Member Since: 13 Apr 2018
Location: Radstock, Bath
Posts: 564
Thanks Both.
Might just rent a garage with A/C and a pizza place next door.. MY07 Freelander2 SE Santorini Black - Gone
MY10 D4 XS Buckingham Blue
MY06 D3 HSE
9th Jul 2018 3:03 pm
Narpy
Member Since: 18 Jul 2011
Location: Stockport
Posts: 7830
I wouldn't personally attempt such a voyage.
I've done Manchester to Le Mans via Calais in a day, approx 700km and I was shattered when I arrived.
Took me another day to get over the journey.
I honestly hope you're thinking out loud and not seriously considering driving all that way. If you can't fly, let the family go and enjoy it whilst you enjoy the peace and quiet at home. Catch up with some light DIY or a few jobs on the garden/house/car, happy in the knowledge the family are having a good time. You don't need the stress of such a long drive and chilling out at home might be exactly what you need especially as you're not 100% fighting fit at the moment.
There'll be other holidays away with the family to enjoy in the future when you're back to full fitness.Mods:
Front Fogs + Halos
FBH Remote Control
The 1st Ever RRS Modded Grill
Garmin Nuvi + D4 Surround + Reversing Camera.
D4 Steering Wheel.
Rear Boot Spoiler.
Twin Brake Lights.
Wing Mirror Indicator Repeaters.
Long Roof Rails
Make your own Narpy grill thread
I'm not scared, I'm outta here.
9th Jul 2018 3:18 pm
DSL Keeper of the wheelie bin
Member Since: 11 May 2006
Location: Off again! :-)
Posts: 73123
Agreed, sensible option is you have a staycation and the family go and enjoy them selves. Try new beers, all the junk TV you want and pizza on speed dial, what's not to like?
Been diagnosed with an Auto Immune problem relating to my blood vessels.
PM on it's way fella!.
Dean
====================================
2011 D4 XS - OBD port protection, RLD spare wheel protector, All LED interiors lights, Timed Climate enabled, iiD tool paired.
2011 D4 Landmark - Stolen from same dealer before I paid for it
2011 D4 GS - Stolen whilst at dealer ... All LED interiors lights, DRLs, Spare Wheel protector.
1996 300Tdi - Eaten by tin worms
9th Jul 2018 3:41 pm
Rnclayton
Member Since: 13 Apr 2018
Location: Radstock, Bath
Posts: 564
Thanks for suggestions/advice. It is a thinking out loud moment, but I still wouldn't dismiss it entirely.
I could have a staycation, and use the fuel money on a cleaner
I know SWMBO wouldn't like the idea of me staying home. She would rather cancel the whole holiday, so we stayed as a family.
See what doc says. Hopefully it's just me over complicating things.MY07 Freelander2 SE Santorini Black - Gone
MY10 D4 XS Buckingham Blue
MY06 D3 HSE
9th Jul 2018 7:43 pm
wiggs
Member Since: 03 Sep 2006
Location: Manchester
Posts: 14372
Iv driven out to Bulgaria a few times .. approx same distance .
Done in 3 days ( each way ) .. too be honest it's not like driving at home .. everything is new to see .. so makes it much more enjoyable
I avoided Serbia as uk insurance wouldn't cover that .. but otherwise straight forward .
Used to drive to Hungarian boarder in one hit ( mostly motorways ) then split the rest into the other 2 days
Great fun G4 Gone ...but not forgotten
9th Jul 2018 8:33 pm
Rnclayton
Member Since: 13 Apr 2018
Location: Radstock, Bath
Posts: 564
Thanks Wiggs.
Just realised Hotel is another 13hrs from Bulgarian border.
Definitely a 4 day trip each way. No point doing all that for 6 days in the sun.MY07 Freelander2 SE Santorini Black - Gone
MY10 D4 XS Buckingham Blue
MY06 D3 HSE
10th Jul 2018 11:04 am
professorpool
Member Since: 19 Mar 2012
Location: Woking
Posts: 3213
I have driven to the alps more times than I care to remember. Normally circa 700 miles each way. That is certainly possible for a fit and experienced long distance driver to drive in one hit.
I've driven down to the Balkans quite a few times also. That is about 1300 miles each way. A journey not to be taken lightly and that is a journey half your distance.
"IF" you plan to embark on this journey as a journey to do as quickly as possible and not "ENJOY" the journey (for want of better words).. then stock up on cafeine drinks and at the least start your journey by bashing through north western Europe through the night.
Another off-the-wall idea...
Is it possible to share the driving with someone? As in, facebook and/or forum post? Maybe there is a person or couple somewhere looking to facilitate a cheap holiday?
You provide the vehicle, fuel and other costs you alluded to and they provide the labour of assisting with the driving? Accommodation in or at least near your resort maybe possible?
Family members perhaps?D3 07 SE - still going strong
D3 07 HSE - gone to car heaven
FL1 - gone to Romania
D3 05 HSE - gone to a divorce diet
D1 V8 manual - gone but not forgotten
RR Classic - gone to car heaven
Jeeps, Lexus, X-trails... Too many to name..
10th Jul 2018 11:26 am
Rnclayton
Member Since: 13 Apr 2018
Location: Radstock, Bath
Posts: 564
Thanks for the insight PP.
Hopefully this is all academical, but I would rather have an idea of a plan, than looking like a deer in the headlights.
I enjoy driving, and have to be reminded to stop. My LPG Grand Voyager only had a 150-200 mile range, if I was lucky. So I had to stop every couple of hours.
Picked the wrong weekend to drive to Arbroath, a couple of years ago. 12 hours up, 8 hours there, and 12 hours back. M6 nightmare.
I have done Calais to Perpignan a couple of times, in 1 hit. In cars and trucks, but as everyone is saying, this is a long journey.
I could always take an extra day on the way back, to ENJOY it.
God idea, on sharing driving. Depends if I have to talk or not MY07 Freelander2 SE Santorini Black - Gone
MY10 D4 XS Buckingham Blue
MY06 D3 HSE
10th Jul 2018 11:45 am
T2BTK
Member Since: 27 Aug 2014
Location: Emigrated (again)
Posts: 182
I drove to Izmir on the west coast of Turkey about 10 years ago - took the ferry from Venice to Igoumenitsa in Greece rather than going through the Balkans. That crossing's about 24 hours if I remember correctly, and makes a good break in the journey. Mind you, I did the whole trip in 7 days and took the (relaxing) opportunity for a few night stops in places that I hadn't been to before (Luxembourg, Garmisch, Venice, Thessaloniki and Gallipoli).
If you do drive, just bear in mind that Turkey is non-EU and your UK insurance therefore won't cover you. You have to buy local third party cover as a minimum at the border to get into the country and it isn't cheap for a right hand drive car. Some UK specialist insurers will do fully comp to cover Turkey, but again it's rather pricey. And be prepared for a challenging border crossing into Turkey (from either Greece or Bulgaria), probably even more so nowadays given the recent political history.
15th Jul 2018 8:39 pm
Rnclayton
Member Since: 13 Apr 2018
Location: Radstock, Bath
Posts: 564
Thanks for that. Hadn't thought about licence etc.
It's looking more and more like an academical exercise at the mo.MY07 Freelander2 SE Santorini Black - Gone
MY10 D4 XS Buckingham Blue
MY06 D3 HSE
16th Jul 2018 7:33 am
nigel207
Member Since: 26 Mar 2009
Location: Nottinghamshire
Posts: 1359
Recently, friends did a trip from Bristol to Istanbul (Bailey of Bristol’s Bristanbul!), and they said that the Turkish border was a nightmare. Sat there for hours and when exiting, they had to pay a spurious €4,000 fine (reduced to €1,300 if paid in cash) for no reason at all. As others have said, Turkey isn’t in the EU and is obviously totally corrupt at borders. Personally, I would cut my losses if necessary and drive to somewhere else. However, I wish you all the best and hope that you can fly.
16th Jul 2018 12:15 pm
Rnclayton
Member Since: 13 Apr 2018
Location: Radstock, Bath
Posts: 564
I'll have a read of that. Thanks.MY07 Freelander2 SE Santorini Black - Gone
MY10 D4 XS Buckingham Blue
MY06 D3 HSE
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum
... All LED interiors lights, DRLs, Spare Wheel protector.
