We always say we get the best people on our tours & this one just proves the point! A really great group, fantastic weather & amazing sights – again no apologies for the number of photos which follow…
A lovely morning at Ouistreham
Fred arrives…
Then we start with a briefing
Russ rides as “back-marker” today
We ALWAYS regroup for any motorway
Ride through pretty villages
“Dear John & Jen, I just wanted to drop you a message to say thank you! The trip you put together exceeded my expectations so much I can’t begin to tell you! The routes, the organisation, the hotels, the atmosphere, the people and you guys. It was perfect in every way. Thanks again”
Dan Ayling, 1st tour, BMW R1200RS, Devon
Lunch stop
Afternoon coffee stop
At our hotel, Fred grabs the luggage trolley
“I have thoroughly enjoyed all four of my previous BN tours and I’ve done their Lakes & Alps before, however this trip surpassed them all. It would be easy to elaborate on the great routes, stunning scenery, lovely hotels, delicious meals and John & Jen’s meticulous attention to detail, but others will no doubt mention those. What really made this trip so special for me was the group of people I rode with. Every single person was genuinely lovely; from day one we all became one big team and long-lasting friendships were formed. It was an absolute pleasure to spend time with you all, and please can everyone come on my next BN adventure!”
Sue Worthy, 5th tour, KTM Duke 890, Dorset
Lots of us enjoy the pool
Then drinks before dinner – Ros & Andy
Sue, Kyle & John G
Too many to name!
Dinner is included tonight
Ros has done 10 trips!
“Thank you John and Jen for another fantastic tour. A lot of unforgettable experiences packed into the itinerary. Wonderful roads, breathtaking views and a great bunch of bikers to share it all with. The hotels and meals were all first class and very welcome at the end of each day’s riding. We also enjoyed the 2 days off the bike, exploring the islands on Lake Maggiore, walking up to a glacier and taking a train into St Moritz. Every day flowed seamlessly which is a credit to you both and shows all the hard work that is put into each tour. This makes touring with you a great, stress free experience and we will definitely be booking again next year.”
Nigel & Bryany Neal, 2nd tour, BMW R1250 GS, Somerset
Next day, David’s riding as “back-marker”
Always a morning briefing
Morning coffee stop
Sue’s found a buddy for her KTM!
“Thanks John and Jen for another brilliant tour. This time with some fantastic and challenging routes rewarded with beautiful scenery of the Italian Lakes and Swiss Alps. As usual, everything was taken care of, so the hotels, meals, and coffee/lunch stops were all perfect. All rounded off with a lovely group of people to share a cold beer with at the end of the day. See you on the next one!”
[Andrew’s 5* Google review – thanks J&J]
Andrew Page, 3rd tour, BMW R1300 GSA, Glamorgan
“Hi John and Jen, thank you for an amazing tour, we had a blast, hotels were of a good standard and it was a treat to have a few swimming pools to access after a hard day in the saddle. We met some amazing people and look forward to seeing them again on a future tour. We loved the helicopter ride, the visit to the waterfalls and of course the Stelvio pass. The riding and roads were fabulous, a good selection of long sweepers and tight hairpins, we enjoyed it all, thank you once again, we will be back!“
Andy (14 trips) & Ros (10 trips) Moseley, Ducati Multistrada V4, Warwickshire
Parking at lunch stop
Stunning setting for afternoon coffee stop
Sheldon, Elaine & Ian have ice creams…
As does Luke
“Hi John and Jen, thank you for another wonderful tour, having done it three years ago I had a slight idea, but it’s still amazing and fails to disappoint ! Lovely hotels in amazing places, great food and great company, we had a great group ! Along with nearly perfect weather – you do manage to book it all 
And we don’t know how you do it for the price !!! Thanks again, see you in a few weeks on the Monte Carlo tour, have a safe Spanish Cities !”
Russ Mac, 13th tour, Honda Africa Twin, Leicestershire
John K, Russ & David too
And John with Ros & Andy
Our next hotel
Drinks in the bar
Explore the old town
It’s so pretty
Us with Ian & Fred
Lots of restaurants to choose from
Jen’s given a free rose!
Fred & John have ice creams
As do David, John G & Russ!
Morning briefing
Parking at coffee stop
Ros & Andy
It’s so pretty
Lovely scenery
You MUST be happy with hairpins
This is for competent riders only
Jen’s leading again today
& had fun riding with a Swiss couple
Sheldon & Elaine – Tiger Explorer 1200
Ian – BMW S1000 XR
Lunch on top of the Petit St Bernard Pass
All the group – but where’s John K??
Tongues out please!
Fred is back-marker today
Fuel & motorway instructions
En route
Our next hotel for two nights
Time for a swim
Drinks before dinner
Dinner is included tonight
John’s telling jokes again…
Luke can’t bear it!!
The next day is a day off the bikes, with lots to do – either take a boat trip to visit the Borromeo Islands, visit the Palace, hire your own boat, explore the old town of Stresa or just relax around the pool.
View of Lake Maggiore from our hotel
Isola Bella
Take a boat trip
First to Isola Madre – the largest island
Visit the Palace & Botanic Gardens
We meet some others on the island
Next is Isola Pescatori
Ian, Luke, Dan & Sue are here
Then Isola Bella
With a bigger Palace & Italian Gardens
Lots of shops here
Back streets to explore
A lovely lunch
Dan, Luke & Ian
Luke, Ian, Sue & Dan
Waiting for the boat
Sue’s cleaning her bike – no surprise there!!
Jen’s swimming in the pouring rain!!
Some walk into town
The rain had stopped…
There’s a lively square
Where we find Luke & Dan
They join us for a drink
Fred’s got the wine!!
Then the heavens open!!
Umbrellas were being sold!
Fred’s helping!!!
Three needed now!!
We’ve got free water refills though!!!
A lovely morning
We take a local ferry
David’s got “Ducky” so he won’t drown!!
Coffee stop on Lake Lugano
Leaving Lugano
Lunch stop on Lake Como
Great roads next
We ride up the Maloja Pass – thanks Russ!
We pass by St Moritz
Approaching our next hotel
We’re here for two nights
Sue was back-marker today
It’s a fabulous setting
The Bernina Express passes by
Drinks before dinner
Dinner is included both nights here
David’s got a new bib!!
Another lovely morning
The breakfast room
Which way are we going??!!
We set off walking to the Glacier
Jen with Nigel at the 1960 marker
Luke & Kyle at the 1980 marker
We reach the 2015 marker…
The Glacier has receded so much…
That we can’t get to it any more
Those who did the walk
For comparison purposes…
This is the Glacier in 2015
Back then it was huge
Lots of us are round the 1960 mark
The main hotel
Many then go for a ride-out
Dan – BMW R1200RS
Russ – Honda Africa Twin
You can take the train up there
Stop for roadworks
Fred’s at the front – Tiger Explorer 1200
John K – BMW XR 1000
Tunnels
David – BMW 1200 GSA
Kyle – BMW R 1250 GS
Sue – KTM Duke 890
Andy & Ros – Ducati Multistrada V4
Jen’s view as pillion
Andy & Ros followed by Sue
Great roads
We stop for coffee & cakes
John K’s BMW won’t start…
Fortunately there’s a garage opposite
How many men does it take…
Now three SUZUKI mechanics…
But it’s Luke who saves the day!!
Russ
Kyle
Watch out for speed cameras
48 hairpins on the Stelvio Pass!!
Dan followed by Sue
Andy & Ros
We let riders go past us
Fred
Dan then Andrew
Dan
Great views riding up
Bend 40
We’re going up there
Kyle’s taking photos
And so is Sue
Andy & Ros
Fred, Luke & John G
David
John K
John G was back-marker today
Us!
Us again
Dan
Andrew
Don’t really want to meet a bus!
There are tractors too!
A pillion’s view!
Still more bends to go…
The view from the top
They did it!
Sue with Luke
Kyle, David & Luke
And YES – there are wild marmots!
Lunch at the top
Us
David’s putting our sticker up
Those who did the Stelvio Pass…
But now we’re going To Infinity & Beyond!!
Heading down – Kyle follows us
Kyle then John G
This donkey ain’t moving!
It won’t budge!!
The road is closed so we take the Umbrail Pass
Sue
Kyle & John went ahead
Brilliant roads
Sue’s passed us too!
Russ
Luke
Andy & Ros
Some took the Bernina Express train
Dinner is included again tonight
For more photos please click HERE
Sign up for our Newsletter
