My 1st post, riding UK to Istanbul and Athens

Hi guys, my first post

3 Weeks from today I will be riding my BMW R1200 RT from UK to Istanbul & Athens, really looking forward to the trip. I plan to ride down to Ancona then take the overnight ferry from to Igoumenitsa. Which will allow me to travel 1,600 miles in 48 hours. Then a steady 2 day ride to Istanbul.

I have booked a hotel for 2 days in Sultanahmet, (July 27 & 28) just doing the tourist thing, visit Mosques, Grand Bazaar, try a Hamami, puff on a nargileh, experience Meyhanes, etc etc. Can you recommend anywhere more Turkish than tourist?

After that riding south through Gallipoli, Çanakkale with overnight stop in Küçükkuyu, then south to Cesme, ferry to Chios then overnight ferry to Athens taking in some historical sites on the way.

Might see you guys on the road? will buy you a beer


Jerry

In Istanbul, you might like to try dining one evening at Kumkapi, a small stret full of fish and seafood restaurants and lots of fun (bely dancing & music) Both Turkish and touristy, but great fun..

Kapalıçarşı(Grandbazaar), Topkapi Palace, Sultanahmet are all close to each other and well worth a visit.

You might like to try taking a commuter boat from whereever you are and back, just to experience fresh seabreeze, and maybe feeding some simit to pigeons.


Between Canakkale and Kucukkuyu, you may visit ruins of Troy.

Behramkale is near Kucukkuyu, facing the Edremit Gulf. It is founded on the site of Assos where there is the famous Temple of Athena built in the 6th century BC. The panoramic view of the Gulf from the top of the acropolis is breathtaking and the remains of Assos, surrounding the acropolis are worth visiting.

Alacati, nr Cesme is excellent place for wind surfing , if you are interested.

PM UZAY. Have a great trip and post pics.

We might meet in Istanbul depending on my family's annual leave. If ı'm in Istanbul in these days we can meet.

Welcome to the forums......we will of course be waiting to see a detailed route and ride report complete with 3 million photographs....
enjoy your time in Turkey..I was there one time only and would like to make it back one day...I guess I`ll have to wangle a proper moto to do it on rather than a GasGas 300 EC ....d`oh!!..
.......I thought it was a great place to go....

Lucky guy.
You will visit 2 very nice and interesting cities.
When you will be in Athen just PM, we have beers around

Have a nice tour

If i come to Athens i want 5 beers and i don't pay

consider it done

Thanks guys, I am counting the hours.

The new bike arrived this week, so I am off camping this weekend to put some miles on it before the 1st service, to the Horizons Unlimited UK meeting at Ripley.

Looks like were in for some rain, but I don't care there is a good bar on site :slurp




Jerry

When's the barbeque at your place then, Jerry?

are we all invited to the barbecue?


it will take 3 days at least for me to ride there..

I'm heading to Istanbul soon so we'll have the BBQ there, any suggestions where?

There are plenty barbecue restaurant here, but i am not sure about what is available in Istanbul..

Hey Jeeza,

I`ll agree with all of byker_tr's suggestions and add that you may enjoy eating at Pandeli restaurant in the Spice Bazaar. Only does lunch, as far as I can recall.

Yepa yepa yepa !!! Looks like there will be a party in the town

are you inviting? :slurp

Allways