Overview
This tour is available only as a private, guided, motorcycle holiday. No public group tour. No self-guided tour. The price is merely indicative and applies to a private group of minimum 5 people. Specific quotations will be issued in accordance with the size and requirements of each private group. The Eternal City and the Roman castles, Sorrento, Naples and the Amalfi Coast, and a complete tour of beautiful Sicily with the Valley of the Temples and the Etna volcano, its hundreds of Baroque churches and its villages of white stone. A colorful trip to discover the sea, the coastal roads, the classic Roman and Greek civilizations through the archaeological sites of Pompeii and the Magna Graecia, and the extraordinary nature of the most peculiar island in Italy. The awesome Amalfi Coast where mountains embrace the sea, with its colorful houses that paint the hills as tableaus and its lovely
Highlights
- Starts and ends in Rome
- Ride and stroll around in Villa d’Este
- Visit Caserta and its sumptuous Royal Palace
- Cross the Sorrento Peninsula to arrive on Amalfi Coast
- Pay a visit to the Villa Romana del Casale
- Explore the heart of Val di Noto
- 15 nights' accommodation
Itinerary
Day 1: Meeting in Rome (Roma)
You will meet Italy on Motorbike team in the afternoon in the hotel in Rome and go together to pick up the rental bikes. All participants meet up before dinner for a short but important briefing, the time to explain a few simple rules for organizing and synchronizing things, thus ensuring that everyone has a safe holiday that is unforgettable for all the right reasons. Then you’ll break the ice and start forging some group spirit over a classic Italian pre-dinner aperitivo. - Overnight in a four-star hotel in Rome; included meals: dinner.
Day 2: 240 kilometers / 149 miles
Today you’re touring southern Lazio. You’ll be meandering through the Colli and Castelli Romani, exploring the volcanic lakes at Nerni and Albano, overlooked by the Pope’s summer residence of Castel Gandolfo. After a stop to admire the view from Rocca Massima, an exhilarating woodland route winds its way towards the Lazio coast, where you spend the night in the gorgeous little seaside town of Sperlonga. Also, the gastronomic aspect of the tour starts off lavishly with your first lunch of delicious Lazio cuisine in a typical trattoria, while you are free to dine where you like. - Overnight in a
Day 3: 170 kilometers / 106 miles
Just a few miles further on, you come to one of the world’s most romantic areas: the splendid region of Campania. Today’s ride is all about the wonders of the Bay of Naples. And there are quite a few that you’ll savor slowly, from the artistic marvels of the Campi Flegrei – like the Piscina Mirabilis, the spa at Baiae, and the Flavian amphitheatre with its remarkable underground passages – to natural gems like the spa at Agnano Terme and the famous Solfatara, the volcanic crater with its still active lava lake that you can see up close. In the afternoon, you visit the legendary archaeological
Day 4: 150 kilometers / 93 miles
This is one amazing day, as you take it slow, to enjoy every nook and cranny of the legendary Amalfi coastline (another UNESCO World Heritage Site), including lunch with a view (and how!) in a traditional Amalfi coast restaurant. Then you venture on up the slopes of Vesuvius along more great biking roads to enjoy spectacular views from the top over Pompeii and the entire bay of Naples before reaching your hotel in that incomparable and legendary town. - Overnight in 4-star hotel in Naples; included meals: B, L, D.
Day 5: 200 kilometers / 124 miles
It’s time for your first day off, at your disposal to discover the beauties of Naples. You are free until 18:30 (6:30 p.m.). You leave the bikes in the hotel garage for the whole day to allow you having a relaxed explore around the old center. Italy on Motorbike staff and everyone at the hotel are on hand to help you make the most of your freedom. Then, you meet others at the hotel around 19:00 (7 p.m.) to take the bikes and reach the port wherefrom you sail for Sicily at about 8 p.m. - Overnight stay on board in a double en-suite cabin. Included meals: Breakfast. Neither dinner, to be taken o
Day 6: 170 kilometers / 106 miles
After rolling back on to dry land in Palermo early in the morning, you make for Monreale for your first breakfast on Sicilian soil. You’ll visit the superb old town (founded by the Normans in the 11th century) and its beautiful UNESCO World Heritage-listed cathedral. Then you head for the hills, on the trail of your first piece of ancient Magna Graecia (Great Greece) in this journey. Since a panoramic tour of the beauties of the coast is a must, you climb the eponymous mountain to visit splendid Erice which, besides being a splendid little town in itself, offers an unbeatable view from Zingaro
Day 7: 225 kilometers / 140 miles
You continue your journey along the coast where you will first visit the beautiful Greek archeological area of Selinunte. From there, on the most beautiful motorcycle routes of the region, winding between olive groves and vineyards you will discover the area of Belice with the surreal landscape of the ghost town of Poggioreale and from there the various sets of the film "Cinéma Paradiso" (Oscar and Golden Globe winner in 1990 as best foreign film). Last stop of the day, the splendid Valley of the Temples (Unesco heritage) before reaching the hotel in the surroundings of Agrigento. - Overnight
Day 8: 195 kilometers / 121 miles
Today promises another fascinating historical feast. You will visit the Villa Romana del Casale, an early-4th-century villa and UNESCO site with huge, exceptionally well-preserved mosaics that wouldn’t disgrace an imperial Roman palace, in Piazza Armerina. Then, hit the road again, bound for Val di Noto and its fine UNESCO-listed late-baroque towns (Noto, Scicli, Modica, Catania, Ragusa, Caltagirone, Palazzolo and Militello in Val di Catania). Just why does this area have the finest crop of late-baroque townhouses in Europe? Although all these centers had existed since the Middle Ages, they we
Day 9: 170 kilometers / 106 miles
Today you explore the heart of Val di Noto, in a heady mix of art, cinema, natural beauty, roads hewn from the rock, and even chocolate. You will motor through canyons, towns, and villages that have set the scene for films like "Malena" and TV’s "Inspector Montalbano". You will visit Modica, famed for its chocolate and its 100 churches, Val di Noto (a UNESCO gem) and the town of Noto itself, before thrumming into the charming city of Syracuse (Siracusa, UNESCO again) and its island Ortigia. - Overnight in a four-star hotel in Syracuse; included meals: Breakfast, lunch.
Day 10: 170 kilometers / 106 miles
Today will be another day packed with emotions. Etna is a rarity in Europe – an active volcano – and this morning is all about its magnificent yet surreal lunar landscapes, which have earned it a place on the UNESCO World Heritage list. You start in the morning with a fantastic ride up and down its slopes on a road considered among the 10 best riders’ road of Italy that will take you to the refuge wherefrom you’ll have time enough to climb to the top of the volcano by cableway. A little expensive excursion, but in Italy on Motorbike's opinion absolutely worth a visit once in a lifetime. Today'
Day 11: 240 kilometers / 149 miles
Back in the saddle, a rollercoaster ride on some classic woodland roads whisks you from the Ionian Sea to the Tyrrhenian, via the beautiful town of Novara di Sicilia, and on the slopes of Mount Etna. You then continue motoring up and down the byways of the Nebrodi Mountains national park before pressing on to see another Sicilian gem: Cefalù. This beautiful town with its magnificent Norman cathedral is your last stop before arriving in the beautiful resort where you will stay for two nights. - Overnight in four-star hotel in the area of Cefalù; included meals: Breakfast, dinner.
Day 12
Another day of well-earned rest in one of the most beautiful towns in Sicily! In addition to the opportunity to enjoy a well-deserved relax by the marvelous pool, you can visit the fascinating Cefalù calmly or enjoy the sun on one of the nearby beaches. The staff and everyone at the hotel is on-hand to help you enjoy your free day to the full, with or without wheels. - Overnight in four-star hotel in Cefalù; included meals: B. No main meal is included so this rest day is your oyster from early morning until late.
Day 13: 140 kilometers / 87 miles
Get ready for some serious riding in the mountains and by the sea. You’ll be motoring up and down the byways of the Madonie Mountains in the tracks of the historic Targa Florio motor race on your way to Palermo where you’ll leave your motorcycle in a secured parking place for the whole afternoon. After, enjoy lunch in a friendly traditional restaurant. The afternoon will be dedicated to the visit of the Sicilian main town. In the evening, you take the ferry back to Naples. - Overnight on board in a double en-suite cabin; included meals: Breakfast, lunch. Neither dinner, to be taken on board, n
Day 14: 250 kilometers / 155 miles
After disembarking and a swift breakfast in one of Italy’s finest bars-cum-cake shops, you start your journey back to Rome through the hinterland. You pay a visit to Caserta and its sumptuous Royal Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site built for King Charles of Naples, founder of the Italian branch of the Royal House of Bourbon. He wanted it to vie in opulence with the Palace of Versailles in France, and he seems to have succeeded. Your journey continues in the Matese Park up to the enchanting town of Anagni. - Overnight in a four-star hotel in Anagni; included meals: Breakfast, dinner.
Day 15: 200 kilometers / 124 miles
Your last full day rounds off the tour in style. Italy on Motorbike has a biker’s delight of a route for you – all bendy and scenic – with two stand-out stops: the first in Subiaco for the Monastery of St Benedict and St Scholastica’s Abbey, the second in Villa d’Este, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In between, there’s a visit to Castel di Tora and deep-blue Lake Turano to enjoy. In the late afternoon, you return to the hotel in Rome where you began, before taking the hire bikes back. A lavish lunch in the capital provides a fitting end to your adventure together. - Overnight in a four-star hot
Day 16: Farewells in Rome
You say goodbyes after breakfast, leaving you free to go home or explore further the magic of Italy on your own. If you’d like to see more of Italy, let Italy on Motorbike know, and they can organize a tailor-made extension to your holiday. - Included meals: Breakfast.
Ride Details
- Terrain
- only tarmacked roads
- Bike
- personal or rental bike
- Mileage
- 2450 kilometers / 1520 miles
- Daily rides
- 140 - 250 kilometers / 90 - 155 miles
- Meals
- 13 breakfasts, 5 lunches, and 10 dinners
What's included
- With 1 to 4 bikes, the included staff is a tour leader on his own motorcycle who opens the motorcycle line
- With 5 to 6 bikes, the included staff is tour leader on his own motorcycle who opens the motorcycle line and luggage van with chauffeur
- With 7 to 12 bikes, the included staff is tour leader on his own motorcycle who opens the motorcycle line, rearguard steward on his own motorcycle who brings up the rear, luggage van with chauffeur
- Registration fee, branded tee-shirt, pictures of the tour
- Assistance, medical and luggage insurance that covers both rider and passenger for all medical expenses in Italy and repatriation assistance costs in case of accident or illness during the tour and luggage theft or loss
- Typical Italian welcome aperitif
- Overnight ferry crossing Naples - Palermo and return with accommodation in double en-suite cabin
- 13 nights en-suite accommodation and buffet breakfast in hand-picked, first-class hotels (mostly four stars) or prestigious locations picked up for their charms and position, with fantastic buffet breakfasts
- 10 delicious dinners the which menu is specifically chosen to guide you through a voyage into the authentic Italian cuisine, in hotel or external restaurant at walking distance
- 5 super lunches in typical restaurants or trattoria renowned for their local specialties
- Luggage van (with the possibility of transport for two passengers) if the final number of participants is five bikes or more
Not included
- Lunches and dinners unless specifically mentioned and drinks at meals but water
- Extras in hotels, room upgrade or suite accommodation – available on request
- Fuel, any parking fees while touring, entrance tickets in monuments / natural sites, etc. - all visits are always optional
- Transfer to the Rome hotel upon arrival and from the Rome hotel when departing - available on request
- Anything not specified as "included"
Accommodation
Your accommodation will be in an en-suite room with buffet breakfast in hand-picked, classy, and charming first-class hotels (4 stars) that will satisfy even the most demanding guests, for it is emphasized to all the aspects that go into making a luxury holiday. Wherever possible, Italy on Motorbike will choose high-rated hotels with top facilities and excellent food in historic and scenic settings, often in exquisitely beautiful villages offering inviting backdrops for a romantic dinner or evening walk. On the ferry you will be accommodated in en-suite cabins with window.
Food
Italy on Motorbike is happy to provide you with 13 breakfasts, 5 lunches, and 10 dinners during the tour.
