NomadMania is very pleased to suggest the ultimate in quirky itineraries. Starting in Athens and ending in Izmir, this 9-day adventure will take a route that has never been done before, and go completely crazy, going through 5 UN Countries, 10 NomadMania Regions and 10 DARE places.
We are at this point not giving specific dates, but expect to run this at the end of April, 2025. The trip will be done by car or in the event of considerable interest, by a small bus. Please note we expect long drives taking in a lot of places!
Proposed Itinerary
Day 1
Departure from Athens to the Peloponnese (NomadMania Region 1); stop in ancient Corinth to explore the ruins. We will then cross the Rio-Antirrio bridge and visit the DARE region of Koronisia Artas as well as our NomadMania region 2, before continuing for an overnight in the charming town of Ioannina.
Athens by Daniel Steininger
Day 2
Morning boat ride to the island lake (possible future DARE!); we then head west to Sagiada (DARE 2), before crossing into southern Albania (NomadMania region 3) for a coffee in Sarande and a visit to Butrint (World Heritage Site); in the afternoon, we drive north to Korce where we will spend the night.
Sarande by Orest Zub
Day 3
We continue north towards the Prespa Lake where we will visit DARE region 3 before crossing into North Macedonia (NomadMania region 4) for DARE region 4 on the west shore of Prespa Lake. We will visit Ohrid for a few hours before heading to Centar Zhupa (DARE region 5) and then via Tetovo to Skopje (NomadMania region 5) for an overnight.
Tetovo by Rami Sanigova
Day 4
We drive east to Bulgaria where we see Kyustendil (NomadMania region 6) before heading south to Blagoevgrad (NomadMania region 7); we then cross into Greece and overnight in the charming town of Xanthi. This will be our longest day driving.
Day 5. The morning begins with a drive to the Pomak villages (DARE region 6) before we head east with a stop in Alexandroupolis before heading north to Orestiada (DARE region 7). We then cross the border into Turkey and overnight in Edirne (NomadMania region 8).
Edirne by Alex Wacht
Day 6
Heading south, we visit Enez on the border with Greece (DARE region 8); we then head south and visit Galipoli before heading to Kabatepe for our ferry to the island of Gokceada (DARE region 9).
Galipoli by Dondon Bales
Day 7
A full day exploring the island before we return to the mainland and cross the bridge to Canakkale (NomadMania region 9), where we will overnight.
Canakkale by Rus Margolin
Day 8
We drive south and visit Troy before heading to our last DARE region, the islands off Ayvalik; we then head south to Izmir (NomadMania region 10) where the tour will end.
Izmir by Orest Zub
Day 9
Explore Izmir. Depending on the group, there will be a return to Greece to the island of Chios (NomadMania region 11) before returning to Athens; alternatively, there are transport options to Istanbul and further NomadMania regions.
RESUME
This tour is conceptualized more as an expedition of ‘friends’ rather than a professional trip. We will have drivers volunteer to drive their own cars; however, if we get more than 12 people interested, we may consider renting a small van.
Estimated cost – 1250 euros per person including all transport fees, entrance fees to attractions, accommodation. Meals not included, inexpensive stops for meals at local restaurants… These costs will be better calculated once we know the size of the group.
For expressions of interest please contact NomadMania founder Harry, who will be one of the drivers at: harry@nomadmania.com
