Five-Country Tour 2008
Germany – Austria – Slovenia – Italy – Switzerland
Experienced Riders Required: Savor incredible Alpine roads, great green valleys, historic villages, marvelous Old World charm and hospitality, and some of the best cuisine prepared anywhere. Join us and ride to your heart's content on our extended Five-Country Tour in 2008.
Your nine-day explorations will encompass sightseeing in the dazzling city of Salzburg, the birthplace of Mozart; two nights in Tamsweg, at the 400-year-old Gasthof Gambswirt (link); traveling over some of the highest mountain roads in Austria, Slovenia, and Italy. Experience the Gemütlichkeit (comfortable time with friends) at cozy coffee shops, sipping Italian cappuccino, and enjoying a local specialty from the pastry case. Discover unending switchbacks, spectacular views of the Dolomites, and so much more. On the way into Switzerland, we'll take on the challenging Stilfserjoch, which soars 9,005 feet; and ten mountain passes later, we'll take a little breather with a tour of the Swiss resort of St. Moritz. Then, the two-night stay in Serfaus is just what you'll need after putting in a week of hard riding. But there's still more to come ...
Note, though riding an average of only 155 miles per day may seem easy, don't be deceived. Riding in the Alps on the back roads where the locals ride, you'll encounter many challenges; the roads are technical, narrow and curvy. This is not a tour for beginners. Still, once acclimated to the new environment and road conditions, everyone will have a great time – and return home an even better rider.
Dates: August 26 – September 6, 2008
Arrival/Departure: Munich, Germany
Duration: 12-day vacation, 9 riding days
Total Distance: 1,400 miles
Average Mileage Daily: 155 miles
Accommodations: Comfortable middle-class hotels
Optional Rest Days: Tamsweg (Austria), Meran (Italy), Serfaus (Tirol)
Highlights:Salzburg, Ankogel Glacier, Dolomite Mountains, Wine Road of Meran, Timmelsjoch, Stilferjoch, St. Moritz
Rates: $3,608-$4,797
Tour Prices Include: airport shuttle service, accommodations, breakfast and dinner, multilingual guides, BMW motorcycles, tour information package and safety tips, road map, all entrance fees.
For detailed information, please contact us at: (336) 765-7780 or email us.
Participants' Testimonials
Sue Ann G. and Stephen P.
Minneapolis, Minnesota
September 2006
My husband and I recently returned from our vacation on the RoadRUNNER Europe Tour 2006. We consider ourselves to be experienced European riders, having gone on other guided tours as well as motorcycling in Europe on our own. But this tour was exceptional!
To begin with, our tour guides Peter Lintschinger and Uwe Krauss were both delightful, knowledgeable, and a total joy to spend our precious vacation time with. The tour route took us through scenic back roads, challenging switchbacks, majestic overlooks, and “roads less traveled.” The pace was set by the competency of the riders (which was fast, thanks to fellow riders Logan and Diane!). We were frequently asked our opinions and choices as to the day’s activities. But if Peter says, “Would you like to try this road, ride, restaurant, etc,?” always answer “Yes,” as his knowledge of the different places brought us enriching, and often thrilling, adventures.
Our guides understood our needs and tried to provide us with insights into the local culture (who can forget the “traditional family farm” episode?), the sheep dogs constantly trying to keep the herd together and moving — and they did so with humor and goodwill.
At day’s end, we stayed in places that were owned and operated by local merchants (we will always remember Mrs. Zitz!) I loved the family heirlooms and antiques throughout the Tamsweg and Lienz Pensiones best. The food, beer, and wine all reflected the local culture — and all were delicious and abundant!
Would I change anything? Yes, to have spent more time touring with this wonderful group of people. We were fortunate to travel with such great riding companions — none of us knew each other prior to the tour, but we all left as friends.
My one criticism is that your marketing and advertising for this tour is too low-key and subtle. We Americans need more “glitz” and “razzle-dazzle” to get our attention to purchase or try something. To that end, please publish my letter so that other riders considering (or even thinking about) going on a RoadRUNNER motorcycle tour, will do so.
Thanks for a superb vacation,
Sue Ann
Peter was a wonderful guide. We made friends with him. The hotels were nice, the Hotel in Tamsweg overcharges us for phone use. We had a card for calling from Austria and they charged Al Vance $8.50 and Hal Cockerham $9. This was unfair, as the other hotels in Austria did not charge us when we used our calling card. That was the only complaint. Everyone was nice to us and the food was good.
Neale, the second guide, was also very good. He took lots of pictures, and was helpful in our travels.
We had some inexperienced riders, but by the end of the trip there riding skills improved. But they were a little scary to start with. People really should have a lot of experience to go on that trip.
Overall it was a wonderful trip and I would recommend it to my friends. Maybe we can go again within the next 5 years.
Carolyn Jessup
We were very impressed with the organization and time put into our 5 Country Tour. It was obvious from the beginning that a lot of planning went into it. Our guides, Peter and Neale, were very impressive and knowledgeable of the area's history and all of the little ins and outs of the trip layout.
Both of these individuals worked well together. They made a very good combination for their first time working together on a tour of this nature.
Overall, we were very pleased with the tour. As I told Neale, my highlight of the trip was the fact that I woke up every morning just delighted to be there in Europe with a great group of people. My highlights after thoughts later were, that all of us were there together on the last night in Bad Tolz enjoying the company of each other, and that no one was lost or injured and that we were one close knit group enjoying our last night together.
We were very impressed with the hotels that we stayed in, especially Christa's friend, at Hotel Regina in Serfaus. She and the staff were very sweet and very helpful during our stay there.
To sum it all up YES we would go on this Tour again. It was absolutely a great trip.
Thelma Johnson & Al Vance
The tour was the trip of a lifetime for me, absolutely wonderful. Peter was an excellent leader and guide, very knowledgeable, personable, and a superb rider. Neale, too, was an excellent choice, personable, with a quirky sense of humor that kept the group engaged, and very capable. Peter and Neale provided great background and insight into the history and characteristics of the countries we traveled through, and the route took us through some of the most scenic and beautiful areas I have ever seen. Accommodations were excellent, and meals, particularly dinners, were delightful, beautifully prepared and served.
I was particularly impressed with Austria -- what a beautiful country! The people we met there were so friendly and helpful. What amazed me most was the cleanliness -- no trash on the streets and roads, everyone took pride in their homes, beautifying them with flowers, neat gardens and yards.
Everywhere we went, we had interesting experiences and adventures, such as when I was "kidnapped" by a sweet little, old Italian lady. She spoke no English, but was so determined to invite us to attend their festival, she dragged me about 3 blocks to the festival tent and found a young lady who spoke some English to explain and invite us to join them. Wish we'd had time to do that, but that would have put us riding on to the next hotel in the dark.
I would definitely recommend this tour to anyone as a mind-expanding and fairly challenging riding experience!
Paula Hines
We had a great time and our tour guide Peter was super. He gets an A++++. Neale was a lot of fun too and really enjoyed the photography part. Our weather was not the best and we were disappointed we could not ride into Switzerland.....but snow in Sept??? Also the food was wonderful. Thank you again, we are looking forward to other rides. We loved the group of people we were with. Keep us posted.
Sincerely, the Harts
