European Tours

[olderigetfasteriam]

Ok, I know it has been discussed here before but my searches didn't reveal much.

Seems I have had a good year at work and my bonus will be enough to pay some bills and give myself a nice vacation. Of course I will have to do something nice for my wife (she isn't much of a traveler so I am thinking diamonds).

I am considering a European bike tour next summer (ie:Edelweiss etc.). Any info (best places to see, bike to rent, accomodations etc) would be greatly appreciated. I can probably only do ten days at the most so it has to be packed with fun and adventure!! I am totally digging the pictures of the Alps so I am leaning that way.

Thanks in advance.

[Cpl Punishment]

Check out the European thread. We'd all be pleased to meet you, help, put you up, etc. PM, if there's a prob.

[Global Rider]

I am considering a European bike tour next summer (ie:Edelweiss etc.). Any info (best places to see, bike to rent, accomodations etc) would be greatly appreciated. I can probably only do ten days at the most so it has to be packed with fun and adventure!! I am totally digging the pictures of the Alps so I am leaning that way.

Thanks in advance.

Well if you are going on an organized tour (Edelweiss, etc) as you've stated, then you really don't have to worry about bike rentals or accomodations. That as well as having your luggage waiting for you in your room every evening, is taken care of.

From the sounds of it, take an organized tour, but bring your wallet!

But, if you are fixed on going self-guided, then go to the following link...
http://www.sport-touring.net/forums/index.php/topic,180.0.html

[Mr Sunshine]

Me and my wife are doing Europe next year in June and we plan to do some motorcycle touring on our own.  Shall be fun!

[Cpl Punishment]

Me and my wife are doing Europe next year in June and we plan to do some motorcycle touring on our own.  Shall be fun!

Please let us all know if you need a base.

[Ant]

STN members are...in places.

We know people who know people...

As the good Corporal pointed out, the Europe forum/section/thing is the best place for information. PM one of us if you want specifics or start a thread if you think other people would be interested in knowing the answer.

I wouldn't bother with the whole planned out organised trip though, with that kind of cash you can have a very good time in Europe and do it at your own pace. Stay places for longer than planned if you like them and get the hell out of there if they're not quite what you imagined. Europe isn't as scary as people think! (well... if you ignore the Cpl.  )

[knobnose]

Are there any European manufacturers that offer Euro delivery of a US spec bike with shipping back to the States (as with BMW and Mercedes cars)? I would love to pick up a bike and spend 3 or 4 weeks riding in Europe, but have not found a way to do it other than paying European prices - I was told that I could order a US spec Triumph in England, but would have to pay their price and taxes and arrange for my own shipping= big bucks.

[Global Rider]

Are there any European manufacturers that offer Euro delivery of a US spec bike with shipping back to the States (as with BMW and Mercedes cars)?

BMW Canada used to have that option and so did BMW NA, but BMW Canada dropped it quite a few years ago and I believe BMW NA did as well.

If the cost of renting is a major factor, try Knopf Motorradreisen in Heidelberg. His rental rates for non-current BMW models start at US$550 per week, with each additional week at US$500. That includes unlimited kilometers and use of a cell phone for emergency use, you only pay when used for personal use.

On top of great rates, Stefan Knopf offers a package that includes airport pick-up/drop-off in Frankfurt as well as the first and last nights accomodations at his place.

You can't go wrong.

http://www.knopftours.com

[Mr Sunshine]

Please let us all know if you need a base.

Well we are flying into Zurick so if anybody lives near there?

[olderigetfasteriam]

Well we are flying into Zurick so if anybody lives near there?

Is it near Zurich?

Sorry, just had to.

[GooseMan]

I'm thinking next year, I wanna take a "business" trip to visit my suppliers in France and Spain. I figure I'd start in France, make my way to Spain and fly home

yeah...totally off-topic, I know  

[atypical1]

Two summers ago my wife and I rented a BMW in Italy and rode from Rome to Tropea (the long way). It was a lot of fun and much easier to do than I thought it would be.

Are you sold on the idea of having a guided tour or would you be open to pulling a self-guided one?

james

[Orson]

The Brits are crazy    

They bemoan their lack of quality riding areas but in reality, the UK is one of the best places to ride across the pond   It's definitely a case of familiarity breeds contempt   Northern Wales has some of the best motorcycling roads I've ever ridden and the beauty of the Lake District & Scotland is magnificent.

The Yorkshire Dales ain't bad either.



just remember to bring a rain suit  

[ninjadad66]

I have spare rooms for anyone traveling this way, just PM me whenever the travel bug hits you. If I'm in town you're more than welcome to crash for a hot shower and a good nghts sleep.

[Ant]

Hehe, yeah scenery like that is just on the ride to my parents  
Though to be fair it isn't usually as blue!

Our scenery and warmer/drier weather would be perfect  

[olderigetfasteriam]

Two summers ago my wife and I rented a BMW in Italy and rode from Rome to Tropea (the long way). It was a lot of fun and much easier to do than I thought it would be.

Are you sold on the idea of having a guided tour or would you be open to pulling a self-guided one?

james

The more info I get makes me lean more toward a self guided tour. I am adventurous enough to give it a shot. I think even though you may encounter some problems you will also be rewarded with meeting people, seeing places etc. that you may not on a guided tour. Besides, who wants to see the same faces at dinner every night?

BTW, thanks for all the info.

[Global Rider]

The more info I get makes me lean more toward a self guided tour. I am adventurous enough to give it a shot. I think even though you may encounter some problems you will also be rewarded with meeting people, seeing places etc. that you may not on a guided tour. Besides, who wants to see the same faces at dinner every night?

BTW, thanks for all the info.

Exactly!

Anytime!

[olderigetfasteriam]

Exactly!

Anytime!

You gave me some awesome info. Just wish I had more time.

Thanks again.

p.s. I got the ok to sleep in Cpl. Punishment's garage.  

[Global Rider]

You gave me some awesome info. Just wish I had more time.

Thanks again.

p.s. I got the ok to sleep in Cpl. Punishment's garage.  

You mentioned going next "summer". Does that mean June, July or August?

Note that accomodations can be a bit difficult to come by in July and August because that is when Europeans go on vacation...school is out. That based on what I've heard and read. I'm there from the end of May till the end of the first week in July and never have any issues. Don't start looking for a room at 19:00; its not like in North America. I find a place at 16:00, unload my gear and then go out for a late afternnon/evening ride. Dinner is usually after 19:00.

You're going to the UK first?

[atypical1]

Couple quick thoughts:

1. Make sure your cell phone works overseas. I was lucky to not run into trouble but it was definitely possible.

2. Pack light. We went over to Italy with just helmets, gear, and a few bits of clothing. You will need to leave a little room for the trinkets you buy here and there. We also mailed some stuff home.

3. You will probably be treated like a local to some degree (especially when you are on the bike and they cannot see you) so ride like one. I quickly settled into "Italian riding mode" and forgot about my Californian habits (although it was not that hard to do). They expect you to ride a certain way and and you need to be aware of how they are driving. That will help keep you safe.

4. I would recommend making reservations ahead of time for the summer months. The Europeans were on holiday when we went and many places were full (luckily we had reservations). If you can spend a few days (or a day or two) in each area you will be able to find out a little more about the place than if you bullet through the entire time.

good luck and have fun!
james

[GooseMan]

Yup....ALL of Europe is on vacation the entire month of August    I know this because all of my suppliers are European and theyre just GONE all of August. Lucky bastards!  

[Global Rider]

Make sure your cell phone works overseas. I was lucky to not run into trouble but it was definitely possible.

And if possible, check to see if your cell phone is an "unlocked" GSM phone, meaning you can slip a TIM or LOOP pay-as-you-go SIM card into it. That way, all your calls are local or relatively local and a lot cheaper. Thats if you plan on using it daily to make reservations, etc. The SIM cards usually run for €25 and include €10 of talk time to start you off. You then can top them up for €10 at a time.

[ninjadad66]

Just to piggyback a little,

1) Any triband phone will work in the USA and here in Europe, check on the sim card just as global rider mentioned, and you can always buy the ready to go phones as well, costing around 20 oe 30 euros and you can buy minutes for it while you're here.

2) Packing light is right on point, another thing you can do is bring throw away items such as old shirts/pants/socks this way your storage room for trinkets will increase as the days pass by. Bring good undies, you know what mom alwasy says about good clean undies  

3)As long as you don't act like a snobbish american and welcome the different culture you'll be alright, and this is not to say that all of us act snobbish, but we all know there out there.  Drive according to the rules of the road and you'll be just find, no one expects you to ride/drive any other way. You might not need it, but it's a good idea to look into getting an internationl drivers licenses as well this may or may not come in handy if stopped by the local polizi (police) for any reason.

4)As for making reservations, if you're traveling in May or June you will be fine.  July is a big vacation month for Germany, and August is big for Italy so try to work your schedule around the busy times. I'm not saying you can't travel during those months, but just like Atypical1 and Global Rider said, it's very busy during that time even at the camp grounds.

Farmers is an excellent book to get for your vacation, it will list all the hot spots and great sights to see.  Hope you make it over to enjoy europe, and if you make it to Germany my door is open as well.

[Ant]

Wow, just found this SIM card... Expensive to use in the US and probably a bit pricy for other people to ring in to but for making calls out (whatever country you're in) it is amazingly cheap!!

http://www.gosim.com/index.php?page=3725_global_sim

Just found it after doing a search, I'm not vouching for them at all.

[Cpl Punishment]

A tip when riding in France-if the police say stop, they mean it. Unlike British police, they're armed and have been known to shoot .

[Ant]

A tip when riding in France-if the police say stop, they mean it. Unlike British police, they're armed and have been known to shoot .

And then march your corpse to a cash machine...
You don't speed in France  
Fortunately there aren't as many actual coppers as there seems to be in the US (from reading other people's posts) so it isn't as much of an issue.

[Ralf]

Please note that between 7-29 June 2008 the European Soccer Championship will be held in Austria and Switzerland. This means lodgings in these countries could be also difficult to find during this time.

[throttlemeister]

Please note that between 7-29 June 2008 the European Soccer Championship will be held in Austria and Switzerland. This means lodgings in these countries could be also difficult to find during this time.

Great! That means the French Alps and Pirynees are free for me to play, and the roads are empty as everybody is sitting in front of that picture box.

[Ralf]

Great! That means the French Alps and Pirynees are free for me to play, and the roads are empty as everybody is sitting in front of that picture box.

Good plan!  

[Global Rider]

Please note that between 7-29 June 2008 the European Soccer Championship will be held in Austria and Switzerland. This means lodgings in these countries could be also difficult to find during this time.

Great! That means I may just go to Korsika again.  

[Mr Sunshine]

Please note that between 7-29 June 2008 the European Soccer Championship will be held in Austria and Switzerland. This means lodgings in these countries could be also difficult to find during this time.

HOLY CRAP!

I'm flying into Switzerland on June 16th.

[Cpl Punishment]

HOLY CRAP!

I'm flying into Switzerland on June 16th.

 





I just had to laugh...

[Mr Sunshine]

 





I just had to laugh...

Um...I don't get the joke.  

[Cpl Punishment]

Um...I don't get the joke.  

Neither did I