Welcome Riders!
Book by January 2023 and get one free night to use before or at the end of the tour!
This is most certainly a tour that can be described as “Completely Made in Italy”, where you will experience the authenticity, the traditions, the culture, the history, and the great food and wine that Italy has to offer.
You will discover Tuscany and its rolling hills crowded with vineyards and secular olive trees; Pisa and its Leaning Tower; the quarries of Carrara where Michelangelo extracted the marble blocks he carved into masterpieces; the Cinque Terre and its small villages overlooking the sea; Modena, land of engines and “tortellini”; Florence, the cradle of the Italian Renaissance; Orvieto with its majestic cathedral perched on top of a rock of tuff.
A perfect tour for couples, designed for riders who have a passion for twists and turns, and breathtaking views of incredible scenery; but also for those of you who want to visit historical sites; and obviously for anyone who wants to delight in all the delicious regional dishes that Italian Cuisine has to offer.
The tour starts and ends in Rome, which allows easy planning to extend your visit to this fabulous city should you want to, and includes 10 days / 9 nights, 7 riding days and one free day in Florence.
Enrico Grassi, Tour Leader and Founder of Hear the Road, has spent many hours exploring the riding routes and the extraordinary hospitality of these beautiful Italian regions, in order to give you a holiday adventure that you will always remember with a smile.
Highlights
Roads
5 / 5
Landscape
5 / 5
Art & History
5 / 5
Food / Wine
5 / 5
Where We Ride – What We See – What We Hear
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A private car will take you from the airport to your hotel where Enrico, host of Hear The Road, will be awaiting for a friendly Italian welcome.
Arrival in the late morning/early afternoon is recommended.
Freshen up and settle into your room before gathering in the bar of the hotel for a “Meet and Greet” to get to know your tour colleagues. We are now ready to pick up the bikes and return them to the hotel garage.
Back in the hotel Enrico will brief you on the tour and answer all your questions.
It’s finally time to go out and enjoy our “Welcome Dinner”, where you’ll have the chance to learn more about the stimulating next 10 days.
OVERNIGHT IS IN ROME.Highlights:
Meet your motorcycle, Meet your guide, Meet your fellow riders. Welcome Dinner.
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We start by heading north towards Tuscia, the land of the ancient Etruscans. Here we have one of Italy’s biggest hazelnut-growing areas, the tasty nut that Ferrero transforms into the world-famous Nutella spread.
On the road, we will stop shortly in Civita Castellana for a cup of good Italian coffee, and then, back on the bikes, we’ll ride the lovely lakeshore roads around Lake Vico and Lake Bolsena, and continue through the scenic backroads of Val D’Orcia – one of the UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Arriving in Radicofani we will stop for lunch. Radicofani is a small, stunning town that has been awarded an Orange Flag (the Orange Flag is the Italian Touring Club award for less-known, well-kept tourist sites, promoted since 1998). The town perches on top of a small hill, just below a majestic fortress dated 973 AD.
On the way to Siena we stop to visit Pienza, considered to be the incarnation of a Renaissance utopia and an ideal city. Today it continues to show off to the world its refined and sophisticated Renaissance urban plan: its spaces and perspective onto its 15th-Century “piazza and palazzo” are organized according to the era’s ideals of rationality and humanism.
Back on the bikes we ride the sweeping roads that cross the Crete Senesi, famous for its stunning moonscape.
The delicious arrival dinner in Siena is home-cooked by Mrs. Letizia, proprietor of a lovely 16th century Inn. You will be truly spoilt in celebration of your first ride in the heart of Italy.
OVERNIGHT IS IN SIENA (The hotel has a swimming pool).Highlights:
Tuscia Viterbese, Lake Bolsena, Radicofani, Val D’orcia, Pienza.
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Are you ready to be amazed by the stunning Tuscan roads? Marvelous landscapes, historic art, delicious food and great wine! The first part of the morning will be spent riding north on the roads of Chianti: a real ecstasy for motorcyclists: sweeping bends, long, scenic stretches of tar, beautiful landscapes, miles and miles of vineyards, and lots of historic stately villas.
After a short break in Greve in Chianti, where Giovanni da Verrazzano, the famed Italian explorer who first arrived into what today is New York Bay, was born, we jump back onto our bikes heading for Pisa.
In Pisa we’ll spend a couple of hours visiting the heart of the town, where you will see the ivory splendor of Piazza del Duomo (or Piazza dei Miracoli – The Miracle Plaza), a symbol of the wealth and pomp of the Maritime Republic of Pisa. Here you have the four most evocative monuments of the city: the Baptistery (with its unique acoustics), the Camposanto Monumentale (Monumental Cemetery), embellished with extraordinary frescoes; the Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta (The Assumption of the Virgin Mary Cathedral), an absolute masterpiece of Pisan-Romanesque architecture; and the famous Bell Tower, or Leaning Tower, known all over the world for its peculiar inclination.
With our eyes full of beauty we’ll head back to our bikes and back to Siena, riding on traffic-free back roads.
Don’t forget to look left and right as we travel, to catch glimpses of tiny hamlets and stately castles, typical of this area, and part of what makes Tuscany one of the most beautiful Italian regions.
OVERNIGHT IS IN SIENA (The hotel has a swimming pool).Highlights:
Chianti Wine region, Pisa and its Leaning Tower, Siena by night.
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Today we will be travelling over fantastic roads and stopping in some amazing places.
The first stop is going to be in San Galgano where we will be seeing the stunning, roof-less Abbey.
Back on the bikes we’ll be heading straight for Volterra, a fortified city, originally built by the Etruscans. From here we’ll continue North.
Before getting to out hotel we’ll ride over the narrow, dirty, dramatic roads of Cave del Marmo Carrara (Carrara marble quarries), occasionally entering one of scary tunnels carved into the rock.
The magic of the quarries opens up like a vision. You enter the heart of the mountain to touch the raw material preferred by artists such as Michelangelo and Canova.
Places like Colonnata (also famous for its “lardo” – lard); Ponti di Vara, a unique example of a railway bridge which was used for transporting marble from the quarries to the sea; and Torano, surrounded by chestnut trees, will remain impressed into your eyes for the rest of the life!
OVERNIGHT IS IN LERICI.Highlights:
San Galgano Abbey, Volterra, Carrara Marble Quarries.
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Today is a difficult day to imagine…today is going to be spent riding and enjoying our motorcycles.
We’ll start on the exciting route of the Cinque Terre where we will be travelling lazily and carefully over its narrow roads.
We are in a unique venue, uncontaminated and enchanting!
The small villages of Riomaggiore, Manarola and Monterosso perch on the steep mountain ridges: their traditional colorful buildings huddled together seem to touch the sky.
Leaving the Cinque Terre it’s time to get really excited riding the SS 63 (the Cerreto Pass State Road), that cuts through the Appennino Tosco-Emiliano National Park.
Once we get to the top, at 1250 above sea level, it will be mandatory to stop for a good cup of coffee and give our right hand a good rest!
Back on our bikes, and it’s time to get to Modena.
Dinner will certainly include “tortellini”, lasagna and “cotechino” (a very large pork sausage). Off to bed to dream about the sea, mountains, colors, and lots of twists and turns!
OVERNIGHT IS IN MODENA.Highlights:
Cinque Terre, National Park of the Appennino Tosco Emiliano, Modena by night.
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Mamma mia! The Appennino Tosco-Emiliano route is endless, and full of fantastic roads!
And thus, with our adrenaline pumping through our veins, we’ll take on the Raticosa and Gioco Passes, two of Italy’s most famous motorcycling venues! When a new Ducati is being tested, this is where it’s taken.
A delicious lunch in one of the many local restaurants, and then it’s time to set off again heading for Florence, the cradle of the Renaissance, where we’ll spend the next couple of nights.
OVERNIGHT IS IN FLORENCE.Highlights:
The beautiful Tuscany backroads, Raticosa Pass, Gioco Pass, Florence by night.
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This is one of the best cities in Italy to spend a free day: Florence is simply stunning! Follow your instinct and visit the city at your own pace.
OVERNIGHT IS IN FLORENCE.Highlights:
Visit of Florence by your own
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We leave Florence heading towards Parco Nazionale delle Foreste Casentinesi which, with its sweeping and twisty roads, will be another proof how Italy is sexy for riders!
A short break in Stia and then we get back on the bikes and we reach Anghiari where we will have lunch. Anghiari is a small medieval jewel enclosed in massive 13th century walls that preserve the ancient and original atmosphere of small medieval towns.
And the day is not over yet! On the way to Orvieto we stop at a bar faced on the beautiful Lake Trasimeno. Dad and son, owners of the bar, are two enthusiast riders, so they will be happy to make the best coffee of Umbria for you!
Then we join the scenic SS71, plunging towards Orvieto.
OVERNIGHT IS IN ORVIETO.(The hotel in Orvieto has spectacular ‘spa’ amenities such as, an outdoor Jacuzzi, a spa with whirlpool swimming pool, Turkish bath, and sauna…Getting pampered is all part of the experience!).Highlights:
Nation park of Foreste Casentinese, Consuma Pass, Anghiari, Lake Trasimeno.
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We start the day riding the fantastic “Strada Provinciale 79, about 10km that climb from Orvieto to Colonnetta di Prodo. named by the locals ‘La Strada delle Mille Curve’ (the Road of 1000 Curves):
On the way back to Rome we will stop to take a photo of Civita di Bagnoregio, a spell-binding town, suspended as if by magic on a tuff rock.
It will then be time to mount up once again and head for the motorway that will take us to Rome, where we’ll return our bikes. A refreshing shower, and then off to dinner to celebrate your wonderful Italian experience.
OVERNIGHT IS IN ROME.Highlights:
The Roads of the 1000 Curves, Civita di Bagnoregio, Farewll Dinner in Rome.
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And now it’s time to say “Arrivederci” to your tour friends, pack souvenirs and cameras into your bags. After breakfast, all guests will be taken to the airport.
Highlights:
Transfer to the Airport
Prices
- BMW F750 GS
- Ducati Scrambler 800
- Ducati Monster 797
- Moto Guzzi V7 III Stone
- BMW F850 GS
- Moto Guzzi V85 TT
- Ducati Supersport
- Ducati Multistrada V2
- Ducati Scrambler 1100
- BMW R1250 GS
- BMW R1250 R
- BMW R1250 RS
- BMW R NINE T
- BMW R1250 GS ADV
- BMW R1250 RT
- Ducati Desert X
- Ducati Monster 937
- BMW S1000 XR
- BMW S1000 R
- Ducati Multistrada V4
- H-D Sport Glide®
- H-D Ultra Limited®
- H-D Pan America®
- Ducati Diavel
- H-D Road King Special®
- BMW K1600 GTL
Included, excluded & terms
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- motorcycle rental with side cases, top case, locks and alarm. (For rented bikes a deposit for damage, theft, and fire, between € 2.000 and € 3.000 is requested, depending on the chosen model).
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.
- welcome and farewell dinners in Rome.
- accomodation: 2 nights including breakfast in 4-star hotel in Rome, and 7 nights including breakfast in 3 or 4-star hotels in the towns where we will stop during the tour.
- transfer from and to the airport.
- Italian tour leader.
- courtesy van to pick up and leave the bikes.
- support van driven by Enrico’s assistant. The van will be carrying a tool-kit for small repairs. You’ll be able to leave your cases (1 suitcase + 1 handbag per person) in the van, as well as any souvenirs you pick up along the way. The van also has a couple of seats that passengers might like to use if they feel they need a little rest from the bikes!
a detailed Road-book with all the information you’ll need; a map with the route well marked; the “Wordless Travel Book”, 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.
- motorcycle rental with side cases, top case, locks and alarm. (For rented bikes a deposit for damage, theft, and fire, between € 2.000 and € 3.000 is requested, depending on the chosen model).
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- fuel for your motorcycle.
- tolls on motorways.
- entrance fees to museums or other sites.
- gratuities and tips.
- all meals except for the welcome and farewell dinners in Rome.
- all beverages.
- 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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- €800 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 when you get confirmation from HEAR THE ROAD.
- €800 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.
Gallery
Video
Creation of the tour: Associazione Culturale Hear The Road.
Organization and marketing: Hear The Road srl.
