Toby Ballentine maintains in his Motorcycle Journeys Through Western Europe that you can rent a bike in Europe, put together your own itinerary, and stay relatively inexpensively the European way. From the Renaissance hilltop towns of Tuscany and the Italian Riviera to the Basque country of Spain, to the chateaus on the Loire in France, or to the Black Forest of Germany, you'll discover the real Europe that has existed for centuries.

While most travel guides focus on what to do and where to go in the cities, Motorcycle Journeys Through Western Europe leads you to the small towns and villages connected by interesting backroads through remote, scenic countryside. Each of the rides is based on a cultural or historical theme such as the running of the bulls in Spain, a D-Day tour in France, castles in the Loire River valley, and a Band of Brothers tour from France to Austria. All are illustrated with stunning full-color photographs. Detailed maps and full route descriptions are included as well as practical information on where to rent motorcycles, driving customs, money, camping, inexpensive accommodations, and where to sample regional cuisine.

Motorcycle Journeys Through Western Europe is a must-have book for anyone considering touring Europe by motorcycle. It is the perfect companion volume to John Hermann's popular Motorcycle Journeys Through the Alps and Beyond, 4th Edition.