Intended as a real pleasure tour for real moto-tourists, this tour covers the whole Tuscan region. A special highlight is given to gastronomy with the possibility to choose every two evenings the little restaurant where to have dinner, for a taste of the most authentic Italian cuisine in often very impressive and romantic settings.
The tour in this marvelous area will take you through a selection of outstanding sights, hand-picked from the panoply of spectacular places it contains. The ride will be exciting because the route is designed around the turns, the surface, and the view offered by the individual roads.
The emphasis is on discovery with many visits on foot, and the dolce vita, dedicating special attention to food and wine, with various opportunities to follow your nose and treat yourself to Tuscany’s excellent culinary repertoire. Another special feature is the accommodation in charming historic buildings that can be found only in Italy.
Day 1: Arrival in Rome
In the afternoon, you will muster at your hotel in Rome and go together to pick up the rental bikes. You will all meet up before dinner for a short but important briefing where a few simple rules for organizing and synchronizing things will be explained. The briefing is aimed to ensure that everyone has a safe holiday that is unforgettable for all the right reasons. Afterward, you will start forging some group spirit over a classic Italian pre-dinner, aperitif.
Day 2: From Rome to Montepulciano (220 kilometers / 137 miles)
The tour will begin with a beautiful ride beside Lake Bracciano and a look around the dying town of Civita di Bagnoregio. Afterward, you will venture into the classic Tuscan landscapes of Val d’Orcia which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Lunch in a traditional restaurant will be included and you will be free to choose your own eatery in the gorgeous medieval town of Montepulciano where you will stay overnight.
Day 3: From Montepulciano to Florence (160 kilometers / 99 miles)
Today will be a real classic, with a ride among the famous vineyards and medieval hill towns that define Tuscany’s character. You will roam through the beautiful Val d’Orcia and Chianti hills. Afterward, you will stop to explore two absolute gems which are UNESCO World Heritage sites in this breathtaking area, the magnificent Siena and the pocket-sized masterpiece Pienza. The day will conclude in the most sumptuous and romantic of all Italian cities, Florence.
Time is a relative concept here, where every nook and byway will take you back to the court of the Medici, with the Italian Renaissance in its glorious pomp. Additionally, you will spend two nights here.
Day 4: Florence (240 kilometers / 149 miles)
A great ride awaits through the Apennine Mountains of Tuscany and Emilia-Romagna. The motorcycling feast is topped off by two especially evocative visits to two spiritual havens nestling in the ancient forest. The first one is a monastery where Saint Francis spent most of his life, while the second one is Camaldoli Hermitage where the tranquil atmosphere is the balm for the soul. Then, to restore your equilibrium with some bodily sustenance, you will continue to a hearty mountaineers’ lunch of game and mushrooms. Back at the base, you are free to find your own place for dinner in Florence.
Day 5: From Florence to Volterra (200 kilometers / 124 miles)
There will be two more UNESCO World Heritage sites on the menu today. First is the beautiful medieval town of Lucca, with its magnificent Renaissance heritage, notably the fully intact city walls. Then, you will be heading to Pisa to visit Piazza dei Miracoli and the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa, not forgetting the cathedral, baptistery, and the monumental cemetery. To conclude the day, you will chug into the timeless medieval gem that is Volterra, your billet for the night.
Day 6: From Volterra to Pitigliano (220 kilometers / 137 miles)
Tuscany’s coast is as lovely as its mountains, so it would be a shame not to have a day by the sea. So today, you will be exploring the southwest of the region, starting with the impressive abbey ruins of San Galgano and a selection of the pretty villages freckling the fine landscape. A traditional Tuscan lunch is included and you are free to choose your own restaurant in the magical atmosphere of Pitigliano for dinner.
Day 7: From Pitigliano to Rome (230 kilometers / 143 miles)
Today will be the last day of your tour and it will be packed with great biking and fascinating sights. Today’s journey will include an important UNESCO-listed Etruscan necropolis and the fairy-tale cliff-top village of Pitigliano which amidst an endless supply of hills, bends, and stunning scenery. The route will be a delight for the eyes and a thrill for the spirit. It will lead you back where you began the tour, to your hotel in Rome.
After returning the hire bikes, you will round off your adventure together with a worthy farewell evening meal.
Day 8: Rome
You will say goodbye after breakfast and be free to go home or explore further the magic of Italy on your own.
Notes
- Vast choices of motorbikes for hire from BMW, Ducati, Kawasaki, Guzzi, Harley-Davidson, MV Agusta, and scooters are available on request, starting from 295 EUR and 0,2 EUR per kilometer for 6 days on a Kawasaki Z650 with the top case, including two side cases, third liability insurance, and transfer services from the hotel to the rental point.
- To hire a bike, you shall hold a valid driver’s license for the rented vehicle (usually old type A or new type A3) and be at least 21 years old (25 for some models).
- Riders from non-Schengen countries are usually not allowed to have a tour in Italy with their national driver’s license and therefore, need to have an International Driver’s Licence issued by the local authorities.
- The maximum bike of the tour is 12 per team or 24 persons while the minimum bikes is 3.
Skill level required for this tour:
Intermediate
- Can ride for 3-4 hours
- Average riding experience
- Little assistance required
- Comfortable with extreme curves and leans
- Average experience with unsurfaced roads
- Steep ascents and descents
Included staff:
To ensure the utmost attention to each traveler, as well as the safety of the group, the tour is fully escorted. So all tours are captained by an Italian tour leader on his own motorcycle who will not only lead up the way but also introduce travelers to the Italian way of life, culture, customs, history, food, wine, and la dolce vita.
Specifically, the personnel traveling with the group is:
- For 1 to 4 bikes, the tour leader on his own motorcycle, opening the motorcycle line
- For 5 to 6 bikes, the tour leader on his own motorcycle, opening the motorcycle line. There will also be a luggage van with chauffeur
- For 7 to 12 bikes, the tour leader on his own motorcycle, opening the motorcycle line. There will also be a rearguard steward on his own motorcycle, bringing up the rear, and a luggage van with a chauffeur.
