Italian Lakes & Swiss Alps Tour 2 – 13 September 2017
The group at the top of the Petit St Bernard Pass – a brilliant tour, great weather, great riding & great people – there are no apologies for the number of photos which follow!
| “Hi John & Jen, thanks for a great trip – we’re not sure where to start; the hotels were great, the riding was excellent and the views were awesome. We never thought we would see the Alps let alone touch a glacier. Both Sue and I were blown away everyday. Not only was the tour fantastic but when we had a couple of little hiccups…the way the group and yourselves rallied around and everything was sorted was something to behold. As ever Sue and I will be back and we look forward to seeing you both at the NEC.” | |
| Gordon & Sue Bishop, 5th trip, Triumph Sprint GT, Dorchester | |
 We always start with a pre-tour briefing… |
 and there’s always one who needs fuel!! |
 Ready for the off… |
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| “Just a brief note about a fantastic tour. As ever a very good, smoothly run and well organised tour with some excellent hotels and food. You’d even managed to arrange better weather this time! It was great to meet old acquaintances from previous tours and to make some new ones. Of course John and Jen’s hard work lays the firm foundations for each successful tour but it’s the people that make it fantastic. So, thanks to you all for making it a really enjoyable experience. Very much looking forward to the Monte Carlo or Bust tour in two weeks” | |
| David Craxton, 5th tour, Honda Deauville, Rotherham | |
| “Post Script…A great testimonials page Jen. |
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| As I said, it was a fantastic tour and I was considering doing it again, but having now done it twice I don’t want to do it again simply because I don’t see how it could be bettered. Neither the weather nor the company. See you soon…” | |
 We always regroup before & after any stretch of motorway |
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 Sharron & Kieron enjoy cakes at coffee stop |
 Chris’s KTM needs a new battery |
 Lunch stop |
 Gordon & Sue in the hotel pool |
 Loads of us take a dip |
 Jen with a friend! |
| “The Tour was fantastic; | |
| Dave, we reckon you could write a book – Craxton’s Mountain Experience – with special mentions to:- Alpine views, and how to avoid them; Waterfalls, how do they work? Food to avoid – cold meats & cheese for breakfast ( a definite no no); 30 ways to safely carry a baguette on a Deauville; and rounding up with riding tips – how to thrupenny bit a perfectly good corner & gate crash ride outs!! | |
| John, Jen, Dave and everyone, top time – thank you.” | |
| Claire & Martyn Wyatt, 3rd tour, BMW 1150GS, Somerset | |
 Drinks on the terrace before dinner |
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 John bets Sharron a euro… |
 Kieron even helps out!! |
| “Well, how can we top all the rest of the crew’s comments! | |
| Yet another fabulous holiday with amazing scenery, sweeping roads (ideal for our tourer!), hairpins, delightful hotels, wonderful food and a whole bunch of like-minded people, full of fun, energy and laughter. John and Jen you certainly know how to host your tours, with all the careful planning, attention to detail and care given to ensure we all just have to ride along and enjoy ourselves. | |
| Apologies to Steve for allowing me to share a toboggan with him only to find he got more of me than he thought! I did wonder why he was screaming with me as we descended the slope – just thought he was enjoying himself and scared of the fast corners???!! Also can you ask John if he felt that his Euro was good value for money as next time I will be upping the stakes to a slighter higher bet!!!!! So many great memories.” | |
| Kieron & Sharron Haines, 6th tour, BMW K1600GTL, Norfolk | |
 Dinner is included tonight |
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 Always a morning talk |
| “We love the Italian Lakes & Swiss Alps tour so much we’ve done it twice in 3 years! If you like superb roads, lots of twisties, sweepers and gorgeous scenery then we highly recommend this tour. John and Jen’s usual attention to detail and organisation are second to none with fantastic hotels all shared with a very social crowd. Lots of fun and laughter. An absolute pleasure to meet up with old friends and a delight to make new ones. The tour may be over but we both have massive grins on our faces watching our GoPro footage enjoying the thrill of the roads again. Roll on June …” | |
| Paul & Louise Saltwell, 3rd Tour, MT09-Tracer, Guernsey |
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 Stephen & Anne on their BMW K1600TL |
 Allan & Jane are “Backmarkers” on Tiger 1050 |
| “Hi John and Jen, many thanks for another lovely holiday. We really loved the places, the food and hotel accommodation were superb, and of course the company adds the icing on the cake – everyone was such fun and made great company! We particularly loved the pre-dinner drinks and evening meals together. Of course, the trip proved we were Welsh ‘wusses’ and our apologies for that, but thanks everyone for a really great time! Hoping to see some or all of you on another trip. Steve’s already at the planning stage! I’m trying to persuade him to move to Lake Maggiore! Love and Best Wishes” | |
| Steve & Anne Williams, 2nd tour, BMW K1600GTL, Mid Glamorgan |
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 Morning coffee stop |
 We pass on the way to lunch |
 Blue skies at lunch stop |
 Martyn & Claire, Martin & Alison |
 Beautiful afternoon coffee stop |
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| “We had another wonderful trip and great to see old friends and meet new ones. What a great, fun crowd. To those concerned, I do apologise for my bloomer antics – I have been reprimanded and banned from Rose wine!!!! Hope to see you all on another of John and Jen’s fabulous trips…take care, stay well and always ride safe” | |
| Steve & Kirsty Eaton, 9th trip, BMW S1000XR, Cambridgeshire |
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 Ian & Heather with ice-creams |
 Sam & Steve, Gordon & Sue |
| “Dear Jen & John, thank you so much for another fantastic holiday, we enjoyed every minute of it. The hotels were lovely, the scenery & roads were amazing. Fab company with so many laughs/giggles along the way, a brilliant 12 days” | |
| Ian & Heather Phillips, 3rd tour, Kawasaki ZZR1400, Devon | |
 Allan gets two!! |
 Displays at coffee stop |
 Our second hotel |
 Drinks in the hotel bar |
| “Hi all, thanks for a great trip and the company was great as ever. Thanks to BN for all their hard work in sorting out the trip – fantastic roads. Ride safe” | |
| Steve King, 6th trip, Kawasaki ZZR1400, Northampton | |
 A free night – explore the back streets |
 Kirsty accosts a local ! |
 We opt for pizzas |
 Us! |
 Annecy by night |
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 Pretty coffee stop the next day |
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| “I recently did the Italian Lakes & Swiss Alps Tour – I didn’t want it to end. John and Jen always organise an amazing tour with such stunning hotels and locations. The routes are out of this world, fantastic scenery and such fabulous roads, sometimes not for the faint hearted. The others on the tour are brilliant, everyone just gets along. There is loads of banter and laughter and it’s good to meet up with old friends and make new ones, it’s always a sad feeling saying bye… Highly recommended, the only stress you have to deal with is packing for a 2 week stress free vacation” | |
| Sue Freyne, 2nd tour, Triumph Bonneville, Guildford | |
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 Bill & Ben? So where’s little weed? (Thanks Claire!) |
 Fab scenery |
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 You MUST be happy with hairpins!!! |
 Wow! |
| “Hi all, I honestly thought the Alps tour 2 years ago could not be bettered. … how wrong I was! This tour was even better. | |
| Fantastic flowing roads and alpine passes, breathtaking scenery, and a brilliant mix of like minded people enjoying themselves, with, at times some very enthusiastic riding, thrown in with very good humoured and friendly off-bike socialising….topped off with unexpected surprises and stunning weather…Just Brilliant. | |
| John and Jen deserve recognition for once again going above and beyond to pull off another spectacular tour. | |
| I’m now looking forward to next year’s Picos Tour. ….and hoping to meet some of you again soon on other tours.” |
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| Andy Dunmore, 3rd trip, Honda VFR800, Chichester |
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 Our sticker’s there! |
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 Kirsty & Sam |
 Jen & Sharron |
 Pic-nic lunch at the top |
 Ian & Heather with new additions! |
 Jen |
 Sue |
| “We had an amazing tour. The scenery was fantastic and the hotels were great. Made some new friends too. Can’t give you a favourite day as the whole tour was full of new experiences. Loved it. Thanks John and Jen for some wonderful memories xx” | |
| Steve & Sam Barnes, 2nd tour, Triumph Trophy, Dorset | |
 Gordon & Sue on their Sprint GT |
 Ian & Heather – Kawasaki ZZR 1400 |
 Sue on her Bonneville |
 The van follows our back-markers |
 Even something to see on the motorway |
 Sue has a new passenger! |
 How many men does it take… |
 to fit a cap on Chris’s KTM ??? |
 Dave’s Ducati Supersport S has an oil leak |
 Arriving at our next hotel |
 The fabulous view of Lake Maggiore from our hotel where we stay for two nights |
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 Superb view from the hotel’s rooftop bar |
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 Drinks (if you’re lucky!) before dinner |
 Dinner is included tonight |
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| The next day is a free day, some take a boat trip to visit the islands, some take a cable car up the mountains, swim & relax… | |
 Another sunny day – rooftop pool |
 Fab views |
 Isla Borromeo |
 Lakeside pool |
 Take a cable car… |
 for fab views of the “Pearls of Lake Maggiore” |
 Toboggan run at the top! |
 Sue F & Steve K on the way down |
 Ready for a fast ride? |
 Allan & Jane |
 Sharron & Kieron |
 Martyn & Claire |
 Martin & Alison |
 Ian & Heather |
 David C – mind your hat!! |
 Whoa!!!! |
 Not for the feint-hearted! |
 Entertainment in the square |
 Chill out at the hotel |
 Kirsty & Steve |
 The next day Sharron retrieves her cardigan left on the boat! |
 Dave’s happy this year – it’s not raining!!! (see 2015 review) |
 We board the ferry |
 All aboard |
 Chill… |
 Coffee on Lake Lugano |
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 Lunch on Lake Como |
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 Lovely |
 We head for the mountains… |
 Fuel stop first… |
 The pass is open… |
 Oh no it’s not!! At the border we’re stopped as an avalanche has closed the pass!! |
 So we plan an alternative route… |
 The Bernina Pass |
 En route to our hotel |
 Dinner is included… |
 the next two nights here |
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 The Bernina Express is included |
| The next day is a free day, most choose first of all to walk to the nearby glacier, some then take the Bernina Express to explore the local sights, some do a ride-out to tackle the Stelvio Pass amongst others… | |
 Breakfast area |
 Our hotel for two nights |
 Which way?! |
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 Steve & Sam at the 1900 marker |
 Chris at 1920 |
 Gordon & Sue at 1940 |
 Martin & Alison at 1950 |
 Claire & Martyn get 1960 |
 Andy at 1970 |
 Amazing view as we get closer |
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 Andy reaches the glacier |
 Fissures in the ice |
 Gordon & Sue can’t believe they’re touching it |
 Steve & Sam made it too!! |
 Martin & Chris over the other side |
 Kieron & Sharron |
 Heather & Ian |
 Jane & Allan |
 Us! |
 Stunning! |
 Some then take the rack-railway |
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 View of St Moritz |
 Thanks for the photos Gordon |
 Some go for a ride-out |
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 Steve stops for a photo |
 Steve & Kirsty on their BMW S1000XR |
 Where’s Steve going?! |
 We stop for coffee & cakes |
 David C missing – in the shade! |
 It really is that hot! |
 David C on his Honda Deauville riding up the Stelvio |
 Steve K on his Kawasaki ZZR1400 |
 Superb views |
 We see Sue on the way down |
 Dave, Paul & Louise also on the way down |
 A pillions view on the way up |
 Steve at bend 14 of the Stelvio Pass |
 Our ascent |
 This is how Jen gets the photos! (Thanks Steve K) |
 The famous Stelvio Pass |
 David followed by Steve & Kirsty |
 We’ve made it – where’s our sticker?!! |
 Coffees at the top |
 The long way down! |
 Jen’s view heading into a tunnel |
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 Watch out for trains!!! |
 Steve & Kirsty followed by Steve |
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 Back at our hotel |
 Drinks before dinner |
 Alison, Claire & Heather – beers aren’t just for boys! |
 Dinner is included again tonight |
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 John’s telling a joke… |
 Martyn & Claire are the target |
 There is a knack to wafting a towel!!!! |
 The biggest bottle of Limoncello arrives |
 Fab views as we leave our hotel |
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 Our morning briefing |
 Morning coffee with a surprise |
 Take the ski-lift up,,, |
 and toboggans down |
 The brave ones!! |
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 Jen sets off first |
 Sharron with Steve – but where are her hands?!! |
 Steve & Sam |
 Sharron & Steve K |
 Steve & Kirsty |
 Gordon & Sue |
 Andy’s next |
 And finally John |
 Allan & Jane descend in the ski lift |
 Lunch stop |
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 Dave takes in the view in the Susten Pass |
 More glaciers |
 Time to relax |
 The group in the Susten Pass (with an unwell Sue in the van) |
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 With Jen leading & Kirsty driving the van… |
 John rides Sue’s Bonneville |
 We arrive at our next hotel |
 More superb views |
 Our hotel for the next three nights |
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 Gordon & Sue in the hotel pool |
 Drinks on the terrace |
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 Dinner is included the first night here |
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| The next two days are free – some choose to take a boat trip on the lake, visit Interlaken, walk to the nearby nature reserve, or go on a ride-out – with two days free we can alter the optional itinerary depending on the weather…but see later!!! | |
 Paul & Louise, John & Jen go on a ride-out |
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 We stop for photos of the view on the Grimsel Pass |
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 Rain at the summit |
 Marmots at the top – so cute! |
 Alan!!! Alan!!! Alan!!! Steve!!! |
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 Dry roads as we go down |
 Paul & Louise on their MT-09 Tracer |
 Riding down the Furka Pass |
 Coffee & cakes for lunch |
 A ride-out the next day |
 We ride alongside the lake |
 Martin & Ali on their Ducati Diavel |
 Interlaken |
 Chris on his KTM 1290 Super Adventure |
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 Dave has a new friend |
 Who comes closer for crumbs |
 We visit the Trummelbach Falls |
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 Most visit the waterfalls |
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 Take a lift inside the mountain |
 David’s description didn’t do justice!!! |
 The force is amazing |
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 The corkscrew |
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 Martyn & Claire ride our Street Triple |
 Back to the front already!! |
 Pretty towns |
 Heading to lunch at Grindelwald |
 Procession en route |
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 Steve & Sam on their Triumph Trophy |
 Back along the lake to the hotel |
 We then spot David in a garage… |
 who turns around & gatecrashes our next ride-out! |
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 Andy on his VFR800 |
 Andy again |
 Martin & Claire on their BMW 1150GS |
 We ride up the Grimsel Pass |
 Unbelievable! Snow at the top! |
 This wasn’t here yesterday!! |
 Snowball fight at the top! |
 Snow…whereas two years ago… |
 and a week later…glorious sunshine!! |
 Then the sun did come out |
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 Marmots in the snow |
 The route back |
 Martin buys “car-park” beers! |
 Back on dry land! |
 Oh Gordon – put it away!!!! |
 Lovely sunset on the way into town |
 A reminder of Kirsty’s antics for those who dined at the hotel again!!! (Thanks Steve K) |
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 Pizzas & desserts in town |
 Breakfast area |
 Another beautiful morning |
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 Our bed rolls onto the balcony!!! |
 We want this room next year! |
 The group with the hotel owner – Spike Milligan?! |
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 Morning talk |
 Backmarkers Allan & Jane |
 Coffee stop |
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 Not what you want to meet on a hairpin |
 Lunch stop |
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 Fun in the park |
 Tough guys! |
 Mont Blanc is hidden |
 Chamonix for coffee |
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 We always regroup for any stretch of motorway |
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 Our next hotel |
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 Ian & Heather – young love!! |
 A free evening tonight |
 Sue’s happy… |
 Bev the Beaver’s been returned! |
 Morning coffee stop |
 Afternoon pit-stop! |
 Our last hotel |
 Pre-dinner drinks |
 Drinks in the lounge |
 Dinner is included our final night |
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 John says a few words of thanks… |
 to Jane & Allan our “back-markers” |
 Frederick & Cecil are playing a game… |
 it seems Sue has played it as well!!!! |
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 Gordon has been practicing a joke… |
 Paul cheats!! Reading from his phone! |
 Kieron’s up next |
 Sue tells a tale of an Indian massage |
 Allan takes a turn |
 Paul & Louise start the Mr & Mrs |
 No match! |
 Gordon & Sue are up next |
 Decision needed Sue! |
 Martyn & Claire can’t decide… |
 A match for the winners! |
 Steve says some words of thanks too |
 Jen reads Ken Cullern’s cheese scones joke |
 Ahoy there – are you in the air force? |
 Martyn takes a turn |
 Kieron & John want a “Dithco” |
 Drinks after dinner |
 And that’s it…our final morning briefing after which several guests make their own way home. The remainder finish the tour at Le Havre. |
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| A really fun tour with lots of laughs along the way. Thanks to everyone for making this such a good tour. We look forward to seeing many of you again on future tours. Regards, John & Jen | |