1. Vianden is a very popular stop, with a good selection of hotels, restaurants and a fuel station. In part it’s on a pretty steep hill, if that is an issue. Alternatives would be, Clervaux (if you want to be in Luxembourg) or Körperich, Germany just across the border from Vianden, see post #44 and a bit onwards in this thread https://www.ukgser.com/community/threads/eifel…-long-weekend.354245/page-3
That though is not an exclusive list of alternatives. The southern end of Belgium / north and eastern side of Luxembourg and much of that narrow strip of the west of Germany is littered with hotels. Take your pick.
2. Why not, if you have time. It’s up to you.
3. The Dolomites are not in the Alps per-se and are very different in shape and size. The area, though still large, is very compact in comparison to the full Alps range. Me? I prefer the Dolomites but everyone will have their favourites. The best authority on the Alps is Rasher. Me? I’d get a guide book and look on the internet to decide.
Now let’s look at your holiday plans….
After an early Eurotunnel crossing on day 1 …..travel down to Verona and Lake Como then return over approx 2 weeks….Current plan is to ride 5-6 hours riding time each day (due to age related stuff need to stop every 1.5-2 hrs). Plan 2 days ride, then stop 2 nights to take in areas of interest. Maybe motorway/fast roads on day 1 and day 14.
Before you start listing all your ‘Must do’ sights, sites and destinations, work out what the main purpose of your holiday is. Verona / Lake Como seems to be the target destinations. Can you give us your two weeks broken down a bit better, before bods decide to send you hurtling around the Alps, the Black Forest and then the Dolomites. For example, how far for you in miles, is ‘Five to six hours riding’?
Why do I ask? Calais to Lake Como is about 650 miles direct, fastest (motorway) route. If your idea of a long day with stops is 200 miles, that is three and a bit days. It’s the same on the way back, so call it a bit under seven days. You have reserved 14 days, so you are left with a bit over seven days. Let’s say, three days on Lake Como (your main holiday destination) leaves you four days to lob in somewhere. Spread them either side of the from and back to Calais or mix them into Lake Como.
Calais to Verona is (obviously) further at about 800 miles direct, fastest motorway route. Based on the 200 miles a day maths, that is four days or eight days in total for the round trip Calais to Verona to Calais. 14 days less eight days is six days, parts of which would be taken up visiting Verona and / or Lake Como.
Now factor in that you plan to only do motorway / fast roads on day one and day 14. I am not at all sure what you have in mind for roads? Are you planning on French D type roads (ie avoiding all motorways and fast national roads) for all the other days? Then factor in that you plan on riding for two days, then stopping for one additional night at the end of every second day. For example….
Day one leave the Chunnel….. ride for say, 200 miles down the motorway…. Stop for one night
Day two….. ride on non-mototoway / non-fast roads for 200 miles…. Stop for two nights
Day three….. Don’t ride any further forward, as you want to spend two nights there
Day four…. Set off again on non-mototoway / non-fast roads for 200 miles…. Stop for the night
You have now ridden 600 miles of which only one third was on motorways / fast roads. In theory at least, you are now 50 miles short the north end of Lake Como and still well short of Verona.
Giving us some more news will make everyone’s life easier when it comes to creating your holiday.
Richard
PS If possible I’d try to cross over to France the evening before day one. See several posts on why.
Thanks
