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Expensive Alps.....? Expensive Alps.....?
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  #16  
Old 14 Mar 2013
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pauljt73 View Post
My fear was riding through terrible weather all day and then when we're cold, tired and hungry, the only digs we can find is gonna stiff us for £200 for a night in a room that resembles Anne Frank's attic.
I visited Anne Frank's attic a few months ago and believe me I've stayed in £200 / night hotels that were much worse - one in Brooklyn comes to mind straight away!

Where did you hear that alpine prices had rocketed? We have a flat in the French alps so I suppose we're kind of "demi-resident" and yes, like everywhere else, prices have gone up over the years but probably no more than they have here in the UK. You might get that sort of impression if you've bought your lunchtime baguette et brie from a supermarket one day and a small shop in the mountains the next.

Our French local one man and his dog shop is probably 50% more expensive than LeClerc's in Grenoble but that reflects the reality of having to haul his stock a mile up a mountain and the shopkeeper knows perfectly well I'm not going to drive 20 miles down into the valley and back to save €0.20 on my baguette.
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  #17  
Old 15 Mar 2013
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Why the Alps??
In your position.....
I would change my destination to the Spainish Pyrenees.
Overnight ferry to Santander on towards Pamplona then pick up the N240/260 towards the Med until its time to head back.
Spain is cheaper than most other european countries. Lots of campsites and nice hotels along this route.
Dont forget a little luxury helps!
Paradores Spain - Spanish Paradors - Parador hotels - Spanish hotels - Spain hotels

Seajay
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  #18  
Old 17 Mar 2013
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.
I've already looked into that option and the ferry from England to Spain was working out at well over £600 so that was that decision made.

BOB, cheers for the input, it's friends that have been skiing that were talking about the prices being so high and thats why i was wondering are these costs kinda relative to ski resorts and seasons.
The info i'm getting from here seems to be relatively positive so happy days.
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  #19  
Old 18 Mar 2013
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If you want soemthing specific to do I would say the Route Des Grande Alps is well worth it. Starting from Evian in the North it runs to the South to near Nice over some of the highest passes in the Alps, it's awesoome. There are plently of campsites enroute. I did it a few years ago and absolutely loved it and was able to do it relatively inexpensively using campsites and cheap hotels.
We travelled down avoiding the motorways and it was a lovely run through the French countryside. We used a lot of Formula one hotels. Basic but cheap and clean, unlike a lot of far more expensive french hotels! Camping is ok but it's nice to have a hotel every now and then!

Even in Evian, which is switzerland, we were able to find a campsite near the start of the route and feasted on take away pizza!

Boom Boom after days of riding a scooter, I love an optimist
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  #20  
Old 19 Mar 2013
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Originally Posted by moggy 1968 View Post

Even in Evian, which is switzerland,
France actually, being west of St Gingangooly where the border is on the south side of Lac Leman.

+1 for the Route de G A; I've just taken a Prado on some of it over the last few days and it is worth the trip.

I'm now in Switzerland, which continues to be expensive if only because of the exchange rate to the £.
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  #21  
Old 20 Mar 2013
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DOH! sorry, of course it is, hence the water! the border runs up the middle of the lake
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  #22  
Old 4 Apr 2013
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dear pauljt

i ride across the alps so often and so i may give you any tips

usually in summer you'll spent less than in winter (ski season)

switzerland is NOT cheap to eat end sleep, but in italy and austria you could spent less, a lot less....

u've to find b&b, zimmer frei is the signboard u've to look for in dolomiti and austria

u'll find cosy & clean rooms and superb breakfast

the most interestings road for a biker

all passes in dolomiti

in austria

hoch tauern

nochalm strasse

silvretta strasse


gross glockner


in switzerland

furka, grimsel nufenen and saint gotthard are a classic tour
Last edited by joesimpson; 5 Apr 2013 at 17:01.
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  #23  
Old 5 Apr 2013
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Your Trip
Pauljt,

(Just an alternative thought)

I do the Alps every year from NornIron. That's Cairnryan through Dover and on one occasion N'Castle IJmuden etc. It's all good but a long way from the destination you've chosen (and the temptation is always gonna be expensive toll roads) for your two week jaunt. (I go across to Aneccy-du-lac and on to Manigod) It's not a marathon by any means but maybe, as suggested earlier, you might consider again that Pyrenees raid. It's scenic and warmer (a little) and access is really easy and the route is very do-able on a budget. I last did the crossing some years back, but it was excellent from Bournemouth to Cherborg. Then down the coast (cross straight over/ past Caen/ Rennes/ Nantes/ Bordeaux or head up through Andorra which is also fabulous. I'm not sure it's shorter at all - but access to budget accom is more frequent and the campsites are very good also, even though you're actually headed south at summer season. As I say it's just a thought - but at any point you're already in a nice place to stay no matter how far you get.

What ever you choose have a ball.

Cheers.

Moss.
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