organising a tour

[Pjays666]

Hi, I am intending arranging a tour for me and my better half in April but struggling with logistics and rocketing costs. Are there any sites which are one stop shop for booking ferries, accommodation and trains. My intention is hull to rotterdam. Train to mainz then follow rhine route back to rotterdam. We will book b and b on a nightly basis apart from first night in mainz.

 

[snorri]

There might be, perhaps a travel agent would do it if you have one nearby but there aren't many of them left, but I wouldn't trust an agent to get it right on multi mode trips with bikes. What is the nature of the problem you are experiencing?

 

[Dayvo]

Would the Harwich - Hook of Holland be an easier voyage, apart, maybe from cycling from Burnley to Harwich?

Or maybe fly from Manchester to Bratislava and have more of a meandering trip back to Holland/Eindhoven (if you want to fly back to Manchester).

 

[Pjays666]

Thanks for the replies.

There might be, perhaps a travel agent would do it if you have one nearby but there aren't many of them left, but I wouldn't trust an agent to get it right on multi mode trips with bikes. What is the nature of the problem you are experiencing?

 

[Pjays666]

Thanks for the replies.

Not really experiencing a problem just wondering whether there was anything as I haven't done any touring on my own before as all my trips have been with my local CTC section. I am sure I will get used to the logistics in time but thanks for reply.

 

[Pjays666]

Would the Harwich - Hook of Holland be an easier voyage, apart, maybe from cycling from Burnley to Harwich?

Or maybe fly from Manchester to Bratislava and have more of a meandering trip back to Holland/Eindhoven (if you want to fly back to Manchester).

Hi We were going from Hull as it is only a short drive from here and we can take car and park in long stay car park at docks. We would then go across on ferry and get train to Mainz. My wife has not done any touring before and my aim is to make it as enjoyable for her as possible (she will want to go again). She has a scott e sub sport lady so there won't be any problem with her keeping up, probably the reverse.

 

[Pjays666]

I'd recommend being a bit flexible about booking B&Bs. Don't put pressure on yourselves and book the whole tour. Book the first few and see how you get on. These days, given various apps and booking sites, you'll have no trouble finding suitable places to stay.

Was only going to book accommodation for first night in Mainz and play the rest by ear. My wife hasn't done any touring before so don't want to put any pressure on her and after this trip we will have a better idea of what distances to work on in future

 

[Haitch]

Don't really see the problem. Book a ferry from Hull to Rotterdam, buy a train ticket at the station in Holland (You can't book bikes on international trains over the internet apparently), get off the train in Mainz and go to your hotel. Ride bike and stop each evening at a B&B. Trains can cost anything from 44 euros to 120 per person, one way and you can´t take bikes on some of them. More information is available on +31 30 23 000 23.

ETA:
I cycled the Rhine a couple of years ago. No problem finding somewhere to stay in the evenings apart from in Worms (south of Mainz) due to a conference in the city. German B&Bs are plentiful, clean, comfortable and reasonably priced.

 

[snorri]

Not really experiencing a problem just wondering whether there was anything as I haven't done any touring on my own before as all my trips have been with my local CTC section. I am sure I will get used to the logistics in time but thanks for reply.

Sounds like the pre-tour nerves, this is perfectly normal.
Enjoy!

 

[steveindenmark]

For accomodation we use Airbnb all over Europe.

Once you get going it all falls into place. Just make sure you tell the good lady that you have no idea what you are doing, before you set off.

 

[Brains]

In Germany look for 'Bett und Bike' (B&B!)
Most small villages and all towns along the German rivers have B&B's which are bike friendly

I've done a lot of touring in Germany, the most essential book to get is this one
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Rhein-Radwe...qid=1451725786&sr=8-3&keywords=bikeline+rhein
Not only does it have the best maps, it also list all the accommodation from 5 star hotels to campsites along the route
(It's in German, but for maps and addresses, it makes no difference what the language is)
We have also found most small towns have a staffed tourist office that will find you accommodation, or at least make the call on your behalf.

Ensure your bike is equipped with a bar bag with a map case on top, you will find the BikeLine books fit perfectly
The books also come with a GPX track which can be useful as well

 

[vigomag]

Y0u could have a look at

http://www.vriendenopdefiets.nl/en/

Not used them myself but toying with idea of doing trip to Belgium in May

 

[Yorksman]

Yes, Bett & Bike is a useful site with an english section: http://www.bettundbike.de/en

Also http://www.goeuro.de/ gives rail routes operated by DB and has tickets from Rotterdam to Mainz for 29 euro and also has info for booking accomodation. Click the german flag and you will see a drop down which includes an english language version.

These international rail journeys from DB are priced similar to their state prices but they will have restrictions for bikes on some routes.

 

[mmmmartin]

Y0u could have a look at

http://www.vriendenopdefiets.nl/en/

Not used them myself but toying with idea of doing trip to Belgium in May

used them about 15 times this year, great idea. good way of meeting people who live in the country but do not have tourist-type jobs. also get to see how they organise their houses. very friendly. have been back a few times to some. it's nice to take a bunch of flowers or bottle of wine when you go. flowers in the netherlands are about a third of the price they are in the UK.

 

[totallyfixed]

Yes, Vrienden op de Fiets, we have used them for the last 3 years, wouldn't use anything else now. If you need any tips PM me.