Riding La Dolce Vita: Italy on Two Wheels

Upon your arrival at Milan's Malpensa Airport, our local representative will greet you and hand over your motorcycle (a BMW 1250 GS or similar) once the paperwork is completed. After familiarizing yourself with the vehicle, it's time to hit the road. Head into Milan, explore the city and check out some highlights, including Castello Sforzesco and Milan Cathedral. Alternatively, you can enjoy some time at designer shops or elegant café bars. Milan is a fantastic place to get an idea of the Italian lifestyle.  

• Highlights: Milan Cathedral (Duomo), Navigli District, Castello Sforzesco.
• Food Experience: Visit Trattoria Milanese for authentic risotto alla Milanese.

After breakfast, set out from the city towards Parma. Depending on your route, there are plenty of options for interesting stops along the way, such as Pavia, home to the Renaissance monastery Certosa di Pavia; the ancient city of Piacenza, known for its splendid central Piazza Cavalli and Gothic Palace; or Cremona, renowned for its Stradivarius collection at the Violin Museum and rich violin-making heritage. Upon your arrival in Parma, check in to your hotel and explore the city on foot. Don't miss the chance to enjoy a glass of wine paired with the famous Parma Ham or the renowned Reggiano Parmesan.  (Approx 140kms) 

• Highlights: Certosa di Pavia, Stradivarius Museum in Cremona, Piazza Cavalli in Piacenza.
• Detour Suggestion: Visit Sabbioneta, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Food Experience: Stop at Antica Osteria della Ghiaia in Parma for Parma Ham and Parmesan cheese.

We recommend starting early today, as the journey to Florence offers many opportunities for stops along the way. Consider visiting Modena, the birthplace of supercars where both Ferrari and Lamborghini are manufactured, or stop by Bologna, known for its rich political history and culinary delights. The day's highlight will be your arrival in Florence, which radiates elegance, romance, and culture. Be sure to ride to Piazzale Michelangelo, where you can enjoy a breathtaking view of the city from above. (Approx. 230 km)

• Highlights: Ferrari Museum in Modena, Bologna’s historic centre, Passo della Futa.
• Detour Suggestion: Visit Sant’Agata Bolognese for the Lamborghini Museum.
• Food Experience: Enjoy fresh tortellini at Trattoria Anna Maria in Bologna.

After breakfast, explore Florence before heading south to the charming city of Siena. As you travel, meander through picturesque country lanes lined with tall cypress trees and vibrant emerald fields, passing ancient hilltop towns and vineyards. Along the way, don't miss the opportunity to taste local specialities, such as pecorino di Pienza and Chianina meat.  (Approx. 70 km)

• Highlights: Piazzale Michelangelo in Florence, Greve in Chianti, Castellina in Chianti.
• Detour Suggestion: Explore San Gimignano, known for its medieval towers.
• Food Experience: Dine at Osteria di Passignano, a Michelin-starred restaurant in Chianti.

Siena is famous for its breathtaking medieval architecture and the Palio, a horse race held twice yearly in Piazza del Campo. Spend your morning wandering through the intricate alleys and magnificent piazzas of Siena. We recommend exploring the Chianti region in the afternoon before returning to Siena.  

• Highlights: Piazza del Campo, Siena Cathedral, Chianti countryside.
• Detour Suggestion: Ride to the Abbey of San Galgano, a roofless Gothic abbey.
• Food Experience: Try Pici pasta at Osteria Le Logge in Siena.

After breakfast, continue southeast towards Perugia, exploring the beautiful lakeside towns along Lake Trasimeno, the fourth-largest lake in Italy. Consider making a slight detour to visit the city of Perugia or Assisi, where the Basilica of San Francesco D'Assisi is worth exploring. Afterwards, proceed to the ancient town of San Martino in Campo.  (Approx. 122 km)

• Highlights: Montepulciano’s wine cellars, Cortona’s hilltop views, Lake Trasimeno.
• Detour Suggestion: Visit Isola Maggiore on Lake Trasimeno for a boat ride.
• Food Experience: Sample local wines and cheeses at La Locanda del Molino in Cortona.

After breakfast, head southwest to the Eternal City, Rome! Upon arrival, visit Monte Pincio, which offers panoramic city views, and visit the Gianicolo Gardens. Then, ride through the picturesque streets of Rome, the backdrop for countless films, from "La Dolce Vita" to "La Grande Bellezza."  (approximately 190 km)*

• Highlights: Orvieto Cathedral, Civita Castellana, Monte Pincio in Rome.
• Detour Suggestion: Explore the underground caves of Orvieto.
• Food Experience: Enjoy Roman-style pizza at Pizzeria Emma in Rome.

You have today free to explore the Eternal City, which is rich in ancient monuments, palaces, churches, and an endless array of piazzas and fountains.

• Highlights: Colosseum, Trevi Fountain, Trastevere neighbourhood.
• Detour Suggestion: Visit Testaccio for its authentic Roman food scene.
• Food Experience: Join a cooking class to make cacio e pepe.

Head south towards the beautiful resort town of Sabaudia on the Coast of Ulysses today. This area features nature reserves and long stretches of sandy beaches where you can escape the city lights for the night. You might hike up Mount Circeo or visit the splendid town of Terracina, which has plenty of options along this coastline. (approximately 105 km) 

• Highlights: Sperlonga’s coastal views, Terracina’s ancient ruins, Sabaudia’s beaches.
• Detour Suggestion: Hike Mount Circeo for panoramic views.
• Food Experience: Try fresh seafood at Il Porticciolo in Sperlonga.

Continue your journey south to the bustling port city of Naples. On the way, stop at the historic Montecassino, home to an abbey restored after Allied bombing in WWII, and the nearby war cemeteries. As you ride into the Naples area, visit Vomero for excellent city and bay views. Spend time exploring Naples, known for its passionate people and vibrant food scene.  (approximately 152 km)

• Highlights: Montecassino Abbey, Vomero district in Naples, Bay of Naples views.
• Detour Suggestion: Ride along the Tyrrhenian Sea for coastal vistas.
• Food Experience: Enjoy classic Neapolitan pizza at L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele.

An early start today allows for enchanting views as you ride past Mt. Vesuvius and along the Sorrento and Amalfi coastlines, where colourful houses cling to cliffs. Continue southwest through rural countryside to the ancient town of Matera, famous for its old cave dwellings, known as the 'Sassi di Matera.' Ride through its ancient streets, reliving the landscapes that have provided an evocative backdrop for many films and books. (approximately 274 km)

• Highlights: Amalfi Coast (Positano and Ravello), Mt. Vesuvius views, Sassi di Matera.
• Detour Suggestion: Visit Vietri sul Mare, known for its ceramics.
• Food Experience: Dine at Osteria al Casale in Matera for local Lucanian cuisine.

After exploring Matera in the morning, head east towards Bari. Ride along roads lined with olive groves and orchards, passing through quiet villages as you approach the breezes of the Adriatic coastline. Explore the busy port city of Bari and sample local cuisines such as focaccia and pasticcio!  (approximately 66 km)

• Highlights: Altamura’s historic centre, Gravina in Puglia’s ravine, Bari’s old town.
• Detour Suggestion: Explore Alberobello to see the iconic Trulli houses.
• Food Experience: Sample focaccia at Panificio Fiore in Bari.

Enjoy a day exploring the beautiful Apulian coast and checking out the photogenic Trulli houses, a unique style of construction found in the Itria Valley of Puglia.  

• Highlights: Polignano a Mare, Itria Valley, Castellana Caves.
• Detour Suggestion: Take a cycling tour through the olive groves of Puglia.
• Food Experience: Dine at Grotta Palazzese in Polignano a Mare, set inside a cliffside cave.

It's time to say arrivederci as you head to Bari Airport to drop off your motorcycle.