Imaginary Long-Term Cycle Tour #1 to the lands of the Xenaverse
to
An imaginary, ambling journey with many detours from mid-Wales to the lands of the Xenaverse. Primary targets are Amphipolis and Potidaea in Greece, the home towns of Xena and Gabrielle. It takes in a few places along the way, such as Switzerland, Bavaria, and a long flattish ride beside the Danube (on nice continental cycle paths). It would avoid major towns where possible, and I would sleep in fields (in my tent) and low-cost inns. Further jouneys may include New Zealand, where it was filmed, to appreciate the landscape as seen in the show. At the moment I am fantasising, but if I have the money and the time, I will do it!
Cardiff, Cardiff , United Kingdom
January 1, 2012
1st stopover, starting from Llandrindod Wells
Dover, Kent, United Kingdom
January 2, 2012
4-day ride from Cardiff, to catch the ferry to France
Calais, Nord-Pas-de-Calais, France
January 5, 2012
Ferry to Calais
Dijon, Bourgogne, France
January 6, 2012
Heading south (avoiding cities) en route to Switzerland-Austria
Zug, Zug, Switzerland
January 12, 2012
Into Switzerland, potter about for a few days
Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
January 17, 2012
Head North to potter around Bavaria (Germany + Austria). All the time, keeping away from the main towns + cities exept for special incursions.
Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
January 20, 2012
Salzburg is one of the few cities I want to visit - for the musical & architecture high culture
Budapest, Budapest, Hungary
January 24, 2012
Heading E/SE along the Danube for much of Eastern Europe. Inreasingly, it will become easy flat cycling, staying just off the main roads - preferably on dedicated cycle routes. [300mi? Salzburg-Budapest]
Belgrade, Serbia
January 31, 2012
(In flat places, I might go 80-100mi a day, but this schedule always allows plenty of rest days + exploring stops; perhaps savouring the atmosphere of a place. Occasionally I will be thrown way off schedule by stopping at a place for a week, or a month - if I like it, make a few friends, and find interesting work to help pay my way)
Sofia, Sofiya-Grad, Bulgaria
February 5, 2012
Leave the Danube, head South for Amphipolis (Macedonia). I cross the Balkans to reach Sofia, heading further South over the Rhodope Mountains, self-sufficient with a tent.
Amfípolis, Greece
February 10, 2012
Finally to Amphipolis, which is just inside the Greek border (Macedonia to the East); perhaps travelling down the Strymona River.
Néa Potídhaia, Greece
February 14, 2012
I expect to be disappointed by Amphipolis (pushy, polluted?), but it will reveal insights about the people and culture. Then down to (Ancient) Potidaea, travelling by the authentic route; and aimaing for another authentic route to Athens, via the plains of Thessaly
Athens, Attikí, Greece
February 18, 2012
To Athens, via an authentic route across the plains of Thessaly and Delphi (get some wisdom!). At Athens, visit the Acropolis (of course) and other architectural / cultural wonders, trying not to choke in the pollution or be killed by paranoid evil-eye watchers.
Corinth, Korinthía, Greece
February 25, 2012
Visit a few other notable places, eg. Corinth.
Sparta, Lakonía, Greece
February 26, 2012
Possibly down to Sparta in the far south, again to note interplay of people / geography / culture. From here, lots of options depending on how I like the traveling, how much time/money I have, etc. Eg - - head home by a quick, easy route - ferry to South Italy. - head home by a long route - N via Black Sea, Ukraine, Poland, Netherlands. - across the Med, to various places. Or my super-long lifestyle-journey - head NE by the silk road to Ganzu, then to India & SE Asia - - authentic silk route via N Syria, N Iran, Ferghana Valley, Takla Makan. - Instead of Ganzu, go S from Kashgar into NW India, and tour rural Mid/South India for a long time. Eg. The Punjab; Himalayan foothills; SW, avoiding the desert, to the Rann of Karach; E to Madya Pardesh. - Possibly further to Laos and Vietnam. (But actually, India might hook me + make me stay).
Journey End
March 4, 2012
