Thinking about next year’s tour.

[Gerontious]

Not done anything aside from building a selection of 'set piece' routes, for Germany and France. so I have options if the weather is iffy.

First thing will be to sort out my passport as its now basically defunct, it expires in April. So, I'll wait till then to sort a replacement. Still undecided whether to just get a new (not) blue UK one. or a surrender, project fear, Farage would not approve, EU one. I guess at the end of the day it doesn't really matter.

Tunnel can be booked either April or early May. no worries on that score.  And then it will be booked again for September, probably mid July.

 

For the first trip, its just 150 days to go. so I tend to hold off the excitement until it clicks over 100. For September, that's 230 days in the dim and distant future.

 

Meanwhile I have other priorities.

[M620]

Personally I would go for the EU option (or even both if that’s possible). Could save you time avoiding the non EU passport holders queue at boarder controls.

[Steve_M]

16 hours ago, Gerontious said:

Not done anything aside from building a selection of 'set piece' routes, for Germany and France. so I have options if the weather is iffy.

First thing will be to sort out my passport as its now basically defunct, it expires in April. So, I'll wait till then to sort a replacement. Still undecided whether to just get a new (not) blue UK one. or a surrender, project fear, Farage would not approve, EU one. I guess at the end of the day it doesn't really matter.

Tunnel can be booked either April or early May. no worries on that score.  And then it will be booked again for September, probably mid July.

 

For the first trip, its just 150 days to go. so I tend to hold off the excitement until it clicks over 100. For September, that's 230 days in the dim and distant future.

 

Meanwhile I have other priorities.

I wish the EU passport had been an option for me.  However, the queues for our last trip were only an inconvenience, not really too much of a delay / hassle.

I prefer to book early - the cabin options on the route seem to be more limited as time goes by. As it is we’ve had to go for a 4 berth cabin for the two of us on the way out. It would not go down well if only reclining seats were available.  It also gives me incentive to start saving and loading up my FX card - I’m an expert at prevarication (and impulse buying) so a deadline tends to focus my mind. 
 

Route planning… we have an outline plan - An amble around Galicia, Asturias and Cantabria then across the Pyrenees, then wend our way back to Rotterdam. We’ll work out the detail as we go along.

Now I can concentrate on priorities with fewer distractions. Lime plastering anyone?

 

 

[Pie man]

I'm trying to sort out a trip this year, usually, I like to take either the first week in June or the first week in September; however, this year, its not possible for me to use those weeks.  

My options now are either May Spring Bank Holiday (Last week in May) or 3rd Week in September. I am trying to plan a route down to Interlaken, were I would stay for 4 days (camping). But I keep thinking how good the Glossglockner could be in May. Trying to plan a good route is getting harder as I cant make my mind up 

I only have a week and I don't mind putting in the mileage on the first day to be in an easy reach of my destination. Its choosing where to go that is the hardest. 

[Gerontious]

2 hours ago, Pie man said:

I'm trying to sort out a trip this year, usually, I like to take either the first week in June or the first week in September; however, this year, its not possible for me to use those weeks.  

My options now are either May Spring Bank Holiday (Last week in May) or 3rd Week in September. I am trying to plan a route down to Interlaken, were I would stay for 4 days (camping). But I keep thinking how good the Glossglockner could be in May. Trying to plan a good route is getting harder as I cant make my mind up 

I only have a week and I don't mind putting in the mileage on the first day to be in an easy reach of my destination. Its choosing where to go that is the hardest. 

 

It will at the very least be picturesque - but also very cold. The road is normally open by the 1st of May - dug out by snow ploughs. Its a hike to get there though and not something to be done in a day. fastest route is a little over 700 miles from the tunnel.  One of the great things about the road is you can look at the live webcams and make a decision on whether to go up. you can also look back in time and get an idea of what it might be like at various times of the year. Here for example is an image that was taken by the webcam on Friday 5th May 2023 at 16:30. air temperature was 6.9c and, incidentally that was one of only a couple of days where a view like this was even possible due to low cloud. (aka heavy fog)

 

 

To be honest I don't really think its a good idea to go there with just a week to play with, the main problem being you could arrive there and not want to go up because of low cloud, or heavy rain or even late snow or sleet. Its always a good idea to have a few days nearby and then choose the best. either a blue sky day or very high cloud. And dont even think about doing it at the weekend as its always absolutely rammed with tourists.

 

I would head for another Alpine region, if the Mountains are what you want. or a region Ive never visited before. chase the sun and the warmth moving north from the Med.

 

Edited March 13, 2024 by Gerontious

[bonio]

But perhaps it's looking more settled by the end of May?

[Pie man]

End of May is Booked 

[Pie man]

Oh Bollox  never realised it was half term at the end of May. Anyhow, Eurotunnel now booked, accommodation now booked, except for the last nights accommodation, still pondering where to stay on the return leg, maybe looking at Chalons-en-Champagne or Troyes 

[Gerontious]

Sometimes life and priorities get in the way and so my hope for a fortnight jolly round Germany has been put back to next year. I’m not exactly heartbroken. I might do something else that’s a tad cheaper. We’ll see. The time off is still booked.

Anyway it’s only served to concentrate my mind on the week in the Eifel which is now approaching rather quickly. The first steps for that are done. Numbers confirmed. Rooms at our hotel in Neuerburg reserved. Room for the overnight near the tunnel booked. So, it’s not all bad news. Things are ticking along nicely. 123 days to go. With the next step being booking the tunnel towards the end of next month. As well as getting the bike back on the road and ready. Then the ride across and revisiting once again the Northampton. After which it just gets better.

[brotorbike]

I wanted a trip this year, but I’m the type of person who likes to plan every little detail of the trip, it looks like next year will be the right time! I’ve already been to Spain and missed the chance to visit the neighboring country Portugal. I think Portugal would be perfect for touring in a motorbike. The Algarve is in the top of my list of places to visit https://www.ride.co.uk/routes-content/alentejo-and-algarve, but also includes the Douro Valley. I have used the services of a local guide while I visited Spain, and I was relieved to know that they also offer the same services in Portugal through https://gowithguide.com/portugal/guides 

[S-Westerly]

I fancy Portugal too but I'm a random traveller.  I hate being timetabled and on a schedule.  Enjoy your trip though, whenever and wherever you go.

[husoi]

Just now, S-Westerly said:

I fancy Portugal too but I'm a random traveller.  I hate being timetabled and on a schedule.  Enjoy your trip though, whenever and wherever you go.

If you to Portugal please, please please don't go to Algarve.

That's where we send all tourists.

 

Make Porto and Lisbon your main destinations. 

If entering from the north of Spain then you must visit places like Chaves and either the natural parks of Peneda Gerês or Montesinho.

Then down south another must will be Sintra (world heritage site).

[Steve_M]

6 hours ago, husoi said:

If you to Portugal please, please please don't go to Algarve.

That's where we send all tourists.

 

Make Porto and Lisbon your main destinations. 

If entering from the north of Spain then you must visit places like Chaves and either the natural parks of Peneda Gerês or Montesinho.

Then down south another must will be Sintra (world heritage site).

Our current plan is to head for Galicia and then wend our way in a generally Easterly direction before following the Route Des Cols along the French side of the Pyrenees to around Ax Les Thermes at which point we’ll look to the Gorge du Tarn. The rest of the tour is dependent on how much time we have left.

 

Poetugal is just to the left of Galicia so might be included.

[husoi]

Left of Galícia????

LEFT OF GALÍCIA???????

Then 1000KM downwards

 

Unbelievable

[S-Westerly]

I've been to Sintra, it was rather nice as I remember. 

[Gerontious]

2 hours ago, husoi said:

Left of Galícia????

LEFT OF GALÍCIA???????

Then 1000KM downwards

 

Unbelievable

Galicia is on the northern border of Portugal.

 

so, south rather than left.

 

[brotorbike]

18 hours ago, S-Westerly said:

I fancy Portugal too but I'm a random traveller.  I hate being timetabled and on a schedule.  Enjoy your trip though, whenever and wherever you go.

Haha, to each their own! Embracing your travel style is key to making the most of your journeys. In any case, happy travels wherever you end up going, @S-Westerly!

[brotorbike]

10 hours ago, S-Westerly said:

I've been to Sintra, it was rather nice as I remember. 

I've heard really wonderful things about Sintra as well. It seems to consistently come up as a top destination when people discuss Portugal. It's a good reminder for me to be sure to allocate enough time there on my upcoming trip. Portugal has so many beautiful areas it's hard to see it all in one visit.

[Steve_M]

13 hours ago, Gerontious said:

Galicia is on the northern border of Portugal.

 

so, south rather than left.

 

All I can say is don’t ever ask me for directions.

[Pie man]

Me for the next 6  months, Pondering over next years trip.

[bonio]

Aaannnd? Where's it going to be?

[Gerontious]

5 hours ago, bonio said:

Aaannnd? Where's it going to be?

 

ssshhhh. You should know that heavy pondering over 6 months cannot be interrupted. We should know by the end of March. I did the sums.

 

my own pondering took less than 5 minutes. Fortunately I don’t really need to make plans… in fact with chaotic weather being the new normal it seems best to me not to become fixated on a specific goal. I will chase the sun wherever that leads me. Get to Calais and take it from there… just looking at the forecast the night before. Take each day as it comes and see where I end up.   

[Ian Frog]

6 hours ago, Gerontious said:

 

ssshhhh. You should know that heavy pondering over 6 months cannot be interrupted. We should know by the end of March. I did the sums.

 

my own pondering took less than 5 minutes. Fortunately I don’t really need to make plans… in fact with chaotic weather being the new normal it seems best to me not to become fixated on a specific goal. I will chase the sun wherever that leads me. Get to Calais and take it from there… just looking at the forecast the night before. Take each day as it comes and see where I end up.   

I am in total agreement with your methodology and have done something similar for next year.

Ferry is booked to get us to Santander and we will prebook first nights hotel.

Reason for post is do you have a recommended provider/app for finding accommodation  on your route ?

We are sort of thinking of booking or researching over breakfast each day and plan to bimble in the Pico`s and possibly invade Portugal with an overnight in Porto.

Cheers

Ian

 

[Gerontious]

45 minutes ago, Ian Frog said:

I am in total agreement with your methodology and have done something similar for next year.

Ferry is booked to get us to Santander and we will prebook first nights hotel.

Reason for post is do you have a recommended provider/app for finding accommodation  on your route ?

We are sort of thinking of booking or researching over breakfast each day and plan to bimble in the Pico`s and possibly invade Portugal with an overnight in Porto.

Cheers

Ian

 

The consensus seems to be mixing up AirBNB with Booking.com.

 

personally. I don’t have this as a concern as I always camp when on solo tour. So usually when it’s time. Out comes the phone and onto google maps and look at the nearest. And just turn up. I usually look for one that has an eatery on site or one within walking distance as I rarely cook. Occasionally I make do with a supermarket and buy the makings of an al fresco cold meal. Sometimes calling into one en route. My needs are quite simple when I’ve no one else to worry about. Bread. Cheese. Cold cuts and beer - I’m happy. I try to have a proper cooked meal each day… usually during the day. People who have come away with me over the years know how I do things and have never gone hungry.

[Ian Frog]

@Gerontious

Thanks for that backs up what I hoped would be the situation.

Relatively simple quick rummage over breakfast then off we go!

Cheers

Ian