Amalfi Coast and South of Italy

Day 2 – Rome to Sperlonga (247 km / 153 miles)
It’s 9.00 am, Saturday morning, the Romans are still sleeping. This is the perfect time to leave Roma without having to deal with its traffic.

We head east towards Subiaco where we stop to visit the Abbey of Saint Benedict. Back on the bikes we ride the narrow scenic road that brings us to Jenne (passing through many natural tunnels dug into the mountain!), and then to Guarcino, where we stop for our first lunch on the road.

Then, with our batteries re-charged, we are ready… for a great plunge towards the Mediterranean Sea. We reach Sperlonga just in time to admire the sun setting in the sea while we drink our Italian aperitif to celebrate our first great day on the challenging roads of Southern Italy.
Overnight in Sperlonga.

Highlights: Abbey of Saint Benedict, Ciociaria, Sperlonga.

Day 3 – Sperlonga to Ravello (167 km / 104 miles)
We leave Sperlonga heading South towards Pompei where we stop to visit this famous archaeological site. Pompei is one of the most significant proofs of Roman civilization, and, like an open book, provides outstanding information on the art, customs, trades and everyday life of the past.

Back on the bikes we head South again to reach the Costiera Amalfitana.
Our overnight is in beautiful Ravello.

Highlights: Visit of Pompei, Amalfi Coast, Ravello

Day 4 – Amalfi Coast Loop (119 km / 74 miles)
Today we fall in love with the colors and the fragrances of the Costiera Amalfitana. A day of pure pleasure: riding on the dramatic coastline roads, having lunch on a beautiful terrace facing the sea at Marina di Cantone, shopping in beautiful city of Positano, drinking an aperitif while sitting at the table of a characteristic bar, waiting for the sun to set into the sea.

But there is also time to visit the Factory of the Pasta in Gragnano, where they still make Pasta following old traditions… What else?
Overnight is again in Ravello.

Highlights: Factory of Pasta in Gragnano, Marina di Cantone, Amalfi Coast, Positano, Amalfi, Ravello

Day 5 – Ravello – Matera (270 / 168 miles)
We leave Ravello heading south for the last unforgettable ride on the Costiera Amalfitana that brings us to Vietri sul Mare. Time for a coffee and for the last picture of the Coast, and then we are ready to challenge the winding roads of the Parco Nazionale del Cilento.

We enter Basilicata and a special lunch is waiting for us. We stop at Latteria Salvia (Diary Salvia) for a “cheese tasting”. This is a really a rare food experience… You will eat all kinds of cheese that the Salvia family continues to produce using production methods of the old pastoral tradition.

Back on the motorcycles we join the spectacular Strada Statale Appia, which was built by the Romans to arrive at Brindisi, the port from where merchant ships departed to reach Magna Grecia.

Finally we reach Matera, home of the most outstanding, intact example of a Troglodyte (cave dweller) settlement in the Mediterranean region, perfectly adapted to its terrain and ecosystem.
Our overnight is in Matera.

Highlights: Amalfi Coast, Cilento National Park, Cheese Tasting, Matera.

Day 6 – Free day in Matera
There is so much to see and do in Matera, so we chose this as our ‘Free’ day, where you can visit the town on your own. There are lots of historic buildings to visit as well as some wonderful shopping, Italian style!

For those who prefer to ride, we’ve organized an afternoon ride led by Enrico that leaves from and returns to our hotel.

The Town of Matera
Matera counts about 55.000 inhabitants, is located 400 metres above sea level and is 45 km from the seaside. Much appreciated and renowned for its Sassi districts, the town also boasts other charming and beautiful buildings.
You can visit the Dome, built in the 13th century, in Romanesque style, standing impressive on the Civita hill.

The Sassi
The Sassi district is the ancient heart of the city of Matera.
The Sassi surround the Civita and constitute a city unto itself, completely carved out of the face of the calcareous rock -what is known as tufo stone. The Sassi district is a system made of dwellings carved out of the steep slopes of a deep valley with surprising and unusual features called the ‘Gravina’.
Elegant and multi-faceted buildings are interspersed with underground mazes and cave labyrinths, forming one single stunning landscape….
Overnight is again in Matera.

Highlights: Visit of Matera

Day 7 – Matera – Gallipoli (267 km / 166 miles)
We leave Matera and we ride more exciting back roads of Basilicata. We will pass trough the village of Montescaglioso and Bernalda to get to the coast of the Ionan Sea.

Then we enter Puglia, and still travelling on the coastal road, we reach the walled town of Gallipoli.
Our overnight is in Gallipoli.

Highlights: Bernalda, Ionian Coastal Road, Gallipoli.

Day 8 – The booth loop (194 km / 120 miles)
There’s no better day to be on the bikes! From Gallipoli we head towards Santa Maria di Leuca, know as il Tacco d’Italia (the heel of Italy), just one bend and we are on the other side of Italy!

We then head north, following the breathtaking coastline road of Salento to the beautiful city of Lecce, a Baroque masterpiece of Southern Italy. After visiting the city ride towards Gallipoli. A nice glass of wine will be waiting for us!
Overnight is in Gallipoli.

Highlights: Santa Maria di Leuca, Otranto, Salento, Lecce.

Day 9 – Gallipoli to Altamura (227 km / 141 miles)
We leave Gallipoli heading North riding along back roads surrounded by century old olive trees that, with their huge and contorted trunks, seem to remember the faces of wise elders.

After a quick break at Ostuni, we reach Alberobello, a town characterized by its famous dry stone huts with conical roofs, called Trulli. After visiting Alberobello, we ride towards city of Altamura.
Our overnight is in Altamura.

Highlights: Ostuni, Alberobello.

Day 10 – Altamura – Termoli (345 km / 214 miles)
Today is the last day on the coastline roads of Southern Italy, so it has to be a great day! Before reaching the coast we visit the magnificent Castel del Monte, that was built directly on a rocky bank, in some places cropping out, and is famous for its octagonal shape.

Finally, we reach the stunning roads of the Gargano Promontory, with its dramatic cliffs that plunge into the Adriatic Sea. On the way, we pass through the villages of Vieste and Rodi.
Our overnight is in Termoli.

Highlights: Castel del Monte, Gargano Promontory, Vieste.

Day 11 – Termoli – Roma (367 / 228 miles)
We leave Termoli heading west towards Rome. This is the “Italian coast to coast” from East to West, that brings us through 3 spectacular regions: Molise, Abruzzo and Lazio. We ride along beautiful mountains roads, till we reach the village of Anversa Degli Abruzzi.

It is here that we join the highway that brings us back to Roma.

After returning the bikes, we arrive back at the hotel in time to freshen up before our final fabulous dinner together celebrating this wonderful Italian motorcycle experience.
Overnight in Roma.

Highlights: Scanno, Abruzzo National Park, Farewell Dinner.

Day 12- Departure day
Time to say, “Arrivederci” to our new friends, collect the souvenirs and cameras and pack the bags. After breakfast, guests will be transferred to the airport.