A Five Day Ticket.

[Barry T]

Many of the Channel ferries do a 5 day ticket.  So, if you are looking for a nice 5 day brake on the Continent, consider this:  The Ardennes and the Mosel valley.

The Ardennes is where Belgian bikers go for their Sunday rides - a bit like our Peak District., but in the Ardennes you have hills, forest and winding through it is the river Meuse.

It became notorious towards the end of WW2, as the 'Battle of the Bulge'.  Because of the river the steep hillsides and the forest, it was only lightly defended.  The Allies thought the Germans would not try a counter attack though such difficult country - they did!

The Ardennes has now reverted to the bit of a backwater that it has always been.  Avoid June, July & August and you will have no problem in picking up B&B or hotel accommodation.  A good time to go is October/November, you will have the place to yourself and the forest colours are magnificent.

The easiest and quickest route from Calais is by motorway A26, turning off at junction 8 to Cambrai, then picking up the N43 towards Charleville-Mezieres.
The motorway bit is boring but it is quick.  Take the small roads and the countryside is just boreing and you are bored for longer!

The N43 is a good road for Northern France, the occasional village adding interest rather acting as a bottleneck.
You will probably need to stop for lunch along the N43.   There are plenty of cafe /restaurants. Don't wait until you see a full car park before you stop and do stop between noon and 2 p.m. or you could be unlucky.

Some 20 miles after Hison - still on the N43 - turn left towards Revin.  You are now entering the Ardennes.  Find somewhere to stay for the night.  Have a nice meal, a few glasses of wine and look forward to tomorrow!

Starting out in the morning with the mist from the river still filtering through the forest is magical!  Buy a local map or just follow the river.   There are plenty of nice routes.  Basically you need to be going towards Bastogne or  St Vith.  Then across the North of Luxembourg towards Bitburg or Wittlich.  Then across to the Mosel and along the Mosel to Cochem.

Cochem is something of a 'holiday' town for the Germans, but in spite of that, it is great fun and very nice.   There are plenty of B&B and hotels.  Do not be afraid to park the bike up and walk into the pedestrian area.  There are a number of hotels there at very reasonable prices.  They will sort out somewhere to park the bikes.  You are then free to enjoy the nightlife without having far to stagger to you bed!

The Mosel grapes are picked in October, this means festivities.  So unless you have booked, avoid the weekends.  There is still plenty going on during the week.  Spend a couple of nights in Cochem.  Visit the Nurberg-ring, take a boat ride along the river, eat apple strudel and cream, drink the 'new' wine - this is partly fermented wine with all the 'bits' still in it.

I like Cochem!

The ride home is much the way you came, or you could pick up the Motorway earlier and come back via Namur, Mons. Lille.

Total mileage will be less than 900 miles.  It is a nice little trip and one I am sure you will recommend to your friends.

[geoff52]

Agree wholeheartedly about the Ardennes Region. Stayed in the French part last year near
Givet (right on the border) and found a great deal to over two weeks .

We visited many Battle of the Bulge sites ( a bit of an interest of mine) and went as far east as Metz. Only problem was the weather ( for over a week the temp was over 38c and a coupleof days it hit 44c.!)

Roads are great with very little traffic. I recommend Charlesville-Mezieres and Verdun (to the south) with it's moving Ossuary monument to the French dead of WW1.

Highly recommended for short or long breaks

[Redeye]

Great!

Let's have more.