Fantastic scenery and great biking roads in the Austrian Tirol and the Swiss Alps
Another of our favourite tours and one we have done many times and yet we still enjoy the thrill of riding mountain passes or fast sweeping roads, both of which the Austrian Tyrol and Swiss Alps have in abundance. The tour has a 3-night stop in Austria and a further 3-night stop in Switzerland, allowing you to unpack and enjoy daily ride-outs.
Our first base will be in the beautiful Kauner valley in the west of Austria, in what’s known as the Tyrol and Vorarlberg provinces. Both these provinces are perhaps better known as excellent winter sports centres but come the summer they are transformed into a biker’s playground with so many mountain passes to choose from. You may have heard of some already such as the Timmelsjoch (2474m), Silvretta (2036m), and the one on everyone’s bucket list, the Stelvio Pass (Stilflersjoch) which climbs to 2765m, and has over 40 hairpin bends.
After 3 nights in Austria, we head westwards and through the wonderful passes of Switzerland to a further 3-night stop in the Bernese Oberland. Set in the heart of Switzerland, this area is perhaps best known for its grand triple-peaked ridge of Alpine giants - the Eiger, the Mönch and the Jungfrau. At some 4000m, these peaks dominate the valley below with its beautiful twin lakes of Thunersee and Brienzersee. We return to a hotel we have used many times in the lovely village of Grindlewald.
This is an Escorted Tour which means that although the guide will be with you, you are responsible for doing your own navigation. We provide a Tour Pack which will include a full itinerary, suggested route directions, GPX waypoints and hotel location. This system suits many people, as it allows them to ride at their own pace and style, either alone or in small groups. However, if it is your first time abroad, or you just prefer, you may ride with the guide, who will act as your escort throughout the tour.
Tour prices are inclusive of the following:
- Return overnight Hull-Rotterdam ferry with 4 berth en-suite cabin (for 2) or Eurotunnel crossing (see departure choice)
- 9 Nights en-suite accommodation at 3 & 4 star hotels
- 9 Regional breakfasts
- 6 Evening meals
- Full use of the hotels' leisure facilities
- Route notes as appropriate - Garmin routes available
- Guided Day tours
- Services of experienced Tour Guide (Chris)
Not Included:
- Meals onboard ferries
- Tolls (Vignettes) for Austria & Switzerland
Accommodation
Our accommodation for this tour will be a mixture of 3 & 4 star hotels. After a quick overnight stop on the France/Germany border and a further one in the Alsace region, we arrive in Austria for a 3 night stay. This hotel is one of a group of Austrian hotels dedicated to looking after Motorcyclists (of which, this is probably the best). Set in the valley, below the snow-capped Kauntertal glacier, its idyllic position offers not only luxury accommodation, but a great centre from which to tour. The hotel has a large ‘Wellness Centre’ consisting of sauna, steam room, gym and new infinity swimming pool. During our stay there, all evening meals are included, as well as afternoon coffee and cake, and a Buffet Breakfast. The hotel has a special bike garage, powerwash and fully-equipped workshop. Being a BMW testride center, for a reasonable fee you are able to take a days test ride on one of the many BMW models within the range.
Your hotel in Switzerland is situated in the lovely little village of Grindlewald. The hotel’s central position means it is not only close to the village's facilities, but is a perfect location for taking the railway to Interlaken, Kleine Scheidegg and the famous fantastic rack-railway up the Jungfraujoch.
We return via the Vosges mountains for a further night at our base in the Champagne region before heading to the crossing of choice.
The tour itinerary is based on a Northern Crossing with the option to use a Southern crossing which will shorten the tour by two days.
Sunday 12th July: For those using the Northern crossing, you should make your way to Hull to catch the P&O overnight ferry to Rotterdam. You are able to board early evening, allowing you plenty of time to relax and enjoy the onboard facilities. A 2/4 berth en-suite cabin (for 2) is included in your crossing. The ferry will dock 0900 hrs the following morning, giving you the full day to make your way to your overnight stop. (295miles).
Monday 13th July (310 miles): Those using the Southern crossing should arrive in time for a morning departure for their journey across France. Whichever crossing you have chosen, we will all meet-up and get to know one another at our first night's stop, a 3 star hotel on the French/German border. 3 star hotel, Dinner B&B
Tuesday 14th July (150 miles): We slow the pace and enjoy a ride through the vineyards of the area before climbing into the Vosges Mountains. These mountains much favoured by the famous 'Tour de France' may not be that high, but are a haven for bikers offering great roads and views across the Rhine valley. We arrive in time to enjoy the lovely city of Colmar; it's just a short walk from our hotel to the beautiful area known as 'Little Venice' with its canals and timber framed houses. Tonight we dine in town. 3 star hotel B&B
Wednesday 15th July (230 miles): Passing through Switzerland, we enter the Vorarlberg region of Austria before finally arriving at our 4 star hotel in the Austrian Tyrol, which will be our base for the next 3 nights. Your stay includes breakfast and all evening meals.
Thursday 16th & Friday 17th July : (Free days) - Two days is not really enough time to explore this part of the world which has become a Mecca for motorcyclists. Within easy riding distance you have numerous passes to ride such as the Timmelsjoch (2474m), Silvretta (2036m), and the one on everyones bucket list, the Stelvio Pass (Stilflersjoch) which climbs to 2765m, and has over 40 hairpin bends. Should you want something less energetic, the historic city of Innsbruck is not far away, where there are numerous historic buildings to visit, or, alternatively, the famous Swarovski Crystal World. Take a gentle ride through the immaculate Austrian pastures to Fussen in Bavaria. Here you will see the Schloss Neushwanstein, an archetypal fairytale castle that has provided inspiration for countless storybooks, and a certain Disneyland castle.
Saturday 18th July: (240 miles): Time to leave Austria behind, but the holiday is far from over, as we head westwards for a marvellous day’s ride over the Furkha and Grimsel passes - some of Switzerland's finest - before arriving at our next base in the popular mountain village of Grindlewald. 3 star hotel, Dinner, B&B.
Sunday 19th - Monday 20th July (free days): There are lots to see and do around this popular mountain village which is ideal for catching one of the many trains - taking you on a journey through some of the most dramatic, and certainly most memorable, mountain scenery in the whole of Switzerland. Visit Jungfraujoch, the highest railway station in Europe, or maybe take a cable car to the revolving Piz Gloria summit restaurant, featured in the James Bond film On Her Majesty’s Secret Service. Of course there is plenty of passes to ride such as the Susten, Gotthard and Nufen. 3 star hotel, B&B.
Tuesday 21st July (314 miles): Our chosen route today leaves the Bernese Oberland region 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 have the option to enjoy the very best of French provincial N roads, taking us to back to our final night’s stop near Troyes. 4 star hotel, Dinner, B&B.
Wednesday 22nd July (250-330 miles): Today, we say goodbye to our fellow riders as we leave for the ferry port of our choice. Those using the Southern crossing (250 miles) will be at Calais in time for an early afternoon crossing, whilst those on the Northern crossing (330 miles) head for Rotterdam and their overnight ferry.
Thursday 23rd July : The ferry docks at 0800 hrs, giving us time to have breakfast and bid farewell to our fellow riders before making our way home.
With customers from the whole length of the UK and Ireland, we understand that many of our northern clients dislike the ride down to the channel ferry ports – likewise it does not make sense for our many clients from the south to ride north to join a tour at Hull. Therefore, where possible, we arrange the first and last night’s hotel to be within similar riding distance of both Calais & Rotterdam.
For your increased comfort we have arranged more spacious 2/4 berth cabins (for 2) on all P&O Hull-Rotterdam crossings, and clients using the Southern crossing will have the convenience of crossing the channel using the Eurotunnel service.
Note:
The tour will be 2 nights shorter for those customers using the Eurotunnel and they will depart Monday 13th July and return Saturday 22nd July.
As always, you may make your own arrangements and we will adjust costs accordingly.
Personal Travel cover and Breakdown Assistance Cover
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. If you have an existing policy you should check that your company would repatriate your bike, even if undamaged, should you be unable to ride it (many do not!).
We also strongly urge you to take out insurance that includes cancellation cover in the event of accident, illness or redundancy when you make your booking.
| Tour Cost |
Hull ferry |
Eurotunnel |
| Two persons, one bike, shared room |
£2145 ea |
£1810 ea |
| One person, one bike, shared room |
£2285 |
£1930 |
| One person, one bike, own room* |
£2600 |
£2250 |
Deposit £100 per person
* (based on single hotel room & cabin share on ferry)