European Bike Week is held in early September at Faaker See in Carinthia, near the Slovenian and Italian borders. It's a massive (100,000+ people) event staged around a lake, it's very Harley-biased (fat Germans pretending to be fat Americans) but it's worth doing just once. From there you could strike out into the most beautiful country in the world, Slovenia or come back through Italy or return via the Tyroll and Switzerland.

Thanks for the recommendation. I can imagine that this is an event never to be forgotten but not sure if this is my type of event. Never been a big fan of harleys - can't understand the attraction. But the location looks fantastic!

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Elaine

Striving to live the ordinary life in a non ordinary way

This is, without a doubt, the single greatest description of anyone ever. EVER!

That said I can absolutely second your opinion. Not about the bike week per se, but about Slovenia being really beautiful. Actually, that entire Italian/Slovenian region near their shared border is very nice, no matter what side of the border you're actually on.

pheonix:
There's plenty of possibilities to get from Ostend (assuming you're talking about the one in Belgium) to the Alps. I recommend going through Belgium to either Luxembourg, then into Germany to Trier (beautiful city), or into Germany further North into the Eifel region and then to Trier, which is at the southernmost tip of the Eifel region. From there on you go either south into Switzerland/France into Italy and across towards Slovenia, or you go across Germany towards Munich, drive down from there to Garmisch, Innsbruck, across the old Brenner road into Italy (very lovely road), take the Penser Joch towards lake Garda (even better than the old Brenner road - it's like the Brenner road on steroids!) and then see where you want to go from there.

We'll be going to lake Garda from Munich somewhen in August for four days (probably thursday - sunday) and I'd like to invite you to join us, but that'd probably be too early for you. Either way, if you choose to drive towards Munich you have to pay us a visit and stay with us for a day or two

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"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in one pretty and well preserved piece, but to skid across the line broadside, thoroughly used up, worn out, leaking oil, shouting GERONIMO!"

Many thanks for the invitation. Yes, August is too early but Lake Garda is wonderful. In fact, I can't think of anywhere in that region which isn't!
As my plans come together, I will definitely let you know if I'm touring your area - are you north, south, east or west of Munich?.

Thank you for the directions. I'll be busy Googling during my lunch break!

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Elaine

Striving to live the ordinary life in a non ordinary way

Getting up into the Fjords/mountains is a bit of a stretch in 5 days but could be done. I did a loop of the North Sea coming into Norway on the Newcastle ferry then riding down to Calais in 4 days. The bridge between Denmark and Sweden is definately worth a look unless you get vertigo. Coming back to Ostend would make for long days.

Berlin always disapoints me as I was there before and during the wall coming down. It's a very nice European city now, with lots to see, but to me it lacks the buzz it used to have (not that I would want Soviet guns pointing at people again). Think Brussels only bigger or London with a little more charm.

Andy

Andy, thank you. Doing the Fjords would be fantastic but has to be saved for another trip when I will take the ferry from the north of england or scotland. It's the weekend in Ostend which is determining the point of departure.

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Elaine

Striving to live the ordinary life in a non ordinary way

I have a very vague plan:

Ostend, head towards Munich (non-autobahn?)
Slovenia (possibly via the European Bike Week in Austria)
Lakes and Mountains of Italy

So the topic shouldn't be northern europe anymore but I can't change it.

Thanks for the offers of meeting up. A woman from another bike site is interested in going with me but since she's never ridden overseas before, she may change her mind when she adds up the mileage!!
Waiting to hear if she can get the time off work - I'm definitely going for 2 weeks now! Whooppeee!!

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Elaine

Striving to live the ordinary life in a non ordinary way

Hi

Are you staying at the Bikers Hotel in Ostende?, as it is highly recommended before you travel into Europe and if not, well worth calling in for a drink if you are in the area. Have a look at Motorhotel Groenedijk - Oudenburg, Oostende

Wasn't a great Harley fan myself, but they have come on since the bigger engines and a 1450 Harley Road King, with the right exhausts, really is a capable, surprisingly relaxing touring bike, as my wife and I found out last month when we went off on one for a few days.

During my hitching days, in the 70's, I worked in Munich twice, once for a month in the Drie Rosen and the other time, after returning from Italy and Tunisia for another month in Zum Spockmier, both near Marianplatz. You got a free room, 6 tickets a day, all you could eat, without getting caught and £40 per week, plus my local was the Hofbrauhaus, which was also one of Hitler's locals at the time. Fantastic times and all in a great city. Must go back sometime.

Have a great trip.

Cheers


Chris

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[/SIZE] "Live dangerously for as long as you can!"

I've said it before and I'll say it again, and again, and again: you should definitely go through Trier, which claims to be the oldest German city (founded more than 2,000 years ago), on your way towards Munich. Beautiful place, always worth a visit. And lots of Roman ruins. You should also consider Luxembourg on your way there, Trier is right at the German - Luxembourg border and they have cheap fuel (and I mean REALLY cheap).

Drop me a line when you know what time around you'll be in Munich. I might be able to take a day off and of course you're invited to stay with my wife and me while you're here

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"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in one pretty and well preserved piece, but to skid across the line broadside, thoroughly used up, worn out, leaking oil, shouting GERONIMO!"

Neither, we live in Munich

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"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in one pretty and well preserved piece, but to skid across the line broadside, thoroughly used up, worn out, leaking oil, shouting GERONIMO!"

You ever been there? I live close to the Lake Garda, about 25 km south.
I don't know if I'll be home the first or second weekend in September, but if you think to come over here, PM me and I'll let you know if we will be able to hook up along with my cell phone, if you want.


I live in Mantua, which is a small medieval town, very interesting and nice (search for some images on Google).
And I'm a Harley rider, but not fat... AHAHAH
Let me know, dude!

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Nick and his 2010 Yamaha XT1200Z Super Ténéré

Thank you. Such generosity on this site. I wish I'd known about it when I found myself unexpectedly alone in France last year.

Could be in touch Knight - I would love to go to the Guzzi factory in Mandello.

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Elaine

Striving to live the ordinary life in a non ordinary way

OK!
Remember anyway that from July 31 thru August 20 I will be on summer holidays from work, motorcycling Eastern and northern Europe and I think I'll see possible messages from you not before my return to Italy.
I hope not to be away the first two weekends in September due to work reasons.

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Nick and his 2010 Yamaha XT1200Z Super Ténéré

No problem, I'm not leaving the UK until Friday 4th Sept

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Elaine

Striving to live the ordinary life in a non ordinary way