Tyrol, Lakes and Alps
Wednesday 17th September - Saturday 27th September 2008
| Duration |
10 Nights / 11 Days |
| Tour Area |
Austrian Tyrol / Lake Garda / French Alps |
| Status |
Escorted Tour (E) |
| Accommodation |
3 & 4-Star Hotels - most with swimming pools |
| Mileage |
250 - 300 miles per day - longest day 350 miles |
| Approx Tour mileage |
2000 miles |
| Roads |
Combination of Motorway, A, B and Mountain Roads |
| Skills |
Intermediate - experienced rider with continental experience |
Austrian Tyrol, Italian Lakes and the French Alps - a great combination
This tour is new for 2008 but combines some old favourites along with a
new location. Our first stop is the Austrian Tyrol and the chance to
enjoy stunning scenery and ride some great mountain Passes (see our Austria
and Switzerland Tour). From here, we head southwards to the Italian
Lakes and Lake Garda in particular. From our 4 star hotel high above
the noise and bustle, you can relax and enjoy this beautiful landscape. Our
last destination takes us westwards to Chamonix and the lovely French Alps. A
two-night stop at this popular tourist town is hardly enough, but does allow
time to get a taste of some of the area’s stunning scenery.
This tour will primarily suit experienced riders who have ridden on the
continent before. However, we have tried to keep mileages to a minimum,
and with two x 3 and one x 2-night stops, you can unpack and do as much,
or as little riding as you wish.
Tour Format
Day 1: Wednesday 17th September (350 miles) Following an early morning
tunnel crossing, we cross France to our first night’s stop in the Lorraine
region.
Day 2: Thursday 18th September (290 miles) Refreshed, we continue
our journey eastwards into Switzerland (Vignette required) and the
principality of Liechenstein, before entering the Vorarlberg region of Austria.
Days 3 and 4 : Friday 19th & Saturday 20th September (free
days) You
have 2 days to explore this wonderful part of the world. We will be
staying in an area where Switzerland, Italy and Austria all come together,
and the mountain passes and lakeside roads offer some tremendous riding and
stunning views. If you fancy a day off, we will be staying at what
is probably the best biker hotel in Europe, offering some great leisure facilities,
including an indoor swimming pool. The bikes are not forgotten either,
with dedicated maintenance and garaging areas.
Should the weather not be kind, the city of Innsbruck is not far away, where
there are numerous historic buildings to visit, or, alternatively, the famous
Swarovski Crystal World. Instead, you may prefer a gentle ride through
the immaculate Austrian pastures to Fussen in Bavaria. Here you will
see the Schloss Neushwanstein, an archetypal fairy-tale castle that has provided
inspiration for countless storybooks, and a Disneyland castle.
Day 5: Sunday 21st September. (150 - 230 miles) Time to leave
Austria behind, as we head southwards for the Italian Lakes. There
are several routes to take, but whichever you choose, you’re sure to
enjoy your ride. Your location for the next three nights is a 4 star
hotel overlooking Lake Garda.
Days 6 & 7: Monday 22nd & Tuesday 23rd September (free days) Once
again, your time is your own. The hotel is situated in the Northwest
of Lake Garda, making a tour to the dramatic landscape of the Dolomite mountains
a good day out. Also within easy striking distance is Verona, the romantic
setting for Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet, or perhaps the classic
city of Venice. Should you want to take things a little easier, a ride
around the lake, a visit to the castle at Malcesine, or a gentle stroll in
nearby Riva del Garda are all highly recommended.
Day 8: Wednesday 24th September (240 miles) Today we exchange
the lakes of Italy for the Alps of France. Using the Italian Autostrada, we
pass the hustle and bustle of Milan before entering the dramatic Mont Blanc
tunnel, emerging to the tranquil setting of Chamonix, our location for the
next two nights.
Day 9: Thursday 25th September (free day) For those that like to ride,
there are some fantastic mountain roads to try. Built primarily to gain
access to ski resorts, they twist and turn to spectacular viewpoint summits. Close
by, is the ‘Grand Tour’ - aptly named, being a demanding ride
around the fabled white mountain of Mount Blanc, and climbing some 8 mountain
passes, via 3 different countries.
If you fancy a day off, then you are also well catered for. Apart from
the lovely tourist town of Chamonix, you are surrounded by countless attractions,
with glaciers to visit, mountain trains to ride and we can also recommend the
cable car ride to L’Aiguille du Midi - a rock needle, some 3,842 meters
high, affording phenomenal views of Mount Blanc, the alpine range and the valleys
below.
Day 10: Friday 26th September (295 miles) Our chosen route today leaves Chamonix
via yet another mountain pass and along Swiss motorways on the shores of Lac
Leman, before passing back into France and the smaller Jura mountains. Apart
from the brief use of a motorway to by-pass Dijon, we are able to enjoy the
very best of French provincial N roads, which take us to our final night’s
stop near Troyes.
Day 11: Saturday 27th September (249 miles) We complete our journey
across France, then must bid our farewells before taking an afternoon tunnel
crossing back to Folkestone.
Accommodation
Our accommodation for this tour will mainly be 4 star hotels. Following
an overnight stop in France, we spend the next three nights at one of our
favourite hotels in Austria. The hotel is set in a valley, below the
snow-capped Kauntertal glacier, its idyllic position offering not only luxury
accommodation, but a great centre from which to tour. The hotel has
a large ‘Wellness Centre’, consisting of a sauna, steam room,
gym and small indoor swimming pool. During our stay there, all evening
meals are included, as well as afternoon coffee and cake, and a Buffet Breakfast. Feeling pampered?
Well your bike is not forgotten; the hotel is one of a group that specialises
in looking after motorcyclists and has secure under cover parking, a powerwash
and a fully-equipped workshop.
In the Italian Lakes, our 4 star hotel enjoys enviable views across the
beautiful Lake Garda (see picture middle right). All rooms are en-suite,
with satellite TV, telephone and hairdryer, and have balconies with lake
views. There are 3 swimming pools (one inside, two outside), tennis
courts and a large terrace - just perfect for enjoying that evening
drink. Once again, buffet breakfast and a 3 course evening meal is
included. 1km from the hotel is a lovely little village with plenty
of shops, bars and restaurants. We have chosen this hotel because it
is away from the hustle and bustle of the lake towns, yet still central to
our tour areas. Should you want a day off from riding, you can book
an excursion from the village or even take a local bus to the lakeside for
a cruise.
Our next stop is Chamonix, a place we have visited many times. However,
this time we will be based in the centre of the town. When I visited
this hotel last year, I thought it was great then, and it has since been
completely renovated, now to 4 star standard. Breakfast is included,
but evening meals will be for your own account - there is a wide choice of
restaurants within easy walking distance. The hotel has an indoor
swimming pool, sauna and Turkish Bath as well as secure parking for your
bike. It is close to all amenities, including the train to Mer de Glace
(see photo bottom left) and the cable car to L’Aiguille du Midi.
Our final night’s stop will once again be at one of our favourite
hotels, near Troyes. Set in woodland, it offers an outdoor swimming
pool and other leisure facilities. An evening meal (fixed menu) is
once again included.
| Tour prices are inclusive of the following |
| * return eurotunnel crossing (alternative
ferry crossing for those that wish) |
| * 10 nights' en-suite accommodation at 3 - 4 star
hotels |
| * 10 regional breakfasts |
| * 8 evening meals |
| * full use of hotels' leisure facilities |
| * maps and route notes as appropiate - Garmin
routes available |
| * services of experienced Tour Guide |
Not Included:
Vignettes for Switzerland / Austria (£19 / £3)
Parking Charges
| Tour Cost |
|
| Two persons, one bike, shared room |
£745 each |
| One person, one bike, shared room |
£795 each |
| One person, one bike, single room |
£899 |
| Deposit £95 |
|
Insurance
On all European tours (including Southern Ireland) we require clients to
take out some form of Personal Travel and Accident/Breakdown cover. This
is essential for repatriation of yourself and your motorcycle in the event
of an accident or medical emergency. We can offer cover through Gold Cover
Insurance Services Ltd, a company that have specialised in travel insurance
for many years and are used by many Motorcycle Tour Operators.
It is not a condition of your tour that you use our insurance; we only
offer this as a service to our clients.
GOLD COVER INSURANCE
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