RTS2504 (26.10.2025 - 05.11.2025 ) - Rome to Sicily - Code name: Giacomo
Today is the big day our guests have been eagerly awaiting! We have two couples and two solo riders ready to begin their adventure. The couples have signed up for our guided city tour with our local Italian expert, Giacomo Alberto. Rome, often called the center of the world and the birthplace of Western civilization, offers countless wonders to explore—the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, the Pantheon, and of course, the Vatican. They’ll be discovering the city’s treasures throughout the day, but we expect them back in time for our welcome briefing in the late afternoon. That’s when they’ll receive their bikes and get the final details before we set off tomorrow after one last good night’s sleep!
Ladies and gentlemen, it's time to start our journey! The sun is shining, the motorcycles are gassed up and ready to go. So, after our first rider briefing of the tour, we faced Monday morning traffic in Rome. But we were lucky, because we got through it easily, and the next item on the agenda was Castel Gandolfo, where the Pope stays in the summer. After taking a photo, we continued on our way along some really beautiful winding roads to a coffee stop in the small mountain village of Rocca Massima. We enjoyed a good espresso and a great view. From there, our route took us towards the coast through forests ablaze with the colors of autumn. Simply beautiful!!! Once we reached the coast, we followed it for a while until we parked our motorcycles in Sperlonga and treated ourselves with pasta and pizza. Recharged with new energy, we continued towards Pompeii, our destination for the day. And since it's autumn, it's best not to arrive too late, as it's getting dark earlier and earlier every day. When we arrived in Pompeii, Michel was already waiting for us in the parking lot. I would say it was a successful first day, and tomorrow we will continue with highlights such as the Amalfi Coast and one of the most impressive archaeological sites you can see. And now, enjoy the pictures! Michel and Axel
Rest day today! But that doesn’t mean there’s nothing on the agenda, it just means you can leave your luggage unpacked. We’ve got some great things planned. We’ll start with a scenic ride along the Amalfi Coast, famous for its breathtaking views and winding roads. Even in the so-called “off season,” this area is always buzzing with life. Along the way, we’ll stop at several viewpoints, one overlooking the bay and another offering a stunning view of Capri. From there, we’ll continue across the peninsula to Positano, where we’ll stop for a coffee by the beach. Our guests will have some free time to explore, pick up a few souvenirs, and take in the charm of this seaside town — but don’t overpack just yet! The journey to Sicily is still ahead, and you might want to save some room in your luggage for more treasures along the way. After our Positano stop, we’ll return to Pompeii to visit the fascinating ruins of the ancient city. Following a short break to freshen up, we’ll head to the archaeological site to uncover the history of Pompeii and see how remarkably well the city was preserved. We’ll wrap up the day with a relaxed dinner in the main piazza of Pompeii, the perfect way to end a full and memorable day. Axel and Michel
Today felt like a journey back in time. We visited Paestum, another remarkable archaeological site, one that predates Pompeii by about 400 years. Greek settlers founded the city around 500 BC, and later the Romans took over, expanding and developing it further. Three grand temples still stand proudly, and we took time to explore them before continuing our ride through the mountains. From there, we descended to the coast, then climbed again over winding mountain roads until we reached the Christ the Redeemer statue in Maratea. As the sun set, the views were absolutely breathtaking. It was a day full of curves, and it certainly won’t be the last! Axel and Michel
Our journey continues southward Today's destination is Tropea in Calabria. We set off from Maratea and after 30 km we park our motorcycles in the heart of Diamante. A place that has become famous for its chili festival in September and the numerous murals throughout the town. After exploring the charming little town, it was time for a good espresso, and some of us treated themselves with an ice cream. The sunshine and blue skies made our coffee break even sweeter. I would say it was a perfect start to the day. Along the route, the sea sparkled in all its glory to our right, and the imposing mountains of Calabria to our left rounded off the panorama. To get an even a better view of the coast, we drove up to Fiumefreddo, where we were rewarded with an incredibly beautiful view after a short walk. Afterwards, our stomachs growled and it was time for a surprise, which came in the form of Michel, who was waiting for us with a picnic on the coast. Perfect timing and really delicious too. The rest of the route was pure enjoyment. Well, now we're sleeping on the mainland for the last time before we cross over to the island of Sicily. We can already promise you that it will be worth checking back in on our blog because Sicily is beautiful and a highlight!!! See you tomorrow Michel and Axel
The morning began with a light drizzle during breakfast, and the forecast promised more of the same until at least lunchtime. No problem, we set off in our rain gear after enjoying a nice breakfast on the rooftop bar. About ten minutes into the ride, though, the light rain turned into a downpour. It kept up until just past our coffee stop, but as soon as Sicily came into view, the skies began to clear. By the time we reached the ferry, the rain had stopped completely. We enjoyed a smooth crossing of the Messina Strait and had our first lunch on Sicilian soil, the main goal of this trip. From there, it wasn’t far to Taormina, but first, we took the scenic switchbacks up to Forza d’Agrò to visit the church featured in The Godfather. Back safely at our hotel, we were treated to a beautiful seaside view of Isola Bella. We’ll be staying here for two nights, tomorrow, Mount Etna awaits! Axel and Michel
A rest day in Taormina is always one of the highlights of the Rome to Sicily tour, it’s the day we ride up Mount Etna. The morning forecast looked pretty good, with hardly a cloud in the sky when we woke up. But as we set off, the skies began to close in, and the radar hinted at a chance of rain. Our first stop was Rifugio Ragabo, a stretch of road known among locals as a favorite “racetrack” thanks to its smooth asphalt and perfect curves. The pavement was still a bit damp, so the usual crowd of local riders wasn’t out in full force. It’s also the end of the season, so some have probably already tucked their bikes away for winter. After a quick coffee, we continued on to take some photos at the lava fields, always a surreal and dramatic landscape. From there, we climbed toward the highest point of the trip. Before reaching the top, Chef Giacomo Axel had prepared an Edelweiss picnic, a perfect way to fuel up before the final ascent. Unfortunately, the summit was shrouded in clouds, with visibility down to just ten meters, so we didn’t linger long. On the way back down, though, we could see sunshine breaking through over the coast where our hotel was, a beautiful contrast to the misty peak. Back in Taormina, the weather was glorious. Later that afternoon, we took the gondola up for a visit to the town itself. We explored the ancient amphitheater, with a stunning view of Etna’s peak glowing in the sunset, so in the end, we did get to see it after all. We finished the day with a relaxed stroll through town before dinner, a perfect ending to another memorable day. Tomorrow, we head north, riding in the shadow of Mount Etna once again. Axel and Michel
Hello again from the RTS 2504 Today we're heading from the southeast of the island to the north coast. Our destination is Cefalu, just to the right of Palermo. A fantastic start with breakfast on the sun terrace puts a smile on our faces right from the start, and after the morning briefing we're off. We ride along the coast to Naxos and then towards Mount Etna. Just riding through Sicily on a Sunday is a pleasure! Why? Because everyone is still asleep and we are practically alone on the road. After a few kilometers, we quickly park the motorcycles because we can see the peak of Mount Etna and the snowfields. Not bad for a start, right? After taking a few photos as souvenirs, we continue north, which is not only visible on the map but also in the landscape. After the green coastal strip around Taormina and the lava fields on Mount Etna, a wide mountain landscape opens up, where our route takes us past numerous cattle farms and grain fields. It's fantastically beautiful, as you can see in the pictures. And then? Then it was time for a coffee break, Sicilian style – with cannoli! After that, we continued westward on the other side of Mount Etna to have lunch in Troina. Refreshed, it was time to get back on the motorcycles—Sperlinga awaited us. Or rather, the fortress in Sperlinga, built into the sandstone. Impressive, and also our afternoon coffee stop. From here on, it was winding motorcycle riding at its finest. Through nearly endless olive groves and mystical-looking cork forests. And NOW!? We are in Cefalu, where we will spend the night before continuing our journey tomorrow to the west coast and Agrigento. That was our day 8, and tomorrow is day 9 in the name of the Mafia. Enjoy the pictures! Michel and Axel
Today began with beautiful weather on the north coast of Sicily. We held our daily briefing by the pool under the warm sun, and took a group photo to capture the moment. Then we set off towards the south of the island. The ride started along provincial roads and the highway, before we turned into the mountains, where our first stop was the town of Caccamo, resting beneath its impressive Norman castle. Though some clouds looked threatening, the weather held, and we stayed dry. From Caccamo, we rode on to the legendary Corleone, where we enjoyed some classic Italian pizza for lunch. Afterwards, we continued to Prizzi, famously featured in the film Prizzi’s Honor. The view from the lookout point there was absolutely stunning. After a few more winding roads, we reached the day’s highlight, the Valley of the Temples. These ancient ruins, among the best-preserved temples of their era and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, looked especially magical in the golden light of sunset. Tomorrow marks our final riding day, with one more highlight still to come. Axel and Michel
Welcome to the last day of our tour! Where are we going? We're heading to Catania at the foot of Mount Etna. We have around 230 km ahead of us, and the weather is perfect. One last look at the Valle dei Templi (Valley of the Temples) and then we head into the endless hinterland of Agrigento. Vineyards and orange tree plantations as far as the eye can see. And where there are no oranges or vines, the land is used to grow the delicious gold – olive oil! So if you want to eat well, you're definitely in good hands on this trip. But now back to our last ride! After crossing the hinterland, we came to the real highlight of our day: Villa Romana del Casale!!! A villa built around 400 AD that attracts attention with 120 million stones in the form of mosaics. See for yourself how well preserved they are, and at the same time, it's also a sad moment for France when you realize that you didn't invent the bikini. After exploring the villa, our stomachs were growling, or rather, it was time to refuel, even though we weren't really hungry. Because after all these days down here, you have good reserves to help you get through the day. Refreshed, we got back on our motorcycles and rode through Little Australia. At least, that's what I like to call it, because apart from driving on the right side of the road, you are surrounded by eucalyptus trees. After this highlight, we got closer and closer to Catania and covered the last few kilometers on the highway. An impressive tour comes to an end in the heart of Sicily, even though Palermo is the capital. But in terms of charm, Catania and Taormina are at the top of the list of the most beautiful places in Sicily. Looking back on our journey from the start to here, we can say one thing with absolute certainty: we have experienced, seen, and eaten a lot, and this trip will remain in our memories forever! Thanks to our team Giacomo - City Tour Guide Giacomo - Picnic Giacomo - is an insider who must be mentioned and who was with us on our trip. We both say thank you for the last tour of the year and hope that our paths will let us discover even more together in the future. See you soon Michel and Axel