Euro trip suggestions, start/finish in Rotterdam

[Dibble]

Not me, sadly. I’m still without a bike.

A mate is looking to do a bike trip in June. He plans to go to Rotterdam on the Friday overnight ferry and return Tuesday overnight. He’s after suggestions for a 4 day circular route.

[hiccy18]

I'd be aiming for Colmar for the Vosges mountains and the Ardennes, would make an awesome minibreak. Bit of Black Forest? Don't mind if I do.

[black-k1]

Assuming that purpose of the trip is to ride "nice roads" then realistically, the Ardennes are the only option. The Vosges Mountains and and beyond are the best part of a days ride to get there and the same to get back so half of the trip is on boring main roads just to get there/back.

[GriffoDP]

Agree on Ardennes. Last summer I took a few friends via the Ardennes to Vosges area. We did about 8 or 9 nights. 3 in Luxembourg and 3 in Vosges.

Ardennes would be easier for a short trip. It's got pretty decent roads near the border, bopping back and forth. Could make it a loop going via Luxembourg if the miles/hours-per-day calcs work for them. There's some nice stuff either side of Vianden, and along the border if you pick the not-boring side.

Could then aim for Bouillon and there's a nice wiggly bit going west from there. We stopped there for a rainy lunch, then got trapped in some cafe in the Ardennes region when a thunderstorm and a flying parasol caused some explodey power line things to happen. The French firemen still have shiny bronze hats!

Some YouTube fella did a similar Bouillon route recently but I forget who it was sorry.

But as said, it depends if they are looking for any excuse to ride at a decent pace all day every day, or visit some chateaux, eat some swans, drink some asparagus smoothies.

[RizzoTheRat]

The Ardennes is a good shout, and about 300km from Rotterdam. However you might also want to look at the Rothaar mountains and Sauerland area in Germany, South East of Essen. A similar distance from Rotterdam and some lovely roads.
Random internet link https://www.wunderlich.de/en/good-to-know/wunderli...

Don't forget the speed limit in NL is 100kph until 7pm.

[TiminYorkshire]

I echo the above, Ardennes and perhaps spill over into Germany to the Eifel area and Mosel valley, take in the B258, and swing past the Nurburgring to watch TF or any event whilst eating a curry wurst at Brunnchen.