Travel by car on the mainland
Posted: January 13th, 2012 | Author: | Filed under: Q & A | Tags: mainland, Travel | 3 Comments »We plan to sail from Venice to Corfu or Igoumenitsa 29th of this month.
Any links to ferry companies to travel with van on an open camping deck?
What is the most interesting route from Igoumenitsa towards Thessaloniki; we would like to see Delphi and Meteroa … mount Olympus maybe?
Appreciate your help.
Regards
Guido
can only answer 1/2 of your question. ferries are from venice – corfu- igoumenitsa and both minoan and anek lines have camping on board available.. be sure to book very quicky as there arent many places left
Guido, I have no links to ferry companies for you but if you are able to ferry your care across, you can drive yourself.
The easiest way from Igoumenitsa to Thessalloniki is taking the Egnatia Highway…the most interesting is going through the mountains taking what is called Katarra (Greek word for hell!). It is a winding tortuous road over ravines and is certainly interesting! It is not for the impatient as I found out.
The Egnatia Highway will take you via Beroia (where Phillip’s tomb of Vergina is close to) through to the national highway. Meteora can be reached via Thessaloniki as it is to the west of that city.
Mount Olympus is to the south and your best best would be to go south and pass Katerini getting off at the exit for Dion whose ancient claim to fame was to be the religious capital of ancient Macedonia…the ruins are in the midst of parkland and sheep still graze in and amongst the ruins. Mount Olympus is right there and there are roads up the mountain leading from each village along that route.
To get to Delphi, keep driving south as it is about a five hour drive (depending on how fast you drive!) from the Katerini area and well worth the trip.
Hope this helps mate…and I am jealous as all hell!
Enjoy your trip
Guido, I’m sure you know the sites for the ferries but anyway I post them below. Some companies have special accommodation for campers and their vehicles.
Once out of the ferry in Igoumenitsa there is the new Egnatia road which unfortunately is not fully finished. Certain parts are under construction but the ready parts are a marvel and joy to drive through. If however, you want to visit both Delphi and Meteora you can do it better if you get off in Patras and then cross over the new bridge in Rio and go to Delphi from there and then on to Meteora.and then on to Olympus and Thessaloniki driving all the way North..
I was recently on the way to Thessaloniki and I used the old E90-92 road, Igoumenitsa to Ioannina and then to Metsovo. From there you can continue to Meteora and then turn North to Olympus and Thessaloniki.
Then you can make it to Delphi on the way back.
If you will visit Corfu I will gladly show you the island and have some ouzo with you.
Since you are a photo lover I know some spots worth taken photos of.
Anyway, enjoy your trip and have the best of times wherever you go.