Farewell to Greece: The Last Days on the Road Before Turkey

The Last Greek Adventure

After our friends headed off, we found ourselves with about ten days left to explore northern Greece. We’d heard whispers of the “three legs” east of Thessaloniki, three peninsulas that jut out into the Aegean like fingers pointing us toward adventure. With no concrete plans as usual, we set out in that direction, ready to see what surprises awaited us.

Kassandria: The First Leg and the Arrival of Stick

Our first stop was Kassandria, the closest peninsula. True to form, we found a perfect spot right next to the sea, a serene escape that would be our base for the next few days. It was here that we picked up a new, slightly quirky travel companion, Stick. Yes, a literal stick, complete with a drawn on smiley face. Maybe we’ve been on the road a bit too long, but Stick quickly became a part of our little van family. Somehow, it just felt right.

With the weather finally cool enough, we laced up for some light hikes after a week of total downtime. One trail led us to a pond filled with turtles, where we paused for a lunch break, watching them drift lazily in the water. Out of season, the crowds had vanished, leaving us with wide open spaces and scenic spots that felt like ours alone. Sunsets turned the skies dramatic shades of pink and orange, while the occasional sunrise coaxed us out of bed early enough to greet the day with a sense of quiet awe.

Our last hike in Kassandria was a big one, a ten mile stretch that took some convincing for Darian, but was completely worth it. By evening, we’d found yet another perfect camping spot, this time on a beach that felt almost private. Just as we were settling in, a friendly Dutch couple wandered by, and before we knew it, we’d invited them over for food and drinks. It’s still a thrill how a simple “hello” can turn into an evening of shared stories, laughter, and connection.

The Second Leg: From Fires to Friendships

Our arrival on the second peninsula was less peaceful than we’d hoped. We parked near a few other campers, looking forward to a quiet night, but our plans were interrupted by a knock from a French woman. She told us someone had lit a fire on the beach, and the police had been called. In Greece, getting caught wild camping could mean a 300 euro fine, but we decided to risk it and stayed put. Luckily, the drama blew over without any real trouble just a little taste of van life’s unpredictability.

A few days later, we set off for another hike. The town where we planned to stay didn’t sit right with us, bad vibes all around, so we moved on, winding a bit farther along the coast. This decision turned out to be a lucky one. We crossed paths with other campers who became fast friends, joining us for hours of conversation and a shared hike. It always amazes me how a slight change of plan can lead to unforgettable moments with people we might never have met otherwise. Our new friends were headed south, while we still had some miles to go before reaching the Turkish border, so we said see you later, grateful for the chance meeting.

The Road to Turkey

With just two days left in Greece, we pushed closer to the Turkish border, wanting to break up the journey so our final day wouldn’t be a mad dash. The town of Alexandroupoli caught our eye as a good spot to do some laundry, our clothes could only be stuffed into the basket for so long before they needed rescuing. Laundromats seem to have a knack for stealing half our day, and this time was no different. But finally, with fresh laundry in hand, we chose a quiet spot outside the city for a peaceful night’s sleep.

The next morning was border day, and let's just say it didn’t go as smoothly as planned. But that’s a story for another time, as we cross into a new country and kick off our Turkish adventure.