than lugging all we need to a cabin.

We have found the logistics of our trip back to Ireland using three different ferry companies difficult, we have Anek lines Patras to Bari, then Grimaldi lines Civitavecchia to Barcelona then Brittany ferry’s Bilbao to Rosslare. We had them all booked only for Grimaldi to cancel our scheduled date and offer dates either side. It gives us less time in Italy but more time in Spain.

For those interested dog friendly cabin on Brittany was clean and comfortable, the pet exercise area was a 30m x5m outdoor metal corridor not great.
Grimaldi cabin not as clean but ok dogs were allowed pretty much everywhere with three pee pee parks with artificial grass on an open deck with an outdoor bar. Anek lines cabin better than Grimaldi but not as clean as Brittany dogs allowed pretty much everywhere.

In early October we got diesel in Spain for 1.13 per litre but also saw it at €1.40 in some garages. Italy was around €1.55 a litre and in Greece around €1.45 a litre.

Campsites in Greece, the most we have paid is €25 per night for 2 people with Ehu. We are going to the cheapest we have seen advertised so far at €17 per night (ACSI Rate) there are plenty of off grid places, very few with services. Plenty of restaurants or bars the allow overnight stays for free or about €10. Only one campsite had showers that meant I used the one in the van but it was in a great location. We have found the campsites to generally be excellent and good value. I’m not a fan in putting toilet roll in a bin but as I am not responsible for emptying the bins I do what all campsites here insist you do.

Eating out a portion of souvlaki (3 skewers of chicken or pork) with chips €8/10 euros. 500 ml of lager €3/4. Half a kg of wine, that’s 500ml to us is around €5. Shopping is a bit more expensive than Spain but cheaper than Ireland. There are big chains here including Lidl but as some of the sites we have stayed on have not been near a big town we have used mini markets a bit and they tend to be quite expensive.

Not one campsite has been full, far from it, so advance reservations are not required. All places, shops, restaurants, garages and campsites speak English. What Is amusing is that the Germans speak in English and the Greeks speak in English even though around 80% of the campers here are German.

The roads are generally good and when using tolls they are reasonable. Helmets on scooters or motorbikes are not a legal requirement and so I have been the only person wearing one.

This has been my second winter in Greece and guess what? Yep I aim to get back next winter. Although next trip I’m planning on driving from Cherbourg to Patras.

How was that civitavecchia ferry Jamie in terms of food comfort price and daylight sailings and ease of port entry


Crossing times were ok, late evening departure at Barcelona early evening arrival at Civitavecchia. On the return I think we leave 10pm Greek time and arrive at 6pm Spain time in Barcelona.

Price we did two singles it would have been cheaper to do a return it is just over €300 each way with a decent pet friendly cabin.

Can’t advise re food or bar prices I took all I needed with me.

Cabins, well to be honest they could have been cleaner but I will use Grimaldi lines again.


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