Thanks MooN,

I'd like your number ( can't PM you, not enough posts yet) And yes, if it can be arranged I'd like to meet up for a or a glass of red.

Ed

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There's more than one way to skin a cat.

I can PM you though...

Thanks MooN for the number.

pecha 12,
I plan on riding through Liguria, Cinque Terre looks great in the photo's, to Rome, Naples etc and go as far south as time allows, then back up through Tuscany etc. I'll be taking secondary roads wherever possible. I hate freeways. Hate hate hate tollways. So much to see, so little time.

Thanks for the sugestion about the Lake Como region, isn't that where the Guzzi factory is? Also on the list.

Ed

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There's more than one way to skin a cat.

Hi Ed,

Just spent six weeks in September and October of '09 riding through France, Suisse, Italy and Spain, with the bulk of the trip in Spain.

Left England with a buddy of mine for two weeks then went solo for the balance. As noted in an early thread the area around Lake Maggoria (sp) is beautiful, but as noted also, a bit pricey.

If you are pressed for time, or need to get back up to England maximizing your time down South for some reason, or wish to save your tyres a bit one way, there are ferries that run from Plymouth, Portsmouth etc. that go to Santander or Bilboa in Spain. Cost full up with a bike and sleeping berth (I was solo for the return trip to England) was about 160 pounds and took 18 hours. Brittany Ferris are what I used to get back to the UK.

After riding through France, Suisse, and Italy I spent two solid weeks just riding the Pyrennes, most of the time spent between Jaca and Sort, with a day out to the Mediterranean just to dip my toes in the water, and a few days out on the Costa Verde area.

The riding in the Basque area all the way over to past sort is unbelievable if you like twisty mountain passes, breathtaking scenery and quiet quiet roads.

I think I crossed from Spain into France every third or fourth day going over some great passes.

The standard Michelin maps at 1 to 1 million are good for an overview, but if you can pick up more detailed maps (AA) at 1:400,000 they give a lot more detail of the side and smaller roads not shown at all on the 1 to 1 million maps. I don't use GPS at all, and found using maps I did take the wrong turn a few times, but found some great roads that way.

As you will find out, Europe is very well signposted, all -- well, if not most, rural intersections are posted, and even going through small villages and towns they have direction signs to get you were you are going. Much better by about a 1000% than here in N. America.

As the other post stated, Suisse has some amazing roads, and the I picked up a 1:275,000 scale map at a bookstore in Winterthur (although they are sold everywhere) upon entering Suisse, and just planned my day by looking for the squiggliest lines I could find.

Usually I camp as well, but did not for this trip. If you are looking for a break for a night or two from the thermarest, I can highly recomend one exceptional place in the really great town of Jaca. The lady that runs it is just fantastic, her daughter teaches English, and Jaca itself is very nice with great rides all around it. Very similar to the quality of riding outside of Sort.

Sorry to go on so much about Spain and the Pyrennes. France was great too, especially the area along the Napolean Road, and the Napolean Road itself.

The West side of France is also nice, more sweeper type roads, but that could be perhaps becuase I did not take as much time as I could through that part, but still all secondary roads.

If you would like any specific information at all please feel free to PM me anytime.

You will love it, it is great riding, great scenery, great food, and the people all along the way I met were just fantastic!

Have a great trip.

Zarks

Thanks for the info Zarks. I had a look at some stuff on the Napolean rd and it looks like a good way to go.
Ed

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There's more than one way to skin a cat.

Hello, Bungawalbyn!

Pecha72 gave you a complete and precise overview of my Country (Itay).

I only add two things:

The Dolomites on the Alps, see some images here:
dolomiti - Cerca con Google
A German friend of mine says that Dolomites have plenty of roads that seems as if they were projected and made by motorcyclists!


My hometown, Mantua, in the north, close to Garda Lake
mantova - Cerca con Google.


Greetings from Italy

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Nick and his 2010 Yamaha XT1200Z Super Ténéré

F1 Hotels in France are cheap, clean and have loads of hot water.
Also check out Hostelworld.com...you can find some great accomodation for cheap prices.

If you go to Lake Como go and visit the Moto Guzzi Factory and museum at Mandello del Lario. Moto Guzzis have been made there since 1921.

Venice....totally WOW place...take your gear off as it gets hot. Try and find a place to park before you go. The multi storey car park costs €24 for a 24 hour period BUT if you stay for 1 hour you pay €24. That is with a car and I do not know the bike price and there are not many places to park.

Verona is not far from Venice and is another great place to visit.

Every little helps.

Steve