Welcome Riders!
This is a motorcycle for avid riders, which includes 6 riding days along the scenic backroads of Sardinia and 2 rollercoaster days on the hilly roads of Tuscany.
You truly need to love sharp bends; going up and down steep slopes; accelerating, changing gear and breaking suddenly; you have to love the endless overhead skies, and the constant mountain views and seascapes; you have to love the feel of hard, rough tar beneath your tires; and you have to love the wind. Yes, for this trip the word “love” is essential.
Where We Ride – What We See – What We Hear
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A private car will transfer you from the airport to the rental store.
Early morning arrival is recommended.After having collect the bike HTR team give you a general briefing of the tour.
Finally you are ready to begin you adventure.
First leg of the route are the scenic back roads that bring you to Civitavecchia where you board the overnight ferry to Olbia. (Sardinia).
Highlights:
Pick up of the bikes, Calcata, Lake Bracciano, Lake Vico, Tuscia Viterbese.
OVERNIGHT IS ON THE FERRY FROM CIVITAVECCHIA TO OLBIA -
Highlights:
Tempio Pausania, Elephant Rock, Alghero, the dramatic coastline road from Alghero to Bosa.
OVERNIGHT IS IN TRESNURAGHES -
Highlights:
Gennargentu National Park.
OVERNIGHT IS IN TRESNURAGHES -
Highlights:
S’Archittu, Arbus, Teulada Cap, Western South Coast.
OVERNIGHT IS IN CAGLIARI -
Highlights:
Villasimius, Eastern South Coast, Santa Maria Navarrese, the dramatic orientale Sarda national Road from Baunei to Cala Gonone.
OVERNIGHT IN CALA GONONE -
At the end of your last day in Sardinia you board the ferry in Golfo Aranci to cross the Mediterranean Sea to get to Livorno (Tuscany)
Highlights:
Orgosolo, Bitti, Gallura.
OVERNIGHT IS ON THE FERRY FROM GOLFO ARANCI TO LIVORNO -
to a tiny hamlet in the heart of the island. Over these 200 kms you’ll discover the island’s whole encyclopedic history!
Your navigator will tell you that it takes an hour to reach Les Calanche di Piana from Ferayola: don’t you believe it!! The road is narrow and windy, and the scenery is distracting in its beauty, with majestic red cliffs that tumble into the turquoise water.
It’s really worth slowing down every now and then.Stopping to take a photo of the Calanche, another UNESCO site, is mandatory. This incre
dible place, far above the sea, has views that are close to surreal. Some of the rocks have distinctive shapes: the head of a dog, a heart, a bishop.Back on the bikes the road gets wider and better, right down to the coast and Sagone.
From here you head inland, bearing north. The road is narrow once again, only protected by low stone walls, which sometimes completely disappear! All in one breath you cross the Foret D’Aitone; ride round the artificial lake of Calamuccia; and allow yourself to get “freaked out” by the grueling road which runs parallel to the Golo torrent, which then winds through the Scala di Santa Regina: an amazing canyon carved out of granite rock.
Finally you can breathe easy again: once on the T20 you reach Venaco where you spend the night, dreaming of the sea, beaches, forests and narrow canyons!
OVERNIGHT IS IN VENACOHighlights:
Calanche du Piana, Foret d’Aitone, Calamuccia man made lake, Scala di
Santa Regina. -
From Venaco you follow the N193 route, riding through a number of mountain passes (Col de La Serra, Col de Vizzavona, Col de Carrazzi), until you reach sea level and Ajaccio.
You go round the city of Napoleon’s birth-place, and then you are back on the narrow roads, yet another challenge, heading to Propriano, on the coast.
Lunch is in Sartene, the most “Corsican of all Corsican cities”, latched onto a rock; its gray granite buildings make a peaceful sight.Off once again. Along the road an enormous, majestic sitting lion watches the motorbikes speed by. A quick stop to salute him, take a picture, and you’re back on your saddle, all the way to Bonifacio with its high white cliffs, where you take the ferry to Santa Teresa di Gallura and Sardinia.
THE FERRY LEAVES AT 3:05PM AND THE CROSSING TAKES ABOUT AN HOUR.
OVERNIGHT IS IN SANTA TERESA DI GALLURAHighlights:
Ajiaccio, Rocher du Lion, Bonifacio, Ferry to Santa Teresa di Gallura
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The day starts by challenging the beautiful roads of the Gallura.
After a coffee break, you’re off to Tempio Pausania, at the foot of Monte Limbara; a charming town famous for its cork products and the production of granite.
You ride a little further before reaching the Roccia dell’Elefante, “The Elephant Rock”; a striking dark trachyte rock sculpted by the wind to resemble an elephant. After a good lunch with the Elephant, you are on the bikes once again towards Alghero, an ancient Catalan town on the Mediterranean Sea.
After a short tour of the town, you are challenged again by the scenic coastline from Alghero to Bosa. Leaving Bosa you climb up towards Tresnuraghes, your destination for the next 2 nights.
OVERNIGHT IS IN TRESNURAGHES.Highlights:
Tempio Pausania, Chiaramonti, Elephant Rock, Alghero.
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Relax, relax, relax!!! A whole day at the sea to do what any typical Italian does! Spread out on the beach and swim in the warm water!
Or, for those who prefer riding today as well, there are many roads to explore, returning easily to Tresnuraghes… if you don’t want to lose the habit of riding!
OVERNIGHT IS IN TRESNURAGHES.Highlights:
Relax on the beach.
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And you’re off to the southern part of the island!
Towards Cuglieri and then S’Archittu, a magical place, symbol of Nature’s artistic talents: a dazzling white cliff embraces a small beach from which you can see a natural archway, created by years of erosion on the chalk rocks, which appear “moonlike” due to their shimmering light.Time for a coffee and a picture or two, and back on the bikes. Quickly skirting Oristano you are now on the Green Coast: one small beach after the other, divided by incredible cliffs and rocks; high dunes and sandy deserts up to a kilometer wide, that swoop down to the sea shore.
Following the old mine road that passes through Monteveccio, you arrive in Arbus, known for its hand-made knives with curved blades: is arresoias arburesa.Straight after lunch you ride a road with endless curves. Once again you will be amazed by the majestic scenery: the route runs through high mountains and deep ravines in which, here and there, you can see the ruins of houses and buildings of what once used to be the mining community which in the past flourished all over the area.
Quickly passing Iglesias and Carbonia you reach the Costa del Sud coast-route: a real rush of adrenalin. It will be very hard to harness the excitement of riding at sea-level and stop to take at least one photo of the beaches and the breathtaking views from Capo Teulada to Pula
OVERNIGHT IS IN CAGLIARI.Highlights:
Torre dei Corsari, Costa Verde, Arbus, Costa del Sud.
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From Cagliari you set off to Villasimius, a stone-throw away. A quick coffee and you are back on route.
After a short ride where the sea can still be seen, you turn inland, following the Sarcidano route, the “land of lakes”, covered with Mediterranean vegetation, holly, cork and durmast trees, all the way to Nurri.
Lunch is literally ‘on the road’, at the Bar di Su Sosta on route SS198, which connects Sarcidano to the Eastern coast, passing through the heart of the Barbagia region.
And straight after lunch there are another 90 kms of curves, fantastic views, small villages hanging off mountain-tops, sheer cliffs and valleys cut through by waterfalls and streams.
It’s time for a break, and Baunei is the perfect place: “a village that clings onto a steep drop, on the chalk cliffs of Monte Santo, isolated in the isolated Ogliastra”, as the historian Vittorio Angius wrote.
Back on the bikes to drive along the beautiful 45 kms on the SS125 right up to the lavish entrance of a tunnel which, on exiting, reveals the beauty of the Orosei Gulf, where, nestled at it’s end, is Cala Gonone where you’ll spend your last night on the island
OVERNIGHT IS IN CALA GONONE.Highlights:
Villasimius, Sarcidiano area, Barbagia area, Baunei, SS 125.
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Today the code-word is: lose yourselves!!! You’ve got the time, so you can take it easy and enjoy your last kilometers of green and blue scenery: pines, mastic trees, vineyards, ancient oaks, and the sea and the mountains that kiss on the horizon.
Once you’ve left Cala Gonone, you head inland at once. Passing through Oliena and then on to Orgosolo, where a coffee-stop is mandatory. You are in the land of canto a Tenore, yet another UNESCO site, and also home to the murales, the beautiful paintings that tell the stories of Sardinia’s life, culture and political trials.
From here you pass through the small towns of Mamoiada, Fonni, Gavoi, Sarule, Orali, Oniferi, holders of ancient traditions, tales of bandits and a timeless culture.
Pass round Nuoro, get onto route SS 389 and you are on the beautiful road, flanked by cork-oaks and pastures, that leads to Bitti.
After lunch you reach Olbia on the coastal road.
THE FERRY LEAVES OLBIA AT 11PM AND REACHES CIVITAVECCHIA THE NEXT DAY AT 7 AM.
OVERNIGHT IS IN ON THE FERRY FROM OLBIA TO CIVITAVECCHIA.
Highlights:
Orgosolo, Fonni, Bitti, Coastal Road to Olbia, Overnight ferry to Civitavecchia
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From Civitavecchia you ride the fantastic climb towards Tolfa. After a short stop in Tolfa, just to give you another chance to sip a good Italian Espresso, you reach the volcanic lake of Bracciano.
Another series of curves, and then a pause on the lake-side village of Trevignano, after which you wind your way back to Rome on yet more scenic roads.
Before getting to the hotel you have to return your motorcycle.
OVERNIGHT IS IN ROME.Highlights:
Tolfa, Lake Bracciano, Return of the bikes, Rome.
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It’s time to pack your souvenirs and cameras into your bags, and say “Arrivederci” to your new friends. After breakfast, guests will be transferred to the airport.
Highlights:
Transfer to the airport.
- BMW F750 GS
- BMW F750 GS
Included, excluded & terms
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- the BMW F750 GS is provided with side cases, top case, locks and alarm. (For rented bikes a deposit for damage theft and fire, of 1.250 euros is required)
WHAT IS THE DAMAGE SECURITY DEPOSIT? Each motorcycle has a damage deposit. This amount will be frozen on your credit card, but not cashed. The deposit is your maximum liability for theft or damage to the vehicle. Please ensure that you have enough funds to cover the damage deposit on your cards. - the bike rental prices include costs for public-liability insurance and insurance for any road assistance in case of break-down.
- ferry ticket: Livorno to Bastia, Bonifacio to Santa Teresa di Gallura, Olbia to Civitavecchia.
- accomodation: 2 nights including breakfast in 4-star hotels in Rome, 11 nights including breakfast in 3/4-star hotels in
the towns where we will stop during the tour, and 1 night on the ferry from Olbia to Civitavecchia. - transfer from and to the airport.
- courtesy van to pick up the bikes.
- Garmin GPS with the route uploaded, a detailed Road-book with all the information you’ll need, a map with the route well marked, and a Hear the Road T-shirt.
- insurance covering most any medical issue during the trip including, doctors, ambulance, hospital and any appropriate family travel.
- the BMW F750 GS is provided with side cases, top case, locks and alarm. (For rented bikes a deposit for damage theft and fire, of 1.250 euros is required)
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- fuel for your motorcycle.
- tolls on motorways.
- gratuities and tips.
- all meals and beverages.
- transfer from the Rental Shop to the Hotel
- flights to and from Rome.
We also suggest that anyone traveling abroad for one of our Tours consider purchasing a “Travel Insurance”. It can take the worry out of the unexpected situations that can arise in any travel plan.
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- €1500 Deposit, to be paid, on reserving a place on the tour.
(The deposit is totally refundable in case we don’t reach the minimum number of participants). - Balance, to be paid, 60 days before the starting date of the tour.
- €1500 Deposit, to be paid, on reserving a place on the tour.
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If you decide to cancel the tour for whatever reason that does not depend on HEAR THE ROAD, these are the penalties that will incur:
- up to 60 days prior to the starting date, HTR holds the deposit, that you can use for another tour in the same or in the following year.
- between 59 and 10 days prior to the starting date you lose the deposit. HTR holds the balance that you can use for another tour in the same or in the following year.
- from 9 days prior to the starting date you lose 50% of the total amount. HTR holds the remaining 50% that you can use for another tour in the same or in the following year.
Creation of the tour: Associazione Culturale Hear The Road.
Organization and marketing: Hear The Road srl.
