A tour with everything – from baking hot 44C to a rainy 4C – but a fantastic biking group were always in good spirits!
A lovely morning at Ouistreham
We start with a briefing
Barry needs fuel!!!!
Jen’s leading today
We ALWAYS regroup for any motorway
Thanks Wayne & Tina!
Morning coffee stop
“Dear John and Jen, thank you for yet another fantastic tour. As we’ve said previously, the organisation, the roads, the views, the hotels and the food were all amazing. You think of everything and go the extra mile to ensure that everyone has the best time ever. Even down to carrying water on the van so people can refill their water bottles during the first really hot week.
Whenever there was a problem, eg. Dick feeling the heat, you were there and so supportive, and that’s why you have so many people returning year after year.
So once again thank you so much for an amazing 12 days and we hope to see you both for another tour soon.”
Dick Hallsworth (7th trip) & Sara Sheppard (4th trip), Triumph Sprint 1050, Norfolk
John in the van recovers Karen!
Karen’s back with the group!
“Hi John & Jen, another great tour for our 9th trip. The effort you both put into making it really enjoyable and successful are way beyond our expectations. Your commitment to ensure every detail in looking after everyone is remarkable. We had a fabulous time and everyone was really nice. You may not have heard some conversations about other companies that some of them had used and yours was the best!
We’re hitting the gym to get Wayne’s leg stronger in the hope of going on Spain/Portugal trip in 2024.
Thanks again for such a great time.”
Wayne & Carole Williams, 9th trip, BMW R1250RT, RCT
Lunch stop
When England lost the World Cup!
Afternoon coffee stop
First hotel – the pool is closed!!
Wayne finds an alternative!
“Wow! What a blast! 12 days of sheer unadulterated adventure on our second trip with BN, this time for the Italian Lakes and Swiss Alps. Absolutely awesome route with some adrenalin-charged twisties and beautiful scenery, together with a superb range of accommodation. Added to this, a lovely group of fellow bikers and pillions who had so much fun together. Thanks to John and Jen for being the best hosts and delivering 100% on what they promised on this European extravaganza!”
Paul & Marion Matchett, 2nd tour, BMW K1600 GT, West Sussex
Drinks before dinner
Dinner is included tonight
“A big thanks to SAM members Jen & John Eggleton for organising the “Italian Lakes & Swiss Alps Tour” with their company BN European Tours. Tina & I have never toured Europe on two wheels so we thought big & chose IAM members John & Jen’s company to aid us for a guided route which included their luggage van.
We left Portsmouth for Caen overnight then had a fantastic 2 weeks riding through France into Italy with some superb weather & hospitality, followed by the gem which is Switzerland where we stayed near Interlaken riding the various passes and taking part in optional ride-outs.
We chose BN as they offered a great deal on lovely, selected hotels, many evening meals were included in the very competitive price. The van was included on this trip so we travelled light to enjoy the roads at their best.
I can highly recommend their attention to detail and ensuring we all had a great holiday. The package they offered came in cheaper with more days than other similar companies on-line, and being nice to support a local business”
Wayne’s Facebook feedback – thanks J&J
Wayne & Tina Timbrell, 1st tour, BMW K1600 GT, Somerset
Morning briefing
Lovely scenery
Morning coffee stop
Mural at coffee stop
“Following a recommendation through a friend of a friend. We would like to thank Jen and John and all the fellow riders for making our first BN European Tour so seamless and enjoyable, with stunning roads and scenery and a good laugh with no stress – due to Jen and John’s experience and planning. Maybe see some of you on the next tour”
Sue’s 5* Google review – thanks!
Graham & Sue Bass, 1st tour, BMW R1250 GSA, Hertfordshire
En-route to lunch
Pavement parking at lunch stop
3.15 pm & it’s hot!
Dick & Tanya are suffering so Sara drives the van
While John rides Dick’s bike to coffee stop
A beautiful spot
Our next hotel
“Hi John & Jen, thanks again for a well organised and executed trip, great food, hotels, hosts, fellow riders for all their help and support and most of all them twisty, twisty roads! The weather conditions were challenging from one extreme to another but we all prevailed and enjoyed the whole experience. What a trip! Thank you”
Michael Jones & Laura Smith, 2nd tour, Kawasaki Z1000SX, County Durham
A free night to explore Annecy
Lots & lots of restaurants
Us!
“Thanks both for another memorable trip, many bucket things ticked off, a great tour, great company and fabulous organisation as ever, your attention to detail is first class, everyone is made to feel special and happy. See you next year“
John Young, 11th trip, Yamaha Tenere 700, Norfolk
Another lovely day
Our morning briefing
Pooch in a side-car!
Pretty coffee stop
Fab scenery en-route to lunch
John stops to take pics
Stop to take pics – thanks Jackie
Brilliant roads
Glynn & Yvonne overran a hairpin!
En-route to lunch – thanks Jackie
Thanks Paul & Marion
And again!
Lunch on the Petit St Bernard Pass
Real St Bernard’s!
And two Gordon’s (just for us!)
Come on John (Y) – run!!
The Group at the top
Us! (Thanks Jackie)
And again!
Jan & Eliza, Kari & Malcolm have a picnic
Bryan (Ned) – BMW R1250 GS
John Y – Yamaha Tenere 700
Wayne & Tina – BMW K1600GT
Jon & Jackie – Yamaha Tracer 900GT
Alan & Tanya – Ducati Multistrada V4
Malcolm & Kari – Harley D Heritage Softail
Barry & Kim – Yamaha FJR 1300
Karen – Triumph Tiger 660
Dick & Sara – Triumph Sprint 1050
Michael & Laura – Kawasaki 1000SX
Glynn & Yvonne – Triumph Explorer
Paul & Marion – BMW K1600GT
Jan & Eliza – Triumph Tiger 900
“Backmarkers” Wayne & Carole – BMW R1250RT
Apologies but John missed David and Graham & Sue !
More brilliant roads
We stop for fuel
And motorway instructions
Pool at our next hotel
Jan’s already been in!
Drinks before dinner
If you’re lucky!
Dinner is included tonight
This was AFTER a buffet starter!
John’s telling jokes
Pool by night
Next day is a day off
We hire a private boat
To visit the Borromean Islands
Most of us come along
Michael & Laura
Tina & Wayne
Paul & Marion
Wayne & Carole
John Y with David
Enjoy an aperitif
Explore the back-streets
Back on the boat
Jan & Eliza
We head to the next island
We visit the Palace
Barry & Kim
A Silver Pheasant
??
Amazing Cashmir Cypress
Lovely gardens
Peacocks everywhere
Lady Amhert’s Pheasant
Even white peacocks
David
Back on board
We head back to Pescatori
Sara & Dick
Time for lunch
Heading back
All those who came along
Back at the hotel – in the pool!
The girls are enjoying drinks
Drinks round the pool
Jen & John Y are into the music!
Jackie’s almost got it to herself!
A free night – buskers everywhere
We have to leave Italy…
All the bikes
Jen gets the tickets…
John’s leading today
Barry & Kim
Malcolm & Kari
All on the ferry
John Y has a Titanic moment!
Graham & Sue
David
Kari, Jan & Malcolm
Plus John
Approaching Locarno
Coffee stop on Lake Lugano
So pretty
John Y & Karen enjoy ice creams
Lunch is on Lake Como
So cute!
Bikes arrive – Glynn & Yvonne
Tina & Wayne at Lake Como
Leaving Lake Como
It’s hot !!
Heading to Switzerland
Yes we’re going up there!
You must be happy with hairpins!
We pass St Moritz
Amazing view arriving at our hotel
Stunning!
Paul & Marion
Drinks before dinner
Dinner is included tonight
Another lovely morning
A resident!
Our hotel is for two nights
Most walk to the Glacier
Jon W & Jen at the 1960 marker
That’s Alan’s year too
And Ned
It’s the closest year for Dick & Sara!
Wayne & Tina at 1970 marker
Simply Stunning!
2015 marker when we first did this trip…
There are too many rocks…
Graham & Sue can’t get any further
Those who did the walk
For comparison purposes…
This is the Glacier in 2015
Back then it was huge
Us again (thanks Jackie)
Heading back – Wayne & Carole
Rock-climbers
Dick & Sara – which way?!
Many then go for a ride-out
Others went up there (pics later)
Ned’s following us
Ride alongside rivers
Ned
Ned again
Great roads
Tunnels
Barry & Kim
Barry & Kim again
Barry & Kim then David
David – Suzuki V-Strom 1050
Jen’s view as pillion
Michael & Laura overtake David
Michael & Laura
More hairpins
Michael overtakes us!!
Fab roads
We’re back in front!
We have a break
For coffee & cakes
Graham & Sue – BMW R1250 GSA
Ditto!
Everyone rides up at their own pace
Ned
Malcolm
John Y is riding as “back-marker”
Great views riding up
48 hairpins going up the Stelvio Pass!!
Malcolm
Dick’s going well
Malcolm following Dick
We’re going up there
Amazing scenery
Barry & Kim then Malcolm
Stop for selfies!
We met a coach!!
That’s us!
Thanks David!
Here’s Michael & Laura
We’re all at the top
It’s a tough climb
Those who did it!!
Sue climbs up…
To put our sticker at the top!
Thanks Sue!
Wild Marmots at the top
Heading down
Ned
Ned then David
David
Graham & Sue
Tractors coming up!!
Graham & Sue
Michael & Laura
More tunnels
40 bends on the way down
Ride along trainlines…
Then meet a train!!
Michael & Laura
Heading back
Dick back at the hotel
Another Gordon!
Some took the Bernina Express
Paul & Marion
Thanks Marion
Take the Cog Railway (thanks Sara)
Glynn & Yvonne are colour co-ordinated!
A bat arrives!
Drinks before dinner
The Stelvio bunch – with new t-shirts!
Dinner is included again tonight
For more photos please click HERE
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