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I’m looking for a budget friendly family holiday this summer. We’re thinking of catching a ferry to Amsterdam and driving south through Germany to hit the Alps. Stopping along the way. We’d prefer to hire a villa with a pool (budget might get blown here).
It’s a family holiday, so that takes priority. I’m the only biker. But saying that I need MTB and road bike options - most days hopefully. Any ideas that fit the bill?
I did some nice riding in the Black Forest, near Freiburg.
Another vote for Black forest. We had 2 weeks there last summer stayed just outside a town called Schomberg, and there was some decent road rides and Bad Wildbad bike park is only a few miles away.
Somewhere around Lake Constance? Lindau is on the border to Austria and there are some fantastic road climbs into the mountains. You also have the lake to swim in and there are lots of other stuff to do in the area for the family.
Or some of the other lakes such as Chiemsee or Tegernsee. Bear in mind this is quite an expensive part of the country though.
Though the Black Forest is nice it’s not that different to the Harz mountains or Thuringian Forest IMO which are both lots cheaper and have better access for mountain biking.
Living in Bavaria I personally wouldn't bother for a holiday.
The riding is good if you know where to go. Road biking is pants. No proper climbs.
However, the weather is not that reliable. Facilities for a family/entertainment are a bit thin on the ground and a villa for a week won't be cheap.
Lived in Lindau, too. Definitely not a cheap option. Better riding in the other side of the lake.
I would rather drive a few hours further south and over the main chain of the alps into Italy. Better weather, food, coffee and riding.
I've done the frankische schweiz and fichtelgebirge dozens of times due to family connections.
Local road riding in FS, but no big passes. Much more twisty rolling.
Some mtb uplift in the fichtels, but very limited.
Amazing rock climbing though, if you're into that.
Living in Bavaria I personally wouldn’t bother for a holiday.
The riding is good if you know where to go. Road biking is pants. No proper climbs.
However, the weather is not that reliable. Facilities for a family/entertainment are a bit thin on the ground and a villa for a week won’t be cheap.
Lived in Lindau, too. Definitely not a cheap option. Better riding in the other side of the lake.
I would rather drive a few hours further south and over the main chain of the alps into Italy. Better weather, food, coffee and riding.
Hmmm. Thanks for the honest appraisal. Not sure if Italy is a bit too far south though - considering we're starting off in Aberdeen. How long does it take to get to say Como from the German border?
Best part of 4 hours from Lindau to northern tip of Lago di Como plus the toll for Swiss autobahn.
When I say Italy, I mean South Tyrol. The German speaking bit. 2.5 hours from Munich. But further from Aberdeen.
When I say Italy, I mean South Tyrol. The German speaking bit. 2.5 hours from Munich. But further from Aberdeen.
An extra 2.5hrs won't kill us. My wife is googling it right now. Do you have any specific towns to recommend?
Vinschgau/Reschensee for riding. Trails and road.
Kalternsee.... Smallish lake. Bozen near by (Ötzi the ice man!).
Canazei... Dolomites. Plenty of big riding plus stuff to keep the missus and kids entertained.
Lago di Idro... Not as busy as Garda, but lovely. Fewer Germans, more Italians.