Cardiff to Athens Road Trip

[Ashley B]

Hello!

This is my first post, so please be kind!

A quick backstory: Over 30 years ago, I had a 1966 split-screen camper. Its top speed was 50 mph (on a good day with a tailwind), and it had to be started with a crank handle. I was living the dream—until, unfortunately, it was stolen.

For decades, I dreamed of owning another, hoping to recapture that feeling. Recently, the stars aligned, and I had the chance to buy a 2018 Beach (3 seats in the rear). To be honest, I had to get divorced to afford it, but here we are!

Buying the van was more of a leap of the heart than of logic—a story I may share another time.

Now, onto the question: I’m planning a road trip from Cardiff to Athens (where my best friend lives). I’m thinking of taking about two weeks and leaving sometime in mid-to-late September. This will be my first big road trip, and I haven’t even figured out how to brew coffee in the van yet!

I plan to do lots of UK weekend trips this summer, but I’m wondering if anyone has recommendations for campsites, must-see spots, or essential things to do along the Cardiff to Athens route?

I’d really appreciate any advice you can share!

Thanks in advance!

 

[The Tall Luthier]

Apart from prompting you to Download Cliff Richard and yet Shadow ’s Summer Holiday soundtrack I don’t have too many.

Only to say that if you work out which countries you’re intending to visit, Slovenia, Croatia, Albania etc and do a search on this site, for those countries, you are sure to find some great travel write ups, photos and recommendations

 

[Ashley B]

Apart from prompting you to Download Cliff Richard and yet Shadow ’s Summer Holiday soundtrack I don’t have too many.

Only to say that if you work out which countries you’re intending to visit, Slovenia, Croatia, Albania etc and do a search on this site, for those countries, you are sure to find some great travel write ups, photos and recommendations

Thanks for the Cliff Richard tip, I'm on it... I'm starting my research as I type

 

[Hawthorn37]

Hello!

This is my first post, so please be kind!

A quick backstory: Over 30 years ago, I had a 1966 split-screen camper. Its top speed was 50 mph (on a good day with a tailwind), and it had to be started with a crank handle. I was living the dream—until, unfortunately, it was stolen.

For decades, I dreamed of owning another, hoping to recapture that feeling. Recently, the stars aligned, and I had the chance to buy a 2018 Beach (3 seats in the rear). To be honest, I had to get divorced to afford it, but here we are!

Buying the van was more of a leap of the heart than of logic—a story I may share another time.

Now, onto the question: I’m planning a road trip from Cardiff to Athens (where my best friend lives). I’m thinking of taking about two weeks and leaving sometime in mid-to-late September. This will be my first big road trip, and I haven’t even figured out how to brew coffee in the van yet!

I plan to do lots of UK weekend trips this summer, but I’m wondering if anyone has recommendations for campsites, must-see spots, or essential things to do along the Cardiff to Athens route?

I’d really appreciate any advice you can share!

Thanks in advance!

That’s going to quiet some first trip! I’ve no direct experience of driving all the way on that route, other than search on the forum for tips about each country. I’ve some experience of Eastern European roads, and my tip would be to make sure your tyres are up to the job, highways are generally good but there can be connecting roads that are quite rough.

By the way, I notice your profile has your postcode listed. You may want to update it to a town etc., there’s always a possibility for bad actors prowling forums. You don’t want to repeat the experience of your splitty!

 

[kurienp]

Another simple trip from an experienced traveller - focus on how to make coffee, cook some light meals in the van, and drive!

With that kind of time available, I would meander along to the destination. Rather than focussing on what all to see (you will get too many suggestions) another idea could be to base things to see around your area of interest.

Either way, you will enjoy it.

 

[kurienp]

And here's another member planning similar - https://r.tapatalk.com/shareLink/to...&share_fid=34937&share_type=t&link_source=app

 

[WelshGas]

Hello!

This is my first post, so please be kind!

A quick backstory: Over 30 years ago, I had a 1966 split-screen camper. Its top speed was 50 mph (on a good day with a tailwind), and it had to be started with a crank handle. I was living the dream—until, unfortunately, it was stolen.

For decades, I dreamed of owning another, hoping to recapture that feeling. Recently, the stars aligned, and I had the chance to buy a 2018 Beach (3 seats in the rear). To be honest, I had to get divorced to afford it, but here we are!

Buying the van was more of a leap of the heart than of logic—a story I may share another time.

Now, onto the question: I’m planning a road trip from Cardiff to Athens (where my best friend lives). I’m thinking of taking about two weeks and leaving sometime in mid-to-late September. This will be my first big road trip, and I haven’t even figured out how to brew coffee in the van yet!

I plan to do lots of UK weekend trips this summer, but I’m wondering if anyone has recommendations for campsites, must-see spots, or essential things to do along the Cardiff to Athens route?

I’d really appreciate any advice you can share!

Thanks in advance!

Some points to ponder. Cardiff to Athens , approximately 2100 miles, so an average 200 miles/ day or 4_8 hrs driving, depending on roads.
Check out Travel Insurance for you and the van. Things happen.
Car insurance, check different countries requirements especially non-EU countries and if your Car Insurance provides cover.
Suggest you download the Archies Camping app. Covers over 30,000 campsites in the whole of Europe with contact details, GPS coordinates, and websites. £2.99.
When travelling in Scandinavia , 3000 miles from Cardiff to Knordkapp, I used to drive for 3 or so hours, stop for lunch and use the app to pick a campsite along my route to stop at overnight. I always refuelled before camping stop .
The ASCI is another useful camping app but only has larger campsites.
Take some cash as smaller sites may not take cards.