Krause Travels

When we first started doing long bike trips in Europe, it was 1986. Obviously, there was no Internet, no cell phones, and no GPS. Credit cards were also not as common. So we relied on paper maps, lists of accommodations from tourist bureaus, pay phones, conversations with locals, and traveler’s checks.

Route Planning

Today we scour the Internet for suggested routes and tips from other travelers. We ask questions on Reddit forums about our proposed routes, and we map our plans out in advance using primarily the RideWithGPS website and app. During the early stages we also research the cycle routes in specific countries. For example, for France we use the route planning module from France Vélo Tourisme and when traveling to Germany, we first start with the Radroutenplaner website. Google Maps is also helpful for additional options and to double check routes suggested by the other apps we use.

Lodging

We book all of our lodging in advance. We tend to use Booking.com, WalmartPlusTravel.com (which uses the Expedia platform), and, if we have to because no hotels are available, AirBnb. When we have several options, we use four criteria to make our final choice:

• Bookings must have free refunds, at least within three or four days of the trip.
• The hotel should offer breakfast. Even if there’s an additional charge we’ve always found the convenience to be worth it.
• Guest reviews must be good. On Booking.com for example, we try not to stay anywhere that has a guest rating lower than eight.
• Depending on the town or city where we stop for the night, we stay as close to the town center as possible. In larger cities this is frequently called “Old Town.” Hotels here are a little pricier than in outlying areas, but the location is worth it. We like the quicker access to restaurants and grocery stores, and in many cases, the sights we’re interested in seeing are nearby.

Sightseeing

Bike touring isn’t all about routes and hotels. Sightseeing is the main attraction. In addition to wandering city streets, people watching, and eating, we love doing organized events. We book most of our experiences through the Get Your Guide website and app where you can find guided tours, cooking classes, museum visits, boat rides, and other fun activities . It isn’t the only sightseeing app out there, but we appreciate GYG for three important features: it doesn’t charge booking fees, most reservations can be canceled without penalty, and all of our reservations are in one place. For a month long trip we may have as many as five or six events booked in advance, so the amount saved on fees can be substantial, and the no-penalty cancellation gives us flexibility in case of unforeseen delays while we’re on the road.

Keeping Track

Keeping track of all of these routes, check-in times, and tours can be a little overwhelming since most are booked well in advance of leaving the U.S., so we list everything in a Google spreadsheet we can reference whenever we need to (which is every day).

Money, Phones, Insurance

Money, communication, and emergency cancellations are the top three considerations after all the trip planning. If we’re traveling in a foreign country, knowing how to pay for things and how to stay in touch with home is essential. And the unexpected life emergencies that can happen before departure have taught us that ya gotta have travel insurance. Our recommendations:

Money

• Use a credit card that doesn’t charge a foreign transaction fee. This can save up to three percent on purchases. Some are free while others charge an annual fee. Many options are available, so do your research and apply for one well in advance of your trip.
• Always choose the local currency when using a credit card. In Europe you may be asked if you want the charge to be in your home currency (for us it’s American dollars) or the currency of the country. When you select the local currency, you almost always get a better exchange rate.
• Carry a debit card to get cash from ATMs which are plentiful in many countries, but choose a card that doesn’t charge fees. We have a Schwab debit card specifically for foreign travel. It reimburses for ATM charges and also doesn’t charge a foreign transaction fee. ATM fees can add up even faster than credit card fees, so it’s important to check before you go.
• Always carry a bit of cash of the country you’re in, even if you’re paying for most things with plastic. No need to have thousands in your pocket, but some countries rely on cash more than others, even highly developed ones (looking at you, Germany), so it’s always a good idea to have an emergency cash stash just in case.

Communication

• Consider purchasing a cell phone plan before you travel out of the country. Check with your carrier to see what’s available. Some charge a fee only on days you use data, some have multi-day plans, and some offer unlimited coverage.
• Think about how you plan to communicate while you’re on your trip. In Europe, most hotels and many coffee shops have WiFi, so that may be sufficient (and free). We have chosen an unlimited coverage plan because independent bicycle travel can be more emergency prone, and we travel fairly often. For us, the convenience of knowing we can text and call whenever we want is worth the price.

Insurance

• Buy travel insurance for peace of mind. Because we take trips where at least portions of our expenses are non-refundable, we always buy travel insurance.
• Most companies offer trip-specific or annual plans. In retirement, we travel multiple times a year, so we purchase an annual plan that covers any trips we take during the covered time frame. The internet is full of suggestions, but we happen to use Allianz. So far, we’ve been happy with their prices, their customer service, and their pay outs.