My wife and I are going to take a 3 week two-up ride roundtrip from Frankfurt in June (we think). We're trying to decide whether to go north to Norway and the fjords, a circle around Germany/Czech/Austria/Switzerland, or south to Switzerland/Italy/southern France.

Here are our criteria, in rough order of importance:

- variety of scenery (plains/mountains/cities/towns/rolling hills)
- small, interesting roads (avoid highways, seek roads with vistas)
- active/lively destinations (a few interesting cities or major towns for museums, good restaurants, nightlife)
- ability to camp frequently and easily
- comfortable temperatures for motorcycling and camping without too much gear
- shorter rides each day with more time to explore towns and nature

My wife and I are really amazed by the photos we've seen of the fjords and we've never been to Scandinavia so this initially seems like a good option. I'm a little concerned that the ride up to Norway and back might not be the most fun, both because it is a long trip if we want to keep the daily miles low and because it seems flat and somewhat industrial through northern Germany and surrounding area.

At the same time, we've spent some time in Italy and France and little time in Switzerland and we know we love them. For their active and lively towns and cities, beaches, vistas, variety, and the rest.

Can anyone offer any insight on the route from Frankfurt to south west Norway? Which way would you go based on our criteria (or your own)?

Thanks,
Jeff

Jeff,
SW Norway fjords & mountains--exquisite scenery & riding.

FRA-->Hirtshals DK is most direct--yes, boring--route, Google maps 1000mi/ 9 hrs direct autobahn, doable in 1 riding day, more comfortably 2 riding days.
Hirtshals DK-->Kristiansand NO, take "Superspeed" hydrofoil car ferry, Color Line - The easiest way to Norway!, 3 hrs.
Roundtrip transit FRA-Hirtshals 4-5 days, leaves ~ 15 days to enjoy SW Norway leisurely.
SW Norway means anything within Ksand, Stavanger, Bergen, Andsnes, Trondheim, Oslo perimeter. You could ride north of Trondheim, e.g., to Lofoten Islands, another exquisite venue, but adds considerable to roundtrip time.
Camping and "hytter," (comfortable Norwegian camping cabins) are everywhere; also a good network of hostels.
Norway is primarily for non-urban scenery & riding, not "active, lively" destinations. You can find plenty of "active lively" in major cities, e.g. Bergen, Oslo, but outside cities, smaller towns are just that.

Weather/ rain in June in Norway can be "risky." You may get all wonderful sunshine, you could get a lot of rain, or a mix.

If you opt for Norway, there are many detailed routing/ ride report threads here or at ADVrider - Powered by vBulletin.

You already know how beautiful your other itinerary options are.

It would actually be feasible to wait until you arrive FRA, and decide on which itinerary depending on short(er)-medium term weather forecast at that time.

Enjoy whichever you choose