|
4 May 2014
|
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
|
|
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 2
|
|
Three Islands trip
Hi,
I'm planning a 3 islands trip for early summer 2015 (early summer to avoid the peak holiday season). From the Yorkshire Dales I'll be riding down to the south coast, across to Normandy, then to the Med to catch the ferry to Corsica, then Sardinia, then Sicily, and back via the Livorno ferry and Sudtirol and Bavaria.
I've ridden in W. Europe many times before, but my only long ride was Istanbul and back last summer. If anyone would like any questions answered on that trip please fire away.
I'm retired, there's no time pressure (lucky me), so no motorways or toll roads. I'll be camping, so what I'm really after is recommendations for good sites near places worth visiting as I've not visited these islands before.
I'll be going on the trusty GPz500, so only the lightest of off tarmac diversions would be entertained.......
|
5 May 2014
|
Registered Users
HUBB regular
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: IoW
Posts: 21
|
|
Hi
I was in Italy last year and found it a bit of a nightmare - have you been there before?
Brian
|
5 May 2014
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Oxford UK
Posts: 2,116
|
|
If you're fairly laid back about it and don't get that stressed I've usually enjoyed Italy. I've always found it ok on a bike - even the super busy bits round Ravenna / Rimini, but if you're going earlier than the August peak you'll (hopefully) miss the worst of it. It can get really hot down in the south though.
|
5 May 2014
|
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
|
|
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 2
|
|
Italy
Quote:
Originally Posted by lord-flint
Hi
I was in Italy last year and found it a bit of a nightmare - have you been there before?
Brian
|
Yes, a couple of times. Once into the north, as far south as Lake Garda a few years ago, and then on the way back from Istanbul last year in mid June. Took the Igoumenitsa - Bari ferry, arriving Sunday am right into the middle of a religious festival. The traffic in Bari was mental, and it was v hot too, the bike (not the GPz, another one) boiled over due to some sloppy work by the Triumph dealer in the UK who forgot to connect the fan back up. This was remedied for free by a superbly friendly Triumph dealer ( Bartollini in Terni).
The only example of bad driving we encountered on the Istanbul trip (nearly 5k miles there and back, we took the scenic route) was in the foothills of the Italian Alps. Some macho man didn't like being overtaken by three bikes on a set of hairpins and tried to force one of us out of the way, crushing my mate's foot between the car and the frame of the bike......
|
5 May 2014
|
Registered Users
HUBB regular
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: IoW
Posts: 21
|
|
I nearly got to Pompeii but eventually gave up (for more details see my blog at the time: Moto-Euro Jaunt 2013: Intro and maybe I was just unlucky but the best thing about Italy is the coffee ... certainly I should never have ventured onto the motorways, but when you're trying to make real progress .....
Your Italian Alpine incident sounds awful and could have turned out much worse...
However, I may try Italy again, as I'm planning a trip to Crete through the Balkans and maybe up the eastern side of Italy for the return trip ... glutton for punishment!
Brian
|
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
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
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...
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™ 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!
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!
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.
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.
|
|
|