Member Since: 08 Dec 2017
Location: Zurich
Posts: 162
1.5y ago we spent 2 weeks in Albania (ferry Ancona-Igoumenitsa).
We avoided big cities because we wanted to enjoy the landscape and beaches.
Locals we met are the friendliest we ever met in all Europe!
They all drive Mercs and you can find gas stations every 2 miles
I can recommend the ferry from Ancona to Patras. We took Minoan but most others prefere Superfast. You have to expect delays or cancelation with all ferry companies. Our return trip was canceled 24h in front, but they offered the next ferry a day later._,,,_______///________
/// LR3 SE V8 Java Black
Last edited by greg00 on 24th Feb 2021 8:29 pm. Edited 1 time in total
24th Feb 2021 8:09 pm
DSL Keeper of the wheelie bin
Member Since: 11 May 2006
Location: Off again! :-)
Posts: 73121
I think I did Minoan line to Ancona to Igounemitsa then drove to Athens, SWMBO had flown. It was quite a drive south from Igou, incl passing a massive earthworks fort that was deffo worth a visit but can’t for the life of me find it on Google Maps.
24th Feb 2021 8:27 pm
greg00
Member Since: 08 Dec 2017
Location: Zurich
Posts: 162
Did you visit the Meteora Monasteries on the way down?
I was very impressed!
_,,,_______///________
/// LR3 SE V8 Java Black
24th Feb 2021 8:32 pm
DSL Keeper of the wheelie bin
Member Since: 11 May 2006
Location: Off again! :-)
Posts: 73121
We visited the Meteora(?) as part of the first trip where we drove through Balkans. A definite must do, along with Delphi.
I think I did Minoan line to Ancona to Igounemitsa then drove to Athens, SWMBO had flown. It was quite a drive south from Igou, incl passing a massive earthworks fort that was deffo worth a visit but can’t for the life of me find it on Google Maps.
This it? No idea what route you took but this could feasibly have been on one of the many options you could have taken.I know it's not considered "kind" to say no these days, but no. Just no, ok? And if it's not ok, still no.
24th Feb 2021 8:42 pm
DSL Keeper of the wheelie bin
Member Since: 11 May 2006
Location: Off again! :-)
Posts: 73121
I’m pretty sure I followed the coast, to a degree, and used the then ferry crossing at Preveza. I’ve followed all the routes I could think of but haven’t found them, pretty sure they were near the coast, was heading to the ferries at Antirrio.
24th Feb 2021 8:47 pm
DSL Keeper of the wheelie bin
Member Since: 11 May 2006
Location: Off again! :-)
Posts: 73121
Oh, and mentioned all this to SWMBO earlier and she had just 2 words, fly and drive.
I know it's not considered "kind" to say no these days, but no. Just no, ok? And if it's not ok, still no.
24th Feb 2021 8:55 pm
DSL Keeper of the wheelie bin
Member Since: 11 May 2006
Location: Off again! :-)
Posts: 73121
She is far too sensible.
24th Feb 2021 8:57 pm
Oxford-boy
Member Since: 07 Sep 2015
Location: Oxford
Posts: 1122
greg00 wrote:
1.5y ago we spent 2 weeks in Albania (ferry Ancona-Igoumenitsa).
We avoided big cities because we wanted to enjoy the landscape and beaches.
Locals we met are the friendliest we ever met in all Europe!
They all drive Mercs and you can find gas stations every 2 miles
I can recommend the ferry from Ancona to Patras. We took Minoan but most others prefere Superfast. You have to expect delays or cancelation with all ferry companies. Our return trip was canceled 24h in front, but they offered the next ferry a day later.
Mid 1990's I was a UK Police officer working under EU mandate in Kosovo. Was just after the war there and nearly all infrastructure had been destroyed. In order to rebuild the Motor Vehicle Database and start some form of "DVLA' out there again all you had to do was turn up at the new Kosovan 'DVLA' locations in your car with two people who would confirm that it was yours and it was duly registered as such. That meant that each evening groups of Kosovo men would head up into any Country they could reach, Germany was the favourite and steal mainly Mercedes to then drive back and present as their own the next day.
Maybe why Merc ownership is still so high as they have filtered down the chain?...
Jim
2014 Discovery 4 XXV SDV6 Causeway Grey
2016 Discovery 4 HSE Lux SDV6 Loire Blue - now gone
24th Feb 2021 9:01 pm
IKke
Member Since: 29 Apr 2008
Location: Brabant
Posts: 327
We have driven down to the Albany border in the summer of 2019. We also entered Albany for a day but stayed on the Montenegro side of the border due to insurance reasons. Montenegro was very friendly and seemed safe for tourists. Friends went and stayed in B-H that same summer and also had a great holiday camping experience. Albany was a bit more chaotic but seemed doable.
Member Since: 23 Jan 2019
Location: Manchester
Posts: 167
A slightly different route - have you considered driving down the coast through Croatia and Montenegro to Albania?
The roads are decent, Croatia and Monte are both tourist friendly. Albania is not as bad as everyone makes out imo. The closer to the coast you are, the more touristy it is.
And as said, everyone in Albania will have a nicer car than you
25th Feb 2021 9:53 am
greg00
Member Since: 08 Dec 2017
Location: Zurich
Posts: 162
In Albania somewhere away from civilisation, we travelled as a duo in a D3-Defender convoi. The trail was very nice and challenging and we were proud of ourself and our vehicles that were fitted with BFG KO2, RAI, underbody protection ect. and we felt like real explorers when suddenly this local Merc crossed our path
_,,,_______///________
/// LR3 SE V8 Java Black
25th Feb 2021 7:58 pm
DSL Keeper of the wheelie bin
Member Since: 11 May 2006
Location: Off again! :-)
Posts: 73121
Bit like a Disco3Club jolly in the Pyrenees. We’d just done a bit of a challenging climb up to a pass, then ended up behind a little 2wd Renault van that was doing everything we were doing, just with sheep in the back. Kind of brought us down to earth.
25th Feb 2021 8:12 pm
greg00
Member Since: 08 Dec 2017
Location: Zurich
Posts: 162
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