First Timers

[DaveBridge]

Myself and my other half are planning our first Europe trip next year and are looking for some advice..... We fancy south of france, swizerland, austria, Italy and have 4 weeks to complete the trip. Sorry to sound naive (!) but could anyone suggest some popular, pretty mainstream routes and is it best to book Eurocamp style accomodation (which we are considering) or is it possible to wing it from place to place picking up accomodation as you go. We have limited touring experience in the UK but never been abroad before. Any help or advice very much appreciated....!!?? Thanks.

------------------
Dave B

[Steve Pickford]

You could try part or all of a route similar to this:
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=52824

You're pretty much guaranteed a good time anywhere in the Alps, Dolomites or Pyrenees etc.

[braindead]

My wife and I have done alot of European touring over the last 5 years and I would suggest travelling down through britany - Domfort is nice, to the Loire valley, then on to Bergerac. Then head for Baritz great surfers camposite by the beack and up into the pyrenees. Cross over to spain and then do Teledo Slamanca and BARCELONA .The return could take in the Fench riveria and the CARMAGE where there are stillwild horses etc then st Tropez before turning north once more up through the French alps and back to the channel ports.

Charlie

[Fuzzy Duck]

Hi Dave B

There are books with details of campsites across Europe, but to be honest you will probably find somewhere to stay wherever you go - there are usually signs on the roads pointing to the local sites - France has got loads.

The Michelin maps also show where campsites can be found - it's pretty easy really. You could plan the first few, and then once you've settled down you'll feel more confident to find your own. Are you taking your own tent, etc?

Michelin do an excellent Euro Atlas that has most of the countries in it, in good detail and nice and compact as it'll sit on a tank bag OK. Look out for the tourist roads which are highlighted in green and are usually very scenic and nice. By taking that you can make a rough plan and change it as you go along.

The Alps and Pyrenees are well worth visiting. 4 weeks is plenty of time to do a lot of biking and see a lot of sights. I did 4,500 mile trip in 3 weeks taking in Netherlands, Belgium, France, Spain, Italy and Germany a few years ago - it was fantastic.

I went at the end of May - the weather was great, and getting into campsites was easy as it wasn't the holiday season.

It might be a bit more hassle in August - when are you planning to go?

Good luck - and enjoy it!




------------------
Fuzzy Duck
(I'm quackers about bikes)

[DaveBridge]

All

Many thanks for taking the time to reply - this is our first time using the site and its great to get such valuable advice... its much appreciated!

We plan to go 1st Septemebr next year to avoid the main summer tourist season but catch the end of the good weather. Planned route is....

Loire Valley, Ardeche, French Alps, North Italian Lakes, Austria, Switzerland and back through Germany.

Im currently riding a thunderace but will be swapping before we go. Was thinking of a Futura so space might be at a premium. Probably take a gamble on leaving the tent at home to make space for the mrs' hair dryer and make up bag!

Thanks again for the advice!

Dave

[garyfzs1000]

Definitely wing it i never book hotels and have had no trouble getting good digs you can see the room before you say yes, in France you could use Special Places To Stay by Alastair Sawday there are farm houses where you eat round big tables in the kitchen with the family or stay in vinyards where wine tasting is compulsory with your evening meal.Keep away from the autoroutes use the N roads the run along the Autoroutes
but you see alot more.
Regards
Gary