Greece & Turkey SOLO! 2007

I have saved all the pictures feeded by you in Yahoo. Once I also visited Istanbul, Turkey. I spent 9 days there. I really enjoyed its scenery which is worth seeing. Moreover there are historical places during the era of Khilafat-e-Usmania. I was with a trip. One of our member prepared movie at all the places but unfortunately I could not get that movie from him in time and now he has mixed that movie in the movies of his own. The result is that the movie is not traceable as stated by him. It is really my bad luck. I need some more pictures of such tours performed by you. Moreover I need a guide line of each of your new trip. Thanks.

wow, it sure scary to have your passport taken away like that. You must had it back to apply for the visa at the border then. hey thanks again for all your answers.

Talking about safty on train? I guess you heard about the rumours being unsafe on the train? When I was here in May, I did not feel any risk at all. May be I was lucky. Usually I locked myself in the cabin, but I left my door wide opened during my toilet visits (my door opened itself, could not close from outside, others were working fine), and my camera was on the table just 10cm from the door. I still have my camera.
For overnight train, it is a good start to talk to your neigbours after everyone has settled down and before departure. You will have a plenty of time, and people love to scatter on the hallway. Have a chat with them and show them your pictures, and vice versa. It is more likely they would offer help in case of emergency if you had talked to them.
One thing that actually scared me was, the staffs took my passport and train ticket while the train was still far away from the boarder. I saw him holding at least twenty passports, I gave him mine, no questions asked. After that, the staff knocked on my door several times with the custom officers from both countries. He returned my passport and ticket just before the arrival to Istanbul. People say this is how thing goes, but he just made me nervous.

Amazing trip! I am so jealous. Loved your journal. Very informative.

thanks for answering my many questions and the tip about bring foods. My sons definetely will ask for them .:-) btw, did you feel safe on the night train? any tips?

Trankt_99, I don't think there will be a lot of travellers in December (Christmas time may NOT be crowded, it will be cold, see the snow? Ha ha!). In May, the train was not even 1/4 full. Every traveller was able to occupy one cabin by him/herself, and still had number of empty cabins available. Trust me, the train was comfortable! No, I did not make reservation. I bought my ticket immediately after I arrived Thessaloniki in the train station. You do not need a visa ahead of time (unless you are a diplomat, or with some special status), just pay the fee at the border, they will stamp your passport and give you stickers valid for 3 months. Yes, I did get my visa at the border. And yes, I did walk out of the train to make the payment and wandered around the station and took some photos while all passengers had to remain on the train :-) The entire train was sleeper cabins with no food service, bring your dinner!

I loved to read about your Trip ! Wow amazing! Watch out Santorini here I come. You made me feel like I was there with you ,Thank you !

hi again, we will be doing the overnight train like yours from Thessalonki to Instanbul. I saw that you catch the overnight train at 8pm to 7am. Did you make reservation for the sleeping bed and purchase your ticket ahead of time? How is the night train? Also, I heard that we need visa to get into Instanbul. How did you do it? is it at the train station? thanks so much,

I am glad that you are going to Delphi and Meteora. With a car, I am sure you will have more fun with your family. Have a wonderful trip!