Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Planning, Trip > Route Planning
Touring Europe - Our Plan Touring Europe - Our Plan
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Route Planning Where to go, when, what are the interesting places to see
Photo by George Guille, It's going to be a long 300km... Bolivian Amazon

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by George Guille
It's going to be a long 300km...
Bolivian Amazon



Reply
Page 2 of 2 1 2
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #16  
Old 22 Feb 2006
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Roma, Italy
Posts: 18
Hi, I tried your route on MS Autoroute Express, and it comes close to 12.000 Km !!!
Are you sure you can drive 12.000 Km (that's 7500 miles) in 60 days, do sightseeing and still find the time to eat, drink, sleep, and be merry, and even take pictures and buy souvenirs?

er... do you have any kind of route planner?
Anyway, one piece of your route I know very well, having done it myself quite a few times, both on two and four wheels.
Once in the Munich area, head for Schwangau and see castles Neuschwanstein and nearby Hohenschwangau, and Schloss Linderhof; you MUST visit Oberammergau, where they have some of the most beautiful decorated homes (and wood carvings) I've ever seen - then drive through Garmisch, down FussenPass and up the BrennerPass, into Italy, see Brixen and Bozen, Trento and drive the Valgardena to Venice - Then bacl up north to Belluno, the Cadore Valley to Lake Misurina (and see the Tre Cime of Lavaredo) and across into Austria with breathtaking views!

I also have tips for southern Italy...

Maurizio
__________________
Maurizio
Reply With Quote
  #17  
Old 22 Feb 2006
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Australia
Posts: 23
I dont have a route planner. We drew out the basic route on a map and worked out the distance to be around 8000kms or so.

We realise this is only fairly rough, but that is why we are doing the trip the way we are. Because we figure the places we want to see the most are Istanbul, Greece, Croatia and Italy. We want to see the other places, but they are our priority.

We figure that if it looks like time is running short we can head home once seeing those places (missing most of France and Spain).

I may cut short Romania and Hungary (though we dont want too) we may just whiz through them to get to Istanbul.
__________________
\"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didnt do than by the ones you did.
So throw off the bowlines.
Sail away from the safe harbour.
Catch the trade winds in your sails.
Explore. Dream. Discover.\" - M.Twain
Reply With Quote
  #18  
Old 24 Feb 2006
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Roma, Italy
Posts: 18
Hmmm, no Route Planner...
I can buy MS Autoroute Express, version 2004/5 is a good budget edition and the last time I looked, Paris was still sitting there, so I guess it hasn't moved much!!!
LOL
The point is that even with a smaller, older PC/laptop, with MSAE you can explore different routes and see which is best for you (including distance driven, fuel costs, stop times and even where to stay the night!),
AND have one-page info sheets on the major sites to visit. That on one CD.
As for the places to see, I have to understand whether your priorities are art/architecture/history etc, or just seeing beautiful countryside. In the first case, I will be happy to help, if it's beautiful scenic drives and nothing more, I can only help for Italy, Austria and S.Germany.
Whichever, remember that the nicest surprises and the juiciest bits are always off the beaten track !

Maurizio
__________________
Maurizio
Reply With Quote
  #19  
Old 1 Mar 2006
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Australia
Posts: 23
Well, I was going to buy a GPS...but not until a bit closer to the time we go. I think you have a good point and I may look into getting a route planner soon.

What do we wish to see? hmm tough one. I am interested in everything. I love history and I love scenic countryside. I also love people and thier cultures. I guess my main aim on this trip is to experience different cultures as we travel around. But at the same time, I dont want to see the 'touristy' part of the culture.
I also want to get a tattoo from every country we visit, try to get something original from each country...but in reality I dont know how feasible that will be, Ill give it a shot though.

As for Austria, hopefully we will have plenty of time there and will get to see quite a bit of that country (since my partner has family there that will be showing us around). But that wont really be on the bike trip, thats before and after the bike trip
__________________
\"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didnt do than by the ones you did.
So throw off the bowlines.
Sail away from the safe harbour.
Catch the trade winds in your sails.
Explore. Dream. Discover.\" - M.Twain
Reply With Quote
  #20  
Old 4 Mar 2006
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Istanbul / Turkey
Posts: 49
I do not know about the bureacracy (did I spell this correctly?) of buying a bike in Europe and crossing many countries, you need to find that your self.
But European Union has one visa for many countries (except UK), it is called schengen. YOnce you have that you can travel between the EU countries easily.

You may try Austria, Italy, ferry týo Greece and Turkey. As Australian you would be interested to see Gallipoli (Canakkale) and hit IStanbul at least.

Time is an issue. Europe and Balkans has many cultures and it takes time.

If in Istanbul, let us know.

Have a ride.
Reply With Quote
  #21  
Old 4 Mar 2006
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Toronto, Canada
Posts: 2,125
Tathagata:

I'm going to do almost exactly the same route as you, excepting that I am going to do it in the other direction, because I plan to do it in May and June of this year. I'll be starting and ending in Zurich.

I have one suggestion for a route amendment for you - at the beginning of your route, where you are talking about going into Austria, then Hungary from there... my suggestion is that you go into Austria, do the high pass that another member suggested, then drop straight down south, through Italy, into Slovenia, and then to Pula in Croatia. Poke around Pula a bit, then head across Croatia (eastbound) and enter Hungary that way - then pick up on the route as you have described it.

Slovenia is a very nice country, and Croatia is not to be missed - I ride in Europe every year, and always go to Pula, it is delightful. Plan to minimize the time you spend in Italy (in other words, just transit from far northern Italy, where they speak German, down to Slovakia). If you can get across Italy in one day, so much the better. There's nothing worth seeing in that corner of Italy, but lots of headaches. Once you get into Slovenia and Croatia, you can start to relax and enjoy yourself again.

Michael
Reply With Quote
  #22  
Old 8 Mar 2006
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Poole, UK
Posts: 316
Route Planners etc ...mate this is getting over complicated. It's Europe...there are roads and people everywhere. All you need is a Michelin Map and a pencil. Ride one day at a time and ask at the next stop where is a good road to take. Locals know best. If you fell you are falling behind then take hop in a Peage/autobahn for two hours and eat up some miles then jump back onto the rural roads. As long as you are heading in your general planned direction then what's the problem. And yes you are going to get lost every now and again...but that just adds to the journey and who knows you might just find a stuning little back road by accident.

7500 miles in 60 days is easily achievable. Thats 125miles/day....easy without rushing.
__________________
If there's a will there's a way so I will anyway!
http://www.buyaikhaya.blogspot.com
Reply With Quote
Reply
Page 2 of 2 1 2

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 00:28.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top