Mountains, Beaches, Lakes and a Mediterranean Island – A Celebration of Motorcycle touring for our 30th anniversary.
This tour is our inaugural visit to the Island of Sardinia. Using 30 years of know how to be sure this tour is a standalone exclusive from all previous tours. Incorporating 7 different countries that offer fantastic scenery, brilliant biking roads and great accommodation with plenty of opportunities to tick items from the old bucket list. An exciting compilation of what makes our tours unique, to celebrate 30 years of White Rose Motorcycle Tours.
We start our tour with either a Eurotunnel or Hull-Rotterdam crossing to our first overnight stop in France. We then travel south to another stop in the Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes region before travelling to Mediterranean coast to catch our overnight ferry to the island of Sardinia.
With a 3-night stop and nearly 4 full days on the Island, this gives us plenty of opportunity to explore this less visited part of Europe. With its year-round Mediterranean climate and mountainous terrain, it's nothing short of a biker’s paradise. Our accommodation whilst here is a 3-star Hotel, in a 4-star location situated just 10 metres from the beach on the edge of the National Park of the Gulf of Orosei and Gennargentu.
Suitably refreshed we return via overnight ferry to the Italian mainland and head north to the Italian lakes with a 2-night stop at Lake Garda. On departure we ride the scenic roads of Trentino to our next hotel which is situated in a popular medieval town at the foot of the Stelvio Pass. Another, 2-night stop gives us easy access to the local mountain passes, and Livigno. On our return we have the opportunity to ride the Silvretta (2032M) which is open again after been closed the last few years, before stopping overnight on the Austrian/Switzerland border. A further stop on Germany/France border via the famous Scharzwald Strasse (B500), returns us to our chosen UK crossing.
The tour is based on a Hull - Rotterdam crossing with the option to use the Eurotunnel which will shorten the tour by 2 nights to become Friday 12th June – Wednesday 25th June. (see departure choice)
Although the tour has rest days, it will involve some long days and technical mountain roads, we therefore recommend it primarily for experienced riders who have ridden on the continent before.
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 locations. 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 you 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)
- Overnight Toulon – Porto Torres ferry and overnight Golfo Aranci – Livorno ferry
- 11 Nights en-suite accommodation at 3 & 4 star hotels
- 11 Regional breakfasts
- 7 Evening meals
- Full use of the hotels' leisure facilities
- GPX route file
- Guided Day tours
- Services of experienced Tour Guide (Chris)
Not Included:
- Meals onboard ferries
- Tolls (Vignettes) for Austria
Accommodation
Your hotels for this tour have been chosen for their locations, being motorcycle-friendly, and have either 3- or 4-star ratings. All accommodation is en-suite and includes the facilities you would expect of hotels of this class. Your stay includes use of the hotels' leisure facilities including swimming pools so you may wish to take your swimming gear. Your hotel in Sardinia is a new hotel for us and is a 3-star hotel just 10 metres from the beach.
The tour itinerary is based on a Northern Crossing with the option to use a Eurotunnel Crossing which will shorten the tour by two days.
Thursday 11th June: For those using the Northern crossing, you should make your way to Hull to catch the P&O overnight ferry to Rotterdam. You can board late afternoon, allowing you plenty of time to relax and enjoy the great onboard facilities. A 4-berth en-suite cabin (for 2) is included in your crossing. The ferry will dock approx. 8.30am the following morning, giving you the full day to make your way to you overnight stop near Troyes. (343 miles).
Friday 12th June (250 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 4-star hotel in the Champagne region. 3-Star, Dinner, B&B
Saturday 13th June (293 miles): Today we continue our descent through France taking the cross-country route to the Jura Mountains before another one nights stop in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. 3-Star, B&B
Sunday 14th June (218 miles): Time to head for one of the most famous routes in europe, Route Napolean. Then onwards to the French Riviera. Our overnight ferry to Sardinia is from Toulon to Porto Torres.
Monday 15th June – Thursday 18th June: With nearly 4 full days in Sardinia the choice will be up to you on how much or how little you want to do. The first day we ride nearly the full width of the Island (not as big as you’d think) to get our base for the next 3 nights. Whilst in Sardinia we have left you free to explore as you wish. Enjoy a ride out on one of Sardinia’s most famous roads the Strada Orientalis or enjoying the hotel and lounging on the beach, the choice is yours. 3-Star, Dinner provided for 2 nights, B&B
Friday 19th June (235 miles): Now back on the Italian mainland, we’re heading north to the Italian lakes. Docking in Livorno also gives an ideal opportunity and location to visit the world famous ‘Leaning tower of Pisa’. Our route north passes over the Apennines Mountains to our 2-night stop on Lake Garda. 3- star hotel, Dinner, B&B
Saturday 20th June (Free day): A two-night stay gives you the chance to ride the fantastic roads of the Dolomites. The mountains jagged rocks contrasting with the pristine meadows never fail to impress, it’s hard to choose between admiring the scenery and enjoying the twisty mountain roads. Or you could simply have a day off by the pool and enjoy the view of the lake. 3-Star Hotel, Dinner, B&B
Sunday 21st June (195 miles): Today we exchange the Italian Lakes for the Italian Alps. Passing south of Bolzano we take the Passo Tonale towards Tirano. Got a head for heights? Then take a short cut (165 miles) over the Gavia Pass (2652M) classified as the 10th highest tarmac pass. Both routes will take you to your hotel for the next 2 nights in the lovely town of Bormio. Your hotel tonight enjoys a central location, so whilst here, we give you the opportunity to dine out at one of the many restaurants in the town and embrace local cuisine. 4-star hotel, B&B.
Monday 22nd June (free day): Your stay includes use of the hotel’s spa and wellness centre, alternatively Bormio is famous for its warm thermal springs which can be enjoyed at one of three centres. One of the main rider attractions of this location is that it sits at the foot of the pass which is deservedly on everyone’s bucket list. The Stelvio Pass which climbs to 2757m and has over 40 hairpin bends. Alternatively enjoy a leisurely ride to the duty-free state of Livigno or maybe a visit to Lake Como or Lake D'iseo is achievable in the day. 4-star hotel, B&B.
Tuesday 23rd June (145 miles): Again, a great choice of routes as we enter Austria. A shorter day regarding mileage today, so an ideal opportunity to ride the Silvretta (2032M) pass. Our 4-star hotel tonight is in a medieval town in the western Austrian state of Vorarlberg, bordering on Switzerland and Liechtenstein. The hotel is one we have used many times and has modern rooms along with indoor swimming pool. 4-star hotel, Dinner, B&B.
Wednesday 24th June (297/280 miles): Continuing westwards we pass the shores of Lake Constance, through the southern Black Forest then either via the Scharzwald Strasse (297 miles) or through the Vosges Mountains (280 miles) to our final nights stop on Germany/France border. 3-star Hotel, Dinner, B&B
Thursday 25th June (325/295 miles): Today, we say goodbye to our fellow riders as we leave for the ferry port of our choice. Those using the Eurotunnel (325 miles) will be at Calais in time for a late afternoon crossing, whilst those on the Northern crossing (295 miles) head for Rotterdam and their overnight ferry.
Friday 26th June: The ferry docks at 0730hrs, giving us time to have breakfast 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 Friday 12th June and return Thursday 25th June.
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!). Please make sure your breakdown cover is valid in Sardinia some don't cover it, you may need seperate breakdown cover for our time there.
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 |
£2435 ea |
£2110 ea |
| One person, one bike, shared room |
£2830 |
£2490 |
| One person, one bike, own room* |
£3380 |
£3045 |
Deposit £100 per person
* (based on single hotel room & cabin share on ferry)