TOURS › TIP TO TOE

Even the cities of Norway are considered beautiful, but they should be. The county is renown for it's love of the natural world. Norway actually covers the same latitude as Alaska - and more, but enjoys a more temperate climate.

The main aim of Norway is north towards Nordkapp - that's right - the most northern point in Europe within the Arctic Circle. The sun never dips below the horizon from mid-may to the end of July - and the weather will be a primary consideration for this star point of our trip.

Sweeping round the northern parts, we drop into Finland - Lapland in particular. This again is a true wilderness and, depending on the time of year, offers chance to view the mysterious and stunning aurora borealis (October to March). In winter, this land is Husky-dogs and sleds - downhill skiing and reindeer races.

Finland is short-lived as we enter Sweden. Meatballs and herring, Vikings and Volvo's and Sven. This country is birth of the Nobel Peace prize which contradicts a history of mead-drinking Vikings. This signals our long journey south through wilderness forests, lakes and rivers, mountains and marshes.

Copenhagen provides a civilised stop in Denmark.

Riding is more relaxed rural countryside with medieval churches and Viking ruins. The furthest we can be from the sea in Denmark is 1hr, so expect coastal routes of white sand beaches.

A more central route takes us direct to Germany and Hamburg in particular. Autobahns provide faster travelling through a country who can boast modern cities, progressive cuisine, gothic churches, forests and of course - the Alps. There's plenty to explore in Germany without straying too far from our sourthernly direction towards Stuttgart, then east towards Munich, Saltzburg and Austria.

The country of Mozart and Strauss offers stone age settlements, picturesque lakes, spar-towns, cities and cider. Yes, Cider.

Alpine valleys and winding countryside roads will makes this a very enjoyable part of the journey.

Austria gives way to Italy, and the last leg of the journey south. The goal is the southern tip of Italy's boot - or the toe as we'll call it..

Warmer climes await as we enter yet another strong and proud culture. Reminents of an imperial past are contrasted by the picture-book landscapes of Tuscany. We take an option of following coastal roads around Italy, of through the centre - dicing with the weaving traffic of Roma and Florence then relaxing in hill-top villages and sampling the local delicacies.

Our most southernly Italian point will be across the sea to Sicily. Relax while you can - it's a long way home.

Back north, we head towards Genoa to enter France - finding the Rhone and a northern route through the middle of the country. It's usually faster riding but again, very different. We head through rural france making a quick dash across Belgium. With the taste of fine chocolates still in our mouths, Holland's Europort is our final destination.