Where next - inspiration needed

[UFO]

This is how I feel, although still got my 'fixed abode'

 

[rabW]

We like the outdoors, national parks and small towns and villages. Spain and Portugal have always ticked these boxes very well.

This year Split, late Sept, Dubrovnik, early Oct, Mostar, early October, were all heaving with crocodiles of tour groups many no doubt from cruise ships. I know we are part of the problem but mass tourism in places with small centres like Split and Mostar is not pleasant.

Never thought about island hopping; Corsica - Sardinia - Scily. I will add this to my, short, list of possible trips.

Corsica should suit for outdoors, surprisingly mountainous inland, walking climbing trips there a few years back now. Skye in the Med!

 

[witzend]

I'd do Greece before I went North when we did Norway / Finland we had some sort of rain most days We went Venice to Igonamitsa camping on board with Anek lines drove right across the north visiting the monasteries then stuck with the coast with right around the Peloponnese camping on some beautiful beaches and harbours think camping on board is seasonal

 

[korky]

Can second the Cosica/Sardinia tip. Beautiful islands and the half hour or so ferry from the southern tip of Corsica to north tip of Sardinia is the nicest sea crossing I've ever done.

 

[UFO]

I'd do Greece before I went North when we did Norway / Finland we had some sort of rain most days We went Venice to Igonamitsa camping on board with Anek lines drove right across the north visiting the monasteries then stuck with the coast with right around the Peloponnese camping on some beautiful beaches and harbours think camping on board is seasonal

Our daughter and family were in that area of Greece for 3 weeks in November / December and really enjoyed it and would have loved to have had the time to travel more in Greece. Weather was nice so seems like a good time of year to be there. It's a long way to Greece but the Venice to Igonamitsa ferry, was not aware of this, would cut out a lot of driving.

 

[2cv]

We like the outdoors, national parks and small towns and villages. Spain and Portugal have always ticked these boxes very well.

This year Split, late Sept, Dubrovnik, early Oct, Mostar, early October, were all heaving with crocodiles of tour groups many no doubt from cruise ships. I know we are part of the problem but mass tourism in places with small centres like Split and Mostar is not pleasant.

With those likes a trip to USA would fit the bill. We spent at least a month a year there for 30 or so years and it offers endless variety. Not a great fan of the cities but get off the beaten track and there are wonderful places and people.

 

[witzend]

Our daughter and family were in that area of Greece for 3 weeks in November / December . It's a long way to Greece but the Venice to Igonamitsa ferry, was not aware of this, would cut out a lot of driving.

It dropped off some vehicles loaded some then sailed to Patras we where there early may / july came back as it got to hot for us by end july we sailed back from Patras there was ehu points toilets and showers on decks kept for vans

 

[Moonraker 2]

Looks to me like the options are Greece then Romania and some of Hungary/Austria. Romania is a lovely country. Don't bother with Bucharest.

Wow you have had some great travels.

 

[korky]

From what I've gleaned off other forums,the camping onboard option on ferries to Greece has been discontinued,which is a shame.

 

[UFO]

Thanks again for all the idea, all very useful. The through France to the Mediterranean islands and back through Italy looks good. I have been doing some initial planning, leaving late April for around 60 days, with four ferries for the islands -

• France – Corsica. Ferry Toulon - Ile Rousse
• Corsica – Sardinia. Ferry Bonifacio - Santa Teresa di Gallura
• Sardinia – Scilly. Ferry Cagliari – Palermo (only one sailing a week on Saturdays)
• Scilly – Italy. Ferry Messina - Villa San Giovanni

Some questions for those of you have spent time on the three islands.

• How long to spend on each of the islands? I know that there is no right answer to this as it all depends on what you want to see, I am thinking of around 10 days on each island.
• When is it likely to get too hot for living in a white tin box, current plan would see us in Scilly late May, early June?
• How is wildcamping on the islands?
• Any other thoughts?

 

[jagmanx]

I repeat...Norway and Sweden .
Good camping (Wild, rural simple camps and more.
Not much traffic.

 

[Fisherman]

A Quick Look and first I am asking why so few days in Scotland, then I see two glaring omissions. First the moray firth from Fraserburgh to Findhorn. A real gem of a trip some wonderful stop overs. Then the big one the outer Hebrides, and with road tariff equivalent fares should not be to painful on the pocket, particularly if your van is 6m or less. But avoid the Hebrides from mid May to sept if you want to avoid the female midge.
Seriously only 42 days in Scotland seems you have missed a lot.

 

[UFO]

I repeat...Norway and Sweden .
Good camping (Wild, rural simple camps and more.
Not much traffic.

Not ruled out the Nordics, hopefully many more years for such trips.

A Quick Look and first I am asking why so few days in Scotland, then I see two glaring omissions. First the moray firth from Fraserburgh to Findhorn. A real gem of a trip some wonderful stop overs. Then the big one the outer Hebrides, and with road tariff equivalent fares should not be to painful on the pocket, particularly if your van is 6m or less. But avoid the Hebrides from mid May to sept if you want to avoid the female midge.
Seriously only 42 days in Scotland seems you have missed a lot.

With family and places to stay in Hong Kong and Australia we only have room for one big CV trip each year - 2025 will be the Mediterranean islands. Scotland and also Ireland will always be there for when perhaps taking the van abroad is not so viable. So we will return to Scotland.

 

[barge1914]

Following the Carpathian Mountains makes for an interesting trip. Keeping to roads skirting the edge of the mountains you can go via Czechia, Slovakia, through the corner of Hungary into Romania, then follow the curve of the mountains, over the Transfagarasan pass, back over the Transalpina Pass, and swing back through Hungary, Austria (taking in Budapest, Bratislava and Vienna), then continue on back through Austria and the Black Forest in Germany. That would fill in some gaps in your chart!

 

[izwozral]

If you don't mind hiring a van I'd recommend New Zealand, stunning place to visit.

We found buying a van then selling on was by far the better alternative. There are places you can sit in your van for 2-3 days, buyers come along, look at a few, then do a deal. We 'lost' $1640 from buy to selling but had the van for nearly 6 months.
An equivalent rental would have cost us a minimum $20k.