Best of Italy BOI2601

Today we had the pleasure of welcoming our 18 guests from the U.S. and Canada to the “Best of Italy Tour.” Some participants arrived a few days ago to adjust to the time difference at their own pace and shake off the jet lag, while others arrived later today. In the evening, we gathered for the official welcome briefing and got in the mood for the next eight days together. Afterward, we’ll enjoy our welcome dinner here at the hotel, which offers the perfect setting to kick off our journey with outstanding Italian cuisine and international specialties. Of course, a brief safety briefing was also essential to ensure everyone is fully prepared to start the tour. A special moment tonight was the handover of the motorcycles to our guests. Everywhere you look, you see excited faces, great anticipation, and the first preparations: luggage is being stowed, seating positions are being adjusted, and everyone is getting familiar with their motorcycle. The atmosphere is fantastic—and tomorrow morning we’ll finally be on our way.

Today was finally the day - the first full riding-day on our Edelweiss-Tour "Best of Italy" was on the agenda. From the Eternal City of Rome, the route took us north toward Umbria and into the beautiful town of Assisi, the home of St. Francis. The weather, however, wasn’t quite on our side today. Already in the morning, dark, heavy clouds hung over Rome, and the chance of rain was our constant companion. Nevertheless, we started the day optimistically without our rain gear. The traffic out of Rome was surprisingly light, and we were able to leave the city behind faster than expected. After the first few winding kilometers through the Lazio countryside, we treated ourselves to our first cappuccino stop. There, it finally became clear: we had to put on our rain gear after all. And sure enough—we got caught in two short rain showers. Fortunately, they were just brief showers each time, even though the low-hanging black clouds and rather cool temperatures stayed with us all day. The further we rode toward Umbria, the more beautiful the landscape became. Historic towns like Narni and Montefalco gave us a real taste of Italy, while endless curves and small side roads provided pure riding pleasure. Especially in the second half of the day, the landscape changed significantly once again: miles of olive groves accompanied us through the rolling hills of Umbria—a scene straight out of a classic Italian film. We finally reached Assisi in the early evening. Despite the changeable weather, it was a wonderful first day of riding with just the right mix of Italian culture, stunning landscapes, and the joy of motorcycling. Italy showed us right from the first day why this tour so rightly bears its name: "Best of Italy".

One of the most beautiful days of riding on the trip Today’s itinerary featured a truly exceptional day of riding. Endless curves, impressive mountain scenery, medieval towns, and exactly those classic images of central Italy that you usually only see in movies. We spent last night in Assisi. Before setting off in the morning, we had a special visit planned: the famous Basilica of Saint Francis. The two churches built one on top of the other left a deep impression on us. Immense frescoes, beautiful paintings, and a special atmosphere made this morning the perfect start to the day. After setting off, we left Assisi and headed toward Lake Trasimeno. To quickly get past the heavy traffic around Perugia, we took the highway for a short stretch. The first stop of the day was above the lake. From there, we had a fantastic panoramic view of the landscape. Over a quick espresso, we were able to relax and wait out the first light rain shower of the day. We then continued on to Cortona. Many may recognize the area from the movie Under the Tuscan Sun—and that’s exactly what this landscape feels like. Gentle hills, narrow streets, cozy cafés, and spectacular views at every turn made this part of the tour a real highlight. For lunch, we stopped in the mountains near Fraccano at a typical Italian restaurant. The relaxed atmosphere, the local food, and the tranquility of this small town were the perfect fit for this special day of riding. After lunch, the roads got even better. At times, it felt like we were completely alone on the road. We rarely saw anyone coming toward us—the winding roads were almost entirely ours. It’s moments like these that make trips like this unforgettable. In the afternoon, the route took us on to Urbino, the birthplace of Raphael and one of Italy’s most significant Renaissance cities. The city impresses even from a distance with its unique location and historic architecture. Sunset over San Marino and the Adriatic Sea To round off the day, fantastic roads and a very special photo stop awaited us once again: the view of San Marino and the Adriatic Sea in the distance. Tonight we’re staying in San Marino—one of the smallest republics in the world. Perched high on the mountain, surrounded by medieval alleyways and a truly unique atmosphere.

With one last glance at the impressive towers of San Marino, we set off today in perfect motorcycle weather on our ride toward Florence. Pleasant temperatures, sunshine, and dry roads—a day on the road could hardly start any better. And it didn’t take long for the first curves to appear. Shortly after setting off, the route took us over a small pass with an extremely narrow road—in places barely wider than an old Fiat Cinquecento. Even our experienced guests from overseas were put to the test, but they mastered this challenge with flying colors and big grins on their faces. An additional detour took us to Coriano, the hometown of MotoGP star Marco Simoncelli, who passed away in 2011. There, we had time for a quick visit to the museum or simply for a typical Italian espresso in a relaxed atmosphere. Afterward, we enjoyed gorgeous, nearly traffic-free roads through the rolling hills of Tuscany. Our very late lunch stop took us up a beautifully winding mountain road to La Verna. The popular viewpoint offered not only fantastic views but also one of the highlights of the day: our van driver whipped up a sensational picnic, which we were able to enjoy amidst the beautiful natural surroundings. The final 80 kilometers toward Florence were pure motorcycling bliss—perfect road surfaces, endless curves, and flowing lines made this final stretch a fitting conclusion to a fantastic day of riding.

Today was supposed to be our well-deserved rest day in Florence—at least in theory. But as always the case on Edelweiss motorcycle tours, there were two very different ways to spend the day. Part of the group opted for culture, sightseeing, and the Italian charm of downtown Florence. Four participants, on the other hand, joined me for an absolute highlight for any motorcycle fan: the legendary MotoGP racetrack at Mugello. The anticipation was already huge on the way there. And we were really lucky, because a track day was taking place on the circuit today. That meant: free riding for numerous riders on their race bikes. From the track’s edge, we got to experience firsthand how the motorcycles raced through Mugello’s famous curves at impressive speeds. The sound of the engines, the smell of gasoline, and the atmosphere at the track gave us real goosebumps. We spent nearly two hours there and could probably have stayed much longer. From there, we continued on toward Passo del Giogo. Along with Passo della Colla, this route is, in my opinion, one of the most beautiful motorcycle roads in the region. Narrow, winding roads, smooth curves, and breathtaking scenery made the ride a real treat. The near-absence of traffic was particularly pleasant. Since we were traveling on a Monday, it felt like we had many sections of the road all to ourselves. Of course, a real day of touring always includes a little adventure. Due to a road closure, we had to spontaneously switch to a gravel road along the way. For the experienced riders in the group, however, this was no problem—on the contrary: the short off-road section provided some extra variety and a few grins under the helmets. In the afternoon, we finally took a leisurely break at a small, typical Italian restaurant. Over excellent pasta and Italian hospitality, we were able to reflect on the day’s experiences so far. Afterward, we set off relaxed on the return trip to Florence and enjoyed the last curves of the day in the warm afternoon sun. In the end, everyone agreed: This rest day was far more than just a day off. It was a perfect mix of motorsports, fantastic mountain passes, Italian joie de vivre, and unforgettable riding experiences.

Our rest day in Florence is behind us—and it was already clear during the daily briefing: a true Tuscan classic awaits us today. Bright sunshine, pleasant temperatures, and the anticipation of countless curves set the mood perfectly right from the morning. Only one thing stood in our way: Florence traffic. And it was a real challenge! It felt like it took forever just to get through a handful of traffic lights—Italian rush hour in its purest form. But as is so often the case: patience pays off. Our first stop at the famous Piazzale Michelangelo immediately made up for the ordeal. High above the city, we enjoyed the breathtaking view of Florence, took a group photo in front of Michelangelo’s statue, and took in this unique panorama once more. Then finally came what everyone had been looking forward to: beautifully winding roads through the Tuscan hills. Our first espresso stop at the little Café Yam in Certaldo almost turned into a sweet trap—because no one could resist the sight of the homemade pastries. And yes: they definitely know their craft there. Just a short time later, the next major highlight was already waiting: San Gimignano—the famous “Manhattan of the Middle Ages.” The countless towers of this perfectly preserved medieval town truly feel like a journey back in time several centuries. From the motorcycle parking lot, it was just a few steps through the city gate into the lively bustle of the old town. While some strolled through the narrow alleys looking for souvenirs, others enjoyed a typical Italian lunch al fresco in the beautiful main square. And of course, on the way back, we couldn’t miss out on what’s supposedly “the best ice cream in the world.” On the last part of our daily route, the winding roads took us further through the stunning Tuscan countryside. This last few kilometers toward Volterra got a bit wet, but that couldn’t dampen our spirits. Arriving at the hotel early, we had plenty of time to explore Volterra’s impressive old town and round off the day with one last authentic Italian espresso. The group’s verdict: a fantastic day of riding full of enjoyment, curves, and the Italian way of life.

Today we rode to the part of Tuscany that remains most unspoiled—Chianti. This region is characterized by its iconic cypress-lined avenues, countless old, lovingly restored estates and castles, and endless vineyards. Most wineries are open to visitors, and of course you can buy wine there. For us motorcyclists, however, the rule is: no alcohol is consumed during the tour. Everywhere you look, there are small villages where you can enjoy excellent food and soak up the typical Italian atmosphere. After we had thoroughly experienced the landscape and “surfed” through thousands of curves—roads that are truly made for motorcyclists—we continued on toward Siena. Although Siena is significantly smaller than Florence, it was in constant competition with its larger neighbor during the Middle Ages. There, we took in the shell-shaped Piazza del Campo, considered one of the most beautiful squares in Italy. Twice a year, the traditional Palio takes place here—the famous horse race whose history dates back to the 1630s. In this event, the individual city districts compete against each other in a spectacular and fast-paced race around the square. After enjoying some ice cream and a bite to eat there, we then drove to our hotel for the night, which is also an absolute dream location. It is located in an old monastery, and you can still feel the spirit of this historic place to this day.

Today was one of those riding days that will surely be remembered for a long time to come. It was already clear during the daily briefing: this was going to be a dream day. A cloudless sky, pleasantly warm temperatures, and Kurt - one of our two tour guides - predicted that today’s roads and landscapes would even surpass the tour’s highlights so far. And as the day unfolded, that was definitely no exaggeration. Shortly after setting off, we were already deep in the typical Tuscan hilly landscape. The roads were an absolute delight - smooth curves, perfect radii, and practically no traffic. At times, it actually felt more like weaving down a freshly groomed ski slope than riding a motorcycle. Turn after turn, we plowed through this postcard landscape of cypress trees, vineyards, and golden-yellow hills. And because a good tour always has little surprises in store, today we even got a dose of off-road action: due to roadwork, a roughly five-kilometer detour took us along a simple gravel road right through the heart of the Tuscan hills. Though a bit skeptical at first, most of us ended up having a blast. The next highlight awaited us above Montalcino: in a shady pine forest, our van driver had already set everything up and surprised us with delicious burgers and cold drinks—a lunch break doesn’t get much better than that. Afterward, there was plenty of time for a stroll through the beautiful old town of Montalcino, known far beyond Italy for its famous Brunello wine. Some treated themselves to an espresso or a gelato, while others took the opportunity to buy a bottle or two of wine. Just a few kilometers later, the next magical moment followed: the fantastic view of the impressive Abbey of Sant’Antimo with the beautiful hilltop town of Castelnuovo dell’Abate in the background. Of course, cameras and smartphones had to work overtime there once again. In the afternoon, we finally arrived early at our hotel in Pienza. This left plenty of time to explore the historic town or - for the particularly motivated - to enjoy an additional freeride through Tuscany in the evening sun. The consensus of the entire group was clear: today was pure Tuscany - dreamlike roads, magnificent landscapes, and a perfect day on the motorcycle.

Yes, and then suddenly it was here again—the last day of riding. Today’s route took us from Pienza in Tuscany through Umbria and Lazio all the way to Rome. Of course, we didn’t take boring main roads, but—as we had done throughout the entire tour—small, hidden, winding roads. In the morning, we headed toward Orvieto, which is already visible from afar, standing impressively on its plateau. During our lunch break in Bagnoregio, we were able to enjoy some classic Italian pasta once more and soak in the special atmosphere of this place together. After a final break at Lago di Vico, we continued past Lago di Bracciano, where many Romans escape on hot summer days to get away from the city’s heat. The biggest challenge of the day, however, was waiting for us at the very end: getting the entire group safely back to the hotel through rush hour and the Roman traffic chaos. But we mastered that together as well—and it is precisely moments like these that make a tour unforgettable in the end. In the evening, we finally arrived back where it all began a week ago. Together, we enjoyed our last dinner at the hotel in Rome, shared memories, and looked back on the many stories from the past few days. For most participants, the evening came to a quick end. After many kilometers, countless impressions, and a wonderful time together, everyone finally fell into bed happy and content.

Ciao a tutti! Let’s look back on the last few days: Over 1,500 kilometers of pure passion, breathtaking curves in the Chianti region, the scent of pine and cypress in the air, and the unmistakable roar of our bikes. We sweated together, enjoyed the best espresso, and conquered the roads of Tuscany. Your motorcycles delivered on their promise, but the absolute highlight was you: A fantastic group that made every kilometer an unforgettable experience! Now it’s time for the final stop. We’ll raise a glass of chilled Chianti to you, to freedom, and to a safe journey home. Get home safely, take it easy, and keep that Italian spirit in your hearts. See you soon – Arrivederci and ride safe! Kurt and Tom