So I'm thinking about a winter road trip to eastern europe.

[wombat172a]

To set the scene,

I've got about 5 weeks leave to take between now and the end of the year.
I've recently purchased this http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

I probably won't be able to take all the leave in one go (2-3 weeks maybe), and cash won't allow a huge holiday, so I'm thinking head to eastern europe (I've done western europe and fancy a change - mega miles aren't such a concern for me). Accomdation should be cheap, hopefully the car will be up to the job (winter tyres are a must I'm sure). I might take in some skiing in Romania/Bulgaria if the weather suits.

I've really not thought in much detail on this yet, but does anybody have any advice? Where to go, any preparations over the norm etc? There's even a spare seat if someone wants to come?

[Dino D]

There is a great detailed thread on here by someone how did allot of the Balkans in an MX5 (during summer!) as their honeymoon - I think it is in the Holidays section or maybe even the MX5 section.

[Condi]

Baltic for me. Start at Croatia and work from there, some stunning scenery. Best of all its only across the border from Italy, so not a million miles from civilisation.

[StevieBee]

Bulgaria and Romania offer some of the best scenery in Europe and largely untroubled by tourists en-mass. (Search for Top Gear / Romania as an example). Both offer some fabulous roads. The trouble is that the good stuff is in between miles of some of the worst roads in Europe and winters can be very harsh there.

For skiing in Romania, would suggest you aim for Cluj as a base. Fabulous little city!

Go for it - you'll love it but don't expect an easy ride!

[karona]

wombat172a said:

To set the scene,

I might take in some skiing in Bulgaria if the weather suits.

I've really not thought in much detail on this yet, but does anybody have any advice? Where to go, any preparations over the norm etc? There's even a spare seat if someone wants to come?

Snow-chains and winter tyres compulsory between 1st November and 1st April, as is carrying a snow shovel, and daytime headlights. Mountain roads/passes frequently closed by snowfall and abandoned vehicles. Many resorts take on English speaking staff for the holiday season, so the trip could be self financing. (My son's looking forward to his third season in Bansko) There's some fantastic scenery, but being stuck in a snowdrift, half way up a mountain in the middle of nowhere, with no mobile signals, won't be funny. When it snows in Bulgaria it fking snows, a metre in a single fall is not unusual.

edit to add: ditch the alloys/fat tyres even if you drive Bulgaria in the summer. The roads are total ste, massive, alloy smashing potholes are everywhere as soon as you leave the motorways. Steels and snow tyres will be a must.

Edited by karona on Monday 13th September 23:08

[Pothole]

Condi said:

Baltic for me. Start at Croatia and work from there, some stunning scenery. Best of all its only across the border from Italy, so not a million miles from civilisation.

Balkans, you mean!