From Rome for 12 days

 

So we have Tuscany, a nice slice of Emilia-Romagna, Umbria and the Republic of San Marino and a hint of Le Marche and Latium: the roads that have inspired our big champions and the Italian legendary culture of motors … enthralling sceneries dotted with medieval hamlets and castles and Apennine passes. Plus a rhapsodising visit of the Ferrari realm Maranello, a drink in Valentino’s bar and the opportunity to attend a thrilling motorbike race. These are the major features of this fascinating tour. Dedicated to lovers of rumbling motors with a red-coloured bodywork and to motorcycle race fans, this tour is focused on the roads that have been the playground of Italy’s biggest champions like Valentino Rossi, Marco Simoncelli, Andrea Dovizioso, Alex De Angelis, 

 

Amid mountains, gorges and rolling hills, past woods and lakes, skirting rivers, vineyards, and olive groves, we’ll spend 10 days winding from one fabulous spot to another, including the unique experience of visiting the Ferrari museum in Maranello, a town fully soaked with the soul and spirit of the mythical brand, and an amazing motorcycle museum near Misano. And a sort of pilgrimage to the hometowns of Valentino and the late Marco with the possibility of buying some gadgets in their original stores, and have a coffee with their friends in their favourite bars.  In both editions the opportunity to attend an important racing event on the rest day: the Italy MotoGP on the Mugello track in May/June or the San Marino MotoGP on the Misano track in September.

 

 

• Inclusive of beautiful 4-star accommodation and one super meal per day.

• 13 Unesco world heritage sites on our itinerary: Assisi, Florence, Modena, Pisa, Pienza, Rome, San Gimignano, San Marino, Siena, Spoleto, Urbino,Val d’Orcia, Villa d’Este (Tivoli).

 

A well-balanced tour between a great ride on the enthralling winding Apennine roads and a fascinating touristic itinerary dotted with enchanting places worth the visit… with a juicy cherry on the cake: special attention for the Italian world of motors and motorcycle racing!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We meet in the afternoon:

Day 1: Meeting in Rome (Roma)in our hotel in Rome and go together to pick up the rental bikes. We all meet up before dinner for a short but important briefing, the time to explain a few simple rules for organizing and synchronizing things, thus ensuring that everyone has a safe holiday that is unforgettable for all the right reasons. Then we’ll break the ice and start forging some group spirit over a classic Italian pre-dinner aperitivo. Overnight in a 4-star hotel in Rome. Included meals: D.

 

Day 2: 220 km We start our tour heading to Tuscany with a beautiful stretch along Lake Bracciano and the visit of a beautiful dying city before arriving in the enchanting wine countryside Val d'Orcia (Unesco World Heritage) and its delightful villages and reach one of the most enchanting ever, the wine capital of Montepulciano, for our night stop-over. We have lunch in a typical Tuscan trattoria but you can choose your own restaurant for dinner. Overnight in a 4-star hotel in the Val d'Orcia. Included meals: B, L.

 

Day 3: 140 km Today's tour is entirely set in the amazing Val d'Orcia and Val d'Elsa in Tuscany. An enchanting route amid hills and vineyards with lots of the most interesting places to see such as the amazing city of Siena where we'll make a long stop during lunchtime in order to let you visit its magnificent cathedral and renaissance palaces. Many medieval villages are also ours to see, exactly as you expect in this extraordinary postcard scenery. Splendid, medieval town Volterra is our final destination. Overnight in 4-star hotel in Volterra. Included meals: B, D.

Day 4: 140 km  Marvellous day tour amid the enchanting scenery of vineyards and medieval hamlets that is the symbol par excellence of Tuscany. Gliding through the verdant, gently rolling Tuscan Val d’Orcia and Chianti(shire) countryside, we go and visit two world-famous pearls, both Unesco World Heritage sites: the enthralling little town of San Gimignano before reaching Florence (Firenze) where we’ll spend two nights. Both lunch and dinner are included today. Overnight in a 4-star hotel in Florence. Included meals: B, L, D.

 

Day 5: 0 – 240 km September: a great ride on the Tuscan-Emilian Apennine mountains awaits today together with the visit of two very spiritual places hidden in the green of these centenarian forests: a monastery where St Francis spent many years of his life and May/June: today is the Italy MotoGP day on the Mugello track and all those who want, will have the possibility to attend this fantastic event (extra). Alternatively, day off in Florence for visits and shopping. a hermitage, both permeated with a peaceful atmosphere that will fill your spirit. Overnight in a 4-star hotel in Florence. Included meals: B. No main meal is included so that you are completely free on this rest day.

 

Day 6: 140 km Two further Unesco World Heritage sites are on our programme today. First stop today: Leonardo’s birth town Vinci, then Pisa, with its magnificent Renaissance testimonies. After a visit of Piazza Dei Miracoli and the famous Leaning Tower, we skip back into the Middle-Ages to another magnificent town: Lucca. Overnight in a 4-star hotel in Lucca. Included meals: B, D.

 

Day 7: 185 km  It’s time for a change of scenery, a day dedicated to Italy’s best as regards motors. We cross the Apennines on a pass amongst the most beloved path by bikers and drop into Emilia-Romagna heading for the Ferrari hometown Maranello before reaching Modena (Unesco World Heritage Site).  Choice of possible (optional) activities in Maranello amongst which, a visit of the factory and museum. After the rumbling of powerful engines, some music and the unique voice of Luciano Pavarotti will delight our ears in his museum-house, and/or what about ravishing our taste buds with a visit to the oldest balsamic vinegar factory in the world? Going out for dinner will be the right opportunity for a stroll in the enchanting historical centre of Modena.  Overnight in a 4-star hotel in Modena. Included meals: B, D.

 

Day 8: 260 km  Straight roads will be totally banned – we’re bikers, aren’t we? We reach the sea resort, Cattolica on the Adriatic via the Apennine mountains, treating ourselves to lots of great bends amidst verdant forests. We have chosen our comfortable 3-star hotel for the next 2 nights for it is the right place to meet famous (Italian) people in the environment of motorcycle racing. Both lunch and dinner are included today.  Overnight in a 3-star hotel in Cattolica. Included meals: B, L, D.

 

Day 9: 0 – 180 km May/June: a light programme in Romagna awaits after yesterday’s heavy duty, taking in two of the most interesting medieval castles of the Malatesta family: the fort that imprisoned the Count of Cagliostro (a famous alchemist, born Giuseppe Balsamo, whose story has been dramatised in several adventure movies) and the little fortified town of Gradara, the setting for the classic love story between Paolo and Francesca immortalized in Canto 5 of Dante’s Inferno, part of the great poet’s epic Divine Comedy.  Great happy ending of the day, the visit of the most interesting motorcycle museum in Italy.  September: today is the San Marino MotoGP day on the Misano track and all those who want have the option of attending this fantastic event. As an alternative, day off in Cattolica/Riccione with lots of possible activities: beach, shopping, thermal baths. Or just a short ride to see the Republic of San Marino.

 

This is also the right day for a visit to Tavullia (Valentino Rossi’s hometown) and Coriano (where Marco Simoncelli came from).
Overnight in a 3-star hotel in Cattolica. Included meals: B. No main meal is included to leave you completely free on this rest day.

 

Day 10: 230 km  We start our way back to Rome along a route sprinkled with architectural jewels. We cross Le Marche, where we’ll visit the fine town of Urbino (Unesco world heritage site) before entering Umbria where we’ll stop in 3 beautiful and unique places: Assisi, Gubbio and our final destination Spoleto. In a word, a feast for the eyes the whole day! We’ll have a typical Umbrian lunch in a nice trattoria on the way while you are free to dine where you fancy in amazing Spoleto. Overnight in a 4-star hotel in Spoleto. Included meals: B, L.

 

Day 11: 200 km More of magnificent Umbrian sites are ours to see during our last day in the saddle. We return to Latium and the capital city. For one last UNESCO World Heritage treat, we visit the beautiful Renaissance Villa d’Este before winding our way back to the hotel in Rome where our odyssey began and taking the hire bikes back. A lavish lunch in the capital provides a fitting end to our adventure together. Overnight in a 4-star hotel in Rome. Included meals: B, D.

 

Day 12: Farewells in Rome We say our goodbyes after breakfast, leaving you free to go home or explore further the magic of Italy on your own. Included meals: B.

 

 

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