On Sun, 03 Jun 2007 17:37:49 +0100, Jane <me.DeleteThis@privacy.net> wrote:
>Although I have driven from Patras to Halkidiki before, the last
>time was 6 years ago. This time I am taking my dog and therefore
>want to plan some definite stops.
>
>Can anyone tell me of any motorway cafes, cafes, tavernas etc on
>the route from Patras up to Thessaloniki? I seem to remember
>there is something at a place called Tenbi? However that is
>quite far up on our trip.
>
>Any help appreciated.
>
The first thing you need to do is determine your route. Since you say
you stopped at the Vale of Tempe, it seems that last time (6 years
ago), you went from Patras through Athens and then up the National
Road on the eastern side of mainland Greece to Thessaloniki.
Since that time, there have been some developments that would tend to
make the *western* route, through Ioannina, a better and more direct
choice. The first of these developments is the opening of the
Rio-Antirio bridge, very near Patras, which is a convenient crossing
over the Gulf of Corinth into the western mainland. The second
development is the completion of the "Via Egnatia" superhighway from
Igoumenitsa to Thessaloniki. (In fact, come to think of it, if you are
coming by ferry from Italy, why not get off at Igoumenitsa and skip
Patras altogether?)
There are plenty of rest stops, etc., along this route. Rather than
try to list them, I would recommend that you get a copy of the Greek
Automobile Club (ELPA) sponsored map book/guide book. This includes
route maps with all such facilities marked with symbols.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elliniki_Leshi_Periigiseon_ke_Aftokinitou