help and advice needed on my european tour

[lynden259]

Hi, in touring europe this summer ,from rotterdam to prague, krakow, vienna ,venice , up through italy via the stelvio pass into switzerland , up through the black forest then back to rotterdam , info required on hotels /routes etc , many thanks Lynden

[Sdapeze]

First bit of advice is, if you go to Switzerland make sure you have a bike permit that you buy at petrol stations. Also in Austria you need a vignette for motorways that you buy at petrol stations too. As to hotels, best bit is finding one by chance or let your SatNav help you with that. It works for us every time. As to routes, the roads are superb whether motorway or back road, except in Italy where you need to watch out. You have a lot of riding to do by the look of it. Don't rush it. Hope you have plenty of time. Have fun.

[The Prodded Dog]

I usually plan my routes on Garmin and then decide on a days mileage. Look on directions and then switch to google earth. So at around say 250 miles google earth will show hotels on or close by your route if you zoom in. Check them out on laterooms.com for feedback and booking. Most are credit card and refundable if cancelled 24hrs or more. Found some great hotels this way in my wanderings around Europe.
The Prodded Dog

[xlrik]

I have used all sorts of methods but it depends what equipment you are travelling with - I usually take a small laptop with me and drop in at a McDonnalds for a coffee in the morning and then log on to www.booking.com and search the area where I want to end up for a hotel - cos its last minute they are usually reasonable value for money - worst come to the worst then go for a cheapy hotel chain usually found in industrial areas of the towns. booking .com is handy because it has reviews on it which often talk about parking and security or how easy it is to find - also tend to talk about food and if any restaurants are close by etc....

Switzerland is VERY expensive (for Vignette too) however you can get round Switzerland by smaller roads (avoiding motorways) which vignette is not required for and this way you get to see more of the true Switzerland. I work a fair bit in Switzeralnd and I find it really expensive and they have their own dialect (they dont know if they are German / French or Italian...)

Austria is cheap for a Vignette (approx ?4.00 for 10 days if I remember dont use ticket booths as you enter Austrai though go to the ticket office - the booths only deal with day tickets and they cost the same as a 10 day pass) so well worth it if you need to avoid the odd town (especially Landec!!! unless you are stopping there) and jump on an Autobahn. Be careful in Austria cos the cops are keen - dont leave HID additional lights switched on - they are deemed illegal and attract fines

Germany - Filtering is illegal - and they do fine you (I can vouch for that) but speed seems to be tollerated but they are clamping down on National routes.

France - at last someone has seen sense and overturned the need for reflective gear and Breathalyser kits!!!

Cant say too much about E Europe because I have not tried by bike yet.

Good luck have a good one....

Rik

[lynden259]

thanks for the advice , some important info i didnt know Thanks again Lynden

[OzzyTheRottie]

Poland: filtering is illegal.
Visit the Wieliczka Salt Mine near Krakow. Highly recommend.
http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/32
Safety cameras - do not worry about - Police do not sending speed tickets to the UK.
Meeting with unmarked police car - up to ?100 fine - in cash only

[steve razor]

we stopped in Bormio (italy) last year in a hotel on the hill,(painted bright blue ! ) under the cable car..really good (food, garage,beer,etc) bormio is at the start of the stelvio,nice place, we had 2 nights there. ..regarding switzerland vignette(only for motorways), we didn't bother, but my mates buy them off ebay, use them, then sell them on ebay (remember to put something under it when you stick to screen, so you can remove it after.)..stelvio needs to be done early because you get odd vehicles on road, skateboarders, skieers on wheels..& it gets too busy..hope you enjoy as much as us.

[deathbymonkey74]

Lyndon
Did Calais - Lake Como- Stelvio - Lake Constance- nurburgring-Bastogne and home last year.

Calais- Hoorn- Rostock - Gdansk - back via Berlin.

Stayed in a good few places- most on trip advisor ( search for death by monkey / MarkHarvey as a reviewer)

Or message me direct on here and I can send you some lists/more detailed routes etc if it would help. (Too long winded to convey on here)

Cheers

Mark

[lynden259]

Hi Mark ive sent you a message , cheers Lynden

[Two Plugs NL]

If you go up north from Rotterdam via Groningen - Oldenburg - Bremen - Hamburg (f.e.) towards Prague give me a sign. I live close to the Groningen-Oldenburg route. You are happy to pop in for a coffee stop. I also know a few routes and places to visit on your way up.

Make sure, to get as fast as you can out of the Rotterdam - The Hague - Amsterdam region.
You have nothing lost there, and in Amsterdam your bike will be nicked anyway.

In Lelystad (A6 motorway) visit the Batavia Warf. A rebuild (1+1 based on the original plan from the Dutch East Indies Company Archive) of the 'Batavia' ship, and currently they do an excellent 1+1 reconstruction of the Ship of War "De Seven Provincies" (the Seven Provinces)

In Assen (TT circuit) along the A28 motorway, the Drents Museum is a must. Same for the 'Gronings Museum' in the centre of Groningen (A7-A28 joint)