We have done 2 two week tours thru Italy (Tuscany the 1st time & Alps 2nd time) on our own. You can do it a lot less expensive using your own adventureous self to do the planning. Rented BMW bikes in Milan and stayed in local B&B's during the entire trip. Neither of us speak Italian but found it possible to communicate with little problem. Rode Stelvio Pass, Brenner Pass and many of the other passes. Also ventured into Switzerland, Germany. Adventure on your own, it's a lot more fun dealing with the local people than having some tour company do all the planning.
I agree 100% with the concept. However, some folks just are not "comfortable" in a foreign land on their own. Heck, some folks can't face the stress of leaving their home without being heavily armed!
Though we haven't ridden in Europe, we've traveled in 20+ countries and never experienced anything worse than persistent souvenir vendors in Cairo, traffic in Istanbul, attempted pickpockets in the subway in Barcelona, and the constant jaw dropping beauty of natural scenery and ancient cultures that made us want to plan our next trip before we even got home.
Whether your planning to do an Edelweiss group tour or an independent adventure, may I offer a couple tips:
*
Pack light. Anything that you don't take and then wish you had, you can buy there!
*"
When in Rome, do as the Romans!" Make a conscious effort to 'go with the flow' of the local cultures. Instead of being a spectator, be a participant. Enjoy it for what it
is, not what you
expect it to be.**
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Stay longer! Many of us are retired, some not. But the cost of flying, and the wear & tear on your body will help you decide to combine two vacations. So if you are planning a 10-day motorcycle adventure, make it a 20-day trip! Public transportation in Europe is efficient, runs on time, and won't break the bank.
So if you are planning a motorcycle adventure that begins & ends in Munich, book your round trip flight to Rome, Frankfurt, Barcelona, Berlin, London, Copenhagen, Athens... And spend time before/after the Munich portion. You'll Never Be Sorry!
(My bride and I figure that we can travel on our own, stay at 2 & 3 star 'smaller' hotels or Pensions, eat, use public transportation and spend $200/day. So an extra ten days costs LESS than the airline tickets for a second trip.)
*
Always remember: "
We may never pass this way again."
**an example: This spring we took my sister & BIL along on a trip. We were eating at an outside table at a restaurant in Venice. My sister was upset that she had to ASK for butter for her bread! When I pointed out that the locals eat bread with olive oil and/or balsamic vinegar, she said "but I LIKE butter on my bread!"
Pam, dear... You are in freaking Venice! Your eyes are taking in amazing art & architecture, your ears are hearing music and the voices of the gondola men, your feet are walking on streets that folks traveled before there was even the IDEA of America! Let your taste buds participate in something different!
She did.
Go ahead and drink the tap water - it's safe!