From Livadia heading to Igoumenitsa and then Corfu

The Question:

dear stavros i want to know, there is a bus from levadea to igumenitsa or direct to corfù?
thank you very much!


The Answer:

Hello there!

Well, there is not direct convenient connection. You will have to take the bus at 11.00 am from Livadia to Ioannina and then change bus to Igoumenitsa, where there are ferries to get you to Corfu island. You can call at the bus stations to ask availability and rates: 0030 22610 28272 for Livadia Ktel bus station and 0030 26510 26286 for Ioannina.
Why don't you rent a car? Check out the site http://www.fantasticgreece.com/ at car rentals section.

Enjoy Corfu!

-Stavros

Igoumenitsa-Ioannina-Thessaloniki

The Question:

Dear Stavros
Thank you for answering my question, but it leads to another. If the only bus from Igoumentisa to Thessaloniki leaves at 10:30am, I will not be able to connect with it from the ferry from Corfu that arrives at 12:25pm. Is it possible to make a connection by going from Igoumentisa to Ioannina by bus? I understand Ioannina had (old schedule) buses for Thessaloniki that left at 15:00 and 1900 and 2230 hrs. -- the last would arrive too late for me to use a hotel for that night.
Thank you for helping me with information I cannot get elsewhere.
Robert Brand


The Answer:

Hello again Robert,

Thanks for the support!

Well you can take the bus from Igoumenitsa towards Ioannina for the first part of your trip and then to continue with a second bus to reach Thessaloniki finally. Igoumenitsa-Ioannina lasts only 90 minutes and there are these routes at 14.30 and 16.45 that are convenient for your arrival from Corfu. From Ioannina station there is another route at 18.30 heading to Thessaloniki so you will just have to change busses! Ioannina's station tel. number is 0030 26510-26286 if you want to call and double check it.

Always glad to help! Cheers!

-Stavros

Winter Destinations in Greece

The Question:

i will be in Greece begining November 9. Besides Athens, were is the best place to visit this time of year? What are the must sees? Is Santorini or Crete good to visit this time of year?


The Answer:

Hello!
Greece has many beautiful destinations to offer during this period. Some suggestions are Kalampaka and Meteora, Ioannina, Zagorochoria and Xanthi. All these destinations are located in central and northern Greece and better reached by car, although you can also reach them by bus or train.
As far as Santorini and Crete are concerned, depending on the weather these two islands can be very picturesque. Santorini's only disadvantage is that in case there are strong winds, ferries won't be able to reach the island. Crete on the other hand, has far more options to offer and due to its southern location, the weather is also warmer and with less rainfalls.
Hope I have helped!

-Stavros

Car Driving in Greece

The Question:

Do the tollsa take credit cards/Visa? So do we NEEDour car in Skopelos or is there public transportation around theisland.?
We will also be driving from Athens to Patra then up to Volos thenleave car for Skopelos,then back up to Philipi area then back down toIoannina, Trikala and Athens. How long will that take? Can we sightsee and do that in 6 days? how are the roads and how much in Tolls?Are there lots of hostels alone the way?
THANKS, Bill


The Answer:

Hello Bill!
Tolls in Greece do not accept credit cards, you can only pay cash. Regarding Skopelos, as mentioned before, there is public transportation but if you will be visiting the island off season, then the scheduled bus itineraries are very rare and in my opinion won't help you move around. Unless you plan to stay and relax in just one place of the island.
As far as the rest of your questions is concerned, the route that you are describing to me and in that order is really tough to be achieved in 6 days. I would say even impossible. I will also explain to you by numbers:
From Athens to Patras it is 212km and it will take you 2 hours and 35 minutes to reach the city. From Patras to Volos it is 310km which means 4 hours and 10 minutes trip. The ferry from Volos to Skopelos takes approximately 3 hours if it a highspeed one. Again from there to Philipi it is 389km, meaning 5 hours trip. To Ioannina it is 464km, as a result a 7 hour trip. From Ioannina to Trikala it is 127km, so it'll take you 2 hours and back to Athens the distance is 425km and the duration of the drive 4 hours and 40 minutes.
As you can realise, it is almost impossible to visit all these destinations, just in 6 days. Although you will find plenty of sights and hostels or traditional pansions to stay in, at least, with this plan you will not make it in 6 days. It is better to omit some of these cities and rearrange your trip!
Hope this helps!

-Stavros

From Kalampaka to Olympia

The Question:

Hi,
Is it possible to leave Kalambaka by bus in the morning and stay in Olympia that night. If not, where is a good place to stay in between these two cities.
Thank you.
Suzanne


The Answer:

Hello Suzanne!
If you start from Kalampaka, then you will have to reach Ioannina first by bus and from there change to another bus, which will take you to Patras. From Patras you will need to change buses again and take the one to Olympia. Since the whole route is approximately 6 hours without the stops and the bus changes, you can simply imagine that it is a long and tiring trip. As a result I would propose to you to stay in Patras for one night and leave the next day. Patras is actually the gate of Greece to the West, since it is the biggest port of Greece that connects it with Italy. It is nice city, easy to walk through and with lots of options.
Hope I have helped you!

-Stavros

From Igoumenitsa to Thessaloniki by Car

The Question:

Pls inform us about approximately travel duration /hours drive/ by car from Thessaloniki to Igoumenitsa.
Thanks for your help.
Best regards,
Ana

The Answer:

Hello Ana!
The route from Igoumenitsa to Thessaloniki is 5 hours and 15 minutes approximately. It is 417km from which 221km are on motorways. It is recommended that you take the road through Ioannia, Trikala, Larisa, Katerini and then you will arrive in Thessaloniki.
Hope I helped!

-Stavros

Driving from Thessaloniki to Igoumenitsa

The Question:

Hello Stavros,we will be driving from Thessaloniki to Igoumenitsa and were wondering what is the best route.


The Answer:

Hello!
The recommended tour from Thessaloniki to Igoumenitsa is to follow at first the road to Katerini, then to Leptokarya and Tempi. Then you pass by Larisa, Trikala and Ioannina and then you arrive to Igoumenitsa!

-Stavros

How to reach Igoumenitsa from Thessaloniki by car

The Question:

Hello,I\'ll be driving from Thessaloniki to Igoumenitsa. (Actually, we start from Sofia in Bulgaria and our final destination is Corfu/Kerkyra).
1. Which way is best, north or south of mount Olympus?2. How much time should I calculate for the trip Saloniki-Igoumenitsa. (I\'m a careful driver.)
Thanks in advance,Tobi

The Answer:

Hello there!

The route from Thessaloniki to Igoumenitsa is approximately 452km.
To reach Igoumenitsa, follow the National Road to Larisa heading south (you will pass through the valley of Tempi and between the mountains Olympus and Kissavos). From Larisa, follow the road heading west to Ioannina and keep the course to the north until you reach Igoumenitsa.
Hope I have helped you!

-Stavros