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I have never ridden abroad before – how experienced do I need to be?
How far do we ride each day?
What happens if I break down?
What documentation do I need?
How much cash do I need to take?
Do I have to take the ferry route offered?
The range of my bike is not great, how can I judge when to top-up on fuel?
What about Insurance – do I need a green card?
Once I’ve paid for my holiday, what provision has been made for my financial protection?
What are the Passport and Visa requirements?
What happens if I’m taken ill during the tour?
Do we ride in convoy?
What happens on rest days?
Will my credit card be accepted everywhere?
What is the standard of accommodation?
Is my bike safe?
What happens if I am unable to join the tour and I have to cancel?
I would like to take a particular tour but it’s the wrong time of year for me – what can I do?
Do I need to bring tools etc.?
I have never ridden abroad before – how experienced do I need to be?
Although some tours can be more challenging than others, in our view, the only way to gain experience is to go and do it. Tour members will have varying degrees of ability and experience, but the tour guide is always on hand to give the right level of care and advice. Those who are new to touring abroad sometimes stay with the guide for the first day or so, but the strangeness wears off and they are soon riding as though touring by themselves.
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Distances do vary each day, some days we will cover 300 miles, some days just 150 miles, it all depends on the terrain and how fast or slow-going the roads are between centres. However, there will always be time, if you wish, to take detours to see something that interests you, or time for leisurely lunches and, of course, stops for coffee etc.
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This is always in the back of any riders mind, but we at Freedom Touring like to provide our tour members with complete peace of mind. Although tour members are required to have there own breakdown cover, the support vehicle that accompanies most tours is in contact with the tour guide should its services be required. The support vehicle carries tools, consumable spares and a small amount of fuel. If we cannot get you going again, we will either transport you, your passenger and your bike back to our hotel or onward to a dealership workshop. We will do everything to assist you. The guide will always be contactable (signal permitting) if you are travelling on your own or with another group. If you require insurance click here for a quotation.
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You will need to take your Driving Licence, V5 Logbook, personal and vehicle insurance documentation, green card (Slovenia/Croatia), European medical card (obtainable from the Post Office), breakdown contact numbers, valid Passport and any travellers cheques you wish to take.
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How much cash do I need to take?
It is common, and also very convenient, to purchase fuel and evening meals with plastic, and although most of the regions we tour do take credit/debit cards, it is wise to take a little cash for coffees, lunches and other refreshments. In terms of cash, all countries toured take the ‘Euro’ - it should be noted that although Slovenia and Croatia will often take Euros, they do still have their own currencies. The Czech Republic, although in the EU, mostly take only the Czech ‘Koruna’. Many establishments in Austria still do not accept credit cards so it is wise to check before buying.
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Do I have to take the ferry route offered?
All prices are based on crossings stated within each tour itinerary. However, if you wish to take an earlier or later crossing, or indeed an alternative ferry route, please do not hesitate to let us know and we will make the arrangements for you if you wish - just let us know and we make the necessary adjustments to timetable and cost. This may of course mean either meeting the main touring party later, or leaving the main party earlier (or both).
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The range of my bike is not great, how can I judge when to top-up on fuel?
All tour members are provided with detailed tank-bag notes that include all distances to Filling Stations on the tour route from the start point of each leg. Provided you know your range, you will know exactly which fuel station at which to fill your tank.
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What about Insurance – do I need a green card?
Most insurance policies cover you for travel throughout the EU without need for a green card. However, some insurance companies may still issue a green card for Slovenia and Croatia. Insurance companies require you to tell them of intended destination(s) and duration of stay in all cases – give them a call to be on the safe side. If you require insurance click here for a quotation.
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Once I’ve paid for my holiday, what provision has been made for my financial protection?
In providing consumer protection, and in accordance with The Package Travel, Package Holidays and Package Tours Regulations 1992, all payments made to Freedom Touring Limited are held in trust and cannot be released to us until tour members have returned from their holiday. This provides for your complete financial protection as your money is always there for you to take the holiday or be fully refunded if we are unable to proceed.
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What are the Passport and Visa requirements?
Although many borders have been opened across Europe you will still require your Passport. Hotels in Europe when checking in often require passports to be handed to reception. Due to the relatively short duration of the tour in each country, Visas are not required.
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What happens if I’m taken ill during the tour?
This would all depend on the type and duration of the illness. You should have sufficient insurance cover to have your machine repatriated to the UK should you be unable to ride the machine at all. If is a relatively short illness, say an allergic reaction to something, and you are unable to ride your bike, we are able to carry you, your passenger and your bike to our next destination or until you feel well enough to continue (tours with support vehicle only). If you have to be flown home, we will do as much as possible to keep your bike and equipment safe prior to its repatriation to the UK.
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We do not normally ride in this fashion as most riders tend to have their own pace and style of riding. Often riders of similar style ride together in small groups; some ride alone and do their own thing, and some stay with the guide. It is also quite common for tour members to ride with different groups on different days – probably keeps the conversation fresh at coffee stops etc. It is really your choice, but whatever you decide, the guide will satisfy himself that everyone has returned safely each evening.
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Anything you want…excursions, ride-outs, shopping, swimming, sightseeing or just relaxing in the sun. There is no strict routine or itinerary – this is motorcycle touring at your own pace, in your own style – do what ever you want to do.
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Will my credit card be accepted everywhere?
All major credit and debit cards are taken almost everywhere we go. Visa, Mastercard, Switch, Delta – all accepted. HOWEVER, there are still some Austrian establishments that do not accept credit cards – it is best to check before you purchase anything.
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What is the standard of accommodation?
All accommodation used on our tours are of a high standard and have been personally checked by Freedom Touring. While comfort, cleanliness, friendliness and bike security are high on our list of criteria, we also try to use accommodation that boasts nearby amenities such as restaurants, banks, shops etc. All accommodation will include en-suite facilities and many have English-speaking staff. It should be noted that some areas of eastern Europe are still developing and we sometimes have to accept a relatively lower standard of comfort than in other parts of Europe.
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One of our criteria when selecting accommodation is bike security. We are conscious that your bike is almost as precious as the wife (well in most cases anyway). We therefore use hotels with a secure area for parking where possible. We never use city centre accommodation unless they have a garage as the risk of getting your bike nicked is greatly increased. We recommend that you do take precautions by bringing items such as disc locks, clamps or security chains – if you don’t want to lug these about during the day, you can put them in the support vehicle.
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What happens if I am unable to join the tour and I have to cancel?
This really depends at what point you have to cancel in relation to the departure date. As a rule, the shorter the notice, the more there is to lose. You are able to transfer your holiday to another person if you are unable to join the tour provided you give us sufficient notice – see ‘Cancellations’ for more details in the ‘Terms’ section.
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I would like to take a particular tour but it’s the wrong time of year for me – what can I do?
If you like the look of a particular destination or tour, we can arrange a package for you to enjoy at a different time. These tours will be unguided and without a support vehicle. Costs will vary depending on season and the amount of administration involved in organising your itinerary. These will be subject to availability of hotels and ferry accommodation etc.
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Do I need to bring tools etc.?
Most bikers will tell you that it is prudent to take a basic tool kit – this is up to you. Our support vehicle will carry tools to cover most jobs on a machine. Some consumable spares are carried such as common bulbs, fuses etc. If we can’t sort you out, we’ll get you to a workshop (tours with support vehicle only).
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