Hi welcome to Forum,We did Vence to Patras last year ,went from Vence early May we had booked and got an early booking discount ,boat was very busy going down to Patras ,as we checked in to come back someone tried to buy ticket ,they were told three day wait ,that was early July .
Went with Anek lines ,yes camped on board,boat journey was like watching paint dry ,very little to see other than water.
You can cook in van using electric .

Hi
We did Brindisi to Patras some years ago. You can have an airline style seat but when you go in May it is possible to 'camp on board'
If you want to visit Thessaloniki you would be better going to Igoumenitsa. I think the E90 (Igoumenitsa to Turkey) will take you there. The Halkidiki peninsula is very beautiful. We haven't been here in the van but we did see campsites when we were there on holiday.

Hello and welcome :welcome4:

Yes, made the crossing from Igoumenitsa several times but in the Autumn, and from Bari and Ancona back to Greece. We have never pre-booked tickets as we like to keep flexible. There are plenty of agents in Igoumenitsa as there are in Ancona and Bari ,so you can just walk in and purchase a ticket. We used Anek superfast last time but have used Minoan Lines as well with camping on deck, so you don't need a cabin. They didn’t sail every day so we just brought a ticket and then parked on the side of the road, next to the beach in Plataria, along with everyone else, which is just south of Iggy. Probably suggest using Patras if coming from the Peloponnese and Iggy from North or central Greece.

In the North it is worth visiting the Vicos George North of Ioannina. There are some great walks.

Let me know if you want any more info and maybe some piccies

Spinner

Thanks for your advice Frank. I'll take on board the various suggestions people are posting and make a decision. It may be that we will try to travel from Igoumenitsa. When I've chewed things over I may have further questions for you.

Cheers,
John

Thanks Spinner for your advice and recommendations. It does look like Iggy will be our best departure point.I may well have some further questions for you down the track.
Cheers,
John

Thanks for your advice and recommendations Julie. It looks like an Igoumenitsa crossing will be the go. We'll try to visit Halkidiki Peninsula too.

Cheers,
John