From Rome to Sicily (RTS2204)
For the last time this year, we tour from the Eternal City to the incomparable island of Sicily. It's late in the season, but it is nice and warm, the sun is out, and the sky is blue. Follow us on this epic trip!
Today is our first rest day, the tour is just one day old and we are full of energy. But for Pompeii it takes more than a few hours. Our hotel is super located directly opposite the excavation site of Pompeii. In the morning we meet our local guide she is great and leads us to the best places of the excavation. In the afternoon we again have the choice of chilling or exploring the Amalfi Coast. Some of us decide to ride..... and ohhh my god how beautiful is this peninsula. We sit in front of the Amalfi Duomo in the afternoon and enjoy an ice cream.... What a day
Today is our second real day of riding, after exploring Pompeii and the Amalfi Coast yesterday, we are full of anticipation for what lies ahead. The day begins from a rider's perspective somewhat unspectacular but rather drive a few km of highway than fight through the traffic chaos of Salerno. Our first stop is the world famous Paestum a more than 2000 year old greek settlement with temples and everything that belongs to it. Over 1000years this place was forgotten simply unique. Afterwards Tom is waiting for us with a picnic. Freshly strengthened we tackle the afternoon. Countless curves are waiting for us. Just in time for sunset, we reach the Jesus dew in Maratea and enjoy the view over the landscape. What a day.
Another day in paradise: a day of curves, turns, and twisties in Calabria. Under a clear blue sky, we took off toward the south. First, it was just a cruise along the coast, but after a quick coffee in Diamante, we headed into the hills. A couple of hundred curves later, we arrived in Altomonte for some lunch which lasted longer than expected due to the fact that two people had to get their daily fix of pasta. With a bit of extra speed, we made up for that on our way back down to the coast on what probably was the best ride of the tour so far.
Today we finally reach Sicily. We can hardly wait. The day begins comfortably we stop several times along the coast and enjoy the Italian joie de vivre and the beautiful weather. After a short ferry ride we finally reach Sicily. After a short detour on the highway we drive into the mountains. Here countless curves welcome us. When we reach Taormina the sun has just gone down. We can hardly explore this beautiful city and of course Mount Etna.
Today is rest day, which of course does not mean that we can not ride a motorcycle. When do you ever have the opportunity to explore an active volcano by motorcycle. So we take half a day and drive the wonderfully curvy roads up to Etna. At 1900 meters we enjoy a fantastic view of the surrounding countryside. Back in Taormina we have enough time to discover the city. Simply wonderful.
Today we have a long day of riding ahead of us. There is much to see and many curves to master. Our route winds through the hinterland of Sicily. What fun. The highlight of the day is definitely the fortress in Sperlonga. An impressive building. At noon we stop briefly to eat a few panini in Ghangi. Just like the locals do. The view back to this city a few kilometers later is fascinating. We enjoy our afternoon coffee in Castelbueno. And yes, this castle is really beautiful because the coffee tastes even better. We arrive in Cefalu in time before sunset to enjoy our hotel and the old town. Another day in paradise.
Our penultimate day takes us from the northern to the southern coast of Sicily. Along the route, not only a lovingly arranged picnic awaits us, but also a Norman castle, the two most famous-notorious cities of the mafia hinterland and many, many curves, but also one of the biggest cultural-historical attractions in the whole country: the Valley of the Temples south of Agrigento. The buildings here are 2500 years old and especially the Temple of Concordia, which is still quite intact, is very impressive. Especially in the last light of day, when it is already brightly illuminated.
Mercilessly the last tour day dawns upon us, we have to go to Catania. Rain and thunderstorms pummel us even more mercilessly, the flash floods of last night have washed a lot of dirt and mud onto the roads. We fight our way through, reach a construction site and Peter decides to put his KTM to the test. Unfortunately, the construction site wins and we turn back. At noon we visit the Roman villa of Casale with its famous mosaics, unique in the world. Afterwards a quick lunch, then we catch the autostrada, as the weather is not improving much. All in all, a very nice and successful tour. We came as strangers but left as friends. Thanks to all of you, we hope to see you on tour again soon!