I'm planning on going with friends for a brief biking weekend to Ostend early Sept. They then return to the UK whilst I have a week off work.
Wondering what to do in approx 5 days before I must return to the UK (though there's potential to take 2 weeks off).

I could go to Austria and Italy but I have been wondering whether it's worth going north to Denmark or over to Berlin instead. Never been. I ride a CBF600 so off-road isn't an option.

Open to suggestions. Oh - my budget is at the hostel level and I won't be taking camping gear.

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Elaine

Striving to live the ordinary life in a non ordinary way

That's a rather broad question and pretty much unanswerable without further input on your side. It basically depends on what you want to do and what you want to see. The northern part of Germany is rather flat - no mountains, just some tiny hills every now and then, and so is Denmark. Despite its apparent lack of hills and mountains the countryside is really beautiful though (except for Berlin, which - in my opinion - is a fugly city).

Austria and Italy (northern part thereof) are the exact opposite in terms of mountains, but also very beautiful (obviously).

The real question is: what do you want to do? Ride or take a break? North or South? Alps or not? Italian Lebensfreude or German/Danish cordiality?

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"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in one pretty and well preserved piece, but to skid across the line broadside, thoroughly used up, worn out, leaking oil, shouting GERONIMO!"

Yes, sorry. I was being vague because I had no idea about that area. My heart lives in mountains and lakes so your description has made my mind up.

I once lived near Augsburg and have attended bike rallies south of Munich and Stuttgart. But surprisingly, never ventured over the mountains into Austria or Italy. So that's where I will aim for.

We used the Autobahn's to make the fastest progress but I would like to avoid these unless necessary. A non-motorway route from Ostend would be appreciated.

I will also be posting on another thread to see if anyone wishes to join me.

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Elaine

Striving to live the ordinary life in a non ordinary way

European Bike Week is held in early September at Faaker See in Carinthia, near the Slovenian and Italian borders. It's a massive (100,000+ people) event staged around a lake, it's very Harley-biased (fat Germans pretending to be fat Americans) but it's worth doing just once. From there you could strike out into the most beautiful country in the world, Slovenia or come back through Italy or return via the Tyroll and Switzerland.

Thanks for the recommendation. I can imagine that this is an event never to be forgotten but not sure if this is my type of event. Never been a big fan of harleys - can't understand the attraction. But the location looks fantastic!

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Elaine

Striving to live the ordinary life in a non ordinary way

This is, without a doubt, the single greatest description of anyone ever. EVER!

That said I can absolutely second your opinion. Not about the bike week per se, but about Slovenia being really beautiful. Actually, that entire Italian/Slovenian region near their shared border is very nice, no matter what side of the border you're actually on.

pheonix:
There's plenty of possibilities to get from Ostend (assuming you're talking about the one in Belgium) to the Alps. I recommend going through Belgium to either Luxembourg, then into Germany to Trier (beautiful city), or into Germany further North into the Eifel region and then to Trier, which is at the southernmost tip of the Eifel region. From there on you go either south into Switzerland/France into Italy and across towards Slovenia, or you go across Germany towards Munich, drive down from there to Garmisch, Innsbruck, across the old Brenner road into Italy (very lovely road), take the Penser Joch towards lake Garda (even better than the old Brenner road - it's like the Brenner road on steroids!) and then see where you want to go from there.

We'll be going to lake Garda from Munich somewhen in August for four days (probably thursday - sunday) and I'd like to invite you to join us, but that'd probably be too early for you. Either way, if you choose to drive towards Munich you have to pay us a visit and stay with us for a day or two

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"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in one pretty and well preserved piece, but to skid across the line broadside, thoroughly used up, worn out, leaking oil, shouting GERONIMO!"

Many thanks for the invitation. Yes, August is too early but Lake Garda is wonderful. In fact, I can't think of anywhere in that region which isn't!
As my plans come together, I will definitely let you know if I'm touring your area - are you north, south, east or west of Munich?.

Thank you for the directions. I'll be busy Googling during my lunch break!

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Elaine

Striving to live the ordinary life in a non ordinary way

There is a great route out of Austria into the most N.E. tip of Italy from where you can enter Slovenia (it is a beautiful old pass). The motorway out of Austria goes through a long toll-tunnel (forgot its name) and if you continue you end up in Ljublijana, the capital of Slovenia, quick but boring! Found the pass purely by suprise but what a thrill to cross....Forgot the roadnumbers but it must show on a map of the area.

Cheers, Rob

I guess your talking about the Karavankentunnel.

Never been there, I only saw the road signs...

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Nick and his 2010 Yamaha XT1200Z Super Ténéré

Karavankentunnel...that's the one!
The pass I was referring to had some war memorials I think from WW 1, when the Italians fought The Habsburgers forces of the Kaiser, thousands got killed there in the mountains, a bit of a forgotten battleground. Halfway up this pass is the border-post with Slovenia....a relict of the past nowadays but still a romantic spot.

Rob