Europe By Camper - Travelling Europe By Motorhome

Collioure

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZNv4k8UqoG24qNX6hMnJuBAI8Y08wEuEJolrKliKhmWoctrt6yYgu2kEoht1kQj163VoYHePOxMOqRvuSm6461YK0Q9Y3nGs_dzhl99Jdb7KBo5JxAY2iMM4r3jYReXkO_NMmoqqDFxI/s1600/IMG_2717_8_9_fused.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZNv4k8UqoG24qNX6hMnJuBAI8Y08wEuEJolrKliKhmWoctrt6yYgu2kEoht1kQj163VoYHePOxMOqRvuSm6461YK0Q9Y3nGs_dzhl99Jdb7KBo5JxAY2iMM4r3jYReXkO_NMmoqqDFxI/s320/IMG_2717_8_9_fused.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Collioure</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Duilhac-Sous-Peyrepertuse provided us with a dramatic and refreshingly free overnight stop before heading the short distance to the next aire at Port Vendres so that we could visit the town Collioure a short distance along the coast. The aire here is quiet and the fee of €4.90 collected by the Police Municpal at 8:30am.</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikQskb1L4Ro7_T2KxGNEdKLbNy-tOYt_KpjVFPjJALmNCqDzYTmWArU6E78WdXiCY_5tbvU0x0b4Fsy38ZdVbEEbpSJxcuLykVEw1jYdlUbxQlBGoFuZecDJCHuObkMogDjrS8IPdIQaM/s1600/IMG_2313_4_5_fused.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikQskb1L4Ro7_T2KxGNEdKLbNy-tOYt_KpjVFPjJALmNCqDzYTmWArU6E78WdXiCY_5tbvU0x0b4Fsy38ZdVbEEbpSJxcuLykVEw1jYdlUbxQlBGoFuZecDJCHuObkMogDjrS8IPdIQaM/s320/IMG_2313_4_5_fused.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Duilhac-Sous-Peyrepertuse</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRRmzTHzb2ioQvO0qoYaE7E-6LifCNYNr8eNGSLVmd2brkyWtg_Ch0qN0Yf9tEKv913VtfiT6ZdNApAG-RU-bSpmJ0Bf4slARChZJCgKAOvXrGUIr1mUeZ6rAO-ZXxPR7S8MRamQ0NFmo/s1600/IMG_2411.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRRmzTHzb2ioQvO0qoYaE7E-6LifCNYNr8eNGSLVmd2brkyWtg_Ch0qN0Yf9tEKv913VtfiT6ZdNApAG-RU-bSpmJ0Bf4slARChZJCgKAOvXrGUIr1mUeZ6rAO-ZXxPR7S8MRamQ0NFmo/s200/IMG_2411.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw9BQf85V4bFqiZ3qVbDpQHqPtszZDHobgpH1lQhbwYQ3njUVSEO1ouEROBEsbDKUuTGDCkRDn-Q_pd4wvZVTy7pyBdPQAiOOPw4PhzYt71nXD2Sh5BPdlk3iVNM6shRalRA6HHzaeK04/s1600/IMG_2425.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw9BQf85V4bFqiZ3qVbDpQHqPtszZDHobgpH1lQhbwYQ3njUVSEO1ouEROBEsbDKUuTGDCkRDn-Q_pd4wvZVTy7pyBdPQAiOOPw4PhzYt71nXD2Sh5BPdlk3iVNM6shRalRA6HHzaeK04/s200/IMG_2425.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7dlaj1uohgeNbjblbf_eEakqo3itk7f9ZdtSHUQsiIISiAu6fVlQWR_Z3ijFEK-G8oXrm9BQvKQaNJfKewxeb8J9TC_F8TKDDQmnu1J55rPudMIcv9wyeEQOw-YMQYPCNOnNztdpY9oM/s1600/IMG_2438.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7dlaj1uohgeNbjblbf_eEakqo3itk7f9ZdtSHUQsiIISiAu6fVlQWR_Z3ijFEK-G8oXrm9BQvKQaNJfKewxeb8J9TC_F8TKDDQmnu1J55rPudMIcv9wyeEQOw-YMQYPCNOnNztdpY9oM/s200/IMG_2438.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifPsR1miUCdsbb4GNI4xZM5Zsd2qGU_1IZU3WOXVB__1rg1BZDyKLEoORgrL5R4MzTv7vuZd9jDZwqrCfxOZeFo79uU-JDIwYTXIOiGP0yBfKoBaidqtX-cf8uGEuBk1DQBR2CSK4sGR8/s1600/IMG_2439_40_41_tonemapped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifPsR1miUCdsbb4GNI4xZM5Zsd2qGU_1IZU3WOXVB__1rg1BZDyKLEoORgrL5R4MzTv7vuZd9jDZwqrCfxOZeFo79uU-JDIwYTXIOiGP0yBfKoBaidqtX-cf8uGEuBk1DQBR2CSK4sGR8/s200/IMG_2439_40_41_tonemapped.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEfxUNHVDgF1ccPVhhGLdLAMCitN0bxFXVFPHFZWMXH_KP2QXujUsfqlbExPZuNcTO4AG9onQzjTcYJcg6L8yd-1RJeFsYJVraPtTGDI1berVaCcl5eY3io6s0uZowcTL5Ik6sNsuXv0U/s1600/IMG_2464.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEfxUNHVDgF1ccPVhhGLdLAMCitN0bxFXVFPHFZWMXH_KP2QXujUsfqlbExPZuNcTO4AG9onQzjTcYJcg6L8yd-1RJeFsYJVraPtTGDI1berVaCcl5eY3io6s0uZowcTL5Ik6sNsuXv0U/s200/IMG_2464.JPG" width="133" /></a>We piled into the Adria to make the short 4 mile drive along the coast and the added advantage of being able to squeeze pretty much anywhere a car can came into its own in the narrow car park inside the maze of rooms within the Castle was a Christmas Market which was pulled off in an incredibly modern fashion with all kinds of foods, wines and upmarket crafts which made a refreshing change from the usual Christmas market 'tat'.<br />
<br />
We were inundated with samples of the local produce and even purchased some olive and sundried tomato pate!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcn7nbjOst-FX8fkNryxQ5etKI-2RgCcN7UM5dAfjme7exXyrP9N0Hlg7FVg0ylesqLOfFg80hyrU9wojhDsHMOPb26NnRLNiLT2hco7Qu71eubdDmlpqYZWARfkMfQX1R4lMVlJXBfMo/s1600/Untitled_Panorama1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcn7nbjOst-FX8fkNryxQ5etKI-2RgCcN7UM5dAfjme7exXyrP9N0Hlg7FVg0ylesqLOfFg80hyrU9wojhDsHMOPb26NnRLNiLT2hco7Qu71eubdDmlpqYZWARfkMfQX1R4lMVlJXBfMo/s400/Untitled_Panorama1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Outside of the castle and courtyard the town itself was sleepy but felt measurably warmer than the days we had spent further inland and certainly not like any December I can remember back home in blighty!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRg8TfrPo7KgGC4nIyW5Sdg8EmkLVeIe7tvUXs_rSPE3ZhvG5TOFozO8K2Q2GYuqofLC8aBgYEGDeIYGBiehOOIZdMaRa5nt391lq_rjnwK6AdtH7NhCKz8o32Ig3g_jrI7ZEL5nkaMrY/s1600/IMG_2600_1_2_fused.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRg8TfrPo7KgGC4nIyW5Sdg8EmkLVeIe7tvUXs_rSPE3ZhvG5TOFozO8K2Q2GYuqofLC8aBgYEGDeIYGBiehOOIZdMaRa5nt391lq_rjnwK6AdtH7NhCKz8o32Ig3g_jrI7ZEL5nkaMrY/s320/IMG_2600_1_2_fused.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
</div>

Collioure

Collioure Duilhac-Sous-Peyrepertuse provided us with a dramatic and refreshingly free overnight stop before heading the short distance...

Beziers and Carcassonne

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsIsvyyEmfyIQaL3lVqHSpbNOmbmxbn2T8LwFQWwfXWziS5FW4LI4P05YUaDiQFVsDBrSM6lpdPFhqQOLoxr26BUd_q_DG6p6l1uU92nBJC-knQYvSC35qOTwcbkvmAVBnqe3WYJIyz7A/s1600/IMG_2063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsIsvyyEmfyIQaL3lVqHSpbNOmbmxbn2T8LwFQWwfXWziS5FW4LI4P05YUaDiQFVsDBrSM6lpdPFhqQOLoxr26BUd_q_DG6p6l1uU92nBJC-knQYvSC35qOTwcbkvmAVBnqe3WYJIyz7A/s320/IMG_2063.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
The journey into France from Italy passed without incident with the unmanned border now being reclaimed by motor homers as an impromptu aire. The coastline of the south of France is nice if a little manic and our route took us up and over behind Monaco rather then through it as on our last trip here in 2008.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtwPDbhNBsIK_h73I0UqXSwi6V4t5a2ZkBpIUKJVs7Er5FpVhJtegLSmb6KK0Q9RXEJ05vZ_oFQD8cdTb1d65EVrZYl4WHUQeYTWLq9NjiGE12bSpHX21fLWt5wt4b3_njYuvTn4N4zeo/s1600/IMG_2072_3_4_tonemapped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtwPDbhNBsIK_h73I0UqXSwi6V4t5a2ZkBpIUKJVs7Er5FpVhJtegLSmb6KK0Q9RXEJ05vZ_oFQD8cdTb1d65EVrZYl4WHUQeYTWLq9NjiGE12bSpHX21fLWt5wt4b3_njYuvTn4N4zeo/s320/IMG_2072_3_4_tonemapped.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
However just outside Nice a dramatic set of events occurred in quick succession. The van proclaimed it was low on oil which was strange because I had only checked it a few days prior. After immediately stopping and topping up a quick look underneath confirmed that oil was indeed pouring out of somewhere and had coated the whole bottom of the engine in oil. Contemplating getting recovered we noticed we were right next to a Fiat Professional agent, so we limped the van in and tried and failed to explain what we needed. "Catastrophic!" said one mechanic as he got into the passenger seat to move the van into the workshop, before switching to the correct side "No guarantee!". It transpired that the oil filter had somehow come lose spraying the whole undercarriage in oil and despite being in the workshop for over an hour we were charged just 30 minutes labour and €40 to fix - including jet washing the engine clean and refilling with oil we were on our way incredibly relieved at what could have been game over for the rest of our trip.<br />
<br />
Later that day we met up with Adam's parents in Arles in their new Autotrail Tracker which seems a world away from our beloved Adria Twin. It was great to see them after 9 months away and they will now join us on this leg of the journey as we travel to meet Sophie's parents in Spain for a Christmas reunion.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinHRnp8fpU2yO-35Wu8nAlTeapdq4-68jqzqziT0M_LMxV4CMMKLbvlKtzNdvHc2O_pclKEPRWJEw_M977AEX0VQ0-lBndPJ0lJhs8xNdut7i9gE2BmbP-XudjJkHply1JOe4QA0k960k/s1600/IMG_2152_3_4Adjust.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinHRnp8fpU2yO-35Wu8nAlTeapdq4-68jqzqziT0M_LMxV4CMMKLbvlKtzNdvHc2O_pclKEPRWJEw_M977AEX0VQ0-lBndPJ0lJhs8xNdut7i9gE2BmbP-XudjJkHply1JOe4QA0k960k/s200/IMG_2152_3_4Adjust.jpg" width="200" /></a>In our new roles as tour guides (for an area we ourselves haven't visited!) we set off for Beziers before stopping at a quiet beach location near Sete with the shores awash with giant shells you can't help but to collect and then wonder what it is you are going to do with all these shells when you get home. Beziers itself christened the Tracker with it's first 'Wild' camping night, however nothing is truly wild in France when it comes to motor homing.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg89qoR-LAYxBzUIVpkzIOtE8I1yCgQoSRhtJ3Jhh0_BEZofKFBwhGGwTR8r8_0S3PCauAcnvPXh7oOVOnN5ugAus4W_FGJvOYYaMi4Cc16q8FBqY1WQiu4MAJPtYJjUOiHUl_iH1MSIt8/s1600/IMG_2161_2_3Adjust.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg89qoR-LAYxBzUIVpkzIOtE8I1yCgQoSRhtJ3Jhh0_BEZofKFBwhGGwTR8r8_0S3PCauAcnvPXh7oOVOnN5ugAus4W_FGJvOYYaMi4Cc16q8FBqY1WQiu4MAJPtYJjUOiHUl_iH1MSIt8/s200/IMG_2161_2_3Adjust.jpg" width="131" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9hdW1g84S1eFMDq05didqWkUvGU6JdZlSfI98xydhPpRQgnmh7av3__xwGc3tW_O8Mv3mwQEQaJoaWOzZ1aYYCsUL2VK3qBPItEzyxow9cHOGdqUuhpK-jsA31jcrXrZRuraQWcsx0t0/s1600/IMG_2180_1_2_fused.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9hdW1g84S1eFMDq05didqWkUvGU6JdZlSfI98xydhPpRQgnmh7av3__xwGc3tW_O8Mv3mwQEQaJoaWOzZ1aYYCsUL2VK3qBPItEzyxow9cHOGdqUuhpK-jsA31jcrXrZRuraQWcsx0t0/s200/IMG_2180_1_2_fused.jpg" width="132" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHy-_pW2m22EgeO3z0Rp-PPPsJO3b0kMl6VXqM7gXEJepd4InDe6hiXcPZJp_s3xZT_aiB0u64H_OBeBjaTHajtPT6ScmqhWv_ZH4wExzsGLCGOmxeZwyC7pU5kVbZPLyT_xdFFZiid5w/s1600/IMG_2122.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHy-_pW2m22EgeO3z0Rp-PPPsJO3b0kMl6VXqM7gXEJepd4InDe6hiXcPZJp_s3xZT_aiB0u64H_OBeBjaTHajtPT6ScmqhWv_ZH4wExzsGLCGOmxeZwyC7pU5kVbZPLyT_xdFFZiid5w/s200/IMG_2122.JPG" width="133" /></a></div>
<br />
The following nights were spent at the recently relocated aire in Carcassonne (GPS: 43.2056, 2.37499) which while the old town is charming enough you can't help but feel it is missing something after visiting the likes of St Mont Michel or Monemvasia but nevertheless worth a visit (late evening being better since the aire is free 8pm - 8am with the first 'paid' hour free).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijVJnLOTVFFnNceIuGRhMClxZ8G642VO7LcNh2qDwVIuzM2sGn2odZTarQXmgS1LaojyhRynbuhaO_JMKcC2i6Kykg4yIufjGg-Nf-GU69JChm5ihnQ5maoc645cr7bycfprURTofKXus/s1600/IMG_2272.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijVJnLOTVFFnNceIuGRhMClxZ8G642VO7LcNh2qDwVIuzM2sGn2odZTarQXmgS1LaojyhRynbuhaO_JMKcC2i6Kykg4yIufjGg-Nf-GU69JChm5ihnQ5maoc645cr7bycfprURTofKXus/s200/IMG_2272.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMWXucUv5tnHUyXpnSaUmKmWYPi9ZFAQpRprBj6SuNSUXnC-k8wRafnxzFG5H_MHdWZratPM2kddftob2umvIKtW7wtkC43tOOMw893Qxjf6kMJBLl3lCmqi-2J3TjZjKohqh4rCiGyOk/s1600/IMG_2274.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMWXucUv5tnHUyXpnSaUmKmWYPi9ZFAQpRprBj6SuNSUXnC-k8wRafnxzFG5H_MHdWZratPM2kddftob2umvIKtW7wtkC43tOOMw893Qxjf6kMJBLl3lCmqi-2J3TjZjKohqh4rCiGyOk/s200/IMG_2274.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
We will leave you with a photo of our miniature but perfectly formed Christmas tree which is now resident in our van until boxing day!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2bx_5GLuKlXUmzWrJvcg1YAm_b3D3kwsN80W3mq5PEEICjMs5LvOwjI9K6hyQwRfcLv8VnDcmhzq4kDNo5x1c6asG3LQdrYhGhQPYvs3NMQBUD0enNmDl-oGwCY3glrfvZtmIg3HndNE/s1600/IMG_23382.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2bx_5GLuKlXUmzWrJvcg1YAm_b3D3kwsN80W3mq5PEEICjMs5LvOwjI9K6hyQwRfcLv8VnDcmhzq4kDNo5x1c6asG3LQdrYhGhQPYvs3NMQBUD0enNmDl-oGwCY3glrfvZtmIg3HndNE/s200/IMG_23382.jpg" width="129" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMpUiWdy3awpLoJ2aEG-blFfTjUNN7o8LTrvdgNfvO1_FWzvht5iELpECbx9QHMlMwUgGiUgUv2zj7hYmVCzGNQPvd0n0GcC9CqCnMN5eZKDmICrK21YN_A7BnM61hey_Hpl23YIWah8M/s1600/IMG_2241_2_3_fused.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMpUiWdy3awpLoJ2aEG-blFfTjUNN7o8LTrvdgNfvO1_FWzvht5iELpECbx9QHMlMwUgGiUgUv2zj7hYmVCzGNQPvd0n0GcC9CqCnMN5eZKDmICrK21YN_A7BnM61hey_Hpl23YIWah8M/s200/IMG_2241_2_3_fused.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>
</div>

Beziers and Carcassonne

The journey into France from Italy passed without incident with the unmanned border now being reclaimed by motor homers as an impromptu...

A Week in Italy

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTAHOedW3DsUQD6qLwkc3y6MH3qapM1ViA9bmq1mNQXr4ygDlpzsWwK_apE8AJAWfECqMkkPShc08xbVrPbS6sCmJ6Lr65DDgwISGmHXzIK_9Q6C-E609ARb8dPVnBqsvYkteQTJECfGU/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTAHOedW3DsUQD6qLwkc3y6MH3qapM1ViA9bmq1mNQXr4ygDlpzsWwK_apE8AJAWfECqMkkPShc08xbVrPbS6sCmJ6Lr65DDgwISGmHXzIK_9Q6C-E609ARb8dPVnBqsvYkteQTJECfGU/s320/2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ferrara</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzzg0dz-z4jGCUNNeGrx4Foey55KAvbmt3CtvKtXZ_IGp7gy9jk8Lsv06JvL6ZSCsqTIy9dmCS5WkpqJYcREE5Engn5V3EnXMkappt7JxKjYtJUD25Ji9rKtXmvzCc0ljBZj0jUViqzpQ/s1600/8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzzg0dz-z4jGCUNNeGrx4Foey55KAvbmt3CtvKtXZ_IGp7gy9jk8Lsv06JvL6ZSCsqTIy9dmCS5WkpqJYcREE5Engn5V3EnXMkappt7JxKjYtJUD25Ji9rKtXmvzCc0ljBZj0jUViqzpQ/s200/8.jpg" width="132" /></a>After a whole 7 weeks in Greece, Italy has been a bit of a culture shock for us and it’s taken a little while to get back into the swing of things in Western Europe. For a start, we saw more motorhomes in 7 minutes then in 70 days in Greece and the abundance of free Aires with all the services laid out for you seemed a little alien at first.<br />
<br />
We knew that this stretch of east coast of Italy holds little of interest off season so we made straight for San Marino which as it turned out was enveloped in fog. Having already visited in 2008 we decided we’d stay in the comfort of our van rather than brave the positively artic temperatures and begrudgingly packed our shorts and t-shirts away and pulled out our micro fleeces, scarves and gloves which have been firmly boxed up since Nordkapp.<br />
<br />
At this point we could go on to tell you about the Italian architecture or the culture but the thing that has been the biggest interest to us since arriving has been the shops! Not only is Italy at least 30-40% cheaper than Greece for food (even like-for-like in Lidl) but the range and choice available in iPer La Grande is mind blowing. We pushed a trolley overflowing with speciality Pastas, Coffee, Gnocchi, Breads not to mention three types of Fish, Bacon and Beer (although we’re well stocked on Mythos) for less than an equivalent sized shop in Lidl just two weeks earlier. Craving our mid-afternoon coffee fix we purchased a new Moka Pot so we can have espressos which are slightly less messy and bitty then the Greek coffee we have been used to. Diesel and LPG is cheaper here in Italy also which is just as well as our gas usage has increased threefold as our heating is running through the night.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpAIElH-S1sHaTQz9hWNKos2pUcbD6-m0eW8TgGQ58xwN-hNsdQFCsk2sQcEI4MCCW0cHHIaW1V0Qe_ISuhEGJnj9CRUKz7hGyQ-NoSriMf-xVQvt3tYmL2zaEnTGbtbtlznpji__hVOY/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpAIElH-S1sHaTQz9hWNKos2pUcbD6-m0eW8TgGQ58xwN-hNsdQFCsk2sQcEI4MCCW0cHHIaW1V0Qe_ISuhEGJnj9CRUKz7hGyQ-NoSriMf-xVQvt3tYmL2zaEnTGbtbtlznpji__hVOY/s200/5.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6pQf0AY_BuevOaVT7NcMxF9SQSCKfp04uoqo72sr6FAd04uPS4J-okixgeQtnPv1dvY42HMJWaq0jcgwb9IPZ-uAld5XtJQjUShnZ1O7wqOnBY2-VlGuBftvRwPbLaslV0BDKoucfbF4/s1600/6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6pQf0AY_BuevOaVT7NcMxF9SQSCKfp04uoqo72sr6FAd04uPS4J-okixgeQtnPv1dvY42HMJWaq0jcgwb9IPZ-uAld5XtJQjUShnZ1O7wqOnBY2-VlGuBftvRwPbLaslV0BDKoucfbF4/s200/6.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
One of the best things about our blog is when people get in contact for help when they are planning to embark on a similar trip and in Bologna we met up with Matt and Laura who are following a similar route to us but in reverse. Bologna transpired to be larger than we anticipated and after ruling out all of our pushpins for the central area we ended up at a Train Station aire on the outskirts of the city joined later by Matt and Laura. Their van was cavernous compared to ours and Laura had done a fantastic job of putting their stamp on it with homemade curtains and knitted throws – their van has a special story behind it so I’d recommend visiting their blog – <a href="http://www.mattnlaura.co.uk/" target="_blank">Matt & Laura</a><br />
<br />
After a nearby Pizza and an evening sitting up talking which served to remind us just how early we have been going to bed since the clocks changed, we bid them farewell and began our trip North. At this point we’re on our way across the South of France to meet up with Adam’s parents who are travelling down with us to see Sophie’s parents in Spain for a family Christmas reunion. I must apologise therefore if for the next month our blog covers more well-trodden paths but rest assured in January we shall be embarking on another adventure – so watch this space! We did however have time for another encounter with fellow traveler Ric from <a href="http://www.facebook.com/vantasticjourney?sk=wall" target="_blank">Vantastic Journey</a> although our meeting was brief we hope to catch up with him in Spain at some point<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3nKeIGvxsbIJTT6kHZuR01LXz15EfLYk9lp5uA9QdgcAON1ZS79YcwJHffIR2kKXXJPfc0GEID-oEhelPqTcM13rtN_kXrYdjOkcgL8APn63HjAOlwz8NhVcNJNXLblqoy6-Aja0CglE/s1600/3.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3nKeIGvxsbIJTT6kHZuR01LXz15EfLYk9lp5uA9QdgcAON1ZS79YcwJHffIR2kKXXJPfc0GEID-oEhelPqTcM13rtN_kXrYdjOkcgL8APn63HjAOlwz8NhVcNJNXLblqoy6-Aja0CglE/s200/3.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRlNw0Y2D6A6qSlOPDe2MIREaxUcD9wgNvZkZ3yvwhJygI5gjsR9CRXZXR5zg5xw4eqXpjt561geT5XZELzcSH-cX9k-gHzEHCuesdVJ7NfaFu2BnDRifAdsTcK28LurkIBprmbsWd8UI/s1600/4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRlNw0Y2D6A6qSlOPDe2MIREaxUcD9wgNvZkZ3yvwhJygI5gjsR9CRXZXR5zg5xw4eqXpjt561geT5XZELzcSH-cX9k-gHzEHCuesdVJ7NfaFu2BnDRifAdsTcK28LurkIBprmbsWd8UI/s200/4.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi443aLfMHixEtr5uFVPhweXjR46_57zY6Za0yZUQLR7RP5elhs0zt6_j4931q8tjvo02OyxjqaIKBgO_sg12CovLj-b3DX6TqO3VaGSZWu3IIaiajjSEfob-kXMEAfAkf_tUnx7DMpzRw/s1600/1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi443aLfMHixEtr5uFVPhweXjR46_57zY6Za0yZUQLR7RP5elhs0zt6_j4931q8tjvo02OyxjqaIKBgO_sg12CovLj-b3DX6TqO3VaGSZWu3IIaiajjSEfob-kXMEAfAkf_tUnx7DMpzRw/s200/1.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
</div>

A Week in Italy

Ferrara After a whole 7 weeks in Greece, Italy has been a bit of a culture shock for us and it’s taken a little while to get back in...

Our last week in Greece

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW7HeUTvKX5DZgFkwzImO-0uRAht2Y66TcACjRKsnX1DqkFLAo8qzXPO6eMfGpfojpybbeERxo1c2SbfzM-O0trEw4SsiyJsSHu0sPIJku37zd3oEpPPqn7EnVHuBkRicY-HYc1bhJPso/s1600/Untitled_Panorama1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="103" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW7HeUTvKX5DZgFkwzImO-0uRAht2Y66TcACjRKsnX1DqkFLAo8qzXPO6eMfGpfojpybbeERxo1c2SbfzM-O0trEw4SsiyJsSHu0sPIJku37zd3oEpPPqn7EnVHuBkRicY-HYc1bhJPso/s400/Untitled_Panorama1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Our days in Greece were running out and our pace slowed right down as the port of Patras became ever closer. We found ourselves parked in the cruise ship port town of Katakolo because the marina offered electric hookup to campers, Adam had some work to do and the batteries could use the free boost.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivlom6RESLLBV2fTIiXQXICpvBrZddiBA4f4qCCqVfGxEHu-faBIlG7MDHFxO3QZzWrqEDJelPt9cjWb4tfeLU1h_RlcvZ4aORs1YngP9kom-VaVhbbvSVYVasaLJO0Ak9bhgV7ToG86w/s1600/IMG_1802.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivlom6RESLLBV2fTIiXQXICpvBrZddiBA4f4qCCqVfGxEHu-faBIlG7MDHFxO3QZzWrqEDJelPt9cjWb4tfeLU1h_RlcvZ4aORs1YngP9kom-VaVhbbvSVYVasaLJO0Ak9bhgV7ToG86w/s200/IMG_1802.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The town itself revolved solely around cruise ships, initially deserted as soon as a ship rolled in the shops would extend their wares well into the street. You could tell the nationality of the passengers that day by the greetings the shop keepers gave us as we walked down the street – “Bonjour!”, “Ciao!”, “Hola!” on three separate days. The shops themselves sold largely fake handbags, shoes and clothes, “Replicas!” replied one woman while I was commenting on the poor quality of one such item. Not quite sure how Greece gets away with it, maybe its something to do with the Faky Lacky. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ECXZKKKRYRALr2x7ImIGbbtQoqPHQX-Zl-vplULNdLNUYfM6JD33zqpo6R5GYeCTBeQ-JSR820twLf3qNUf9FPfXHj6gHGSElnKrn9G404q_kiICg4-3IEQxK0ah_5sqkCGpG3_ylLc/s1600/IMG_1760_1_2Adjust.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ECXZKKKRYRALr2x7ImIGbbtQoqPHQX-Zl-vplULNdLNUYfM6JD33zqpo6R5GYeCTBeQ-JSR820twLf3qNUf9FPfXHj6gHGSElnKrn9G404q_kiICg4-3IEQxK0ah_5sqkCGpG3_ylLc/s200/IMG_1760_1_2Adjust.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgusqnLkzIAa7KzsnrhX5mbKOQwzjdlc2fI-rDn9VIrO0xcCjw1pJ3pS_8iBOzZHYJ7prxm2JkWULZOELRwB1j353jg_7wf1eIqpdfLjcy1-fNtEid2SanZoCOSClRHOo-NtwcGIoTlBjY/s1600/IMG_1763_4_5Adjust.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgusqnLkzIAa7KzsnrhX5mbKOQwzjdlc2fI-rDn9VIrO0xcCjw1pJ3pS_8iBOzZHYJ7prxm2JkWULZOELRwB1j353jg_7wf1eIqpdfLjcy1-fNtEid2SanZoCOSClRHOo-NtwcGIoTlBjY/s200/IMG_1763_4_5Adjust.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVHixSnbGN245vgiIp3DWJEwgWrJy1aMZhHbDBXGOg3JzC-SciWLRm8RazM7AVDTyQORkxQgxX9GJN0AqBlCy5C_ZCZnJvtSpJDBPtYmOZs6okovpHaghty-X6JOKRNaqFHA55gKXC0SM/s1600/IMG_1701.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVHixSnbGN245vgiIp3DWJEwgWrJy1aMZhHbDBXGOg3JzC-SciWLRm8RazM7AVDTyQORkxQgxX9GJN0AqBlCy5C_ZCZnJvtSpJDBPtYmOZs6okovpHaghty-X6JOKRNaqFHA55gKXC0SM/s200/IMG_1701.JPG" width="200" /></a>As we got ready to leave we filled our water tank and as we moved onto filling our bottles the water revealed itself as a murky brown colour much to our horror and we suddenly knew why we had been refused water with our coffee. We lined up over a grill and let out 90 litres of off-white water and used the opportunity to give our fresh tank a good wipe out from the inside before filling up with fresh clear water from a nearby fuel station.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDIGwXjybJ14cXU_ItRSWHzehp3QWHs5LHSVt_E1NS9rnUCvzau86-B__syquYfUXX8e5yYLp0faCmlwnzadQQoxL_bsjKImBAbZ-NDtx5fcz7d96InyyaH_QNPxq6Vr27TYjUauOvcQ0/s1600/Untitled_Panorama2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="108" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDIGwXjybJ14cXU_ItRSWHzehp3QWHs5LHSVt_E1NS9rnUCvzau86-B__syquYfUXX8e5yYLp0faCmlwnzadQQoxL_bsjKImBAbZ-NDtx5fcz7d96InyyaH_QNPxq6Vr27TYjUauOvcQ0/s400/Untitled_Panorama2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
After a visit to Chlemoutsi castle a campsite beckoned to deal with the 4 weeks of washing, bedding and towels and we found Ionion Beach Camping was highly recommended. Aside from 5 German caravans and one motorhome the site was deserted so we picked the best spot right on the beach and proceeded to use all three large washing machines simultaneously, before stringing a line on the beach for some of the larger items to dry, the whole process which taking most of the day.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK79V3i0lRmzGTamTuXiJtkrf42h7bBmhkhxSlgiDZB_MmdZCCmSDRqGY6RN3VFM-SZ2zz4fIsmRZNaDfN5JQ4R_Zv4xU9Pgu_6fbRwKrLIWgMhyphenhyphenB8s90BH4WpoCti6ExGR2IHCNYdrKs/s1600/IMG_1826_7_8Adjust.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK79V3i0lRmzGTamTuXiJtkrf42h7bBmhkhxSlgiDZB_MmdZCCmSDRqGY6RN3VFM-SZ2zz4fIsmRZNaDfN5JQ4R_Zv4xU9Pgu_6fbRwKrLIWgMhyphenhyphenB8s90BH4WpoCti6ExGR2IHCNYdrKs/s320/IMG_1826_7_8Adjust.jpg" width="210" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUFuVnFakgbPMhzKqRcFPqqJsFgFaR2Ee2Yw3GNF-NZqnhBQnjSdm85rmDkgo29RsB99EfiZpLQP23uAEEZCpQwXms627FvkYJebCaS179mWUdFU56Xxk5gLCfI1KwXjUsVAa2D-VeE1k/s1600/IMG_1912.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUFuVnFakgbPMhzKqRcFPqqJsFgFaR2Ee2Yw3GNF-NZqnhBQnjSdm85rmDkgo29RsB99EfiZpLQP23uAEEZCpQwXms627FvkYJebCaS179mWUdFU56Xxk5gLCfI1KwXjUsVAa2D-VeE1k/s320/IMG_1912.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg861LSuzG2_vtI_lr8xtvcGqe9pJTwvtGruwSfp_jiJ4vsRol-nryawtyu2a2w528cKh8KYavJ6FLNZNHXsaejEUZ6iGtVPLLY__aSibpSg8U20loAO14w8RpgUMDzzCAgvMabv_QuOUc/s1600/IMG_1929_30_31_fused.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg861LSuzG2_vtI_lr8xtvcGqe9pJTwvtGruwSfp_jiJ4vsRol-nryawtyu2a2w528cKh8KYavJ6FLNZNHXsaejEUZ6iGtVPLLY__aSibpSg8U20loAO14w8RpgUMDzzCAgvMabv_QuOUc/s200/IMG_1929_30_31_fused.jpg" width="200" /></a>Just one more beach stop between us and Patras we managed a length of the beach before retreating inside from hordes of mosquitos, this is one aspect of Greece we won’t miss. The journey into Patras reminded us why we don’t like large cities, ports especially, as the roads were lined with immigrants looking to find their way under a lorry or passing vehicle.<br />
<br />
<br />
We pulled into the new south port and Sophie checked the prices online while Adam went into the ticket office armed with a pad to get prices from the three different carriers. The process is straight forward and it’s an ideal opportunity to pitch one against another, except in our case Minoan was already cheapest by £100. While the ‘Camp On-board’ service finishes on 31st October the price remains the same but you are offered a cabin and a free meal instead, we managed to knock the price down to £215 which for a 23 hour crossing didn't seem too bad; a return would have been only £300.<br />
<br />
After the most thorough search we’ve ever had by the Greek army who guard the port, we boarded and were greeted to the usual frantic Greek arm waving and eventually slotted into a tiny space under a ramp and plugged into the on-board hookup with just one other camper; our batteries won’t know what’s hit them.<br />
The ship itself was largely deserted and on-board prices inflated to all but the truckers with their 50% discount cards, our free meal was limited and we settled on meatballs while the truckers opted for three main courses each. I can’t imagine a cruise being relaxing because when we arrived to a grey Ancona we were truly knackered and ready to be back in control of our own destiny.</div>

Our last week in Greece

Our days in Greece were running out and our pace slowed right down as the port of Patras became ever closer. We found ourselves parked...

Lousios Gorge & Olympia

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl9izCQ4aBCaXwNSO1tD7xXRT_ZAsFb8s10o0OOdCuYnWIHsUX4NwleCoNtqTPFXqtppKylu30ofHY9-zE8ThxbRf4y4ddNhxOoV0-hMfvWOMITGnwSlrAiybCQLwbFnwIPYhYWD60xII/s1600/Monastery.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl9izCQ4aBCaXwNSO1tD7xXRT_ZAsFb8s10o0OOdCuYnWIHsUX4NwleCoNtqTPFXqtppKylu30ofHY9-zE8ThxbRf4y4ddNhxOoV0-hMfvWOMITGnwSlrAiybCQLwbFnwIPYhYWD60xII/s200/Monastery.JPG" width="133" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiExXqM3AuGG28lk8t5UUYNR6BVeey3IIL9YMr3ck9_L6zm0me4WOpwrEp5d8BrdDYaBv7ILdRm6N97sTeN58lKMVBOQxFPFp8yH3myh_3_nuIArBz1ChS8jDnGC9R18b_n2tauQxHIrfU/s1600/Gorge+%25285%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiExXqM3AuGG28lk8t5UUYNR6BVeey3IIL9YMr3ck9_L6zm0me4WOpwrEp5d8BrdDYaBv7ILdRm6N97sTeN58lKMVBOQxFPFp8yH3myh_3_nuIArBz1ChS8jDnGC9R18b_n2tauQxHIrfU/s320/Gorge+%25285%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
We have seen some of the most impressive beaches in Greece, Voidokilia included, however with the weather turning a little colder we decided to head inland to view the magnificent Lousios Gorge. The route was adorned with charming villages perched on impossible slopes and we managed to stay almost in the center of three and nobody batted an eyelid, such is the laid back culture of Greece.<div>
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFPOy-FxNakx78KfxqfU7q-Vpq6hk7Ji_dhLJvFsf9KbzE8PeZhO5y_rDbio-h1lNfdLzCQsJG9usJ85lzu4DLd-P5VW_c3dJjnZxusLjic29pX8Z0jD45IqJ6JaBUr8myGs8-A2R3pnM/s1600/Karitaina+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFPOy-FxNakx78KfxqfU7q-Vpq6hk7Ji_dhLJvFsf9KbzE8PeZhO5y_rDbio-h1lNfdLzCQsJG9usJ85lzu4DLd-P5VW_c3dJjnZxusLjic29pX8Z0jD45IqJ6JaBUr8myGs8-A2R3pnM/s200/Karitaina+%25282%2529.jpg" width="132" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Karytaina </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Our first stop was Karytaina where we stayed in the town square and made the short journey up to the ruined castle which overlooked the village. Having drunk our staple Greek coffee we departed to explore some of the Gorge area which as it transpired was accessible by road starting at Elliniko. We've been a little wary of minor roads in Greece and with good reason!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
While generally good in some parts the road was down to half width with the other half having disappeared down into the gorge while a bust pipe cut another road in two. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS6JTovAVAql6wtaG5Prmgh6eClT1sn_Zx3wgMFYiKpRP09BpFTPb7VsUz_j1WjlEw9waxA7Z2ZBp7RaxqyRqJdKioBb6jh-RIQpy9Emn2yspWkngTqXa9R5qxY0wUcjOIBF4rlv8bYPw/s1600/Gorge+%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS6JTovAVAql6wtaG5Prmgh6eClT1sn_Zx3wgMFYiKpRP09BpFTPb7VsUz_j1WjlEw9waxA7Z2ZBp7RaxqyRqJdKioBb6jh-RIQpy9Emn2yspWkngTqXa9R5qxY0wUcjOIBF4rlv8bYPw/s200/Gorge+%25283%2529.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWvGF-v1n6z0iDvA4cImC-7N7A9gcwBNBIfh4iA9mjem2glW7UkwiktNEzHvoKuE-KaEMuhKvqxiCjZFdZ51nMn4DPxcaz5wIgEXUcNvLjm1j-OwX_zv8vZgRYVBDnuV6s1m58SB1izXE/s1600/Gorge+%25284%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWvGF-v1n6z0iDvA4cImC-7N7A9gcwBNBIfh4iA9mjem2glW7UkwiktNEzHvoKuE-KaEMuhKvqxiCjZFdZ51nMn4DPxcaz5wIgEXUcNvLjm1j-OwX_zv8vZgRYVBDnuV6s1m58SB1izXE/s200/Gorge+%25284%2529.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<div>
We were flagged down by two Polish walkers at Kokkoras Bridge who had walked the length of the gorge but hadn't left enough time in which to return along its length.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBFJEs-KeTqgd7qztluixZ4e5TaeyukUpuscd1adwWUtS2dAD3qbzoc_Hn9Z5Wiux8CXiLaaA0FazdLaK0D3K6fDiwChanXXZnEaRvaU4_G6wIbr0eLzXQxKl2dKP3DsIIPgNs6It8jHU/s1600/Gorge.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBFJEs-KeTqgd7qztluixZ4e5TaeyukUpuscd1adwWUtS2dAD3qbzoc_Hn9Z5Wiux8CXiLaaA0FazdLaK0D3K6fDiwChanXXZnEaRvaU4_G6wIbr0eLzXQxKl2dKP3DsIIPgNs6It8jHU/s320/Gorge.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6VXNUHZHz-AcL4SJHBYnYPPg_PfCFt_nKGoJCeVhHx3MPvvT0XQzfRQ33TwmhTNSp7IZkV8XtulKPXKiX_ioxifypc4LtiI6z0k93sq3zWULeAgvL_OMZ33DQyfkmlVwUsSG8fpvqHSs/s1600/Monastery+%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6VXNUHZHz-AcL4SJHBYnYPPg_PfCFt_nKGoJCeVhHx3MPvvT0XQzfRQ33TwmhTNSp7IZkV8XtulKPXKiX_ioxifypc4LtiI6z0k93sq3zWULeAgvL_OMZ33DQyfkmlVwUsSG8fpvqHSs/s200/Monastery+%25283%2529.JPG" width="133" /></a></div>
<br /><div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9SkeZjmC2BK4YtI9F8YL7aUT0ri32922rQMFYr77lGk0gFfMJeRV7IX3qxElhIfu79BUjqTXLWHe0k66Pu47cMu4Yu7JxUBjUn2yBYHkXK84I-Y3yF_-SJ7AkroQm-bVf4hfMdOUyC7o/s1600/Monastery+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9SkeZjmC2BK4YtI9F8YL7aUT0ri32922rQMFYr77lGk0gFfMJeRV7IX3qxElhIfu79BUjqTXLWHe0k66Pu47cMu4Yu7JxUBjUn2yBYHkXK84I-Y3yF_-SJ7AkroQm-bVf4hfMdOUyC7o/s200/Monastery+%25282%2529.jpg" width="200" /></a>Fortunate for them we were there since we didn't see another car for the whole day, we gave them a ride to Prodromou Monastery saving them a couple of km's and a 600m climb. Wedged into a palisade on the canyons east flank, the 12th century monastery is the gorges most spectacular sight - although we must have arrived on wash day as grey underpants were flapping in the wind from every balcony and the monastery itself was closed.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Two further nights were spent in the village of Dimitsana which offered ample parking, free wifi and good opportunities for hiking into the gorge. Adam was keen to visit the Museum of Hydroelectricity which was unfortunately closed, much to Sophie's relief. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0lDHcYdOnUXbsD55QYwgndrXYL1BNzL2a6McpR55z969_LWFk-EYo3gTL1g8J3AumUaWLKLtWE1TfLUk0UwCd7m1PDVwiP522lViPwRD0A16bCkDgWnLCQWh-Nhvc96rXW6WP3Uz3QO0/s1600/Gorge+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0lDHcYdOnUXbsD55QYwgndrXYL1BNzL2a6McpR55z969_LWFk-EYo3gTL1g8J3AumUaWLKLtWE1TfLUk0UwCd7m1PDVwiP522lViPwRD0A16bCkDgWnLCQWh-Nhvc96rXW6WP3Uz3QO0/s200/Gorge+%25282%2529.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDtvc4KkiNWQxUor1Fz17u6wP_MTvazkZdvZ8KVwPHNLr1RVd1Uf1Q6kZyk9SMRyizHLXziA4AV4YR_MobgvT2qz1jeEcmjwdMZR36DxZJrmS_9z_0v4P9aOgBflmTvqJvQtUQ6aDzJlk/s1600/Monastery+%25284%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDtvc4KkiNWQxUor1Fz17u6wP_MTvazkZdvZ8KVwPHNLr1RVd1Uf1Q6kZyk9SMRyizHLXziA4AV4YR_MobgvT2qz1jeEcmjwdMZR36DxZJrmS_9z_0v4P9aOgBflmTvqJvQtUQ6aDzJlk/s200/Monastery+%25284%2529.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf_MvUc672fcIA8LknFz366CsQeukb4o3PpuTqr6jSAZTEZSI74KTyI_2ANjhrDA3_6ZyoXl6qjzIAzeHVTxdcdmGQYUdCpoquY0Q_tPZVnqR3ykDwe_Kyx4IQoc-s8qZOCMR3xMvXfJs/s1600/Chinese+Cars.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf_MvUc672fcIA8LknFz366CsQeukb4o3PpuTqr6jSAZTEZSI74KTyI_2ANjhrDA3_6ZyoXl6qjzIAzeHVTxdcdmGQYUdCpoquY0Q_tPZVnqR3ykDwe_Kyx4IQoc-s8qZOCMR3xMvXfJs/s200/Chinese+Cars.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg38gl4ZyVv8ZH-ZYb1XjvPpMjyfw-okORQTccCvf_6B-Nm7HyKNiNVl8pEmBSzQBrdueF2kfl4Oz9d_AWx0cnEil9uMAeX2Z9aVti32S-Q7dJnXDp8Qx5-trLtn67OHD4xfbRArd2mJcU/s1600/Olympia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg38gl4ZyVv8ZH-ZYb1XjvPpMjyfw-okORQTccCvf_6B-Nm7HyKNiNVl8pEmBSzQBrdueF2kfl4Oz9d_AWx0cnEil9uMAeX2Z9aVti32S-Q7dJnXDp8Qx5-trLtn67OHD4xfbRArd2mJcU/s200/Olympia.jpg" width="200" /></a>The trip through the Gorge finished at Olympia which was totally deserted except for 4 4x4's which had traveled overland from China apparently en-route to France. The Olympic games were first held here roughly around 776 BC and was originally a grand venue, more of a temple than a sporting site. Today, there are only a handful of columns and ruins which exist such as the circular Phillippeion dating back to 4th Century BC and the Temple of Hera which is one of the oldest temples in Greece. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
It was one of the rare occasions when it might have been nice to have a guide since, while impressive in terms of scale and historical significance, the fact that we had the place to ourselves detracted from the sites sense of importance. A worthwhile experience, but perhaps we've just had our fill of ruins for this trip?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhow1RHO3phack1OLtnrhZbHTjYs2GSqTj1f9UMfa9Wsc1uKwdk1MWXchRcb6umsmdIDTohnD3QLM03eJOdVm2R_XZ_D71ibzPnbdYhm9_xFMPa8YOYzwoIxffDkBjWC18fDCPKTSTiYf4/s1600/Olympia+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="131" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhow1RHO3phack1OLtnrhZbHTjYs2GSqTj1f9UMfa9Wsc1uKwdk1MWXchRcb6umsmdIDTohnD3QLM03eJOdVm2R_XZ_D71ibzPnbdYhm9_xFMPa8YOYzwoIxffDkBjWC18fDCPKTSTiYf4/s200/Olympia+%25282%2529.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ09AdJ6Y3uaC0syZHG7UoZASM_LEUjpRDFDyw_TyfyUOTUVJqawd91rZGZTKfRczHVAEmzcmG-bFd64i_VQaufGYGRMPeEijk9hBnuhgiBtUxXrKIGb2nk7CoZhfTNInixHYxCw0UYqo/s1600/Stadium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ09AdJ6Y3uaC0syZHG7UoZASM_LEUjpRDFDyw_TyfyUOTUVJqawd91rZGZTKfRczHVAEmzcmG-bFd64i_VQaufGYGRMPeEijk9hBnuhgiBtUxXrKIGb2nk7CoZhfTNInixHYxCw0UYqo/s200/Stadium.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Just a couple of other photos which we took whilst travelling through the little villages of the Louisos Gorge.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXa4cexvaghGvHaS551CVQqX5eRyPsu7tOvIRHEm2uhDXQG5_bG_1TIQ3393a42zdLXfRS2ghqacQx80q2WF54_FbtAfI_jaAB59FLNwFk4IaSpQiOkgQFsyRPlINQdP5SEoFk0bEzi-4/s1600/Dimitsana.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXa4cexvaghGvHaS551CVQqX5eRyPsu7tOvIRHEm2uhDXQG5_bG_1TIQ3393a42zdLXfRS2ghqacQx80q2WF54_FbtAfI_jaAB59FLNwFk4IaSpQiOkgQFsyRPlINQdP5SEoFk0bEzi-4/s200/Dimitsana.JPG" width="133" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNc4YFBmyC-0aDiNtKIA9d4DXvJH0QvVZ5Nst1PV28-O6Eo9DdAwRny8h2boM_pbeuK7SHWiv2HPoxdqNnORGJK9xMTFCbFZ_TziAh0jXgMuvumzzqfok9Q-TielsuBtsrzcYGXHYX8a0/s1600/Langadhia+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNc4YFBmyC-0aDiNtKIA9d4DXvJH0QvVZ5Nst1PV28-O6Eo9DdAwRny8h2boM_pbeuK7SHWiv2HPoxdqNnORGJK9xMTFCbFZ_TziAh0jXgMuvumzzqfok9Q-TielsuBtsrzcYGXHYX8a0/s200/Langadhia+%25282%2529.JPG" width="131" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBFFn0WyAyhyphenhyphene72VTdMJHWOCPdNp2GRd1MHA4wr4nt5YBshqiqQVbGMyYZCsecIogRPIVOB2k0U0jJF25MZ4-uqXFhwT1oTgvftYGXdi_jFHoAUfSsCK5KXAzt75vHotjdjK_xF0gAUS4/s1600/Langadhia+%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBFFn0WyAyhyphenhyphene72VTdMJHWOCPdNp2GRd1MHA4wr4nt5YBshqiqQVbGMyYZCsecIogRPIVOB2k0U0jJF25MZ4-uqXFhwT1oTgvftYGXdi_jFHoAUfSsCK5KXAzt75vHotjdjK_xF0gAUS4/s200/Langadhia+%25283%2529.JPG" width="133" /></a></div>
</div>

Lousios Gorge & Olympia

We have seen some of the most impressive beaches in Greece, Voidokilia included, however with the weather turning a little colder we dec...

Collioure

Beziers and Carcassonne

A Week in Italy

Our last week in Greece

Lousios Gorge & Olympia

Most Read

View By Date