From Rome to Sicily, RTS2601
It’s one of those cities you have to see at least once in your life: Rome. An Uber took us from the hotel to Piazza Venezia, where we could admire the imposing Monument to Victor Emmanuel II. We climbed the steps on the right and found ourselves right in the middle of the Roman Forum, and shortly after that at the Colosseum. Even though we had to wait half an hour to get in, it was absolutely worth the wait. We then took the subway to the Trevi Fountain, continued on to the Pantheon, and crossed the Tiber. Hadrian’s Mausoleum was later converted into Castel Sant’Angelo and served as a prison and refuge for the popes for centuries. From there, it was just a stone’s throw to the Vatican, our destination for the day. We only had time for a brief overview of this impressive city, but the memories will surely stay with us for a long time to come.
Finally, we're off! The motorcycles are ready and we can hardly wait. Our longest day of riding is ahead of us. Our hotel is located just outside the center of Rome, so we can easily navigate the traffic. The first few kilometers are a quick ride on the motorway until we reach our first highlight, Castel Gandolfo – the former summer residence of the Pope – which looks spectacular from afar. We continue on, spending the next few hours riding through the Monti Lepine, a mountain range that stretches all the way to Naples. Flowing curves and a fresh breeze make us want more. After a delicious lunch of pasta, and Coffeestops, we head to our next highlight: the Santuario della Madonna Civita, a sacred 12th-century church perched high on a mountain. We descend to the coast, enjoy some delicious gelato, and then headed to our hotel in Pompeii, directly opposite the archaeological site. We end this long day of riding with a good dinner. The first day of riding is always something special, and we want to give our guests a big thank you for their hard work. We did a great job together and found common ground as a group. It was fun!
The morning sun bathed Pompeii in warm light as we set off on our tour of the Amalfi Coast. We quickly left Pompeii behind and enjoyed the first few kilometers with views of Mount Vesuvius. Our drive took us past lemon groves and small villages. Again and again, vistas opened up to the deep blue sea, beautiful landscapes, and breathtaking urban architecture. It was fantastic to see how houses were built into the coastal slopes. Photo stops were a must. We made our first stop in Sorrento. Over a good coffee in the heart of the town, we observed the "daily chaos" of small Italian towns. We continued along the coast and up into the mountains towards Amalfi. There, we stopped at a small restaurant, quietly situated and surrounded by nature – truly delicious Italian food. In the late afternoon, we arrived back in Pompeii – satisfied, relaxed, and with smiles on our faces. To round off the day, some of the guests visited the Pompeii excavations. A wonderful day.
From Pompeii, we first took the motorway to quickly reach our first highlight, Paestum, a Greek temple complex dating back to the 6th century BC. After exploring the site together and enjoying some genuine buffalo mozzarella from Campania, we headed into the mountains. Many winding roads eventually led us to Aguafredda. A wonderful hotel and a few hours spent together rounded off this fantastic evening.
Just past Acquafredda, the next highlight awaits us: a statue of Christ over 20 meters tall, which we naturally couldn’t pass up. Unlike its famous counterpart in Rio, which looks out to sea, this one stands with its back to the coast, welcoming pilgrims coming from inland—an intriguing shift in perspective. We park the bikes, take a quick break from our helmets, and enjoy the view: 620 meters above sea level, with the coast at our feet. It’s moments like these that make a tour unforgettable. Then it’s back down toward the coast. Curves, ocean views, the warm breeze—exactly what we’re here for. We don’t stay down there long, though, because soon we’re drawn back to the mountains. There begins what you might call the perfect motorcycle playground: secluded, narrow roads, endless curves, and hardly any traffic. The foothills of the Apennines offer exactly what a biker’s heart desires—fluid lines, rhythm, and that feeling of freedom. Eventually, the route spits us back out onto the coast. Our destination: Parghelia, just a stone’s throw from Tropea. A relaxed end to a day that had it all—curves, views, and just the right amount of adventure.
This route combines exactly what makes southern Italy so special: dramatic coastlines, charming towns, and then that transition to Sicily. Here are a few thoughts and tips to help you get even more out of it: The stops are definitely worth it. Tropea isn’t just “worth a second look”—it’s one of Italy’s most spectacular coastal towns. The old town sits on a cliff, and the view of the small island with the church (Santa Maria dell’Isola) is almost a postcard cliché—but rightly so. Scilla is also more than just a quick stop. The Chianalea district, built right on the water, has an almost fairy-tale quality. If you have time, it’s worth making a longer stop there rather than just “popping in for a quick ice cream.” The crossing from Villa San Giovanni to Messina is straightforward and actually quick—often without long wait times. By the way, the story about the bridge over the Strait of Messina that was never built is true: an eternal political project that keeps popping up and disappearing again. But the real hidden gem in your text is the SS185. The route from the coast up into the mountains (toward the Nebrodi Mountains) is a driving highlight—lots of curves, little traffic, and a complete contrast to the coast in terms of scenery. And then the view of Mount Etna opens up—simply spectacular. But there’s one more highlight waiting: Taormina, one of the most beautiful places the Mediterranean has to offer. But more on that tomorrow.
Those who wanted used the rest day in Taormina to explore Vulcano Etna 11164 feet hight. Within just a few kilometers, we drove through various vegetation zones until we finally reached an altitude of 5900 feet. Impressive lava fields and fantastic views of Sicily rewarded us. The drive is worthwhile, and those who want to go even higher can take a cable car or a 4x4 vehicle up to almost 9800 feet. A short stop for lunch, and then back to Taormina. The rest went to the city of Taormina with its amazing greek theatre.
Hi there, it‘s great doing this tour with you
As a motorcycle traveler, one rule applies: if you come to Sicily, head for the mountains. Most Sicilians stick to the coastal highways—but that’s exactly your advantage. Up there, it’s all about curves, curves, curves. Empty roads wind through breathtaking mountain landscapes, far from traffic and everyday life. On both sides, hilltop villages rise on rugged peaks, seemingly impregnable and rich in history. After a hearty lunch, the road leads you back down to the coast, to Cefalù, where an outstanding dinner at the Edelweiss Tour Hotel awaits—bringing a perfect day on two wheels to a close.
Today we're driving across Sicily from top to bottom. 235 kilometers (146 miles) await us. We start along the coast towards Palermo and turn inland in good time to avoid the Palermo traffic. As soon as we leave the coast, the fun of winding mountain roads begins. Our first stop is Caccamo Castle, built by the Normans in the 12th century. A coffee with ice cream and/or cake is a must. Now we're off to visit the Godfather. In Corleone and Prizzi, we'll follow in the footsteps of the Mafia and take some great photos before our culinary highlight awaits us. Michael has prepared a delicious picnic in a beautiful spot, deep in the woods. Refreshed, we set off for Agrigento to discover another highlight of our tour. The Valley of the Temples, a remarkably well-preserved Greek temple complex dating back to 600 BC, concludes our day's driving.
After departing from the Edelweiss Tour Hotel, we once again set off towards the mountains. Following two spectacular days of riding, the landscape gradually became gentler, and the roads—with their curves and views—were no longer quite as dramatic as on the previous days. Our coffee break took us to one of Sicily’s sleepy mountain villages, where a group of elderly locals were clearly delighted by the welcome change of pace. We then continued on to the Villa Romana del Casale, one of the best-preserved sites from Roman times, renowned above all for its impressive mosaics. Around 120 million individual stones were laid here to artistically decorate a total of 45 rooms. Afterwards, we enjoyed a delicious pasta lunch and used the break to wait out the rain. Two hours later, we arrived at our hotel in Catania and took care of returning the vehicles. As all participants had opted for the “Cover All” full insurance package, the handover was quick and hassle-free. Following our final dinner together, everyone gathered at the bar to reflect on the tour. There was unanimous agreement on one thing: the journey had been spectacular—and strangers had become friends. Heiko and Michael look forward to welcoming each and every participant again on a future Edelweiss tour—ideally all together.