Following in the footsteps of such legends as Thomas Cook and William Beckford Ryan and I will continue a noble British tradition and on the 12th of April will embark on our Grand Tour of Europe.
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Starting with 24 hour ferry from Portsmouth to Santander in we will follow the north coast of Spain, past some of Gaudi's early works, and Giant Dinosaur footprints to the final resting place of St. James, Santiago de Compostela. Following the Christian pilgrimage in reverse through the red rocks of north Spain past some more of Gaudi finally ending up in the Pyrenees. South from here we hit Barcelona and hug the south coast of France until we reach Nice where we will ride on the Route Des Grandes Alps. A 684km road through the Alps which covers all of the great climbs that feature in the tour.
From here into the non-stop down hill country bliss that is Switzerland ( how'd they do that ). Passing through Lichtenstein, into Austria and over the Alps again into northern Italy cruising through Verona, Venice and onwards through Slovenia. Down the Croatian coast past Bosnia, Montenegro, Albania and into Greece stopping to see all the treasures in Athens. Onwards through southern Serbia and Bulgaria to Istanbul. Cruise the coast of the Black Sea until we are level with the Romanian Alps through bear country into northern Serbia. A week stop off at Budapest and then follow the EuroVelo 6 along the Danube through Bratislava, Vienna and into Southern Germany aiming for Regensburg to catch Ross run/swim/cycle his Ironman. Head straight for Berlin to visit some old friends and home through northern Germany, Holland and Belgium for a warm cup of Cocoa :)
