Best of Europe

A gentle introduction to Europe by motorcycle, which is harder to design than it sounds. Eight nights from Erding near Munich, crossing Germany, France and Switzerland, with the roads chosen for pleasure rather than for altitude records.

Rothenburg ob der Tauber comes first, reached through the Hallertau hop region and the Altmuhl valley. It is Germany’s best preserved medieval town, walled and almost entirely intact, and it sets the register for the whole trip. Heidelberg follows by way of the winding roads of the Odenwald, and then the route crosses into France for a rest day at Ribeauville, a half-timbered wine village in Alsace.

The second half turns towards the mountains. The Black Forest leads to Schaffhausen in Switzerland and the Rhine Falls, the largest waterfall in Europe, before the final run to Warth on narrow Alpine roads below snow-covered peaks. Castle Linderhof, the smallest and most private of King Ludwig II’s palaces, is also on the route. For riders who want Alpine scenery without a week of 2,000 metre passes, the balance here is well judged.

Edelweiss include a choice of BMW motorcycle, eight nights in comfortable middle-range hotels, a guide for the riding and a tour book covering the route. Flights are separate, and a guided city tour of Munich can be added for 350 euros per person. Prices are quoted per person for 2026, with a single supplement of 65 euros on the Munich add-on. As a first guided tour in Europe, or as a trip where a passenger is as likely to enjoy the days as the rider, this is the one in the range to look at first.