Britain and beyond: Places to stay on bike trip through Europe

This is really just for ourselves in case we do a trip in the same direction again and for others who might do a first trip like we did. I searched for places to stay before we left, but in the end bookings.com worked great for a quick hotel search as they have a description and ratings and we found them to be cheaper than booking directly with the hotels.

Bruges/ Brugge: Hotel Ibis Brugge Centrum, Katelijnestraat

This hotel was right opposite the Novotel which we originally wanted to book but was fully booked on our way there and back. The Ibis was relatively cheap, as were all the places we stayed at, and basic, but perfect if you only needed a place to sleep. Everyday we offloaded at the hotel, changed, walked around and had dinner and came back to the hotel exhausted and ready to go straight to sleep.

Best thing about this hotel: It was right in the centre of the old town of Bruges, perfect for strolling around this beautiful city. AND it has the most comfortable beds and duvets and pillows. It was by far a winner with the beds out of all the hotels. I hate to admit it, but it was even better than our bed at home! Free internet in rooms although they tell you it's only available at the bar. Bikes park for free right in front of the hotel on the square- just drive up over the pavement. There is a public underground car park if you prefer to pay or are traveling by car.

Nürburgring: Sliders Guest House, Dollendorf

We didn't have anything booked ahead for our second night and emailed a few places around the Nürburgring late the previous evening. We couldn't find anything where we could just book online as most hotels have now. Brendan from Sliders Guest House was the only person who actually came back to us and did so right away. (We didn't have a phone with international roaming so was relying on an email reply.) Brendan didn't ask for anything else like card details ahead of time. He was a fantastic host and we would go there again just because of him running the guest house. (And I loved his dog, Daisy :-) She's a great dane. I should have taken a photo of her...) Anyway, the room was very spacious. Bathrooms are shared with the other guests but there were three bathrooms upstairs amongst the 5 bedrooms and never did we have to wait to have a shower or bump into other guests upstairs. Downstairs we enjoyed chatting with the other guests and all ordered pizza in to have together there.. The best part of staying at Sliders is that you can ask Bren to take you out for a lap around the ring.

Free wi-fi, continental breakfast included and optional English breakfast extra. Free parking in garage.

Heidelberg: Schönberger Hof

Again we didn't book anything and didn't even plan to stay in Heidelberg, but we took the backroads that day and just didn't get as far as we planned. Backroads are lovely but take so much longer. Andre now calls me the highway queen. Before all I wanted was to go on the more pretty backroads, but after that long day I would say every morning, "Just highway it all the way!" We stopped at an internet cafe as we actually couldn't find the old town area of Heidelberg so we needed an address to put in the satnav. This hotel room was more spacious than others like the Ibis. Breakfast was included, although only continental, but a nice variety. Wi-fi was an extra €5 for 24hrs. Underground parking for €10 extra. And it was close to the old town as always so we could walk around and explore. We had a fantastic dinner at the Palmbräu.

Eching: We stayed with my mom and Jürgen :-)

Limburg: Arcadia Hotel

This hotel was on the main road which separates the old town from the rest of Limburg, so not exactly the most romantic location but at this price it is still close to the old town- we walked there in 3 minutes. It's literally just across the road. Free wi-fi, breakfast €10 extra, free underground parking, spacious room. Limburg is so beautiful. Do not miss this if you're driving through, it's so worth a stay for at least one night. We chose this as it happened to be exactly half way between Eching in Germany and Bruges where we wanted to spend our last night.

And some more photos which I've not yet posted. Just random ones of the trip.