Sorrento

When visiting Pompeii we decided not to stay at the campsite at the entrance (the reviews had put us off) but instead stayed at a campsite in Sorrento called Santa Fortunata. Beautiful views over the bay and the campsite itself was very leafy with terraces. It was good for a few nights. Very easy to get to Pompeii – a bus to Sorrento station and then a train, all for €2.80.

View over Sorrento from the campsite
View over Sorrento from the campsite

And we had a great spot for our encampment

Encampment at Santa Fortunata campsite
Encampment at Santa Fortunata campsite

with Vesuvius in the distance

Vesuvius
Vesuvius

And Sorrento itself was really beautiful

Sorrento houses
Sorrento houses
Sorrento houses
Sorrento houses

Lemon grove
Lemon grove

Greek friendliness and hospitality

Met a lovely Greek couple in the Methoni campsite who were down from Patras for the weekend getting their caravan ready for the summer months. The whole family have been coming to this campsite for 15 years. Their daughter lives in north London near Clissold Park and it turned out that the mother loves travelling on the 73 bus and he loves shopping in Primark!

They were so friendly, inviting us to contact them when we were back in Patras.

They also advised us only to stop in campsites rather than ‘free camping’ places as it isn’t safe. For the first time in Greece I’ve seen people begging – coming up to the van and knocking on the windows (though this was only near Patras)

Methoni

Our third day in Greece and have moved south to Methoni, staying at Camping Methoni recommended by Sian and Phoebus. Definitely our sort of town and our sort of campsite. A relaxed feel and most of the people staying here are Greek. Right by the Sea, here is the view from our van

Bay and castle at Methodist
Bay and castle at Methoni

fabulous!

Went out for a meal this evening and had really interesting food, different to what we’ve had on the islands. Artichoke with peas, green beans (thick runner beans rather than thin beans), leek pie (delicious pastry) and potatoes done in the oven. Wonderful herby tastes of parsley dill and of course oregano. The town has two fresh fish shops so the barbacue is coming out tomorrow.

Encampment at Methoni
Encampment at Methoni

Pylos

Spent a couple of days in a campsite on Golden Beach a fabulous bay in the Messina area of the Peloponnese (the first finger). Doing some domestic chores – washing clothes, making bread, but then got our bikes off the back of the van an went on a cycle ride to nearby Pylos and I didn’t have to push my bike even once up several hills and hairpins!

Pylos
Pylos

 

 

 

 

Morning view across Navarino bay
Morning view across Navarino bay

 

 

Next stop Greece!

On board the ferry for Greece. We’re doing ‘Camping on Board’ so we sleep in our van on the garage deck. All very new and exciting!!

Next stop Greece!

This has been great. We could hook up to electricity so could use our Remoska for cooking (gas not allowed) and they had showers and toilets for us to use. There were only 6 motorhomes on board and 4 of those left at Igoumenitsa so we pretty much had our own facilities. Very nice ‘Superfast’ new ferry, making our way down the Greek coast to Patras. Definitely recommend it. We sailed from Bari but you can also go from Ancona and possibly Venice. You need to book early to get ‘Camping on Board’. This made the overnight crossing pretty cheap £260 return for a 16 hour crossing, discounts being available for early booking and age!