Poets, painters and composers have been inspired by the subtle
beauty of Austria's landscapes from the beautiful blue Danube to
the Salzkammergut.
Somehow, Austria often seems older than the other European
countries. Is it because folklore tells us that, before coming to
rest on Ararat, Noah's ark scraped against the Wedderstein peak in
the Vorarlberg? Austria's heritage and long history make the
country enormously interesting to travelers seeking old-world
charm.
Austria is the most mountainous country in Europe! The high
mountains have a wild, rugged beauty and the lower meadows are
quiet and tranquil. Between the high and the low are roads running
the gamut from tight and twisty to open and sweeping.
Austria is a lovely, relaxed country. The warmth and
hospitality of the Austrian people will leave you with a most
pleasant, lasting impression.
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Tourists have long flocked to the breathtakingly beautiful
resorts along the sunny Adriatic coastline. Adriatic beaches are
legendary for their crystal clear blue waters and copious
sunshine; the coastline is dotted with bays, coves, inlets, steep
cliffs, and more than a thousand offshore islands.
Fishing villages, amphitheaters, palace ruins, lively cafes, and
delightful restaurants are all interspersed. Medieval cobbled
streets, churches, and historic cities convey a timeless heritage.
Croatians are sociable, optimistic, proud of their heritage, and
hospitable to strangers. Croatia offers a new and most delightful
experience.
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Every country has a personality different from its neighbors.
At times the tricolor seems to fly higher and more boldly than any
other country's ensign.
This is the country of haute couture, haute cuisine and haute
monde.
It is the country where wine, food, clothing, perfumes. and
architecture are each raised to the level of an art form. France
was, at various times through the centuries, the cultural leader,
the political leader, the religious leader, the scientific leader,
the linguistic leader, the artistic leader and the social leader
of the world!
We've chosen the Haute Savoie region for our short foray into
France. Lac Annecy, and the city of Annecy, have both history and
character that make them truly delightful.
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Here the beauty of the Bavarian countryside complements the
beauty of the native dress, the orderliness of the farms and the
luxuriant flower gardens. Bavaria is renowned for the friendliness
of the inhabitants, the charm of the small villages, the
excellence of the roads, the centuries of wonderful history and
products of the highest quality.
Beautiful forests, gentle hills, meadows, lakes and rivers,
peculiar rock formations - all these are tied together by ribbons
of well maintained, curving roads that delight the heart of a
motorcyclist. Bavaria is our gateway to the Alps, and a fine
introduction it is!
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According to Mark Twain, God created Italy from plans by
Michelangelo. Few would disagree as there is something almost
divine in the general beauty of the Italian landscape.
The Dolomite mountains are in sharp contrast to other parts of
the Alpine range, as the stark, unforested peaks rear into the sky
and stand as barriers between tiny communes and charming, busy
cities.
Villages have blossomed along the edges of the mountains, while
in the valleys important cities grew where the pass roads met the
ancient trade routes. The passes now host flashy motorcyclists -
this is a rider's nirvana! Italian roads - up and over mountains -
make one wonder about the motivation of the first man who said
"let's build a road...here!"
Italy, and the Italians, present an appearance of relaxation,
gioia di vivere, concern for and delight in good food, plus a
sense of family that extends to cousins and cousins of cousins.
Italy stands by itself as individualistic, fascinating, gracious,
voluble, and charming.
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As you travel from the Confederation of Helvetian States to
Furstentum Liechtenstein, it is probable that you will be totally
unaware of the border crossing which is marked only by a tiny
shield.
Postage stamps and tourism were the life blood of
Liechtenstein, but firms which now manufacture goods ranging from
jam to dentures have added dramatic growth to the income of the
country.
The 61 square miles of Liechtenstein are dotted with farm
houses, discreet factories, hotels and shops. There is a Prince, a
princess and a castle, and blink… you are through Liechtenstein.
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A little corner of Slovenia may make you feel as though time
has been standing still.
Slovenia’s Julian Alps leap from the valleys forming a
formidable natural border. This barrier is punctured by the Vrsic
Saddle at 5,285 feet, the watershed between the Black Sea and the
Adriatic.
The divide in language, in architecture and in history is
sharper between Slovenia and Italy or Austria than any other
countries we visit. Podkoren and other villages along the route
retain their appearance of third-world pre-war countries, in this
tidy, appealing country.
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A land of mountains, glaciers, and lakes, Switzerland is
Europe's second most Alpine country. Valleys and passes deeply
indent these magnificent mountains. Each pass has its own
characteristics, its own special curves and inclines; scenery
peculiar to it, and each offers ever-changing vistas and
challenges to the rider.
Waterfalls, many higher than Niagara Falls, plunge down the
valley walls. In Switzerland the mountains, high meadows, ringing
cow bells and superb roads create memories that never fade.
You can be touched by many different cultures and peoples in
Switzerland. Subtle and sometimes surprising differences, separate
the Italian-speaking canton of Ticino from the French-speaking
canton of Valais, and the Romansch-speaking canton of Grisons from
the German-speaking canton of Zug. Switzerland is truly a
microcosm of Europe just waiting for you to explore its nuances.
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Beach's Motorcycle Adventures, Ltd.
