Lake Konstanz, Germany to Santander, Spain. June 2016.

In June 2016 I will be leaving Lake Konstanz, S. Germany; my home and work place for the past year and returning to the UK on my 1150gsa. I expect to leave in the first week although early second week is possible depending on how winding up things go.

Currently my only date commitment is my ferry booking from Santander back to Portsmouth on the 11th July so that gives the best part of 6 weeks to enjoy what should hopefully be a memorable ride.

Having done a few lengthy European trips now (e.g. UK to Romania) some on my own and some with others, this time I welcome the company of travellers who wish to share my journey or meet up along the way. Life is better shared as they say.

My route is far from decided and generally I prefer to keep it flexible. However so far it looks like this (sorry not to good with uploading maps):-

Depart Uberlingen (Lake Konstanz) - head east around the Lake of Konstanz (direction Lindau)
Enter Austria and ride south towards Italy (direction Bregenz, Feldkirch, St. Anton)
Enter Italy and ride Stelvio Pass south. Take in Italian Lakes, wine and other lakes. Rest at Lake Garda for few days.
From Lake Garda head either (a) SW to Genoa (recommended see) or (b) due W to Charmonix (Mt. Blanc) / Annecy
From (a) Genoa / (b) Annecy head south towards Monaco
From Monaco follow coastline via Marseille, Montepellier all the way to Barcelona
Have some fun in the Spanish/ French Pyrenees then dash back to catch the ferry from Santander.

I will most likely be wild camping where I can get away with it (use a Hennessey Hammock - marvelous bit of kit) and spending as much time out of cities as possible instead enjoying the alpine, forest and coastal roads Austria, Italy, France and Spain have to offer.

Welcome any advice also from other persons who have done parts of this route as to definite sees, recommended stays (campsites) and hiking treks amongst other things.

Cheers
Alex

A great part of the world to live in, its beautiful around there
Enjoy the trip

Wayne

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The Balkans
https://new.horizonsunlimited.com/poi_entity/8417

You said it!

Hi Alex,

What timeframe in terms of days are you thinking of? I live in Zurich and am considering doing some travelling (outside of Switzerland) around that time.

Nadia

I remember visiting Unteruberlingen about 53 years ago to see the reconstruction of a Stone or Bronze Age village.

Your route might take you past Laguardia which, like many the medieval towns of Spain, is worth a visit, see Laguardia, Spain | Tourism Guide Basque Country

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"For sheer delight there is nothing like altitude; it gives one the thrill of adventure
and enlarges the world in which you live," Irving Mather (1892-1966)

All of the roads alongside Lakes that you mention are channelled by the lie of the land and urban development.
Such roads are where you find the most traffic, of all kinds.
I suggest you consider the Sud Tyrol and the Dolomite areas also.

The Hennessey Hammock is a great bit of kit given a couple of trees to support it.
For instance, the Pyrenees are relatively treeless.

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Dave

Hi Nadia

If all goes to plan I expect to set off from Lake Konstanz on 6th June. My ferry is from Satander on 11th July so that sets the time frame of 5 and a half weeks. I'll send you a PM.

Alex

Tim

Spot on. Its still there are fully reconstructed now. So many interesting places to visit around the lake. The Rolls -Royce Museum in Dornbirn also holds a large collection of relics (restored and unrestored) if cars are also your thing. Worth a return trip perhaps?

Thanks for the info on Laguardia. I will go visit it! Cheers

Alex

Useful advice thanks David. I will add Sud Tyrol and Dolomite areas to the route planning too.I travel with a Snugpak bivi tent as back up for times when I can't find trees. Mind you the Snugpak is a fairly ghastly design as I wake up covered in condensation the next morning - even with the vents open! Trees noted - I will look for them and chase the less developed lands.