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Italy
Sept 28 - Oct 11, 2023
 

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Registration Deadline: June 4, 2022

Duration: 13-day vacation, 10 riding days,

                    1 day sightseeing, 2 travel days

Skill Level:                              (moderate)  

Group Size: 6 – 12 motorcycles

Arrival: Rome, Italy (FCO)

Departure: Rome, Italy (FCO)

Total Distance: 1,250 miles or 2,012 km

Average Daily Mileage: 125 miles or 202 km

Average Temperature: 65-90ºF / 18-32ºC

International Driver's License Required

Highlights: Rome • Tivoli • Tuscany region • Siena • San Gimignano • Lake Trasimeno • Apennine Mountains • Gubbio • Adriatic Sea • Gran Sasso National Park • Medieval village of Castelmonte • and more! 

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When it comes to motorcycle touring, nothing captures the imagination of two-wheel enthusiasts quite like Italy. The country is famous for its la dolce vita (the sweet life), its dramatic scenery, its colorful people, its amazing food and art. We have added an extra day to our Italy tour in 2022 to allow more time to explore and enjoy la dolce vita. In fact, it has been said that ten percent of all the art ever created is in Italy. Included in that resume of beauty and worldly delights are the country’s seemingly endless winding roads that speak to the motorcyclist.

 

There’s a reason Italy, and especially the region of Tuscany, has always found its way into the hearts of travelers, because it’s overwhelmingly beautiful. The Blue Rim Italy Tour takes lucky participants through rolling hills and quaint stone villages, past olive plantations—where the world’s finest olive oil is produced—to the spectacular Adriatic Coast and the stunning Apennine Mountains. Along the route of this luxury tour guests will enjoy the famously winding roads that snake through Tuscany, where every vista, every corner seems to present a picture postcard view more enthralling than the last.    

 

The Italy Tour visits the alluring cities of Rome and Tivoli, historically rich Siena, and the Renaissance city of Urbino. Other destinations on the trip include the tranquil village of San Gimignano, with its towering stone pyres, Gubbio, Lake Trasimeno, the Gran Sasso National Park, the medieval village of Castelmonet, and many, many more. Naturally, being in Italy, we will indulge in the country’s mouthwatering cuisine; pasta, pizza, meats, Mediterranean vegetables, and of course the legendary prosciutto.

 

The tour starts and ends in Rome, gateway to Italy, and for 10 full days meanders central Italy, along the Adriatic coast and circling through Tuscany, returning with 1,000 miles of riding and sightseeing memories. The laidback theme of the tour is reinforced by a leisurely 100 miles per day, with temperatures a rider-friendly average of 65-90ËšF. Accommodations are comprised of elegant hotels and historic lodges, where, after the bikes are safely parked for the night, you can indulge the wines of Italy. This tour is rated “moderate” for skill level, making it a perfect opportunity for a wide range of riders to see Italy as it deserves to be seen: from a motorcycle.

 

After experiencing Blue Rim’s Italy Tour, you will undoubtedly be bringing a little la dolce vita back with you.

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Itinerary

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Day 1
Overnight flight

Departure from the U.S. or Canada and arrival in Italy on the following day. There is a time difference of six hours from Eastern Standard Time.

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Day 2
Arrival in Rome, Italy

Welcome dinner and sightseeing in Rome.

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Day 3
Rome - Siena

In the morning we pick up the motorcycles then ride along three volcanic lakes: Lago Bolsena, Lago Vico, and Lago Bracciano. Our first sight in Tuscany will be the Orcia Valley.

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Day 4
Siena (optional rest day)

Loop through the heartland of Tuscany and continue along curvy country roads with typical Tuscan wide views to Volterra.

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Day 5
Siena - Cortona

We'll ride one of the most beautiful roads of Tuscany with rolling hills where famous red wine is produced. After our arrival you have the opportunity to wander around the spectacular town of Cortona.

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Day 6
Cortona - San Benedetto del Tronto

Today we will cross the huge range of the Apennine mountains toward the Adriatic Sea.

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Day 7
San Benedetto del Tronto

Vineyards, high alpine meadows with beautiful flowers, and olive plantations – all can be seen on a day loop or you can choose to stay back and relax.

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Day 8
San Benedetto del Tronto - Loreto Apruntino

We'll make a loop into the alpine Maiella range before descending to the coast thta will take your breath away. The day's varied scenery makes it a great ride. 

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Day 9
Loreto Apruntino (optional rest day)

Following the Apennine range back to the western side at the most spectacular point through the high plains of the Gran Sasso, we will be at the highest mountain.

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Day 10
Loreto Apruntino - Scanno

Travel through the wild heart of Italy with canyons and passes, or choose other activities like hiking the park or enjoying some old castles and historically interesting villages.

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Day 11
Scanno - Tivoli

Visit Villa d'Este, a 16th-century villa famous for its terraced hillside Italian Renaissance garden before arriving in Tivoli, a town that's steeped in century old history.

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Day 12
Tivoli - Rome

Ride through an area where villages sit like fortresses on the hills. We ride to the crater lakes Albano and Nemi. In the late afternoon we'll return the motorcycles.

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Day 13
Departure

Flight home from Rome, Italy. You'll arrive in the U.S. and Canada on the same day. 

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What Your Tour Includes

  • Your choice of motorcycle rental

  • Support vehicle for additional luggage and limited space for passengers

  • Multilingual tour guide(s)

  • Accommodations at historic hotels (11 hotel nights)

  • All breakfasts and dinners (lunch is not provided)

  • Fuel during the entire trip

  • Airport shuttle service

  • All entrance fees and tolls

  • A detailed tour information package including maps, guide books, and a T-shirt

2022 Prices (per person)
We reserve the right to adjust the rates at any time.

* VIP insurance to lower deductible included

Not Included in the Tour Price

Not included in the tour price are international or other airfare to/from Italy, personal items, passport, speeding tickets and other fines, lunches, beverages, personal hotel room charges, laundry and dry cleaning, telephone calls, medical and accident insurance, and transportation to and from the airport for early arrivals and late departures.

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Accommodations

Sleep where the Romans slept! We'll stay in elegant, historic hotels that offer exquisite cuisine, which makes this trip very exciting.   

 

Some hotels have a pool or sauna, so bring your bathing suit; all provide hair dryers. If you bring any electronic devices, remember that Europe has different voltage (220V) and electrical outlets, so make sure you have the right converters and plugs and that your electronic devices work on both voltages. Casual clothing to wear in the evenings is fine; there’s no need for formal wear.

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Group Size

The group will be between six and twelve riders and will be led by one or two guides.  

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Roads and Traffic

Though riding an average of only 125 miles (202 km) per day may seem easy, don’t be deceived. You should be comfortable riding in traffic as well as on narrow and curvy mountain roads.

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Rental Bikes

Available motorcycles may be subject to change.

 

  • F 700 GS or F 750 GS

  • R 1200 GS or R 1250 GS

  • R 1200 RT or R 1250 RT

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Motorcycles are reserved on a first-come, first-served basis, depending upon availability and are not guaranteed.

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Keep in mind that smaller bikes handle much better on curvy, narrow roads! Great choices for a carefree, leisurely ride is the F 700 GS / F 750 GS. They handle very easily on the tight corners and still have enough power to keep up with anybody else on these roads. The R 1200 GS / R 1250 GS or RT are good choices for two-up riding. You may want to check out these bikes at your local dealer to see which one feels the most comfortable for you.

 

Luggage

One piece of luggage per person will go on the support van. Tour members will be able to securely store suitcases and any other extra luggage in the first hotel of the trip. The motorcycles we provide for our tours are equipped with a luggage system. All motorcycles are equipped with side cases and a top case.

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The rental motorcycles are not equipped with tankbags. If you bring a tankbag, make sure that it uses straps and not magnets, which won’t work on the BMWs’ tanks. An electrical socket for GPS, although you won’t need one, is available upon request. You will need a Powerlet plug that fits the BMW socket.

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Motorcycle Insurance

The deductible for the VIP motorcycle insurance included in your tour package is approximately $900 ( €750). The actual amount may vary due to currency fluctuation. This amount will be held on your credit card (Visa or MasterCard only) at the time of picking up your motorcycle and is refunded upon return.  

 

In case of minor damage to your motorcycle, an appraisal of the repair cost is made, based on the dealer’s cost, and paid from your deductible. In case the cost of any damage to the motorcycle is higher than the deductible, or if the bike is stolen, the deductible is forfeited entirely. The insurance company will cover the remainder of the cost.

 

Riding Equipment Recommendations

Proper riding gear (leather, GORE-TEX, Cordura) is essential to cope with the temperature changes due to altitude and weather conditions and to help protect you in case of an accident. Jeans (without Kevlar and armor) and chaps are not considered suitable riding gear. Bring your full-face helmet and riding boots, and don’t forget your raingear! It’s also a good idea to pack two pairs of gloves (a warmer and a lighter pair). 

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Full-face helmet are not only the safest option, it’s also the most comfortable one protecting you from the weather, debris, and bugs. A “proper” half helmet is not legal in Europe, even if is has a DOT certification on the back. Three-quarter and full-face helmets with DOT, ECE, etc. certifications are considered suitable for Europe, thus legal to ride with.

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See our packing list here and learn how to pack for two weeks on a motorcycle here.

 

Trip Extras

To ensure that you have the easiest travel experience possible, Blue Rim Tours offers select services for an additional fee. If you are interested in any of the following trip extras, please indicate on your registration form:

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  • Early/late lodging arrangements

  • Extended motorcycle rental​

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Deposit and Payment

A deposit of $1,000 per person is required to reserve your place on the tour. All deposits are non-refundable and non-transferable. We accept personal checks, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and money orders. On June 4, 2022, 50% of the tour price is due. The remaining balance of the tour is due before or on July 16, 2022.

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Reservation Deadline

The deadline for registration is June 4, 2022. 

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Cancellation Policy

If for any reason you need to cancel your trip and do so (in writing) between June 4 and July 15, 2022, you forfeit 50% of the total tour price. July 16, 2022 and after, the total tour price is nonrefundable.

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Minimum Tour Requirement 

We reserve the right to cancel any tour if the number of participants booked does not meet the minimum requirement to operate the trip or due to force majoure. In the unlikely event that this should occur, your payment will be refunded minus the non-refundable registration fee. This fee can be applied to another tour of your choice. 

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Please make your flight reservations after the registration deadline for the tour. We will send you a reminder email to book your flight.

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Trip & Medical Insurance

It is highly recommended that you get trip insurance. Also, check with your health insurance provider about your coverage while traveling overseas. For additional information on trip cancellation insurance, visit www.insuremytrip.com. Please read our helpful blog about travel insurance here​.

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Weather

Temperatures will range between 65 and 90 degrees F or 18 and 32 degrees C. It’s the end of the summer, so expect warm weather. The temperature changes as we ride in the mountains; it’s warmer in the valley and cooler as we ride along the coast. Your best option is to dress in several layers so you can easily adjust to the weather conditions to be adequately prepared. In case of heavy rain or other bad weather, we will choose the shortest route to the next hotel.

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Contact Information

Blue Rim Tours

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3601 Edgemoor Court

Clemmons NC 27012

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