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1980
Werner Wachter came up with the basic Edelweiss concept while on a
business trip in Las Vegas. He soon quit his job in medical imaging to
develop and test the first Edelweiss tour. His wife Coral hesitated
momentarily, but thankfully decided to be an enthusiastic partner.
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1981
The first Edelweiss tour made its way through the Alps, the French
Riviera, to Florence, and even visited Venice. All five tour members
and guides Ulrike Seibert and Werner Wachter had a great journey.
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1982
It's running better! Edelweiss-Spitze is a must for a Kodak moment.
Numerous tours are added. Coral Wachter drives the support van on this
trip. Even at this early time, the guestsī luggage is waiting in their
next hotel room.
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1983
Africa for the first time! Tunisia is new territory for most motorcyclists. It helps to ride with the Edelweiss crew.
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1984
Viva America! A group of 15 motorcyclists from Germany and Switzerland
ride 4000 miles through the U.S. and Canada. And we miraculously made
it over the Golden Gate Bridge in dense fog without mishap.
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1985
The first Alpine tour in cooperation with MOTORRAD magazine kicks off.
Hotel Hirschen in Bregenzerwald is a treat for everybody. Such
accommodations make it clear that careful hotel selection was an
Edelweiss trademark from the start.
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1986
Israel and the Sinai peninsula made for an interesting tour. Extensive
preparation was necessary to make the border crossing from Egypt to
Israel possible. Freeing the motorcycles from Israeli customs in Tel
Aviv was another story.
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1987
The first Alaska Tour. A small but hearty group was led by tour guide
Buddy Rosenbaum from Vancouver, BC, to Fairbanks. After such a long
trip, returning by ship through the inner passage was a relaxing end to
our journey.
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1988
We broke through the Soviet Unionīs bureaucracy after extensive
negotiations with INTOURIST and other government agencies. Edelweiss
was successful in opening the largest country in the world to
motorcyclists. Wisconsinīs Peter Stone enjoys Glasnost.
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1989
Only in 1988 and 1989 we were able to put together tours in Nepal.
Afterwards it became impossible to import motorcycles from India.
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1990
Australia down under on BMW R 80 motorcycles. Edelweiss takes its
maiden voyage on the fifth continent. Tour guide Geoff Coat leads the
first groups through the outback of his beloved homeland.
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1991
The island classic. Ferries, hotels, tour guides and a support vehicle
were all included in our third outing on the Isle of Man for TT week.
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1992
The first scouting tour through New Zealand left lasting impressions.
This country fascinates with its glaciers, subtropical vegetation and
great motorcycling roads.
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1993
Just before Nelson Mandela took over, Edelweiss did the first scouting
tour of South Africa. It took three years for this tour to be put on
the regular Edelweiss schedule.
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1994
The Alps have long been the most popular destination on Edelweiss
tours. Here are three Americans on Hahntennjoch: What a dream!
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1995
The daily route briefing is an important part of any Edelweiss tour.
Guide Volker Tisken holds court in front of the Luxor Hotel in Las
Vegas on a tour of the Wild West.
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1996
All-new Mexico tours! We mapped out two different routes through
mountains, volcanoes and along the Pacificīs jagged coastline. Our BMW
motorcycles love the countless switchbacks.
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1997
America coast to coast. Miami to Los Angeles. Europeans love the
wide-open spaces and the legendary Edelweiss picnics. Tour guide Oliver
Kraft is a genuine meat and potatoes specialist.
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1998
On every Edelweiss tour, picnics unite the troops at lunch time, even
on the treacherous Isle of Man race course. Obviously, these tour
guides like their turkey breast Hawaiian style.
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1999
Quality is the keyword on all Edelweiss tours. The Andalucian region of
Spain was a big hit. The hotels are state-run paradores; the
motorcycles are BMWs new R 1100 RT, R 1100 S and K 1200 LT.
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2000
Bike-friendly Italy is a motorcycle touring paradise. South of Florence
lies Tuscany, a region of flowing landscapes, ancient towns and
picturesque vineyards in perfect harmony. Our BELLA ITALIA tour
traverses all of this terrain and more.
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2001
A new kind of motorcycle touring is born. Comfortable daily routes that
start and end at the same dreamy location in the midst of the Alps, at
the base of the regions greatest passes. Comfortable enough to bring
the entire family.
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2002
An incredible experience is the new tour through Oman, the easternmost
country on the Arab Peninsula. Mountains, desert and the ocean make for
a unique touring experience. This tour moves on paved roads and
sometimes on unpaved surfaces. Adventure guaranteed!
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2003
To ride or not to ride, that is the question!
At our new Dolomites Touring Center you can choose to ride every day on
different spectacular roads returning to the same alpine hotel
unhindered by luggage or decide to take a day off to kick back by the
pool with your family.
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2004
8 new destinations are part of our touring program for 2004. They reach
from the very north of Europe to the Pacific Coast of California and
South Africa!
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2005
Edelweiss celebrates its 25th birthday. More than 20,000 motorcyclists
from all over the world have been touring with us in the last 25 years!
In 2005 we are offering 40 different tour destinations on five
continents!
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2006
Edelweiss discovers the tibetan mountain range and is looking for Shangri-La! Finally we found it...
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2007
We are still fascinated of Asia:
Japan is our next target! In October 2007 we are scouting Japan with 20 fellow Edelweiss riders!
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