By Steve Wright
So three years ago, a motley pair were en-route from completing a Paris to Munich ride, to the start of an Alpine trek from the Col de la Bonnette to Nice through the Alpes Maritimes. Purely by chance we opted for the Brenner Pass, and then into the Adige Valley. Initially it was the most direct over the Alps that encouraged us through this conduit. Soon however, the eye wanders across the wider area on the page of the map. I hadn’t realised the promximity of Lake Garda …

By Rupert Parker
Cologne is just an hour’s flying time from London’s Stansted and the town centre’s a short 15 minute train ride from the airport. The big attraction is the Cathedral but there are also 12 Romanesque churches, 40 museums and 120 art galleries. And at every stage you can fortify yourself with a glass of the famous top-fermented Kölsch beer in one of the city’s 3000 restaurants and pubs
Hotel Excelsior Ernst
Flights with German Wings are cheap so you can afford to splurge on your accommodation.  I stayed at the …