From Tuscany to the Five Lands

In the morning, you pick up the motorcycles that you will ride during your stay. You’ll soon leave Bologna to head to the outskirts of the city: first stop, the Ducati Museum. During the visit, you can learn about the history of the Ducati factory and admire a collection of motorcycles from the brand. After this first visit, you’ll hop back on your bikes and head south. The roads you take allow you to discover the hilly landscapes of Tuscany: between vineyards and Mediterranean vegetation, you’ll find landscapes bathed in sunlight as you travel. You’ll gain some elevation by crossing the Raticosa and della Futa passes, which will allow you to better discover the vastness of the Tuscan hinterland. You then arrive in Florence, the capital of Tuscany. You’ll have a few hours to explore its historic center and its famous Duomo square, known for its architecture and white, ochre, and green marble buildings. You might even enjoy a Florentine steak for lunch, a typical dish of the city! After this break, it’s time to hit the road again towards Siena. And a cultural journey awaits you, as you take the road through the Chianti vineyards. Along the curves, you’ll pass through the many vineyards that characterize the landscape of this part of Tuscany. The paved road with its ascents and gentle descents makes for a very pleasant ride until you arrive in Siena. Take time to stroll through the Piazza del Campo before heading to your hotel for the night.

For this third day of the stay, a beautiful driving day awaits you. The route you will take from Siena to Orvieto is among the most beautiful in Tuscany: you start the first part of your journey through the Val d’Orcia, a verdant and hilly landscape. But the landscape will change quickly as you arrive at the Via dei Crete Senesi, where you will discover a much more rocky and arid landscape. In some places, you can even observe canyons along the road where only a few cypresses stand on the horizon. After several hours of driving, you are now in the Orvieto region. You will make a brief detour to the village of Montepulciano, a village perched on its cliff known for its wine grape variety. At the end of the day, you arrive in Orvieto, a small village where you can rest for the night.  

You leave Orvieto in the morning to return to the winding roads of Italy. You have already left Tuscany; now you’re on the roads of Umbria! The paved road offers a pleasant ride to your first stop of the day. You pause to stroll through the streets of Civita di Bagnoregio: this semi-abandoned village perched on a cliffside is considered one of the most beautiful villages in Italy. You take time to wander its streets, frozen in time, before moving a few kilometers away to Lake Bolsena. The lake’s intense blue waters may remind some of the typical lakes in northern Italy. After a break in this peaceful place, you head west. Along your route, you will discover the hilltop villages of Sorano and Pitigliano before stopping at the Saturnia hot springs. These sulfuric hot springs will be a real moment of relaxation! The last part of the day will take you after a few hours of riding to Monte Amiata, an extinct volcano that peaks at 1733 meters. Here, you can reflect on the day’s journey surrounded by the tranquil nature of this impressive mountain.

Today’s itinerary is steeped in history and culture. You begin your ride passing through Val d’Orcia, which you crossed a few days ago on your motorcycle. You’ll find yourself again amidst the green valleys and gentle slopes, leading you to the medieval villages of Gimignano and Colle di Val d’Elsa. Surrounded by a protected natural area and numerous streams, these villages boast medieval architecture. Take time to stroll and soak in the lifestyle! But the day doesn’t end there: you’ll head towards Pisa, famous for its leaning tower for several centuries. A quick visit to the city will allow you to observe this tower and the many religious buildings of the Piazza dei Miracoli. By the end of the day, you’ll arrive at Pescia, a small town just 45 minutes from Pisa. Here, you can unwind and prepare for the next leg of your journey, perhaps reflecting on the rich historical tapestry you’ve experienced throughout the day.

This penultimate day of the journey will take you on scenic routes where the thrill of the ride is as magical as the landscapes you’ll discover. You depart Pescia heading east, after a brief stop in the village of Pinocchio. You’ll find yourself on the panoramic road of the Apennines: the SP13, which offers multiple viewpoints over greening valleys. Between passes and peaks, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to stop whenever the landscape is particularly striking, such as the view from Monte Cimone. As the highest point of the Apennines, its snow-capped peak stands out against the still summery landscape! Gradually gaining altitude, the air cools as you pass the Radici Pass, where the winding road reveals many more mountainous landscapes. You’ll pause in the hidden village of Isola Santa, nestled in the crevices of the Apennines. Before arriving in Massa to rest, your final stop of the day will take you to the marble quarries of Carrara: be prepared, the stone dazzles quickly as soon as the sun appears! You’ll learn about the work of marble cutters and discover this mythical Italian stone prized for its whiteness.

This final day of your journey will be marked by the “dolce vita”: after several days in the valleys and mountain ranges of Italy, you return to the sea air and enjoy driving along the Adriatic Sea. You’ll be driving on the road of the Cinque Terre, a set of 5 Italian villages perched along the rugged coast of the Italian Riviera. This scenic route with its numerous turns will delight fans of sporty driving: between narrow roads and vertiginous precipices! The villages of Manarola and Portovenere, among the most beautiful of the Cinque Terre, will allow you to discover colorful facades and stroll along the seaside. In the afternoon, the winding road will take you to Portofino, where you can choose to wander or relax on the beach. Not far from Portofino, the village of Rapallo will be your last stop for the night. There, you’ll enjoy a closing dinner with your group, before returning to France the next day.