BMW The Ultimate Riding Machine

Easy Rider: Castles & Crusades

• Six days/five nights
• 600 miles
• Ideal first motorcycle tour
• Medieval and Gothic castles
• Sample fine Belgian beers

This gently paced trip, with shorter days in the saddle, is ideal both as an introduction to motorcycle touring and for experienced riders looking for a few relaxed days riding in good company. The appeal of this tour is simple: beautiful riding roads through the Ardennes, spectacular castle destinations and plenty of opportunities to relax and enjoy the famous local Belgian beers. Along the way we visit the Orval Abbey, famous for its cheese-making and brewery. Only beer brewed at an abbey, under the watchful eye of the Cistercian monastic community, can call itself ‘trappiste’. Orval, Chimay, Rochefort, Westvleteren, Westmalle and Achel are famous Belgian Trappiste beers which we’ll have the option of enjoying along the way.

Our first overnight stop in France brings us to one of the real highlights of this tour - the castle and fortified town of Sedan. With ramparts 30 metres high, its walls offer magnificent views over the Meuse Valley. Our hotel is situated within the walls of this beautiful historical monument, with rooms full of character and a restaurant which offers wonderful French cuisine. We will also have the opportunity to explore the incredible gothic Vianden Castle in Luxembourg. Then we ride along the many deserted single-lane highways, deep into the Ardennes forest to Bouillon, a small medieval city which is dominated by the Castle of Godefroid. This relaxed pace tour takes in the best biking roads in the Ardennes and the Meuse Valley

Itinerary

Sedan (France) – Vianden (Luxembourg) – Bouillon (Belgium)

Highlights

Rolling Ardennes landscapes – Citadel of Sedan – Vianden Castle - Medieval Castle of Godfrey of Bouillon, Knight of First Crusade - Abbey d'Oval – Trappiste Beer Tasting – Semois Valley