Alpine Sampler Overview
- Countries: Germany, Austria, Italy
- Salzburg Guided Walking Tour
- Only requires 8 days away from home, 5 days off work
- Ride all over impressive mountains: the Dolomites & the Austrian Alps
- Overnight on the Grossglockner High Alpine Road—a motorcyclist's dream road
- Visit Neuschwanstein or Linderhof castle
Pressed for time? The Alpine Sampler is a week of great rides, postcard-perfect scenery and excellent accommodation.
After a night to catch up with jetlag, the bikes are allocated, the briefing presented, and it is time to get on the road! The first day’s ride begins in Germany and ends in Austria! Yes, Europe is different than North America. Countries are as easy to cross as states are in the United States.
Not long after the morning coffee break the Alps fill the southern horizon. The route heads straight into those mountains, crossing the impressive Hahntennjoch. What a great way to begin the adventure.
On the way visit “Mad” King Ludwig’s World famous Neuschwanstein castle, walk the gardens in his “home” castle Linderhof, or visit a 930 year old church.
Heading down the Hahntennjoch on the 2nd day of the tour
Cross The Alps
Choices are always a nagging point on Beach tours. With stops in interesting locations, and many options from point A to B, each day requires a choice to be made. “This pass, or that pass?” “That town, or this town?”
Our transit through Austria to Italy is no different. Choose the combination of the picturesque Ötz valley, the wild Timmelsjoch, and the gentle Sarentino valley or the old Brenner road, winding along under an incredibly engineered 4 lane highway.
Either choice boasts of good riding, stunning panoramas, and an unforgettable day of motorcycling. That is the magic of the Alps—it is all fantastic!
Explore The Dolomites
Next on the agenda are Italy’s majestic Dolomites. These mountains, so high, so close, and so varied, will be your stomping / romping ground for much of this trip.
The Italian Dolomites are a visual treat
Arabba, Italy lies serenely in a valley surrounded by towering mountains. Sitting on the patio of our hotel sipping a drink, you will confirm the nagging thought that has been flirting about all day—that this is someplace very special! It is a perfect place to enjoy a free day. Our accommodation features a complete spa so your free day activities may be kick-started by, or end with, a sauna, a dip in the pool, and a massage.
With world-class scenery all around a ride will surely be in order. From Arabba it is possible to easily conquer 10 mountain passes, and uber-enthusiastic riders could tag as many as 20—in a single day.
Or, for something more leisurely, a short ride from the hotel will take you over 4 passes and allow time to take a cable car to the top of the mountain to enjoy a picnic lunch from the heights. The world not only looks different from a mountain top, it is different.
No doubt your camera will be out, your senses overwhelmed, and that feeling of “special place” will come back again and again as you travel about the Dolomites.
On The Front
The majesty of the Dolomites doesn’t fade as you leave Arabba. Roughly following the historical front-line between the Austrians and the Italians during the First World War, the routes into Austria follow roads critical to military supply lines during this terrible conflict. Thankfully today’s roads, towns, and villages are a far cry from how it was.
Try describing this to your friends at home!
A Little Austria Isn’t Enough
Austria’s renowned Grossglockner High Alpine Road awaits. The Glockner’s sweeping turns and frequent pull-offs cause conflict—do you motor on and enjoy the delightful ride or stop and enjoy the delightful scenery? Oh, the problems motorcyclists face in the Alps!
Our bet is that views of the Franz Josef glacier and Austria’s highest mountain, the Grossglockner, will cause you to pull over and take in the majesty of the eastern Alps.
Mountains everywhere on the Grossglockner High Alpine Road
If you have had enough of mountain roads, rocket up to Salzburg and have lunch in Europe’s oldest restaurant, walk about the old section of the city, or take up a game of chess in the square. If you haven’t had enough riding, delightful villages and impressive mountain vistas in the Kitzbuhel Alps will fill your day. There are many different routes to Salzburg, and each is special.
Hohensalzburg Fortress above Salzburg, Austria
On the way back to Munich memories will surely bring a huge smile to your face. Having conquered dozens of major mountain passes, ridden breathtaking panoramic routes, remote minor roads, and visited fascinating Alpine towns, you now have a full scrapbook—just enough to last until your return!
