Testimonial Italian Lakes & Swiss Alps Tour 25 Aug – 5 Sept 2018
 The Group on top of the Petit St Bernard Pass – another thoroughly enjoyable tour with great riding and a really sociable group of people. |
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 We start with a pre-tour briefing – and directions… |
 Some listen…while others head for PARIS !!! |
 David & Traci realise something’s wrong & turn back |
 After 1.5 hrs we’re all reunited !! |
 Afternoon coffee stop |
 Lovely ladies & flower displays |
| “Hi John & Jen, thank you for a wonderful tour, the best one yet! Me & Mark thoroughly enjoyed it and our memories will stay with us for a long time. Great choice of location, hotels, roads & most of all the spectacular scenery. Thank you for all of your continued hard work that made our trip another memorable one! Best regards to the group too for making the trip so special. Had great fun and haven’t stopped laughing! “ | |
| Mark & Nicky Rowley, 3rd tour, BMW R1200 GSA, West Midlands | |
 “Dirty” beers at the hotel ! |
 While Jen (& Doug) have time for a swim |
 Drinks round the pool |
 Are we all here ??!! |
| ” The Tour of the Swiss Alps and Italian Lakes – Great routes/roads, Fantastic Scenery, Fabulous Hotels. Never feel you’re part of a “Tour Company” rather it’s like going around Europe with a bunch of friends where everything is organised for you – never in a “regimented way” though. The pace of the tour is variable, suiting all styles of rider. The system of marking (I’ll let John & Jen explain if you book) allows a pace to suite the individual. In summary, for me BN European Tours deserves 5 stars – the amount of repeat bookings certainly back this up.” | |
| Eddie & Julie Nichol, 2nd tour, BMW K1600, West Lothian |
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 Dinner is inclued tonight |
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 Elaine’s brought a kettle but needs milk !! |
| “Hi John and Jen, thanks for another great tour, we really enjoyed ourselves…thank you for your help with our bike issue on the tour it was really appreciated, we will try and be trouble free on the next tour..honest lol! See you both soon” | |
| Elaine Gardener & Sheldon Allen, 2nd tour, Kawasaki GTR 1400, Cornwall | |
 John sets the bar low for jokes… |
 Thanks to David & Traci for 10 trips !! |
| “Just come back from tour number 10 – Italian Lakes and Swiss Alps – yet again another excellent tour run by Bike Normandy; John and Jeanette. As well as riding on some awesome roads, we had enough days off the bike to chill out and watch the world go by.” [David’s 5* Google review – & 2nd time they’ve done this tour] | |
| David & Traci Wakefield, 10th trip, BMW K1600 GT, Cheshire | |
 Unfortunately Rob has to leave us early… |
 Always a morning briefing |
 “Earl Grey Tuffers ???” |
 The van won’t start – Rob has a charger ! |
 Lunch stop day 2 |
 Lunch in the shade |
 We find a communal plug… |
 To charge the van battery… |
 But despite our best efforts… |
 It breaks down so we have to hire a van! |
 Ready for the off…Jen’s leading |
 Doug on his KTM 1290 Superduke GT |
 Gorgeous afternoon stop – Andy & Chris relaxing |
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 Ian, Stewart & John enjoy ice creams |
 As do Mark & Nicky, Vince & Tracey |
| “John and Jen, thanks again for a great tour – a tribute to your great organising skills and imaginative routes and choices of hotels. And to everyone I wanted to say thank you for your great company on the tour – that’s the final ingredient that makes it all so enjoyable. Ride safe and perhaps we’ll meet again. Kind regards,” | |
| Stewart (lost love child of Jane and Gary Lineker!) Collier, 3rd tour, KTM 1290 Superduke, Wiltshire | |
| “John and Jen, thanks so much for another fantastic tour. This was the best one so far for me. Fantastic roads, scenery, company and hotels. Made new friends too. Looking forward to my 8th trip next year” | |
| John Heaney, 7th trip, BMW R1200GS, Gloucestershire | |
 Drinks in our next hotel |
 A free night – we choose pizzas |
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 Beautiful coffee stop day 3 |
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 Stop for stunning views… |
 Tracey & Vince |
| “Hi John & Jen, what can I say? We had a blast – again! We’ve been home a little while and hit the ground running but I’ve finally found five minutes to let you both know how much we enjoyed our last tour of the Swiss Alps and Italian Lakes – it was epic! Well organised, lovely hotels, great company and scenery that simply took our breath away! Thank you for enabling us to reunite, make new friends and lasting memories! So many photos to choose from it’s been difficult deciding which ones to share but I’ve tried to send an album of the stunning sights and we’ll remember this tour forever! Thank you both for sharing your time and energy to help make the trip such a success!” | |
| Vince & Tracey Farmer, 6th trip, BMW Bagger, Gloucestershire | |
 Pic-nic lunch at the top |
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 Mark & Nicky ! |
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 Don’t mess with me mister !! |
 At fuel stop – more directions… |
 Simon & Helen on their BMW S1000XR |
 We have to ride some motorway |
 A cargo of Maseratis |
 Re-group at services – all present this time !! |
 We ALWAYS regroup before & after any motorway |
 Fab pool at our next hotel |
 Time for a swim… |
 Synchronised or otherwise ! |
 Enjoy the special cocktail |
 Drinks before dinner |
 Dinner is included (sorry forgot to take pics) |
 The next day Helen relaxes round the pool |
 Others take the cable car |
 For fab views of the islands |
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 Then take the ski lift |
 For the surprise at the top |
 Doug’s on his way down |
 Traci can’t look down !! |
 And they’re off !!! (Photo courtesy of Rob Palmer) |
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 Tracey screams her way down !! |
 “Tuffers” goes next… |
 Then Nicky & Mark |
 Followed by Eddie |
 Then it’s us ! (photo courtesy of Rob) |
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 Rob taking photos |
 Whoa !!! |
 A brilliant ride |
 Ian arrives back |
 Stunning views of the lakes |
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 Stop for drinks half way down |
 Take a boat trip to the islands |
 Stroll into town |
 Explore the old town |
 Get a haircut !! |
 Drinks in the hotel bar |
 Our morning briefing |
 We take the ferry across the lake |
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 David & Traci |
 Mark & Nicky |
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 Everybody off… |
 John H is our backmarker on this tour |
 Coffee on Lake Lugano |
 Pavement parking |
 We stop by Lake Como for lunch |
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 Lots of cafe’s to choose from |
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 Tourists in the back streets !! |
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 So cute – but they do have legs! |
 Vince & Tracey (oops sorry – wrong caption!!) |
 Andy admiring the view |
 John leads on our Street Triple R |
 Kevin & Jane on their Honda VFR 1200 |
 Pretty villages as we head for the mountains |
 Superb sweepers |
 Lovely lakes in Switzerland |
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 The fabulous view as we approach our next hotel |
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 What a gorgeous setting |
 We include a ticket on the Bernina Express |
 WOW ! |
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 We’re here for two nights |
 First things first…a beer! |
 Dinner is included tonight |
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 The next day most walk to the Glacier – which way is it ?? |
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 Helen & Stewart forge ahead |
 Doug at the 1960 marker |
 The amazing view as we approach the Glacier |
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 Vince is back in 1970 !! |
 Cold enough ? |
 Well – being fearless bikers – we take no notice of the warning & carry on…!!! |
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 Cross over the bridge |
 Climb over the rocks |
 We reach the Glacier |
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 Doug touches the ice |
 Stewart & Helen do too |
 When was the last time you did this? Mark – |
 and Nicky in the ice cave !! |
 Julie’s here |
 Jane & Kevin |
 “Tuffers” in the cave |
 Ian samples the water |
 Jen’s in next |
 David’s arrived |
 And Andy |
 John’s made it for the first time |
 Eddie braves the cave |
 Tracey wants a souvenir |
 Heading back |
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 Coffee & Hot Chocolates then… |
 Most of us go for a ride-out |
 Some take the rack-railway |
 Lovely scenery |
 Thanks to John H for the photos |
 This one too… |
 Mark & Nicky on their BMW R1200 GSA |
 Eddie & Julie on their BMW K1600 |
 Great roads |
 Eddie & Julie |
 Hundreds of hairpins ! |
 Ian on his Speed Triple 675 R |
 Twisty enough ? |
 Ian again |
 Ian’s in the lead |
 Not recommended ! |
 Time for a coffee stop |
 “Tuffers” |
 And cream cakes ! Mark & Nicky |
 Elaine & Sheldon |
 Simon, Tracey & Vince |
 Pretty villages |
 Mike on his Street Triple 765 RS |
 Mike followed by his Dad Rob |
 Mike & Rob |
 Rob on his Tiger 1050 |
 We re-group before heading up the Stelvio Pass |
 Expect 48 hairpins ! |
 See the bends climbing up ahead |
 Then look back at the route up |
 Wow ! |
 There’s Simon ! |
 And he’s done it !! |
 Everyone’s so chuffed they made it! |
 It’s us ! (Thanks Traci) |
 Those that did it the hard way ! |
 Fab scenery |
 Mike did it !! (see the link to his video at the end) |
 Our sticker is there !! |
 Ian followed by Sheldon & Elaine |
 Not so twisty on the way down !! |
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 Tunnels on the way down |
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 The lorry didn’t make it through !! |
 Peter “Tuffers” on his BMW S1000 XR |
 Pete’s in the lead |
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 Sheldon & Elaine on their Kawasaki GTR 1400 |
 Lovely villages |
 But watch out for the trains ! |
 Mike’s in the lead now |
 Rob followed by Mark & Nicky |
 Rob |
 Fab views on the way back |
 John & Rob have new t-shirts |
 Dinner is included again tonight |
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 Christof serves us with honey schnapps |
 Next morning it’s a wet start |
 Simon & Helen followed by John H |
 You must cope with hairpins – even in the wet… |
 There is scenery out there ! |
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 Morning coffee stop |
 Eddie’s bought new waterproofs !! |
 So has Stewart |
 Stopped by road works |
 At lunch Stewart’s wringing out his socks !! |
 We all crowd into the same restaurant |
 David & Traci have chips ! |
 Nicky’s also got new waterproofs ! |
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 “Tuffers” ! |
 Follow that train ! |
 More sweeping bends |
 It’s still wet… |
 We ride the Susten Pass |
 Atmospheric in the mist |
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 Fab views |
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 Regroup at the viewing area…!!! |
 This is what it should look like !! |
 Roadworks again |
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 The view from our next hotel for 3 nights |
 Time for a swim & sauna |
 Drinks before dinner |
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 Dinner is included tonight |
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 The owner “Spike Milligan” !! |
 Fun & Games… |
 Eddie has it sussed !! |
 Stewart ! |
 Breakfast in the conservatory |
 The next day most go for a ride out |
 Simon’s envious of Sheldon’s cakes |
 We visit the Trummelbach waterfalls |
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 Amazing force |
 They power through the mountain |
 Mark & Nicky |
 Great viewing areas |
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 “Tuffers” |
 Grindelwald for lunch |
 Goulash soup with Chris & Andy |
 Simon’s locked his keys in his top box !! |
 The manager’s daughter’s wedding reception |
 Stewart’s got a new (£120) jacket ! |
 A free night – we walk into town |
 John tries to explain the Archimedes Screw |
 No excuse now for no exercise !! |
 Beautiful setting by the lake |
 Meet the bear ! |
 David & Stewart with friends… |
 Wood carvings along the front |
 Stunning views |
 Some of us go for a pizza |
 A lovely morning |
 Vince & Tracey |
 Reserved parking |
 Most go for a ride-out |
 Vince & Tracey on their BMW K1600 Bagger |
 Fuel first |
 We head up the Grimsel Pass |
 Dam at the top |
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 We ride through the clouds |
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 Stewart on his KTM Superduke |
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 Simply Stunning |
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 Fabulous weather as well |
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 Pete & Mark |
 With a BN sticker |
 See the Marmots |
 Hello ! |
 Coffee stop at the top |
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 Heading down |
 Us ! (Thanks Nicky) |
 Mike follwed by Andy & Chris |
 Fab roads |
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 Mike still with Andy & Chris |
 Brilliant roads |
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 David & Traci on their BMW K1600 GT |
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 Stewart followed by Peter |
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 Peter followed by Stewart |
 Peter on his BMW S1000 XR |
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 Tuffers & Stewart |
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 Ice at the top of the next Pass |
 Amazing views |
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 Vince & Tracey |
 We stop for a photo shoot |
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 Peter followed by Kevin |
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 Peter & Kevin |
 A cobbled pass… |
 David & Traci |
 Stewart & Mike |
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 Yes, we’re going up there… |
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 More tunnels |
 Andy & Chris – BMW S1000 XR |
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 Pretty lunch stop |
 Flash cars everywhere |
 A Mclaren |
 Mark & Nicky – BMW R1200 GSA |
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 Eddie & Julie |
 The Susten Pass is cloudy again ! |
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 Drinks back at the hotel…ALL eyes down !!! |
 Local steam train passes |
 Another free night |
 Head into town again |
 Great local specialities |
 Another lovely morning |
 Breakfast is upstairs today |
 Morning coffee stop |
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 Final lunch stop in Switzerland |
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 Afternoon coffee in Chamonix |
 The boys enjoy ice creams |
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 Mont Blanc is almost visible |
 We re-group on the motorway |
 Jen’s in the lead today |
 Drinks outside our next hotel |
 A free night – Jen has (a huge) pizza again ! |
 Morning coffee stop |
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 The van’s back !! |
 Lunch stop |
 Afternoon coffee stop |
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 Arriving at our final hotel |
 Drinks on arrival |
 Then drinks before dinner |
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 Dinner is included our last night |
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 John thanks everyone for a great tour and John H for riding as “back-marker” – with another bad joke !! |
 Stewart’s “Mum” Jane covers his ears to stop him from listening to rude jokes |
 Andy’s up next with awards – especially for Doug… |
 Who participated the least in the tour !! |
 “Tuffers” takes a turn |
 Then Christine |
 David has several to tell |
 Jane’s up next |
 Then Eddie |
 John again… |
 Drinks in the lounge |
 Rob & Jen tickle the ivories ! |
 Pool area at our hotel |
 Our final morning briefing |
 With coffee & lunch stops en-route, everyone is back to the port in good time for the ferry |
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With thanks to everyone for making this such a good tour – it’s only when you look back through the photos you realise just how much is packed into this trip! With great weather (bar two days), great riding and lots of laughs we look forward to seeing many of you again on future tours. Ride safe, John & Jen. |
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| And the photo of the tour…courtesy of Rob Palmer…
Also the link to see Mike Palmer’s ascent of the Stelvio Pass...here
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 Jen is definately getting a wig like this !!! |