MC-trip to Europe

Day 1 – From Home to Noresund

The first day of our 2025 Europe trip started from home and ended in Noresund, where we stayed overnight at a cabin belonging to a couple of friends. We rode across Valdresflya, enjoying the mountain views along the way. The total distance for the day was about 500 kilometers.

The weather has been poor at home for most of the summer, but once we passed Dovre, it changed completely. We had sunshine and warm temperatures for the rest of the ride.

Day 2 – From Noresund to Oslo and the Kiel Ferry

We left the cabin in Noresund and rode to Oslo to board the ferry to Kiel. The route was about 100 kilometers. After checking in with a sea of other motorcycles, we looked forward to a short mini-cruise. Taking the ferry saves us two days of riding and gives us one extra day for the rest of the trip.

Day 3 – From Kiel to Kassel

After leaving the ferry in Kiel, we made a short stop at a motorcycle shop in the city before heading south towards Kassel. This was mainly a transport leg, following the autobahn for most of the day. We took a break in Hamburg for a nice lunch by the riverside, which was a welcome highlight. The rest of the ride was long and somewhat tiring, with frequent traffic jams and slow-moving sections, forcing us to weave our way through long lines of cars.

Day 4
We started the day by riding from Kassel to Seeheim, just outside Darmstadt. From there, we followed the scenic Grüne Straße (Green Route) down to Heidelberg, where we took a short ride through the old town along the canal. We stopped for lunch at a cozy local restaurant, enjoying a relaxing break in pleasant surroundings. After lunch, we continued via Strasbourg and entered the Weinstraße, a picturesque wine route passing through several charming towns from Kirchheim to Kaysersberg. We ended the day in Kaysersberg, where we’re spending the night and taking the time to explore this spectacular little town more closely.

Day 5:
We continued from Kaysersberg to Annecy, covering around 450 kilometers. On the way, we stopped in Colmar and took some time to explore the city, especially the stunning old town around the canal. Later, we passed through Geneva and got a glimpse of the beautiful harbor area by Lake Geneva. We ended the day in Annecy, where we stayed right in the heart of the city by the canal.

Day 6:
We rode from Annecy to Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, a long but beautiful journey through changing landscapes. Our first stop was at a viewpoint high above Grenoble, reached by a very steep and narrow mountain road. From the top, we had a fantastic view over the entire city. We found some shade, parked the bikes, and had a simple lunch with what we had packed. The ride continued through valleys and smaller towns, including a stop in Saint-Martin-le-Vinoux. There we enjoyed a quiet lunch break and were surprised by the calm atmosphere and great views toward the surrounding hills. As we got further south, the scenery became warmer and more Mediterranean. Just before reaching Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, we passed fields full of blooming lavender – a beautiful sight with strong, sweet scents in the air. We arrived in the evening and stayed right in the middle of the old village, surrounded by cliffs and narrow streets. It was a special place, and we had a peaceful and memorable evening there.

Day 7 – From Moustiers-Sainte-Marie to Sainte-Maxime

Although the ride from Moustiers-Sainte-Marie to Sainte-Maxime covered only around 190 kilometers, it ended up taking over five hours due to the breathtaking mountain roads we chose to explore. The highlight of the day was the stunning Route des Crêtes, which winds along the edge of the Verdon Gorge – often called the Grand Canyon of Europe. With dramatic cliffs, deep valleys, and panoramic viewpoints at every turn, we took our time to enjoy the scenery and stop for photos. After descending from the mountains, we continued towards the coast and arrived in Sainte-Maxime by late afternoon, ready to soak in the sea breeze after a spectacular day in the highlands.

Day 8 – Rest day in Sainte-Maxime

After arriving in Sainte-Maxime the day before, we took a well-deserved rest day here. We started by cooling off with a swim at the beach when we first got into town, and spent most of the next day enjoying the sun and sea. It was relaxing to just lie on the beach, take a few dips in the water, and wander through the charming streets near the harbor. A slower pace, good weather, and a pleasant seaside atmosphere made this a perfect break in the middle of the trip.

Day 9 – Sainte-Maxime to Menton

Although the route from Sainte-Maxime to Menton was only about 135 kilometers, the ride ended up taking over five hours. We followed the coastal road through the French Riviera, with frequent stops and slow traffic adding to the journey time. We had lunch in Antibes, then continued along the scenic route with a fantastic viewpoint overlooking Cagnes-sur-Mer and the Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat peninsula.

Later, we rode up to Èze and walked through the entire old town, enjoying the narrow stone streets and stunning views. We also made a short stop in Monaco for an ice cream break and a walk along the marina, before continuing the final stretch to Menton.

We arrived in the late afternoon and checked in at the hotel. To end the day, we enjoyed a nice dinner on the seafront promenade, with a view of the Mediterranean as the sun began to set — a perfect ending to a long but beautiful travel day.

Day 10 – Rest day in Menton

We spent the whole day exploring Menton. The morning was dedicated to sightseeing and taking photos of the beautiful architecture in the old town. We walked up to the highest cemetery, where we found the grave of Christian Thams — a man who left his mark both here and back home in Orkanger.

The rest of the day was spent at the beach, with lots of swimming and relaxing in the sun. In the evening, we had dinner in the town center and took some more photos during the twilight hours, capturing the soft evening light over the pastel-colored buildings.

Day 11 – Menton to Bellagio

On day 11, we left Menton and began our journey toward Italy. The route took us along the coast and then inland, crossing the border and heading through northern Italy. We passed through changing landscapes — from coastal views to hilly countryside and finally the mountains around Lake Como.

The ride was long and included stretches of busy roads and winding mountain passes, but the scenery became more and more impressive as we approached our destination. We arrived in Bellagio in the late afternoon. Once there, we checked in and settled into a peaceful atmosphere, surrounded by the calm waters and dramatic hills of Lake Como.

Day 12 – Bellagio to Sirmione

After a peaceful night in Bellagio, we continued our journey toward Sirmione. The route took us through the Lombardy region, with a mix of smaller roads and faster highways as we made our way southeast.

Last year, we rode along the entire shoreline of Lake Garda but didn’t visit the unique town of Sirmione — so this time, we were especially eager to explore it. By early afternoon, we arrived and checked in, then spent the rest of the day discovering the old town. Located at the tip of a narrow peninsula, Sirmione’s historic center is full of charm and absolutely worth a visit. We enjoyed the relaxing lakeside atmosphere and the lively streets of this special place.

Day 13 – Rest day in Sirmione

Day 13 was a much-needed rest day in Sirmione. We spent most of the day on sunbeds by Lake Garda, swimming and simply relaxing in the sun. It was a quiet and peaceful break after several long riding days. When not by the water, we enjoyed the unique atmosphere of the old town — strolling through the narrow streets, taking in the surroundings, and soaking up the summer vibe.

Day 14 – Sirmione to Denkendorf

The day didn’t turn out quite as we had planned. Our original route was meant to take us through the mountain passes in the Dolomites, but due to terrible weather conditions, we had to change our plans. Instead, we rode straight north via Innsbruck — in just 7 degrees Celsius, pouring rain, and strong wind gusts.

It was a tough and cold ride, but we pushed on and covered some extra distance, officially beginning the long transport leg northward. By the time we reached Denkendorf, we were soaked and tired, but also glad to have made progress despite the challenging conditions.

Day 15: Denkendorf to Hamburg

A long transport stage with little variation, mostly spent on highways. It was cold for most of the ride, with temperatures between 11 and 15 degrees, before finally warming up to over 20 near Hamburg.

Day 16: Hamburg to Kiel and the ferry to Oslo

The last day in Germany took us from Hamburg to Kiel in perfect weather. A short autobahn ride, enjoying one final day of the smoother, faster cruising we’re not used to back home. After check-in, we enjoyed a calm and pleasant evening onboard the ferry—well deserved after many days on the road.

Day 17: Oslo to Åsskard

Back on Norwegian roads, we made our way from Oslo to the cabin in Åsskard. The route took us over Dombås and down Romsdalen, with a dinner stop in Bjørnli. We passed through Åndalsnes and Molde, took the ferry to Halsa, rounding off a long but scenic day on the road.

The route