By Paul van Ruiten, Dutch HD-rider since 1971, specialized in motorcycle tours

Greece, that’s the place to be for the Super Rally 2001. Beautiful nature, world-famous archeological sites, white beaches and that special Greek atmosphere will bring you an unforgettable experience.

After the successful arrangements from Holland to the Finland-SR in 2000 something new is developed for the SR in Greece. In cooperation with HDC Hellas (organization SR), Minoan Lines (official sponsor SR) and the Dutch Railway Company I am happy to present for all who live in the northern and western parts of Europe a comfortable and safe way of traveling to the Greek SR: the night train from Holland to Italy (incl. your bike) plus a cruise ferry across the Adriatic to Greece. Or just the cruise ferry for all who like to ride to Italy.

Three arrangements will be offered (all one-way or return):

1. Night train incl. cabin from Den Bosch to Verona + cruise ferry from Venice straight to Igoumenitsa
2. As 1), but to Bologna + cruise ferry from Ancona straight to Igoumenitsa
3. Just only the cruise ferry from Venice or Ancona to Igoumenitsa (the same price)

Four trains show times of departure and arrival, incl. the connecting ferry schedule (all in matching colors). Your schedule on the way to Greece is to be read from left to right, your schedule back home from right to left.

Example: if you take on Sunday May 27 the train to Verona and on Monday May 28 the 1900 ferry from Venice, you will arrive on Tuesday May 29 at 2100 in Igoumenitsa.

If you book after the SR the 2230 ferry on Friday June 8 from Igoumenitsa, and on Saturday June 9 the train from Bologna at 1854, then you will be back in Den Bosch, Holland, at Sunday June 10.

The blue and green cells show times of arrival and departure of all the ferries you can select. Going to Greece is to be read from left to right, back to Holland from right to left. The colors match in schedule, so green connects green, blue connects blue.

Example: if you take on Wednesday May 30 the 1700 ferry in Venice, then arrival on Thursday May 31 at 2130 in Igoumenitsa. And if you book the 0130 ferry from Igoumenitsa on Sunday June 10 to Ancona, you will arrive in Ancona the same day at 1700.

Very comfortable, incl. dinner and breakfast in your cabin. If you like, you can book a fancy dinner (EUR 36) and/or a huge breakfast (EUR 9) in the restaurant-wagon (reservation at booking). After dinnertime the restaurant-wagon will be used as a Grand Café. Several accommodations can be booked.

Cheapest return ticket of the night train is EUR 183 (Verona), and cheapest return ticket of the cruise ferry will be EUR 122. That’s EUR 305 each person, return ticket, incl. bike, based on 6 persons in a cabin-6 with 3 bikes, and a deck ticket on the ferry. Depending on accommodation and number of bikes, prices will go up, of course.

If you want to book, please contact me. I will send you a registration paper. After I got that in return (completely filled up and signed) you will get the bill, incl. EUR 11 bookings fee, of which 25% must be paid in advance. When paid, the booking will be definite.

Please, transfer the amount to pay to bank account 7766749, registrated at Mr. Paul van Ruiten (see below). The remaining part of the total amount must be paid before April 1, 2001. Those who make a booking on his/her own behalf and others will be responsible for all obligations that are related to the booking.

After your ride to Den Bosch in the central part of The Netherlands, you will check in for the late afternoon trip to Italy in the cabin you booked. In Italy the next morning a few hours driving brings you to the cruise ferry (accommodation as requested). Disembarkation the next day in Igoumenitsa. Then your trip will start immediately, because the site is only 3 miles away…

For the train: A bike’s height must not exceed 1.50 m (or 59 inch). Windshields etc. must be taken off and transported as luggage in the night train itself. Minimum bottom-height is 11 cm (4,5 inch).

You have to ride your bike on the wagon yourself. Railway personnel will do mounting and securing. Sufficient mounting hardware will be available. For mounting and securing procedures, you are obliged to give relevant instruction and information to the railway personnel. Extra personnel will be present in Verona and Bologna to assist the local personnel in loading procedures, depending on the number of booked bikes.

You are responsible for any damage you cause to your own bike or other vehicles during loading and unloading procedures on the wagon.

All schedules, arrival and departure times, prices and conditions in this information bulletin are subject to possible change. Please, check all relevant information in the 2001 brochures you will get from the Dutch Railroad Company (November 2000) and Minoan Lines (January 2001). These brochures will be send to you separately after booking.

Paul van Ruiten

Lageweg 72

9698 BR Wedde

The Netherlands

Tel/fax 0031-(0) 597-541013 mobile 06-53576699 e-mail info@pavarue.nl