Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > Europe
Bacelona to Tuscany 2020 Bacelona to Tuscany 2020
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Europe Topics specific to Western and Eastern Europe, from UK to the Russian border, and south-east to Turkey.
Photo by Alessio Corradini, on the Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia, of two locals

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


Photo by Alessio Corradini,
on the Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia,
of two locals



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 2 Feb 2019
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Feb 2019
Posts: 1
Bacelona to Tuscany 2020
Looking for recommended routes from Barcelona to Tuscany. We will be picking up our bike in Barcelona and have 6 weeks to get to Chiavaretto, Tuscany.

Would be very interested in hearing about the best routes (including towns, villages and areas we should include). We would like to avoid busy highways and large cities.

Thanks!
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 4 Feb 2019
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Tartu, Estonia
Posts: 1,103
Six weeks is loads of time. Barcelona to Chiavaretto is an easy two-day one-night trip on the highways (or a very long one-day trip).

Basically open Google Maps, look for green splotches with white squiggly lines in them.

The Pyrenees are there for you to enjoy (Andorra is a good place for tax-free booze or electronics). There's a Route des Something that goes from Perpignan to the French Riviera via scenic back roads. But you might as well swing north as far as the Alps.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 5 Feb 2019
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Oct 2018
Posts: 7
There are two routes you can take -- through mountains or along the coastline.
if the former, you can go to Andorra la Vella through Manresa and Berga, then go to Toulouse, Lyon, Torino, Milano, Bologna, Firenze or San Marino and finally you arrive at Chiaveretto. You'll see lots of places but this is a long route.
if you travel along the coast, you'll pass through Girona, Montpellier, Marseille, Nice, Genova, Pisa, Firenze and many more small towns. it will definitely take less time. a day or even less if you aren't planning to stay in any of the places along the road
both are picturesque..been to Catalonia more than four times and each time we took vespa rental in barcelona in order to see as many places as possible and mountainous areas are full of vineyards and medieval towns while coastal cities are more modern but there are also interesting sites
__________________
cheers
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 5 Feb 2019
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Oxford UK
Posts: 2,116
It's 750 miles by the shortest route. With six weeks that's almost enough time to walk it. You could certainly do it without much stress on a bicycle. So, on a motorcycle, you're going to have plenty of time for side trips.

Do you live in Barcelona or coming there from somewhere else. Do you know that area of Europe? I'm presuming the trip'll be sometime during the warmer part of 2020. If it's early (April / May) you might want to either pack some warm clothing or avoid the Alps (and some of the Pyrenees) as they'll still be snowbound.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 7 Feb 2019
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: East Sussex, England
Posts: 173
Don't overlook the Pyrenees when focusing on the journey eastward.
N260 is the classic route east-west but there are great routes throughout Pyrenees including some of the cross-border passes.
I think the eastern section of the N260 is less dramatic and busier. So veer west a little way.

Other routes:
Gorge du Verdon (F)
Grande Route Des Alps. (F)
Have a look at any of the famous cols used on the Tour de France
Ride magazine has a useful resource of routes throughout Europe
The Ardeches and Cevennes area a bit inland are beautiful.

A few attractions:
Bessalu Moto Museum - the branch near Lerida. Excellent museum. They have one in Barca too - smaller I think. I haven't visited this one.
Historic towns: Besalu, Carcasonne
Millau bridge
Canal du Midi
Reply With Quote
Reply

« 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

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
rider for rtw trip 2020 DORIN Travellers Seeking Travellers 1 31 Aug 2018 12:36
2020, 1000 Days, 100,000 Miles thewildcallsjon Travellers Seeking Travellers 7 19 Aug 2018 07:03
Tuscany : recommend me my first town.... Paul2129 Route Planning 3 13 May 2015 20:42
Italy, Tuscany - Not your typical biker accommodation Eli90 Sleep and Eat, Europe 0 30 May 2013 12:44

 
 

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

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

  • Virginia: April 24-27 2025
  • Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
  • Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
  • CanWest: July 10-13 2025
  • Switzerland: Date TBC
  • Ecuador: Date TBC
  • Romania: Date TBC
  • Austria: Sept. 11-15
  • California: September 18-21
  • France: September 19-21 2025
  • Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

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...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

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 07:16.

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