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I'm getting out of dodge for awhile and just jetting off! No strings attached. Free as can be American BUT I want to experience the European lifestyle. Is it better than the American hustle and bustle? Are people genuinely genuine over there where people can resist the urge to talk shit when your back is turned? Is there a society out there where you can actually be hospitable to one another?
My trip starts off in Munich where I'll be picking up my motorbike then cruise down to Innsbruck Austria. From Innsbruck, cruise down to Italy then to Livgino. From Livgino, head over to Lake Como for a mid week layover for a few days then off to cruise the French and Swiss Alps.
If you had $10k and was traveling to Europe. What would you do? Would you party with that money? Go on a shopping spree? Would you make an investment? What would you do?
LGM
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You’ll never want to come back but also blow through that money faster than you expect if you’re not careful. Definitely go clubbing in Berlin if you like techno, it’s the mecca.
There’s a disco or techno train in some city. Can’t remember which one but it sounds like fun
Never! Then I can't wait! I just hope I can navigate this bike safely
It’s a big area so vibes change. In rural areas there’s a slower pace of life, things are more affordable, and you’re more likely to make real connections with people. Cities are busy and touristy and honestly if I was doing that trip I’d try to avoid the major hotspots (Rome, Naples, Paris etc). People vary massively place to place but you’ll likely find Germans, Austrians and Swiss more reserved than say people from southern Italy. Those places are also more expensive so don’t go crazy in your first few weeks thinking you’re a baller before you reach Switzerland and can’t afford food. I would do some research about your routes. You might end up passing through the alps which could be sketchy for a solo beginner rider.
“ BUT I want to experience the European lifestyle. Is it better than the American hustle and bustle? Are people genuinely genuine over there where people can resist the urge to talk shit when your back is turned? Is there a society out there where you can actually be hospitable to one another?” Keep in mind that as traveler you will be in a bubble and won’t experience the “real” life. But have fun! This will be a great experience. Be careful with the bike. The driving style is very different in different countries.
Thank you. I've made my mistakes when practicing on different type of bikes. I've tried out the Pan America, BMW 1250GS, Tiger 850, multistrada V2S and the KTM 1290. Two the bikes I wanted to rent there (Europe) failed miserably.
People are hospitable but reserved in some of the places you are going. Especially in some of the cities that get massive tourist crowds. These days whenever I leave the US I don’t want to go back, even though of course everywhere has its own problems.
Is there a certain etiquette when traveling through some.of these towns. For example try to speak in the countries native languages?
Have fun. Switzerland and Southern Germany are some of the most beautiful places I've ever seen. If you like beer, you gotta try some Steigl while you're in Austria.
Steigl Noted! Thank you
Can you make me your heir?
Keep in mind that some villages in the Swiss Alps, usually the best ones, are inacessible by cars or motorbikes
You can park your car or bike right outside the town though.
You should walk it
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Dane here. I have been roadtripping solo around the alps several times in my old Alfa Romeo. Your trip sounds amazing! DM me if you want some tips and recommmendations. General advice: Just be humble, laid back and curious. People go about their day and will not notice you. Just flow around and, metaphorically speaking, bump into people softly. Some europeans find americans, especially the loud and tourristy, very obnoxious.
Dane...I'm so glad you chimed in. That's the exact mind set I want for this trip. However, when your unfamiliar with the land, you kinda have to trend with all the rest. I made only two lodging arrangements for this two week trip so far. One in Innsbruck Day 1 and the other in Lake Como day 2 and 3. The rest of the days....you can say I'm just "free falling". Would love to hear more great advice from you. My trip starts in Munich where I'll pick up the bike on the 24th of August. Looking forward. LGM
As a European travelling regularly in the US I am always surprised how friendly Americans outside of big cities are and how willing to chat they are. Being open for a chat is not really known in Europe. I am afraid you might experience Europeans as more reserved. In some countries like France or Germany there might still be a language barrier. Culturally I still prefer Europe though.
Be very careful about speeding in Switzerland - fines are a function of your income not a fixed amount
They technically are in Germany too, but they issue a standard fine based on an assumed income. If you challenge it at court it's recalculated to your actual income.
so here's the deal, I live in Munich and have been motorcycling in the area for about 10 years. I go to Italy every year and Austria several times a month when it's bike season. For Austria and Switzerland you need a Vignette to drive on their motorways. France, Switzerland, and Italy are a toll booth system.
DO NOT exceed the speed limit or break any laws at all in Switzerland. In the recent past, they fined a UK biker 11k euro and banned him from driving for life for passing stopped cars in a tunnel, while other speeders have had their bikes confiscated and sold at auction while also being banned for life. The left lane in Europe is for passing, do not hang out there, especially in Germany, and use your mirrors and turn signals religiously if you don't want to die. Familiarize yourself with all the EU road signs, because most of them are different.
Basically all city centers in those countries are pedestrian only. Don't try to drive into them, especially in Italy, where you'll see ZTL (Zona a Traffico Limitato) signs. These signs mean they'll take a picture of the plates that enter and you'll get several 100 euro in fines.
Don't ever try to pay in dollars, unless you want to be laughed at. You need cash in the German speaking countries (take it out of a local atm with your bank card but NOT Euronet) and rounding up to the nearest 5 or 10 euro is plenty of tip, but you don't have to at all.
if you post your route, I can critique it. I know Austrian, the upper half of Italy, Bavarian, and Croatian motorcycle roads extremely well.
Everything this person said as well as wear proper gear! At least a helmet is compulsory (as are gloves in France). You don't want your trip ruined by a low speed off which takes all the skin off your arm or something.
You don't need the app if you're not speeding. It's also illegal in Switzerland with likely much higher fines.
Vignette Noted and thank you.
Switzerland & Germany biking laws and etiquette. Oh..and I definitley want to live! CHECK!
Pedestrian zones. CHECK
Cash CHECK
Day 1 Munich to Innsbruck planned route: https://maps.app.goo.gl/mFAxJxaR9CcrLy5v7
Day 2 Innsbruck to Livigno planned route: https://maps.app.goo.gl/2xAd2wuiaD2YewPt5
Appreciate the tips.
LGM
Is it better than the American hustle and bustle?
What isn't better than living in the US?
I apologize, looks like you didn't comprehend the question. It's definitely not about disliking living in the USA rather its about busting your butt every day, hours to no end for a declining dollar.
e genuine—it's whether you'll still be asking that question after day three of riding a bike through mountain passes with no experience, so basically my concern is less about the
I’ve travelled by bike from Rotterdam (Netherlands) to Sofia (Bulgaria) in three weeks, crossing Belgium, France, Swiss, Italy, Croatia, Albania and Greece. It really depends what you want to do, but if you’re looking for a social atmosphere you definitely should stay in hostels. Hotels and a bike is gonna be a lonely experience (fine if you’re into that ofcourse). Also I assume you ride a bike at home and are used to long days and or long periods on a bike. I was DONE with my bike after three weeks. Try to avoid highways as this is just not comfortable to ride, this does extend your time on the bike enormously though
e people everywhere and you'll still find plenty of backstabbers, you're just gonna be too busy being lost on some austrian mountain road to notice lol