The group in the Vosges Mountains: a five night trip with 3 nights in Colmar proved a real success and we’re lucky for the 3rd time as everyone (except us!) gets home before quarantine is brought in!


A fair in Calais

Scaring kids on the beach!

We start the tour at Eurotuunel

John gives a briefing

Luggage in the van & off we go…
“Hi John and Jen, once again many thanks for organising such a great trip – especially given these trying times.
I’m going to sound like a broken record, but it’s true – what can be better than good roads and scenery, first rate hotels, great company and good food? (Incidentally I’d say the group dinners this trip were also the best ever – especially the last one!).
How you manage do this every trip astounds me – no wonder you have so many repeat guests! All the best”
Bob Eve, 9th trip, BMW RS1200, West Yorkshire

Jen’s in the lead today

Morning coffee stop
“My 6th Tour with BN, and as always it was a fantastic trip, well organised and friendly. Despite Covid challenges John and Jen made every effort to make this trip run as smooth as possible. Considering all the hurdles they had to overcome with travel restrictions etc, they certainly achieved it! Trip no 7 will be booked soon!”
Andy Aird, 6th trip, BMW R1000R, Surrey

Bikes at lunch stop


Lots of cafes

“Hi Jen & John, thank you so much for yet another fantastic tour! I’ll keep this short by sincerely echoing the previous comments and highly recommending your tours.
Due to Covid 19 this years trips must have presented you with some unique challenges which I note other companies did not manage to navigate. You did not let this affect our holiday. In fact I know you literally went the extra mile. I hope to see you again along with others on the tour who helped make it my best one yet. “
Ian Taylor, 3rd tour, BMW R1200 GS, Lancashire

We ALWAYS re-group before & after any motorway

Afternoon coffee stop

So who didn’t see the wild boar?!
“Hi John & Jen, thanks both for a very well planned tour, Vicki has said how much she enjoyed her first trip and we hope to join a tour with you next year”
Jeremy Davies (2nd tour) & Vicki Barley (1st tour), BMW R1200GS, Worcestershire

Drinks before dinner

“Hi John & Jen, thanks to you both for another great tour, we all really enjoyed it & your company. I particularly liked Colmar in the evenings and the Vosges Mountains twisties & views. Fab! See you again soon”
Russ Smith, 7th trip, BMW R1000RR, West Sussex

Europe’s largest fort is nearby

Dinner is included tonight

Parking in the courtyard

Morning briefing
“This was my 8th trip with BN European Tours. This trip was hastily arranged as an alternative to the Rhine in Flames Tour, which due to Covid 19 was unable to go ahead.
The routes and hotels chosen were once again up to the usual and expected ‘First Class’ standard; the 3 night stay in Colmar was very well chosen and provided an opportunity to explore this pretty area of ‘Alsace’ and the ‘Vosges’ with many attractions nearby to satisfy all tastes, including the world famous Motor Museum and Bugatti collection at Mulhouse – well worth a visit, and just a 30 min train & tram ride away into the heart of the City.
John & Jen even guaranteed the exceptionally fine weather for this trip, even if it was just a little too HOT!!
It was great to meet new friends in the now familiar ‘Family Atmosphere’ created during such trips.
I’m already looking forward to planning future trips’.”
Andy Dunmore, 8th trip, Honda VFR800, West Sussex

Morning coffee stop





John’s in the lead today

Paul & Pauline – BMW RS1200

Peter R-R – BMW R1200 GS
“My 3rd tour with BN European Tours and really feel I’ve selected the right company and couple to tour with. The tour again was very well managed from the luggage van to the drop off marker system, fuel stops and refreshment breaks well spaced. Hotels selected are more than adequate, clean and friendly with secure parking a bonus. The sights and roads on this trip were again fabulous with a great selection for ALL to enjoy, sports bike, tourer and even the inevitable BMW. The Vosges mountains and even a day off to travel a short distance to the biggest motor museum in the world at Mulhouse. Another great group of like minded people who all jelled as a group. Risk of repeating self, but NO problems in recommending BN for any tour. Take care John and Jen, Kindest Regards and Thanks”
Peter Rainford-Read, 3rd tour, BMW R1200 GS, Lancashire

Ian – BMW R1200 GS

Derek – KTM 1090R

Countryside sweepers




A quick “U” turn!

“Hi both, thanks again for making this year’s trip so great again, despite all the challenges you were confronted with. Best regards”
Keith Osman, 7th trip, Kawasaki ZX10R, West Sussex

Heading into the Vosges

We stop for drinks



Fab roads

View from the van!

Our 4* hotel for 3 nights


Opposite the train station


Drinks before dinner



Dinner is included again tonight



The next day we go for a ride-out

Pretty villages

Stuart – BMW R1200GS Adv

Russ followed by Keith

Russ – BMW R1000RR


Coffee stop on the Col Schlucht

Lovely scenery

Stuart followed by Rob

Great roads

Rob – Triumph Tiger 1050


A better view tomorrow!!!

Jen’s view as pillion





Rob marks the junction

Pete – Kawasaki ZH2 & Peter R-R

Ditto!

Bob – BMW R1250GS

Brilliant roads

Andy followed by Russ

Andy – BMW R1000R

Here come the boys!

Lots of hairpins


Russ



Keith, Russ & Andy D


Keith – Kawasaki ZX10R

Andy – Honda VFR 800

More lovely scenery

Paul – BMW RS1200

Riding without Pauline today


Ian – BMW R1200GS

Arriving at lunch stop

Jeremy & Vicki – BMW R1200GS

“Back-marker” Bob – BMW RS1200

Lunch stop

Bob, Peter, Stuart & Ian

More hairpins


We’re ready to roll…

Pete – Kawasaki ZH2

Rob – Tiger 1050

Paul again

Andy D


A field full of storks

Now this is what you call…

Secure parking!!!

A free evening in Colmar

“Little Venice”

Lots of restaurants

We dine with the Fab 4 & Rob

Andy “tempts” Keith to try snails…

Not so bad after all…

Social distancing??

So pretty by night

Our own Blue Man Group!

The Court House by night

The Water Tower

Train Station window

The next day is a day off

Some choose to take the train

To visit the “Schlumph” motor museum at Mulhouse

A Royale Esders

Bugatti 35B

Gaston Barre 1897

Bugatti “Royale”

Bentley 6 cylinder 1931

Mercedes=Benz 1938

Renault F1 Team 2009

Artwork

A Lamborghini motorbike!

Lamborghini Huracan Evo Spyder 2020

Miura V12 1966

As a complete contrast…

Andy, Russ & Keith head back to the lake

Stroll through the park

Oscar enjoying a swim

Take the tourist train

To explore the city

Or a horse-drawn carriage

Jeremy & Vicki ate here

La Maison des Tetes 1609

Bartholdi museum

He designed the Statue of Liberty

& the Lion of Belfort 1880

Maison Pfister 1637

The Cathedral

Pretty coloured buildings

Lots of cafes

Tanners district

Fisherman’s wharf

The covered market

Take a gondola ride

The old city walls

Try a segway!

Cool off in the fountains

Little boy racer!

Drinks at the hotel

Where’s my G&T??

Buskars in town

Another free night

Such a picturesque city

Take your partner…

A free jazz concert

The next day, watch out for locals!

More sweepers


We stop at a viewing area

Jeremy & Vicki

All the bikes

John’s in the lead again

Lovely scenery

Lunch stop

This restaurant couldn’t cope!

You won’t run out of fuel

Andy!

Afternoon coffee stop

Our final hotel

Jen & Pauline enjoy a swim

John does as well

Drinks before dinner


Paul & Pauline

Vicki & Jeremy

Dinner is included tonight

John thanks everyone for coming on tour

And thanks also to…

Bob our back-marker

John shows Paul how to…

waft a towel for Pauline!

Bob says a few words…

then adds a joke

We’re “treated” to the penguin joke!

Stuart takes a turn

Then Keith (Andy can’t bear it!)

“Young’un” Andy’s up next

And again

Not another of John’s jokes!

RP takes a turn

Then Stuart again

Peter’s up next


Followed by Pete

Andy’s missed his vocation!

Jen takes a turn

And then Vicki

Breakfast on the terrace

Final morning briefing

Chillin’


Re-group before motorway

All back to Calais

Our bike’s in the van but no-one wants to go home!

Otto with his toy from the fairground!
Thanks to everyone for coming on this tour, although not the scheduled Rhine in Flames Tour (event cancelled) we think this alternative to Colmar was a great success. Hopefully the Rhine in Flames will take place next year as usual. We look forward to seeing many of you again on future tours. Keep well & ride safe, John & Jen.