BMW The Ultimate Riding Machine

29 June-14 July 2013 (2,035 miles)

16 days / 15 nights (13 hotels / 2 overnight ferries)

Highlights:

• Visit the wonderfully gothic Kassel, capital of the ‘Fairy Tale route’, made famous by the Brothers Grimm
• Explore the UNESCO listed cities of Prague & Krakow
• Twisting roads and a mountain spa hotel in the High Tatras Mountains of Slovakia
• Enjoy a cold beer at the home of the original Budwesier, the České Budějovice brewery

A superb ride through the heartland of Central Europe, taking in the region’s rich, influential and, occasionally, turbulent history. We take the over night ferry from Hull to Rotterdam and head to Kassel, Capital of the German Fairy Tale Route, on the way to the City of a Thousand Spires: Prague. Here we’ll spend a day exploring the ancient city’s wonders. We’ll ride on to Krakow, another historical gem, with a thousand-year history and streets teeming with architecture from across the ages. We will have a day to wander around Rynek Glówny, the grand medieval square in the Old Town, and visit the imposing Wawel Castle.
However, the best is still ahead! The High Tatras are the highest and most picturesque part of the stunning Carpathian mountain range, and we will cross them on the border of Slovakia and southern Poland. As well as fabulous riding amidst the spectacular peaks, we will take a day to enjoy the mountain air at one of the grand old spa hotels, and perhaps take a short ride to Levoča, one of the country’s best-preserved medieval towns.

We will then head back west, stopping overnight in the enchanting castle town of Trenčín, before reaching České Budějovice, home of the original Budweiser beer. You can visit the brewery, Budějovický Budvar, or spend the free day getting contentedly lost in one of central Europe’s largest squares; the cobblestone tiled Náměstí Přemysla Otakara II. Finally, we wind our way back to Rotterdam, via Bayrueth, famous for the composer, Wagner and Koblenz, on the banks of the Rhine and the Moselle.

Price: Single Rider (Single room) £2,599 • Single Rider (Shared room) £1,999 • Rider & Pillion (Sharing room) £3,399