Bucharest to Ankara - initial thoughts?

[Rob D]

After the success of our recent Albania, Macedonia and Greece trip (missing November in the UK), I'm looking at what to do at the same time this year, roughly mid October to very early December). Am wondering about the above option. I've not been to Romania or Turkey yet, so that's a bonus.

Also, rather than heading for Ankara (which is quite high), might we get better weather in late November by heading south down the west coast of Turkey?

If anyone has any thoughts on such a trip, I'd really appreciate them. We'd largely be wild camping, other accommodation and Warm Showers as and when.

Thanks.

[simonhill]

If you don't know it weatherspark is a great website for all sorts of climatic data for everywhere (wind, rain, sun, cloud, humidity, etc). An essential tool for my tour planning.

My first thought was Ankara might be a bit chilly in December but I haven't checked.

[Rob D]

Thanks Simon. Will check weatherspark - think I've used it before?

Am also thinking Ankara could be chilly, much though I'd like to see it. Heading SW looks good. Wonder if one can get back to Ankara by train, perhaps? It might be the simplest way to get a bike box and fly home?

If we return at a similar time to last year, we flew from Athens on 2 Dec, so it might still be not too chilly just before then, especially if we're in a hotel in Ankara for the last 2 - 3 nights.

[st599_uk]

I was in Ankara for work in late October - high 20s and about 10 at midnight.

Locals were dressed for winter, we were sweating in shorts.

[Rob D]

Thanks. What's Ankara like? From photos, Istanbul looks nicer?

[st599_uk]

Thanks. What's Ankara like? From photos, Istanbul looks nicer?

Istanbul is fantastic - the historic capital. Ankara is nice too, but it is the capital, more modern and large areas are off limits. Still really nice to see. It's a bit of a pilgrimage to Turks who go to see Atatürk's tomb.

If you're in the UK, the recent Channel 4 series Ottoman Empire by Train will show you some of the major cities in the first 3 episodes.

Many places are connected by superfast train, so getting back should be fine. Istanbul airport is huge and has connections all over the world.

[Nealc]

I'm not sure I've too much to add but having cycled in Romania this summer and Albania and Greece previous summers I would say traffic in Romania is worse. Not crazily so but you probably want to avoid DN class roads which isn't always easy. The DJ roads are generally fine. Whereas as I'm sure you know in Albania all roads are fine except the main coastal route. This all comes with caveat we cycle with kids so are pretty averse to any traffic

[Rob D]

Many thanks both. Useful.
Reading more on Istanbul, sounds hell for cyclists. Very hilly and dreadful roads and drivers. So wondering about getting into and leaving Istanbul by public transport, maybe a ferry?

Ankara doesn't sound especially worth visiting, and it could be cooling off by then, so considering scooting west then south down the coast.

Anyone know if there are any issues with wildcamping in Romania, Bulgaria and Turkey? I understand that dogs can be a problem in the remote parts of Turkey, and now doubt in the others, too?

[Nealc]

Wild camping is fine in Romania, we asked the nearest house if we were close to anywhere. There are bears in the mountains, we were careful with food.

In alot of respects Romania is very similar to Albania. I guess they share a (recent) history of particularly nasty dictators. We were in Transylvania, and it's a very interesting area, I wonder if you could extend the start of you're trip and fly into cluj naponica and head to turkey from there. You would have to get across the Carpathian mountains though.

[Rob D]

Thanks Neal. An interesting idea. Had been thinking we'd not have that much time in Romania.

Food for thought! On that, what did you do to dissuade bears from bothering you? Are they much of a threat?

[Nealc]

We cooked away from the tent, and made sure all food was kept in a separate bag which was also left away from the tent. We didn't see any bears but plenty of poo and prints.

[Rob D]

Thanks. That must've focussed the mind! Did you haul the food bag up a tree?
We had a scarey moment in the Peloppones, woken by a jackal howling 30 - 50 m from our tent. Didn't know they were there, but lots of boar evidence. November - January is a more dangerous time with them, but we were told later that jackals are much more dangerous than boars!