Stage 1 - Liverpool to Athens

My trip starts on familiar territory in Europe.  Having spent many holidays in France, Spain and Italy, I have chosen a route that takes in a number of other countries which I have not yet visited.  Timing was crucial in the planning of this stage.  If all goes well, I will be in Liege, Belgium to see the start of the 2004 Tour de France, and in Athens to witness the opening events of the Olympic Games in August.  In between, the main highlights will be a 430-mile ride along the River Danube from Passau to Budapest, a visit to the Greek ruins of Delphi, and a taste of eastern Europe, travelling through Romania and Bulgaria.