Austria 2000
(18 August - 4 September 2000)

Finally, we had opportunity to realise our annual motorcycle tour for year 2000.
Our target was Western Austria. In our previous trips, we have had opportunity to visit France, Italian & Swiss Alpine Mountains, this year we wanted to visit Austrian Alps. Although we have been to Austrian Alps several times for skiing we have never been there for summer time.

We departed from Istanbul on 18/08/2000 and arrived to our first stop Alexandria City of Greece where our Greek brother Vangelis lives.
As a usual kindness of him, he allocated his home to us and moved to his mother’s house. After having a short rest, we went to Vangelis’s mothers’ house as we were invited to  dinner. The dinner was consist of delicious home made sea food and Greek appetisers made by Vangelis’s mother. It is so difficult to explain the magnificent taste of shrimps, kalamari & octopus !!!!
We also had chance to met brother and sister of Vangelis. Same night we went a bar owned by another Greek friends Nikos & Efi and spend beautiful couple hours over there.
Next morning, we departed together with Vangelis and visited the museum for Great Alexander's father. It was so interesting museum which was built on an archeological site where the grave of Alexander’s father there. According to the instructions of Vangelis, we followed another route to go to Igomenitsa port of Greece. This road was 60 kms shorter than the usual one and there where no need for climbing the twisty hills and passes. (After Kozani city turn left to Grevena than follow direction Metsovo, later on Ioanina and finally  Igomenitsa)
We took our ferryboat  to Bari, sailed during whole night and arrived to Bari next morning about 08:00 o’clock by local time. After 750 kms riding to the North Italy on the motorway, we arrived to our second destination town named Lido degli Estensi . Obviously, we visited one of the biggest Goldwing shops of Italy named Eurowing and had annual maintenance of our dear Goldwing. Thanks to Marvin & Ingrid and their  team (Linda & Shawn) for their kind work & assistance and their hospitality.

We also did not forget to add new tattoos on our bodies, as one of the best tattoo shops of Italy named "Art Tattoo" is located at the same town. Thanks for the tattoo artists Enea & Mose for their good job they did.

Tuesday morning, we headed to our main target Austria. Following the motorway to Bolzano, we passed from Brenner Pass and arrived the Innsbruck City of Austria, after Innsbruck we headed west and arrived to St. Anton town.
We have been this town before for skiing, but first time in summer, it was so quite. We stayed about 4 nights over there and made lovely tours around the neighbourhood including to the little country named Liechtenstein.

Our next stop was Grossarl village, which was 80 kms south of Salzburg City. This town located on a dead end valley, so quite, so green, so beautiful etc.… On the way, we met Slovenian Goldwing Club members as they were on a trip. We hope to see them in Turkey and promised them to visit Slovenia next year.
We spend another 3 nights over there and made lot of trips around the neighbourhood.

Than time to go back!!!!! We headed south, and arrived the Bad Hofgestein town for a breakfast , next town was Badgestein. Since this valley was also dead end, we loaded our bike on a special train together with many another cars. After passing 5 kms tunnel, we arrived to a small town, than and reached to Villach town which is very near the Austrian – Italian border.

Our last stop was Rimini City of Italy; we spend two nights over there to have relax and had chance to go to beach. After Rimini, we headed to Ancona City, took our ferryboat to Patra City of Greece. Next day afternoon we arrived Patra, after having 225 kms riding, we arrived to Athens and stayed one night.
From Piraeus port of Athens my wife Berrin took a ferryboat to Kos Island of Greece to meet with my sister as she still had time to go on her vacation and I took ferry to the Hios Island of Greece. My  boat arrived Hios 06.00 o’clock in the morning and I took another ferry at 09:00 o’clock from Hios to the Cesme town of Turkey which is about 50 minutes sailing distance from Hios island.
From Cesme, I headed to Bandirma town and took speed ferryboat to Istanbul, finally I was at my home last day of our holiday about 19:00 o’clock.