Tour of Tuscany 2014 - BIT1402

The tour is over!! Thanks to all of you for a fantastic week, for awesome riding, for beeing such a enjoying group. We wish you a good flight back home, stay in touch, when ever you come to Germany or Italy - call...., there is always a bed and something in the fridge. Saluti a tutti - from the Barbarian and the Napoletano :-) The Tuscany Tour just started!!! Day 1 - Florence to Siena Welcome to Tuscany, the land of Dante, Michelangelo, Leonardo, Galileo, the Vespa... and so on, were another great Edelweiss tour is about to begin! We are going to explore this region as well as Umbria (the green heart of Italy) and Marche... so stay tuned! Everything ready! Briefing in the garden before our first riding day We started from beautiful Villa Pitiana. Every body was a bit excited - new bikes, Italian traffic and curvy roads First stop in Greve - Macelleria Falorni - the best butcher shop on this planet The Gallo Nero - the black rooster - the icon of Chianti area Henry and Martha from Indian Land Diane and James Robert and Arlene - all three couples were sent by Joe - who did the tour last year Il Pestello - an awesome place near Castellina in Chianti - Bruschetta, Caprese, Truffle Spaghetti - best food ever Our 2 Italians - Francesco (he has to be a relative of Roberto Benigni) and Roberto our Canadian-Italian  Day 2- Restday ride Siena Some impressions from San Galgano The praying Canadian police man Another trivia is going on.... Brian and Elaine picture stop at Monte Olivieto Maggiore Le Crete - like you know Tuscany from calender pictures Picknick in the garden of the Garden Hotel :-) Piazza del Campo - one of the most beautiful squares in Italy Atla - the Ethiopian-American-Italian treasue made our evening Art in the Hotel Garden 3. Riding Day  Siena - Assisi First stop in Montalcino, world famous for its Brunello wine! Germany vs Italy :) Our bikes parked in Montalcino The abbey of Sant'Antimo, a very important architecture of the middleages. rays of light wonderful Tuscan countryside! Ursula prepared a delicious picnic!!! Peace between Naples and Bavaria Picture stop in Castiglione del Lago Assisi, we are coming! Last picture before entering Assisi These guys working hard on their intercom The view from our hotel Sunset in Assisi... amazing! Elaine - the best riding woman I`ve ever had - has something to celebrate today.... Happy birthday Elaine this birthday cake was awesome... 4. Riding Day - Restday ride Assisi One group went to Orvieto... Lago Trasimeno The 3 boys Cathedral in Orvieto ... and another group went on the Sibillini Mountains! First break in Norcia, where we relaxed and enjoyed a good coffee Norcia The church of St. Benedict in Norcia, his hometown Great view over the valley of Castelluccio What a nice green Italy! Castelluccio Our last stop was at the "Fonti del Clitunno", the source of the river Clitunno... a little paradise! 5. Riding Day  Assisi - San Marino After a tough stretch on the highway we had an awesome view over Lago Trasimeno, Here the badliest battle between the Carthaginians (Hannibal) and the Romans (Caius Flaminius) took place Cortona - "Under the Tuscan Sun" Another great lunch at "Il Grillo" - the grashopper We deserved it after that tough ride... Here the Ladies picture Which one belongs to whom??? Urbino - the Renaissance town - birthplace of Raffael and last not least of Valentino Rossi Palazzo Ducale in Urbino Reaching San Marino - a great view to the Adriatic sea as well as to Mount Titano of San Marino Diane and Jim 6. Riding Day: Restday ride San Marino Ferrari, the German Barbecue, Corino - the town of Simoncelli, Gabicce Monte - the best lunch ever, Tavullia - Rossis town, a lot of things to do... Domenico is waiting for his group Doug and Mike Chuck - the boys can`t wait to go at the beach in Rimini Sic - Marco Simoncelli`s museum at Coriano Yes - that was him Sic`s memorial The Misano race track was named after him Restaurant "Bel Sit" at Gabicce Monte - no comment.... Henry decided for German sausages and french fries... :-) what a great view over the Adriatic sea Tavullia - Rossi`s home town... Elaine was very excited Coffe at Rossis place our" history man" is doing the briefing San Leo We had another great sightseeing stop at La Verna and another fantastic lunch before we headed towards Florence Passo della Consuma  Doug - the best sweeper ever!!!! Thank you so much Elaine and Brian at the last picture stop The last supper in Villa Pitiana. We all made it, no injuries just some hurt egos :-) Perfect!!! Final speach from Tomas - very honest, very emotional - thank you Tomas