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Interailing in the Balkans (Italy - Istanbul)

  • 18-01-2011 11:59pm
    #1
    Crania
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 605 ✭✭✭


    Hey guys,

    We're currently considering our summer plans and we're thinking about travelling through the Balkans, starting in Milan and then finishing in Istanbul.

    Has anyone done a trip like this? So far, our very rough itinerary is along the lines of fly into Milan, maybe take in Venice (perhaps this is too couply, we're two guys!), then onto Ljubjana and Lake Bled in Slovenia, from there to Zagreb in Croatia, Belgrade, Sarajevo, then back to Croatia for Split and Dubrovnik, then Budva in Montenegro which I've heard is nice, then Thessaloniki in Greece and then finish in Istanbul. That is a very rough draft, we're just tossing around ideas really.

    I have heard trains can be quite poor (along with most forms of public transport) in the Balkans and I've read that it's probably not even worthwhile getting an Interrail pass. Better just to pay for the trains and buses along the way. I'm also worried about the connections as I've heard it can be quite hard to get from place to place when you get off one of the mainlines. For instance, it could be difficult to get from Budva to Thessaloniki..?

    Anyone have any advice? Are we missing out on somewhere worthwhile? Should we leave out some places? I really know nothing about Belgrade and Sarajevo so would be particularly interested to hear from people who've been to either of those places.

    Thanks very much.


Comments

  • #2
    Civilian_Target
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,618 ✭✭✭Civilian_Target


    Don't bother with an interrail pass. Italian trains aren't too pricey, and Balkan trains (where they exist) are cheap as chips.

    While they're damn slow, I'd still recommend the Balkan trains if you can take them, because you see a bit more of life, and they're a lot more comfortable than the busses. But many of the places you might want to go won't have a train.

    But for your example, Budva -> Thessaloniki, go to Nis from Budva and from there there's a direct train to Thessaloniki.

    On the way - Ljubljana, Belgrade and Thessaloniki are my must-sees. Dubrovnik's cool too, and I've heard good things about Tirana if you're feeling adventurous. (Northern Albania can be a bit dangerous I hear, but I'm told its a cool trip.) If you're going in summer, I'd also highly recommend you stop in Ohrid, Macedonia.


  • #3
    dory
    Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 4,575 Mod ✭✭✭✭dory


    You're leaving out quite a bit of the Balkans - Albania, Macedonia and Kosovo. Albania has been voted in many travel sites' Top 10 Places of 2011. It's not the easiest to travel in, but very beautiful and not full of tourists.

    From Budva you could head down the coast into Albania and into Greece from there. Or via Ohrid as CT suggested.

    I've been living here in Kosovo for 9 months now, and have yet to take a train. My colleagues won't let me because the buses are much faster. I've found the buses to be fine so they're a possible alternative too.


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