I could go with Bouillon, which is only 200 miles from Calais by the way - so no need for an early start at the Tunnel. And from there to the Rhine and back is about 350 miles - 400 going the pretty way.
Which would definitely suit me as I will be working in London on the Thursday so won't be able to leave home in Exeter till late Thursday night or early Friday morning with a 4-5 hour trip to get to Folkestone.
We would need to be riding out of Calais at 2pm (= 1pm UK time), so could plan & book to be on a train rolling at 12 noon. Does that sound realistic?
Sounds perfect. You can take the ferry if you like but we'll all be taking the Eurotunnel ;-) I can collect you en-route
Right .... enough dithering. I think we have enough of a majority saying Aye so I'll contact the hotel to check parking etc. The on-line details say free parking nearby and €13 per day for secure parking, but I will see if I can negotiate that down for motorcycles. Watch this space.
I've just spoken to Hilda at the hotel. Secure parking is €13 per day for one parking space with four motorcycles - thats £11.50 based on current exchange rate. She said that the websites like Booking.com or Expedia prices don't include taxes - VAT at 6% and local tax of €2.50 per person per night. She has offered a discounted rate including taxes if we book direct with her of €95 (£84 based on current exchange rate) per night for two people in a standard twin room including breakfast. The cancellation terms are day of arrival or no-show: 100 % 7-1 day before arrival: 50 % 13-8 days before arrival: 20 % 14 or more days before arrival : 0% The cancellation terms on booking.com and expedia are more favourable - free 100% refund up to the day before. Also the Booking.com and Expedia websites both SAY that their prices include these taxes and you could prove this by printing out the bill or a screen shot. I put this to Hilda and she said - "They are wrong. If you book online then you will have to pay these extra charges at the hotel." What do I think? Well I'd rather avoid having to argue at the hotel or afterwards with Booking.com or Expedia, plus I reckon the £ is likely to go down in value between now and mid April. I'd also like to have breakfast, and the deal offered by Hilda for a direct booking including breakfast is a bit cheaper than the Booking.com and Expedia prices even if they DO include taxes and exchange rates remain favourable (and a lot cheaper if they DON'T) .... so I'm inclined to book directly now and pay it all up-front. @bradders ... do you want to share and go halves on this?
This is piquing my interest The trip, not sharing rooms I hasten to add... though not averse to doing that
1 location .... "great roads on the door step" and I can't be arsed with organising multiple hotels, packing, unpacking.
I’m in crack on afaic When I checked tunnel, it was about £75 last week. That will increase quite quickly over the next month or so.
Gents, What time do you estimate eta in Bouillon on the 19th? I’ll be riding down from Düsseldorf and will meet yer there
Ok I’ll book the room and one parking space. The next pair to book a room can share the space with us. I’ll leave everyone else to pair up for sharing and book your own rooms. The phone number for the hotel is +32 61 46 51 51 - ask for the price quoted by Hilda as mentioned above. Alternatively you can book via Booking.com or Expedia here http://www.booking.com/Share-YdtPlp https://www.expedia.co.uk/Bouillon-...elais-Napoleon-III.h2179213.Hotel-Information Tunnel out will be 1200 as @Pete1950 suggested. I’ll take a look at what time I need to get back on the return and then we can finalise those arrangements as well
