Welcome riders!
The Ducati Riding Experience is at Mugello World MotoGp Circuit.
This tour is a long anticipated creation by Enrico Grassi the founder of “Hear the Road” and Cat MacLeod founder of “Leod Escapes”. It caters to track rider who wants the best curvy roads and the most authentic experience.
It’s a 11 days / 10 nights tour which include 1 day track time at the Mugello World MotoGP Circuit where you can join Ducati Riding Experience to improve your track experience under the expert guidance of Ducati instructors.
Arrive in Florence and get your touring motorcycle. Then warm up your tires and heart in the hills and valleys of Tuscany. Then jump on a ferry and fand challenge the dramatic roads of Corsica between the mountain and the sea. Then ferry again to Sardinia and ride the beautiful twists above the sea. You ferry back Italy to Civitavecchia and twist through Tuscan wine country to Mugello.
Then join Ducati Riding Experience for 1 day track time where instructors help you get the most out of a V2 or V4S Panigale! …
WOW!!! This tour takes your breath away. It’s pure adrenaline for enthusiast riders with a big heart and a smooth right hands
Authentic 3 or 4 star hotels, amazing food and local expertise complete the tour.
This fabulous tour starts and ends in the beautiful city of Florence.
Roads
Landscape
Art / History
Food / Wine
Choose your Motorcycle
THE DUCATI RIDING EXPERIENCE
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- On this tour you take part in the Ducati Riding Experience at Mugello World Circuit. How else could we get something as pure Italian as riding a Panigale on an Italian MotoGP track. It’s more than that. Ducati brings out celebrity riders. It’s kind of cool to get passed by Marco Melandri or to have Andrew Pitt give you tips on your braking technique. The whole event is very polished, very organized, very well photographed and very Ducati.
Click here to see what you are going to do!
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Where We Ride – What We See – What We Hear
DAY 1:
“WELCOME TO FLORENCE!”
A private car will transfer you from the airport to the hotel. Here you will find Enrico and Cat, waiting for you to give you a warm Italian welcome.
Late morning/early afternoon arrival is recommended.
Check in and take a refreshing shower, then convene in the bar of the hotel where you can meet the crew and your fellow riders. From there we’ll all go to the fleet garage and pick up our selected bikes and ride them back to the hotel. Enrico and Cat will give you a general briefing of the tour and answer any of your questions.
Then we all go together for our first taste of true Italian cuisine. Over bottles of local Tuscan wine you’ll learn more about what to expect and the riders who will be enjoying it with you.
OVERNIGHT IS IN FLORENCE, ITALY.
HIGHLIGHTS: Meet your motorcycle, Meet your guides, Meet your fellow riders, Welcome Dinner.
DAY 2: FLORENCE TO LIVORNO (232 km / 144 miles)
Forget all the pictures and tacky art you’ve seen that is supposed to be “Tuscany”, you’re about to ride through it and see in in person.
We head south towards the Chianti Region riding on roads that are a paradise for motorcyclists: wide bends, scenic stretches, miles of vineyards, and dozens of stately villas.
We ride like Italians, so we must stop late in the morning for an Espresso. After a bracing coffee at Greve in Chianti we challenge the sweeping road towards Volterra. This charming town is Etruscan, older than Rome, and the epitome of what a Tuscan hill town should be.
Then we take you off beaten path to the Colline Metallifere, a little-known but enchanting part of Tuscany. As we approach our afternoon stop of Bolgheri we’ll ride along a 5km stretch of iconic ancient cypress trees.
OVERNIGHT IS IN THE COASTAL TOWN OF LIVORNO, ITALY.
HIGHLIGHTS: Chianti Region, Volterra, Colline Metallifere, Bolgheri.
DAY 3: FERRY LIVORNO TO BASTIA > BASTIA TO FERAYOLA (206 km / 128 miles)
Early in the morning we board the ferry to enjoy a vista filled 4 hour crossing to Bastia, on the north east coast of Corsica.
We head north and follow the coastline around “the thumb” of Corsica before heading south towards Ferayola. Today’s riding is unforgettable. It’s a mix of coastline roads with dramatic cliffs, empty coastal wilderness like the Desert des Agriates, and twisty mountain roads.
OVERNIGHT IS OFF THE BEATEN PATH IN FERAYOLA, CORSICA – FRANCE.
HIGHLIGHTS: Dramatic coastline roads, Nonza, Desert des Agriates.
DAY 4: FERAYOLA TO BONIFACIO > FERRY BONIFACIO TO SANTA TERESA DI GALLURA (258 Km / 160 miles)
Here’s where things start getting surreal as the scenes that meet your eyes are too idyllic.
The coastline road from Ferayola to Cargese is impossible to describe: the narrow challenging roads, the spectacular landscapes with the mountains reflected into the sea.
From Les Calanche to Cargese to Bonifacio the scenery is simply stunning and has to be experienced to be understood.
We take the short ferry ride to Santa Teresa di Gallura on the Italian island of Sardinia, ending another day of fabulous riding.
OVERNIGHT IN SANTA TERESA DI GALLURA, SARDINIA – ITALY.
HIGHLIGHTS: Dramatic coastline roads, Les Calanche, Bonifacio.
DAY 5:
SANTA TERESA DI GALLURA TO TRESNURAGHES (295 Km / 183 miles)
We leave Santa Teresa di Gallura heading south to the challenging beautiful roads of the Gallura.
After a coffee break, we’re off to Tempio Pausania, at the foot of Monte Limbara; a charming town famous for its cork products and granite.
More twists and vistas bring us to the Roccia dell’Elefante, “The Elephant Rock”. This striking dark trachyte rock has been sculpted by the wind. After a good lunch with the Elephant, we ride towards Alghero. This ancient Catalan walled city has become a lovely little resort town.
After a short visit, we are challenged again by the scenic coastline from Alghero to Bosa and then climb up towards Tresnuraghes.
OVERNIGHT IS IN TRESNURAGHES, SARDINIA – ITALY.
HIGHLIGHTS: Tempio Pausania, Charamonti, Elephant Rock, Alghero, coastline road from Alghero to Bosa.
DAY 6: TRESNURAGHES TO CALA GONONE (249 km / 155 miles)
We head south-east towards the rugged scenic roads of the Monti del Gennargentu, a vast wild area, crossed with deep gorges and canyons. This land that is totally unspoiled and is home to rare species of wildlife.
After the lunch in Fonni we ride North-East to the Gulf of Orosei, completing our “coast to coast” ride of the entire island.
OVERNIGHT IS IN CALA GONONE, SARDINIA – ITALY.
HIGHLIGHTS: Boreneddu, Fonni, Gennargentu National Park, Gulf of Orosei.
DAY 7: CALA GONONE TO CAGLIARI > OVERNIGHT FERRY TO CIVITAVECCHIA (276 km / 171 miles)
It’s our last day along the scenic roads of Sardinia. We start the day of riding with an amazing 48 km that takes us from Cala Gonone to Baunei.
After a short break on the beach of Santa Maria Navarrese we ride off the beaten track to the Barbagia, a the wild empty region of mountains in Sardinia.
Down from the mountains and across the plains we ride to the colorful port city of Cagliari. Here we take an overnight ferry that will bring back us to the mainland.
OVERNIGHT IS ON THE FERRY FROM CAGLIARI TO CIVITAVECCHIA.
HIGHLIGHTS: Bay of Orosei, Barbagia.
DAY 8: CIVITAVECCHIA TO SCARPERIA (309 km / 191 miles)
Back on the Italian mainland we head north from Civitavecchia into Tuscany.
We ride the scenic backroads of Val D’Orcia – an UNESCO World Heritage site. We have lunch in Radicofani one of our favorite stops, as it’s an ancient unspoiled little town that few visitors ever see. This tiny village surrounds a majestic fortress that has stood since 973AD.
From there we ride the Strada Statale Cassia which is part of the signature Italian race, the Mille Miglia.
As we pass Florence we join the Strada Statale della Futa that takes us to the small town of Scarperia. It is a typical Tuscan town with one exception, it has the most beautiful race track in Italy, Mugello Circuit.
OVERNIGHT IS IN SCARPERIA, ITALY.
HIGHLIGHTS: Tuscia Viterbese, Val D’Orcia, Radicofani
DAY 9: DAY TRACK AT MUGELLO MOTOGP CIRCUIT (13 km / 8 miles)
Welcome to Mugello! The Italian icon of the MotoGP. Today we park the street bikes and ride this famous circuit on Ducati sport bikes.
Ducati has specially prepared a group of Panigale V2 and Panigale V4 so enthusiasts like you can get a real taste of riding a MotoGP course. Your experienced instructors are local racing stars and can not only help you find the right lines but improve your riding skills as well.
Now names like Savelli, Scarperia, Arrabiata 1 and Arrabiata 2 will no longer be just names on a map, they’ll be curves you’ve ridden.
Compare stories and celebrate tonight as we stay again in Scarperia.
OVERNIGHT IS IN SCARPERIA, ITALY.
HIGHLIGHTS: Ducati Riding Experience on Panigale V2 or Panigale V4.
DAY 10: SCARPERIA TO FLORENCE (45 km / 28 miles)
After many miles of scenic curvy road and after a strenuous day track at Mugello it’s time for a bit of a rest. We leave the hotel late in the morning and head toward Fiesole, also known as ‘La Collina di Firenze (Florence’s hill).
Then we reach Florence, but before we return the bikes we stop to admire the beautiful panorama of the city from the terrace of Palazzo Michelangelo.
Then we go to the hotel to relax and prepare for our last dinner together. We hope you have a late flight out tomorrow because we plan to celebrate our wonderful Italian adventure late into the evening over lots of limoncello.
OVERNIGHT IS IN FLORENCE, ITALY.
HIGHLIGHTS: Fiesole, Florence, Farewell Dinner
DAY 11: DEPARTURE DAY
Time to say “Goodbye”, shop for any last minute souvenirs, and pack your bags. Transport is scheduled to get you to the airport on time. Please let us know your departure flight information so arrangements can be made.
2020 Prices
Prices are based on the TRACK EVO COURSE (Panigale V2)
Who wants join the TRACK MASTER COURSE (Panigale v4) needs to consider an addition of € 600.
| * Motorcycle Models |  |
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| Rider in Shared Room | Rider in Single Room | Couple | |
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Motorcycle Class 1 BMW F800 R - MOTO GUZZI V7 |
€ 5.900 | € 6.590 | € 8.940 |
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Motorcycle Class 2 BMW F750 GS - BMW F800 GT DUCATI SCRAMBLER 800 - DUCATI MONSTER 797 |
€ 6.030 | € 6.720 | € 9.070 |
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Motorcycle Class 3 BMW F850 GS DUCATI MULTISTRADA 950 - DUCATI SUPERSPORT |
€ 6.100 | € 6.790 | € 9.140 |
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Motorcycle Class 4 BMW R1250 GS –BMW R1200 GS - BMW NINET BMW R1250 R - BMW R1250 RS DUCATI SCRAMBLER 1100 |
€ 6.160 | € 6.850 | € 9.200 |
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Motorcycle Class 5 BMW R1250 GS ADV - BMW R1200 GS ADV BMW R1250 RT |
€ 6.200 | € 6.890 | € 9.240 |
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Motorcycle Class 6 BMW S1000 XR - BMW S 1000 R DUCATI MULTISTRADA 1260 - DUCATI DIAVEL |
€ 6.370 | € 7.060 | € 9.410 |
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Motorcycle Class 7 BMW K1600 GLT |
€ 6.470 | € 7.160 | € 9.510 |
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Own Motorcycle |
€ 4.900 | € 5.590 | € 7.940 |
*Rented Motorcycle Subject to Availability
For currency converter click here
Testimonials
“If Ernest Hemingway were alive today, he’d be All IN for the Italian Motorcycle Dream with Hear The Road and Leod Escapes. Anyone can get on a plane and be walking through Rome, Bologna or Sienna the next day, but to truly experience Italy, you must embrace the ‘possibilities!’ Traveling with Enrico and Cat you will motor though small Italian villages with pit stops for delicious espressos and grand vistas. You will re-create your own version of the famous Italian race the Millie Miglia, cresting famous mountain passes with names such as Futa, Raticossa and Muraglione. Enrico sharing unique stories about your current location, farm to table dinners with paired wines and downtime to explore the area at your own pace. Finally, a dedicated day at truly one of the most spectacular racing venues in all of motorports, Autodromo Mugello. You will drive your track-prepped Ducati faster than you have ever gone,video-taped and critiqued by Ducati’s own racers and end the day celebrating your success with your fellow travelers over thick cuts of steak and red wine. Just like Ernest would have.”
“The Italian Dream Tour was spectacular in every way. This trip was perfect for motorcycle enthusiasts who enjoy riding on twisty roads with a wide variety of gorgeous scenery. Every day was filled with a generous amount of riding combined with stops at amazing locations. The food and carefully selected accommodations at off the beaten path locations made for a true Italian experience. Spending a day riding at Mugello circuit was the ultimate way to turn a fantastic trip into a once in a lifetime memorable event. Janet and I appreciate the fact that this was a well planned and well coordinated event, yet accommodated individual preferences and desires so that it never felt regimented or rigid. This trip is a must for anyone wanting an authentic Italian vacation that reaches into places that are best be appreciated on a motorcycle.”
“The Italian Motorcycle Dream Tour was truly a dream come true for us! Great food, great roads, amazing scenery and history, and a track day to boot! Enrico, Cat, and Nancy do an excellent job of putting together the itinerary, even arranging a surprise stop at a small bar in the middle of the twisties where they seemed to expect us. After friendly greetings and introductions, we had lunch and watched MotoGP live, complete with screaming fans/patrons and a win by local favorite Valentino Rossi! The selection of accommodations was diverse and all of them good, with the highlights for us being the B&B close to Siena and the incredible Altarocca Winery Estate. The list of enjoyable experiences goes on and on…A day in Rome, castle hunting, (including the astounding fortress of Radicofani), the Ducati factory tour, Misano World Circuit and the Ducati Rider Experience, Valentino Rossi’s Club, exploring the extraordinary city of Orvieto, the truly magical “lost city” of Bagnoregio, or the medieval city of Todi. The comradery of the group was really enjoyable, and riding together, at a brisk but safe pace, was a blast. Great food, remarkable roads, incredible scenery, friendly people, marvelous history, amazing experience! There are a lot of motorcycle tour companies out there, this is the one that attaches a track experience. It is grand….. Bravi!!”
“From start to finish the communication, planning and logistics were absolutely perfect! I hardly had to think the entire trip because everything was planned out for me. All I had to do was enjoy the trip of a lifetime. We got to ride roads, eat in restaurants and stay in places only someone with local knowledge could find. Italy is a gorgeous country with a lot to offer and we got the best of it. The track day at Misano exceeded my expectations. You got one on one coaching from world champion racers on the nicest track I’ve ever ridden. Enrico and cat wanted to make sure the trip was perfect and they delivered. The execution was flawless and I can’t wait to do another country with them next year.”
Full impression in all things Italian – incredible “locals only” back roads, small Italian villages, unbelievable scenery, and of course the food. Then when you’re fully intoxicated by desmos and expresso’s, you get to ride the Pantheon of race tracks – Mugello. Riding a Ducati at Mugello with professional instruction from World champions is simply an incredible experience.Just twist your wrist and enjoy – Hear The Road and Leod Escapes have thought of everything else for you.
“Why should you tour Italy on a motorcycle? Italy will spoil you with its maze of sinuous roads, impress you with ancient ruins, and indulge you with its cuisine… Last June, six other riders and I went on Hear The Road and Leod Motorcycle Escapes’ inaugural “Mugello & Italian Backroads” tour, a 6-day moto-romp through central Italy that included the Ducati Riding Experience, a full day of track riding and instruction on 899 Panigale sportbikes at Autodromo del Mugello, the 3.26-mile, 15-turn circuit nestled in the hills of Tuscany…Tour groups are small, guides are locals and hotels and restaurants are hidden gems.Although the track day at Mugello set the hook for this tour, it was just one of six full days of riding. By the time we returned to Rome, we had covered nearly 1,000 miles on mostly small, twisty, out-of-the-way roads, and each day brought new highlights and unique experiences.”
Creation of the tour: Associazione Culturale Hear The Road.
Organization and marketing: Hear The Road srl.