driving a van with 6 people in greece
 

is this insane? or should we opt for 2 cars instead? I drive a Honda Odyssey minivan here in the US, plus we travel to Greece frequently (visiting relatives) driving a compact or mid-size car, so it's not as if I'm completely inexperienced. Just concerned with size of a van on some of those back roads of Greece...plan on one week of driving around Meteora, Delfi, Olympia, mountain villages of Demitsana & Steminitsa, Kalavrita, then Corinth, Epidaurus, & back to airport to fly to islands. Anyone out there have experience driving this large of vehicle?

It probably would be more congenial and fun to have all 6 in the same vehicle. I would go for it. The vans in Europe usually are no wider than mid-size cars.

Just don't forget that you've got to get 6 people's luggage in there as well. Most of these vehicle types don't have much (if any) luggage space left once you've got all the seats in use.

rented mini vans on a couple of trips with 5 and 6 people..vans are much smaller than ours stateside, we learned after the first trip to bring bungee cords in our carry on..the luggage ended up on the roof! you will be fine on the roads as these mini vans are about the size of a small suv.
enjoy the trip!1

The folks in the back will be pretty uncomfortable (if not car sick) and most everyone will have luggage in their laps. A 6 or 7 passenger van is big enough for 6 adults -- but not generally big enough for 6 AND their luggage.

It really depends on the vehicle. I thik one large enough to take 6 people comfortably plus hide their luggage away (won't you want to stop off between hotels) will be too large to drive easily round small roads. Not to mention parking. It really would be a bus rather than a mpv thing. Of course it can be done, but will it be fun? I can't think of any vehicles here in the UK that I would want to do it in, apart from a proper mini-bus but then the luggage is just in with you and you can't drive those on standard driving licenses.
We've got a Vauxhall Zafira - seats up to 7 but really you don't want to be in there for more than an hour like that - everyone, from front-row to the back row, ends up with very little footroom. And there is zero luggage space. with only 2 rows of seats in use its great, but bring the 3rd row in and it's for short trips only (preferably with small children and not adults too).

Hey, thanks for your ideas and advice. At this point, I think I'm opting for two cars following each other (altho it sure would be an adventure!). Comfort, ease of driving, luggage non-visible in trunks, cost, etc. How hard could it be for 2 cars to follow each other? Maybe we could arrange 2 cell phones, or some other means of staying in communication. Ideas?

>>"How hard could it be for 2 cars to follow each other?"<<

In Athens it could be very hard!

Just FYI, the drivers there have an interesting way of indicating they wish to change lanes, and it works, even in the heaviest of traffic: The driver drives with his/her left arm hanging out the window (this was in summer) and when s/he wishes to change into the left lane, wiggles his/her fingers. The other drivers politely let you in. Works like a charm!

well I honestly managed a mini van from Corfu to the Mani..as stated it was not a big one...the thought of two cars traveling together and staying together might be more stressful, especially on that planned road trip of yours..I think you'll have more fun together..(or not depending on the crew!)

I think you might find it VERY tight trying to fit in luggage for six people. I'd go for two cars. it will also give you a lot more flexibility.....all of the "togetherness" can be too much sometimes and it's nice to have the option to do some separate activities.

Margy

We never would be driving in Athens itself. Would pick up car/s at airport, then directly onto the new bypass, Odos Atticus, on with itinerary, then on same bypass back to airport. The new road is really great. That drive through Athens is for sure a challenge. I just don't see how we could fit in 6 people + their luggage...car rental agents are now telling me we should have a van for 9 people to allow for luggage, so the thing just got bigger! Leaving luggage on top of van while visiting an ancient site is not possible either. If we were staying in one or two hotels and taking day trips, it might work, but this itinerary involves frequent hotel changes.

Just make sure that you have pre-arranged meeting places along the route before you set off so it doesn't matter too much if you lose sight of each other. It's only going to be a problem in urban areas anyway. Have you never followed a car before?

One tip is to tie a little flag/cloth to the top of the radio ariel so that you can still spot each other if you get separated by a few other cars.

Someone other than the driver should be responsible for keeping their eye on the other car.