Itinerary

Day 1, Departure from your home country

Day 2, Arrival Rome

Depending on your arrival time there is the option to see some of the highlights of one of Europe’s most exciting capitals. Vatican City with St. Peter, the Colosseum or the Spanish Steps are just a few of the sights. Of course you could look any time at pictures of those. For the real feeling of the ancient city you still have to come by yourself. To complete the day we will have dinner together with some great Italian food.

Day 3, Rome - Olbia

171 km / 110 miles

We leave Rome in the morning towards the north. Soon we will pass two volcanic crater lakes, Lago di Bracciano and Lago di Vico. Even if we are not in high mountains yet the landscape already is very eclectic. Small towns look very inviting, one of them we will use for a Cappuccino break at a lakes beach. The third body of water will be the Mediterranean coast where we will have a rest in the afternoon before embarking on our overnight ferry from Civitavecchia to Olbia. Checking into our private rooms and having a drink on deck while being driven towards Sardinia will be the perfect end of our first riding day.

Overnight on the ferry in a comfortable cabin

Day 4, Olbia - Ogliastra

200 km / 130 miles

The first day in Sardinia will be already full of excitement. It takes us along Sardinias East coast south. We stop for lunch in Cala Gonone, a beach town tugged between 2500 high vertical cliffs. The road enters a tunnel before climbing down to the water via some switchbacks, quite a spectacle. Right after lunch one of the most impressive mountain roads of Sardinia starts from Dorgali. High above the river Flumineddu with vineyards and the occasional farm the route leads past the impressive Gennargentu- and Supramonte Mountains. After a day in the mountains we will arrive again at Sardinias biggest gem, the coast in the Ogliastra.

Day 5, Ogliastra roundtrip

150km / 90 miles

The region is to pretty to leave it after one day already. Ogliastra, the province which is stretching from the summits of the Gennargentu to the Tyrrhenian sea, is one of Sardinia’s most charming areas. The region often is referred as an amphitheater on the sea. Villages stick to the steep mountain slopes, all connected via exciting roads, offering spectacular views. Below the vineyards stretch towards the sea. The loop into the mountains can be extended according to our spirit.

Alternative: Rest day with a boat trip to secluded beaches and caves between coastal cliffs www.mareogliastra.com, www.heliosturismo.com

Day 6, Ogliastra – Bosa

220 km / 130 miles

A ride across the centre of the island will take us onto it’s western side. We start out on the fabulous Strada 198 and ride past the Gennargentu Mountains, at 6000 feet the highest in Sardinia. The remote feeling far away from beaches and tourism will be the theme of the day. We will see sheep herders and farmers working on their small scale fields in the mountains. Nevertheless we will end up in the most beautiful small town of Sardinia in Bosa. Right trough town runs the Temo river lined by palm trees. It ends at the local beach. Above the town towers the gigantic fortress Malaspina, narrow alleys invite for a walk up to it.

Day 7, Bosa (Sardinia) – Bonifacio (Corsica)

195 km / 130 miles

Out of Bosa one of the most beautiful coastal roads of Italy commences. Because of it’s views it often is compared to Highway 1 at Big Sur in California. First stop of the day will be Castelsardo. It doesn’t matter from which side you arrive, the town always is a great sight. A high rock, surrounded on 3 sides by the sea, on top a castle from the 12th century, on the slope below the pastel colored houses of the town. An hour later we arrive at Capo Testa, the northern edge of Sardinia. Beautiful granite rock formations make this corner of the island special. A 50 minute ferry ride brings us onto a different island, into a different country. Corsica is about one third of the size of Sardinia but at least as exciting a destination. Already the welcome at it’s southernmost tip promises a lot. The town and fortress of Bonifacio sits on top of a cliff. The setup is so pretty that you want to explore the place immediately. Which we will do by staying there overnight.

Day 8, Bonifacio - Corte

210 km / 135 miles

Today the mountainous backbone of Corsica will be our playground. Right out of Bonifacio we climb from zero up to the 1218 meter high Col de Bavella. The Bavella Range with it’s needle like rocks are probably the most beautiful mountains on the island. But the fun is not over yet. Via 3 more passes we reach Corte, the historical capital of the island. The impressive castle high above the small city emphasizes the former importance of the place. Corte sits strategically at the conjunction of several valleys. We will stay in the Restonica Valley one of the most beautiful of the island. Right in front of our hotel rooms a romantic river has carved out rock pools that invite for swimming.

Day 9, Corte - Piana

170 km / 105 miles

After a ride through an exciting gorge and across an important pass past one of Corsicas small ski areas we continue our way west across the mountains to the coast. The downhill will be even more spectacular. Just above Porto’s harbor, we travel through the red granite cliffs of the Calanches di Piana. They are inspiring at any time, but facing westward they provide the most beautiful sunset on the island. But the daily dose of beauty isn’t completely over yet. Piana located high above the ocean is one of the prettiest villages of Corsica. We will sleep here. At dinner we will enjoy the magic view from 1300 feet altitude down into the Bay of Porto.

Day 10, Piana - Saint Florent

165 km / 100 miles

Between the cities of Calvi and Porto the scenery is as fabulous as it can get. You just wonder how empty a road of 50 miles could be. The traffic takes a faster inland route. The coast seems to be forgotten and reserved for maximum fun on a motorcycle. Our great riding day continues across the Desert de Agriates, a landscape completely devoid of people. But it’s not what someone would normally think of a desert. Up to 1,200-foot-high, granite rocks stick out of the evergreen macchia vegetation. In the afternoon we will arrive at the pretty old fishing port of St. Florent. We can have a walk up to the castle, take a boat ride or just relax at the beautifully located beach hotel for the afternoon.

Day 11, Saint Florent - Bastia - Pisa (Ferry)

100 km / 70 miles

Today you either can relax, enjoy the calm bay and visit the pretty town of Saint Florent just a short walk along the water away in the morning. Or you take an exciting 70 mile loop around the endless corners of Cape Corse, the northern tip of the island. Old fishing villages, spectacular views and a ride between mountains and sea are the reward. In the afternoon the ferry takes us back to the mainland to Livorno. From the harbor it is just a 30 minute ride to Pisa where we will use the evening to visit the famous leaning tower and the pretty sights around it.

Day 12, Pisa - Siena

180 km / 120 miles

After we leave the plains of the Arno river at Pisa we will head the typical tuscan mixture of rolling hills and decent mountains. Those beautiful roads combine 3 of the most beautiful cities of Tuscany: Volterra, San Gimignano and Siena. Volterra sits on top of a hill with beautiful 360 degree views. Apart from the exciting location it is known for it’s Alabaster art work. Still about 200 small manufacturers carve the pretty stone. Volterra will be our lunch. An hour of riding later we arrive in San Gimignano, the town with the distinctive skyline. Because it’s 15 stone towers it is known as the medieval Manhattan – Cappuccino or one of the best gelato of Italy here. Finally we will arrive in Siena, the Tuscan town with the most beautiful square in the country.

Day 13, Siena - Montepulciano

150 km / 95 miles

If there wasn’t enough time yesterday afternoon, in the cool morning we still have the chance to visit the famous dome of Siena. Our ride starts up the SR 222 which cuts through the Chianti. It is one of the most beautiful roads of Tuscany and often used by the local riders going from Florence to Siena. Heading south from there we will pass through the pretty Orcia Valley with the typical Tuscan landscape of rolling hills. Along the way we will see the 6000 feet high non active volcano Monte Amiata. Not far away we will sleep in one of the most spectacular settings of a town in Tuscany. Montepulciano sits like a fortress on top of a long hill, great views included. A famous wine is produced there as well, but the town still is not overrun by tourism.

Day 14, Montepulciano - Rome

200 km / 130 miles

The last day, we don’t want to rush. We use the morning to relax or explore a bit more the unique setting of Montepulciano. Starting from our eagles nest Montepulciano the countryside will impress with it’s unique landscape again. We will stop for lunch at the relaxed Bolsena Lake, with 9 miles diameter and a depth of 500 feet the largest of Italy’s volcanic lakes. The shape of the crater is still very well visible, especially when we follow the old Roman Via Cassia up to Montefiascone, which sits at the highest point of the craters rim. Several popes came here to relax in this town with the beautiful and strategic (high up) setting.

Day 15

Departure