Automobiles Available for European Tours | Beach's Motorcycle Adventures

The preferred mode of transportation on a Beach's tour will always have two wheels. Since we want everyone to experience the adventure of exploring the Alps, we have partnered with Sixt.com to offer an alternative.

Important Details

Cars must be picked up in Munich, so this will change the itinerary for some tours.

All Munich-based tours have cars available with no changes to itinerary

The drive to Zurich/Baden is 4 hours minimum, so we recommend arriving 1 day early for the Alpine West

The drive to Florence is at least 7 hours on the expressway or 2 days on scenic roads, so we recommend arriving 2 or more days early for the Italian Idyll

The Island Adventure (Florence) usually does not permit cars due to ferry logistics, but contact us if you are interested

The Alpine Adventure East, Adriatic Amble, TT Tarry, Maori Meander, and South African Saunter tours have no availibility for a car.

Automobile photographs stolen with love from Sixt.com or BMW USA.

Class ITMR

Mazda MX-5 or Similar

This is the tiny two seater built for nothing but the enjoyment of driving. For the steep, narrow, twisty, FUN roads that move people through the Alps, the only better machine would have two less wheels. Two doors, two seats, a modest trunk, and a topless ride over magnificent mountains. What better way to enjoy Europe?

Specs and More!

Passengers:	2 Doors / 2 Seats
Transmission:	Manual Transmission
Trunk:	2 Bags
Horse Power:	181 bhp

This class primarily contains the Mazda MX5 Cabrio, a soft-top convertible Miata. The trunk has moderately more room than most convertibles, as the soft top has it's own area and doesn't encroach. The size of this car means that storage otherwise is at a premium.

This car is a perfect match for the tiniest Alpine roads. A manual transmission with plenty of horsepower behind it, a lightweight well-balanced machine to make it up the switchbacks and back down again. The biggest problem is that there is no glove compartment to keep the extra willpower required by a car of this ilk.

Class PTMR

Mercedes-Benz SLC or Similar

This is what everyone thinks of when they imagine driving through the Alps. A true European Roadster. Plenty of engine for all your adventures. The fun and balance of a two seater. Enough room for a little luxury in between all the sporty components.

Specs and More!

Passengers:	2 Doors / 2 Seats
Transmission:	Manual Transmission
Trunk:	2 Bags
Horse Power:	241 bhp

This class includes the Mercedes-Benz SLC and the Audi TT Roadster. Two seats, two doors, respecable trunk space even with the top down. The increased horsepower reined in with a manual transmission means that the heights will be easy enough to handle, and it's not too big to be an issue when the road narrows.

Upgrading to a Roadster means that you can handle the big roads just as easily as the small ones, and have fun through them all. This one is for someone who savors the power and grace of a car made for both.

Class LTAR

BMW 4er Cabrio or Similar

Your run-of-the-mill midsize two door convertible. Not really run of the mill. Some say that compromise means that both sides lose. Not the case here. These vehicles are big enough to be comfortable on a relaxing drive through the countryside, but not so big that they can't hack it on a narrow mountain pass. A hard-top convertible limits trunk space (with the top down), leaving enough room for a purse and small bag. But with the luggage van, that is no worry!

Specs and More!

Passengers:	2 Doors / 4 Seats
Transmission:	Automatic Transmission
Trunk:	2 Bags
Horse Power:	258 bhp

This class includes the BMW 4er Cabrio and the Mercedes-Benz C-Klasse Cabrio. The Automatic transmission means less work for the driver when dealing with the steep parts, as long as the car is switched to a "mountain" gear or "low" when appropriate, so that the brakes aren't burned up.

The hard-top means that the respectably large trunk is gone when the top is down. But, there's always the back seat. And if a surprise snow storm crops up, you'll be nice and warm, with plenty of room for whatever comes up.

Class STMR

BMW 2er Cabrio or similar

If the party contains more than two adults, this is likely the car that would be most comfortable for everyone. A little more comfort, a little less sporty. When talking about driving over a mountain pass, bigger is not always better. While not the largest on our list, it could still present some challenges on the more narrow roads. If you need room to stretch out, though, this would be the class.

Specs and More!

Passengers:	2 Doors / 4 Seats
Transmission:	Manual Transmission
Trunk:	2 Bags
Horse Power:	248 bhp

This class includes the BMW 2er Cabrio and the Audi A3 Cabriolet. These cars have good trunk space, utilizing the space saving soft-tops as opposed to a hard top.

Adults can comfortably ride in the back seat, within reason. And that would be the deciding factor on picking this class. It's got a manual transmission and enough oomph under the hood to make most of us happy, but everything is smaller on a European road. From the lanes to the parking spaces, our big American ways of thinking are bound to break something if we aren't careful.

Class CTMR

Volkswagen Beetle Cabrio or Similar

Driving in the Alps is much different than anywhere else. These roads are narrow, two cars travelling opposite directions may not be able to pass each other, and there may be little to no shoulder to depend on. The steep ascents and descents make specific demands of a driver and a car. Perhaps, then, a compact is ideal; small footprint, light and nimble chassis, still has a backseat for unexpected passengers or packages.

Specs and More!

Passengers:	2 Doors / 4 Seats
Transmission:	Manual Transmission
Trunk:	2 Bags
Horse Power:	174 bhp

Even the gearheads behind Top Gear declared that the best driving road in the world resides in the Alps. Much of the difficulty of Alpine driving may be the ascents and descents. Whether you are travelling upward or downward, the car will be happier in lower gears and higher revs. The manual transmission will come in quite handy, and a lightweight compact cabrio means less for the engine to pull up and less gravity to fight against coming back down.

This class include the VW Beetle Cabrio and MINI Cabrio. The soft top means that most of your (limited) trunk space remains whether the top is down or not, and both have push-button roof operation. The small back seat may keep the riders from begging for a ride if a snowy pass is encountered, which some consider a desirable feature!

Class XTAR

BMW 6er Convertible or Similar

If luxury is demanded, this would be the choice. Yes, they are fun to drive. Yes, there is plenty of room to stretch out. Plenty of power to keep you moving through the Alps without having to worry. The biggest trunk of the lot. Not the best rear-seat leg room, but its got some. This car is the biggest on our list, which is great when on the Autobahn or the DC beltway. (Now is a good time to consider that size...not when rounding a hairpin curve 2100 meters above sea level).

Specs and More!

Passengers:	2 Doors / 4 Seats
Transmission:	Manual Transmission
Trunk:	2 Bags
Horse Power:	315 bhp

This class includes the BMW 6er Convertible and the Mercedes-Benz E-Klasse Cabrio. The best trunk size, which in the Merc is flat and wide, and in the BMW is more boxy. Top up, the trunks are great, but the hard tops do take their toll. The back seat can fit adults, but there is less leg room than many adults would be comfortable with for anything more than a short trip.

There are trade-offs when going for the big luxurious car. Room for all the stuff you want to buy, room to stretch out when the road gets you down. Room for activities. No room to pass the bus that decided to come down the Stelvio the same times as you. And watch those parking spaces, the long nose means it's way too easy to crack up a bumper at the end of the day.

The Sustenpass—just one of Switzerland's magnificient roads