From Bristol to the Bosphorus
Taking a Pegasus GT70 Rimini, Pursuit 550-4 and a new Advance 76-4 motorhome, this epic 5,000-mile intercontinental journey will take us through 21 countries in 21 days.
Setting off from our South Bristol production facility we will travel across Europe, over the Bosphorus strait in Turkey and into Asia as far as the coast of the Black Sea and then back again. This marathon test will take in some of Europe’s most spectacular landscapes and iconic locations on the way, and will test the durability and endurance of our caravans and motorhomes in real-life situations.
As you see our vehicles (hopefully) stand up to all that is put in their path – from the rugged terrain of Dubrovnik as we enter Croatia to the backroads of Bulgaria – you can see how capable you are at taking on your own caravan or motorhome adventure, as you create wonderful Bailey memories of your own.
Our latest long-distance endurance test follows two similar journeys taken with Bailey leisure vehicles in recent years. In 2015 we took on the West 2 East challenge, crossing from the west coast to the east coast of Australia. Over 3,500 miles we travelled across the Outback with two Australian built Alu-Tech caravans.
Just last year our ‘Arctic Adventure’ saw us travel 5,000 miles from the UK to Northern Finland inside the Arctic Circle and back with two Bailey Alu-Tech caravans and a motorhome.
While our ‘Arctic Adventure’ saw us take on 12 countries in 16 days, #bristanbul will take us through 21 countries, in as many days.
This time round the vehicles will be driven by, amongst others: Simon Howard (Marketing Director, Bailey of Bristol), Nick Lomas (Director General, The Caravan and Motorhome Club), Lee Davey (Freelance Journalist & Bailey of Bristol Brand Ambassador), Ryan Philpott (Presenter & Bailey of Bristol Brand Ambassador), Dean Edwards (Celebrity Chef and Masterchef runner-up), Marcus Leach (Adventure Athlete and writer) & Martin Fitzpatrick (Managing Director, Truma UK).
The plan below sets out our itinerary over the 21 days as you follow our journey across Europe, into Asia and back again.
To follow the team throughout this colossal challenge, remember to follow us on our #Bristanbul page and on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
Day 0 – Sunday 8th April – South Liberty Lane, Bristol
Packing and preparing the vehicles as we get set for the marathon journey ahead. Passports at the ready.
Day 1 – Monday 9th April – Bristol to Portsmouth, United Kingdom – 120 miles
Crossing the channel via overnight ferry with a stay in cabins for our team before arriving in Caen at 06:45 the next day.
Day 2 – Tuesday 10th April – Ouistreham (Caen) to Gigny-sur-Saone, France – 375 miles
A predicted 8-9 hours driving after an early start with the evening spent at the much sought after Castels Camping Chateau de l’Eperviere.
Day 3 – Wednesday 11th April – Gigny-sur-Saone, France to Lake Garda, Italy – 385 miles
9 – 10 hours of driving as our team make their way from France to Lake Garda, and its crystal clear waters, in Italy via Switzerland. Staying the evening at Camping Fontanelle.
Day 4 – Thursday 12th April – Lake Garda, Italy to Lake Bled, Slovenia – 280 miles
With 7-8 hours driving our team will take on the backroads as the enter Slovenia having travelled from Italy via Austria. The night will be spent at Bled Camping in the picture postcard Lake Bled.
Day 5 – Friday 13th April – Lake Bled, Slovenia to Split, Croatia – 345 miles
The endurance and durability of the vehicles is tested further with 8-9 hours driving as our team pass by the Adriatic Sea before arriving at the beachside campsite in Split, Kamp Galeb, with its sandy beaches.
Day 6 – Saturday 14th April – Split to Dubrovnik, Croatia – 125 miles
A shorter day of driving along the coast road before arriving in Dubrovnik and its beautiful old town, having passed briefly into Bosnia. Our team will spend the night at Camping Solitudo, just a ten-minute walk from the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Dubrovnik.
Day 7 – Sunday 15th April – Dubrovnik, Croatia – 0 miles
A day spent unhitching and exploring all that Dubrovnik has to offer with something special for all you Game of Thrones fans.
Day 8 – Monday 16th April – Dubrovnik, Croatia to Lake Ohrid, Macedonia – 250 miles
With 8-9 hours of driving to get through our team are setting off early, travelling through four countries in one day – Croatia, Montenegro, Albania and Macedonia. Spending the night at Camping Rino.
Day 9 – Tuesday 17th April – Lake Ohrid, Macedonia to Kavala, Greece – 321 miles
7-8 hours of driving through slower roads before passing through Greece’s second city, Thessaloniki. Staying at beachside Camping Alexadros, a site that needs to be seen to be believed.
Day 10 – Wednesday 18th April – Kavala, Greece to Gallipoli, Turkey – 155 miles
With only 3-4 hours driving, our team will visit Gallipoli – best known for the location of The Battle of Gallipoli in World War I – with Bailey Australia to commemorate Anzac Day on 25th April. Staying the night at Saros Camping Beach Club.
Day 11 – Thursday 19th April – Gallipoli to Istanbul, Turkey – 184 miles
During the 5-6 hours driving that the team will undertake, they will pass through the centre of Istanbul before crossing the Bosphorus Bridge into Asia. Spending the night at Sahil Kamp, a breath-taking beachside campsite by the Black Sea.
Day 12 – Friday 20th April – Istanbul, Turkey – 0 miles
Our team will spend the day visiting Istanbul’s historic sights before a feast at the Black Sea. Spending the night at Sahil Kamp.
Day 13 – Saturday 21st April – Istanbul, Turkey to Velchevo, Bulgaria – 331 miles
After a rest day in Istanbul our team will take on a marathon 8-9 hours driving through Bulgaria. Staying the night at unique monastery campsite, Kapinovksi.
Day 14 – Sunday 22nd April – Velchevo, Bulgaria to Bran, Transylvania, Romania – 243 miles
During the 6-7 hours driving, our team will pass through Bucharest before arriving at Count Dracula’s castle. Spending the night shadowed by the castle at Vampire Camping.
Day 15 – Monday 23rd April – Bran, Transylvania to Aurel Vlaciu, Romania – 142 miles
After the visit to Dracula’s castle our team will take on the 4-5 hours driving before arriving in Aurel Vlaciu. Spending the night at Camping Aurel Vlaciu, a small campsite in a traditional Romanian village.
Day 16 – Tuesday 24th April – Aurel Vlaciu, Romania to Budapest, Hungary – 294 miles
After 7-8 hours driving the team will spend the evening explore the sights of Budapest, a paradise for explorers. Spending the night at Arena Camping.
Day 17 – Wednesday 25th April – Budapest, Hungary to Prague, Czech Republic – 322 miles
Another day of 7-8 hours driving seeing the roads of Europe before arriving in the capital city of Prague, a city equal to Paris in its beauty. Staying the night at The Caravan and Motorhome Club Site Oase Praha, 15km from the city centre.
Day 18 – Thursday 26th April – Prague, Czech Republic – 0 miles
Having spent the day unhitching and seeing the sights, our team will have a final big feast before the final days of the challenge. Spending the night at Oase Praha.
Day 19 – Friday 27th April – Prague, Czech Republic to Rudesheim am Rhein, Germany – 360 miles
A day of endurance will see our team driving for 7-8 hours, passing close to Nuremburg. Spending the night at Richter Campingplatz am Rhein and enjoying a bratwurst.
Day 20 – Saturday 28th April – Rudesheim am Rhein, Germany to Hook of Holland, Netherlands – 322 miles
With 6-8 hours of driving to complete our team will pass through Belgium en route to the Hook of Holland before boarding the overnight ferry. Spending the night on overnight ferry, in their own cabins, their final resting place.
Day 21 – Sunday 29th April – Harwich to Bristol, United Kingdom – 215 miles
After the ferry arrives at 06:15 our team will travel the final 215 miles before arriving back at the starting point, having travelled 21 countries in 21 days.
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Intercontinental planning…to Istanbul or bust…
