Alps Motorcycle Tours - Priced Right

[Guy]

So what is the best second language to have in Europe? I'm thinking of taking either French or Spanish lessons, and was wondering which might be the most useful in Western Europe.

[Global Rider]

So what is the best second language to have in Europe?

English.

As a first language, it depends where you will be touring. German gets me by in Germany, Austria, most of Switzerland and in Süd Tirol, northern Italy.

Along borders, there are usually people that speak the languages of neighboring countries, especially in the tourism industry.

[Orson]

So what is the best second language to have in Europe? I'm thinking of taking either French or Spanish lessons, and was wondering which might be the most useful in Western Europe.

one of the Romance languages since their similarities mean that one who speaks Spanish can get the basics of Italian, Portuguese or French.

you may not be able to hold a conversation, but you can get the gist of what's being said.

Spanish or French are probably yer best bets.

[dtor]

So what is the best second language to have in Europe? I'm thinking of taking either French or Spanish lessons, and was wondering which might be the most useful in Western Europe.

If you're going to France, French; Italy, Italian. Not saying that you need to be fluent, but that you should have a smattering of each, or enough to get what you need, politely. In both those countries, a little goes a long way towards gaining the respect and cooperation of whomever you're talking to. The most useful second language for the rest of Europe is German. German will get you by in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Benelux, Scandinavia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovenia, and parts of Northern Italy.

I don't think Spanish would be much help, except, of course, in Iberia.

[FJR-UK]

There is a train that runs along the coast.

When we were in Cinque Terra, we stayed south of La Spezia in a nice place called Portovenere. For a day trip, we rode up to Manarola and parked at the train station. Took the train one stop north to Vernazza, then walked along the cliff route back to Manarola. It was very pleasant, both villages were very picturesque harbour towns. We were back in Portovenere before dark. Nice.

[dtor]

I would take the train to see the Cinque Terre. They really don't want vehicles in any of the middle towns. I rode down a very steep one lane paved road to Vernazza, only to find a barrier and a small parking lot. The idea was that you parked, walked into town, found lodging, walked back uphill, showed proof you had a room, rode down to the hotel, unloaded, rode back up to the lot, parked bike, walked back down to your hotel. Right. The way out was the scariest paved road I've ever ridden. Blind hairpins because of trees, such that once you committed to the turn, you were completely fucked if another vehicle was coming down the hill.

[Orson]

I don't think Spanish would be much help, except, of course, in Iberia.

I get by with Spanish in Italy  

[dtor]

I get by with Spanish in Italy  

They must know that you're a made guy.

[yotes65]

This has revived an idea that I had a while ago. To save the hassle and expense of renting a bike, why not ship a bunch of bikes in a shipping container and use them for a tour? If a group of riders could agree on some dates I think this could be very cost effective. I want to do a European trip next year so if any others are interested I will gladly investigate rates etc. It would be good to have an idea of numbers because I imagine the rates are cheaper if the numbers are greater.

Greetings Gang,

I know the above quoted post is a few years old, and I'm reading thru this thread again to see if anyone happened to have found out any info & the cost to shipping one's own bike over. I know GR recommended to check out Knopf Motorradreisen however their page seems to be going thru some changes at the moment.

Thanks,

Marty

[yotes65]

You should consider getting Microsoft AutoRoute 2007 (under $40 from Amazon). Its the European version of Streets & Trips. I could send you some routes.

Hey Alex,

Could you send me some of the routes as well? my email is martyn@s13.com.

Thanks!

Marty

[Global Rider]

Hey Alex,

Could you send me some of the routes as well? my email is martyn@s13.com.

Thanks!
Marty

Marty, I don't have any routes generated and saved for MS AutoRoute 2007.

I meant I would generate some routes for first timers based on where they planned to ride.

I have started to include maps to where some of my pics were taken. See my 2008 Euro Tour page...link below. I don't know how useful it'll be, but I've often wondered where some of the pics I've viewed on other people's sites were taken as so many fail to include informative captions.

http://edelweiss.smugmug.com/gallery/6076732_5fUPd#381221654_CwSjs

I've also included GPS coordinates for some of the pics as well. Its all a work in progress.

[ride4adventure]

Alex:

I am heading over to Europe this summer and spending 2 - 3 weeks touring the Alps.  starting in last week of June)

I will be following similar route as offered by Edelweiss Tours,  Germany - Switzerland - France
Italy - Austria.

My question is, do you really need to book your accommodations ahead before heading over there.
I hate being tied down to a schedule and make up my itinerary day by day.

Have you done any camping on your previous trips around the Alps?

Thanks

Brian
Ride4Adventure

[Global Rider]

Alex:

I am heading over to Europe this summer and spending 2 - 3 weeks touring the Alps.  starting in last week of June)

My question is, do you really need to book your accommodations ahead before heading over there.
I hate being tied down to a schedule and make up my itinerary day by day.

So you'll be there till mid July. You should be OK. I'll be there till July 11th.

I've never booked any accomodations in my 15 years of touring there. I have called the odd place where I have stayed before just to let them know I'm coming, not that it was necessary to secure a room.

I hate being tied down to a schedule and make up my itinerary day by day.

Same here which is why I could never go on an organized tour.

Have you done any camping on your previous trips around the Alps?

No, for various reasons.

[ride4adventure]

Alex

Thanks for the travel advice.

I am really looking forward to this trip.


Cheers

Brian

[yotes65]

Alex

Thanks for the travel advice.

I am really looking forward to this trip.


Cheers

Brian

We want to see Pictures & a Ride Report when you return... Have a Great Time!

[Global Rider]

We want to see Pictures & a Ride Report when you return... Have a Great Time!

I'd like to see them as well (linky to photo hosting site...maybe), as well as hear what another first-time rider has to say about his experience riding there.


On a parallel note, my long time friend and his wife joined me for two weeks on a rental motorcycle.

This is how lucky they got; the Grossglockner with crystal clear skies from horizon to horizon...


And I took them on some interesting out of the way back roads...