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Dolomites and Tuscany self guided motorcycle holiday

Dolomites and Tuscany self-guided-motorcycle-tour. The Pink Mountains & perfect espresso - indulge in motorcycling La Dolce Vita.

The Dolomites and Tuscany self-guided-motorcycle-tour is one of our newest motorcycle tours. This is a holiday where both the journey as well as the destinations are equally important.

Furthermore, the fantastic Dolomites and Tuscany self-guided-motorcycle-tour seizes the imagination with the combination of three significant prospects. First, there is the prospect of riding through the spectacular alpine scenery of the Dolomites. The second is the prospect of spending a few days in the warm fragrant Mediterranean climate of Tuscany. And the third prospect is staying in a charming selection of hotels with fantastic facilities and welcoming people.

One of the most asked questions about this tour is ‘what’s so special about Italy?’ This question is best answered by simply being there.

Italy is – having a lengthy lunch at a tiny restaurant in a marvellous hilltop village or a bustling town square. The Italian language is one of the most beautiful in the world. It is also the Italian people and their love of life as well as the affectionate way they live it. And most importantly for us, bikers is their absolute passion for anything that has an engine and wheels.

The exhilaration of motorcycle touring in the Dolomites is much higher than any other popular biking destination. The ragged Dolomites mountains harbour many of the most iconic mountain passes and scenic roads in Europe. These include the famous Sella Ronda as well as Valparola and Giau. Additionally, Falzarego and Passo di Costalunga are good choices too. If your aim is ticking the boxes, a ride up the legendary Stelvio pass might appeal to you.

One of the most popular day trip options is the visit to the highest museum in the Alps. Marmolada dates from the First Great War and is often referred to as the Dolomites’ front line. The museum is located on the highest peak in the Dolomites. In fact, it can be reached only with a cable car.

Tuscany is famed for its outstanding beauty. It is also a region that keeps giving and never seems to disappoint. It has so much to offer that one visit somehow doesn’t do it justice.

Tuscany has an unrivalled wealth of art and stunning Etruscan and Roman architecture. There is authentic Tuscan cuisine as well as the fine Chianti wine. Furthermore, there are fabulous cities and medieval towns as well as walled hilltop villages and breathtaking countryside. But above all, there is a vast motoring heritage and a great passion for motorcycles. And through the rolling hills and lush countryside wind some of the most scenic biking roads.

On this self guided motorcycle holiday, you can visit Florence for its renaissance art. Pop to Siena for its striking cathedral as well as Pisa for its leaning tower. In Lucca, you can explore the old town. Get lost in a maze of narrow cobbled streets and alleys and walk the city walls. Take stunning photos of the surrounding hills of San Gimignano and its towers.

Alternatively, take a pleasant train journey. It snakes and winds along the rugged coastline of the Italian Riviera. It will take you to the breathtaking Cinque Terre. The five cliffhanging fishing villages are famous for their houses painted in bright colours. This is also one of the most visited tourist sights in Tuscany.

And finally, as a must, there are visits to the famous Ducati or Ferrari factory as well. In addition to the factory visits, there is also a ride over the superb Futa Pass. Ducati uses this legendary mountain road to test their bikes. This fabulous biking route runs for over seventy miles. It goes from Bologna over the Apennine Mountains back to your hotel.

What lies ahead on this fantastic self guided motorcycle holiday is stunning biking roads, excellent food, incredible scenery, and forever-smiling Italians.

For more day-to-day information about the Dolomites and Tuscany self-guided-motorcycle-tour, please spend some time studying the tour itinerary below.

For an alternative to the Dolomites and Tuscany self-guided-motorcycle-tour, please use this link: Dolomites and Lake Garda self guided motorcycle holiday.

If you require a motorcycle rental for the Dolomites and Tuscany self-guided-motorcycle-tour please get in touch with our partner, RoadTrip.

Please visit our Facebook page for up-to-date information regarding the Dolomites and Tuscany self-guided-motorcycle-tour.

Tour highlights:

3*** and 4**** hotels with leisure facilities
Lake Misurina
Sellaronda ride
Falzarego Pass
Leaning Tower of Pisa
Romantic city of Siena
Historic city of Florence
Lucca – Pinocchio’s birth place
Visit to Ducati or Ferrari factory
San Gimignano

When to go:

May to September - during August, a high-season supplement is applicable

Countries:

France, Switzerland, Italy, Germany

Motorcycle rental:

Available

Day by day tour itinerary

Day 1 – Folkestone to Ardennes Region (France) (Approx. 200 miles)

You will start the Dolomites and Tuscany self-guided-motorcycle-tour with the morning Eurotunnel crossing to Calais. Then 100 or so miles on the motorway through France will get you quickly to Belgium.

As you head towards the Ardennes Region, you will cross the borders between France and Belgium on several occasions. Your route will take you through Philippeville, Bouillon and Givet. You can stop at any or all of these towns for lunch or drink. We usually stop at Givet for a bite to eat and a drink. The town is on the banks of the river Meuse on the French side, not far from the Belgian border. With its bridge over the river, pretty house fronts, hilltop citadel, and fantastic roads all around, it is a popular biking destination. There are several cafes and restaurants by the river, and the parking isn’t a problem.

The ride is not that long and demanding, so you should be in your converted fort hotel by mid-afternoon.

"Wine is considered an essential part of the French meal. They would often say "wine is the intellectual part of the meal"

Day 2 – Ardennes Region to Alsace Region (France) (Approx. 250 miles)

Leaving Ardennes behind, the Dolomites and Tuscany self-guided-motorcycle-tour continues. You’ll follow the rural country roads towards your next destination. If you have an interest in military history, then your first port of call could be the War Memorial at Verdun.

As you continue winding through traditional villages, cultivated fields and green forests, the landscapes will gradually become more hilly and mountainous. The second part of the ride will follow on and off the river Moselle, so if you wish to stop for lunch; there are several convenient towns. When you start feeling peckish, just lookout for a café or boulangerie, and you can’t go wrong. Gérardmer is the gateway to the Vosges Mountains and a perfect place for one last break before arriving at your destination. We usually stop by the lake to stretch our legs and have a quick look around.

A sweet and easy climb up the Col de la Schlucht will take you to your destination. Your comfortable hotel in Munster will welcome you with a cosy room and a delicious evening meal.

"It is common for people in France to take a two-hour lunch break. Therefore, most shops close around 12pm and reopen at 2pm or sometimes 3pm... or later"

Day 3 – Alsace Region to Bavaria (Germany) (Approx. 230 miles)

From here, you’ll continue the Dolomites and Tuscany self-guided-motorcycle-tour along quiet rural roads to the Black Forest. The whole day you’ll be riding the open roads of the German
countryside. After the Black Forest, there is not much to report regarding this part of the route. And that’s the exact beauty of it. It will take you deep into the countryside, which is entirely off the beaten track, and not many tourists really venture through there. The bakeries are the best places to stop for drinks and snacks.

As you progress, the vistas will slowly change, and the landscapes will become first more hilly and then Alpine. The Bavarian Alps are incredibly beautiful and are home to many famous buildings and castles. Even the famous Sleeping Beauty castle is claimed to have been inspired by the magnificent Neuschwanstein. Time permitting, you might decide to swing by and visit before checking in to your hotel.

One other easy thing to do is to have a quick change from your biking gear to something more comfortable and visit the Altstadt (Old Town). The Füssen town centre is a beautiful blend of half-timbered houses and brightly coloured buildings, many of which are adorned with murals.

"Germans are much more comfortable with being naked than British and Americans. So, going to a sauna is a popular pastime in Germany. Well… naked is fine, but the socks are staying on"

Day 4 – Bavaria to Dolomites (Italy) (Approx. 150 miles)

Today is the day where you ride your first alpine mountain passes of the Dolomites and Tuscany self-guided-motorcycle-tour. As a matter of fact, there are three of them. You’ll start with the Fern pass and cross into Austria. Then continue over the famous Timmelsjoch Pass. Here you can stop for lunch and also visit the highest motorcycle museum in Europe.

You’ll complete your daily mountain pass trilogy by crossing into Italy and riding over the Jaufen (Giovo in Italian) pass. The Austrian side of the Timmelsjoch is just a nice ride with wide and well-cambered hairpins. However, the Italian side can be quite challenging with very tight hairpins and several narrow tunnels.

As it is a shorter ride on our guided tours, we usually spend a few hours on Timmelsjoch. The biker restaurant is excellent and serves the best juicy burgers and chips ever.

The second break is generally on top of the Jaufen pass. There is plenty of parking at the restaurant, and you can get a brick size slice of strudel topped with the breathtaking views of the Alps.

You’ll arrive at your hotel in Corvara just in time to unpack, have a drink and get ready for your gourmet evening meal.

"Anywhere else in the world dessert means the end of the meal. However, in Italy, dessert really means there are still two more courses plus coffee. When in Italy do as the Italians do"

Day 5 – Free day (Approx. 100 miles)

Today is the day when it all happens on Dolomites and Tuscany self-guided-motorcycle-tour. Sellaronda is perhaps one of the most famous rides you can ride in the Dolomites. It includes four mountain passes back to back; Gardena, Sella, Pordoi and Campolongo.

If any biking route can be called a “roller coaster ride, ” this is definitely the one. There are many places to stop for drinks, take photos or even take a cable car to the top of the mountain. The Pordoi pass is perhaps the best and most popular place to have a go at the cable car ride. You can enjoy the stunning views from the plateau and take even more stunning photos of the Dolomites. This pass is perhaps the most popular amongst the bikers as well. It has a massive car park, quite a few souvenir shops and several restaurants.

There are, of course, many other places you can stop. Arabba is a pretty ski resort, and then both Gardena and Sella pass is also conveniently located for breaks.

"Many Italians consider placing a loaf of bread upside down to be bad luck"

Day 6 – Free day (Approx. 100 miles)

A good option for your second-day trip is a ride to Cortina D’ampezzo and Lake Misurina. You can return to your hotel via Falzarego Pass, town of Arabba and Campolongo pass.

Cortina d’Ampezzo is often referred to as the Queen of the Dolomites. And for a good reason too. In the winter it is a glitzy ski resort however during the summer months it turns into one of the most attractive biking destinations in the Dolomites.

Lake Misurina is a pristine mountain lake that is perfect for a coffee and ice cream break. And also it is an even more ideal spot to get that stunning screen saver shot of your bike by the lake surrounded by the snow-covered mountain peaks.

The Falzarego Pass and the surrounding passes are blessed with endless hairpin bends and breathtaking scenery. This is an extremely popular part of the Dolomites for motorcyclists.

However, if you feel like doing nothing, then there are plenty of other things in Corvara that’ll keep you entertained. Just pick up a tourist info leaflet from the hotel reception and have a good browse.

"It is estimated that about fourteen billion espressos are consumed in Italy each year. It makes, on average, 37 kg of coffee per household"

Day 7 – Dolomites to Tuscany (Approx. 280 miles)

Today is a straightforward ride. It is about the halfway point of your Dolomites and Tuscany self-guided-motorcycle-tour. As you leave the Dolomites behind, you’ll join the motorway that’ll take you directly to Tuscany. The most straightforward way to get to Tuscany is to stay on the motorways up to Bologna.

After that, time and enthusiasm permitting, you can continue on country roads over the Apuan Mountains. It is a fantastic ride across the plateaus of volcanic rock and thick beech forests. There are many towns and villages as well as several ski resorts that are convenient to stop for drinks and snacks.

Set within the Roman spa town’s parkland, your hotel has an outdoor swimming pool, comfortable rooms, and a fantastic gourmet restaurant. Montecatini Terme is a lively town with plenty to see and do. It is a world-famous spa town so during your stay try to visit Terme Tettuccio. You can have a full treatment or just drink some of the famous thermal water. If none of it appeals, you still can enjoy the art and architecture of this fantastic building.

"According to some historians building the Leaning Tower of Pisa was a massive mistake. We see it as a mistake the Italians see it as good business"

Day 8 – Free day (Approx. 150 miles)

To make the most of the day, take the motorway to Bologna to visit the Ducati Factory. If you are a fan of motoring history, then you can extend this ride to visit the Ferrari and Lamborghini factories as well.

The added bonus is that you can take the Passo Futa across the Apuan Mountains on your way back. Apparently, this fantastic road is used by Ducati for testing their bikes. The road is also often the scene of iconic sporting challenges such as the epic Mille Miglia and the gruelling Giro d’Italia. The road definitely looks, feels and smells as a racer designed it. The restaurant Passo Della Futa is located at the highest point of the pass and a great place to have lunch. It serves the best of the delicious Tuscan cuisine to the famished bikers in a typically Italian ambience.

If you wish to change today’s itinerary, you can split tomorrow’s suggested ride into two parts. Or you might prefer to organise your own agenda. Train journeys to Siena or Florence are popular options too.

"The famous Ducati motorcycle factory started its life as a radio manufacturer during the second war"

Day 9 – Free day (Approx. 150 miles)

Today, as you turn south, you will quickly find yourself amongst the Chianti wine region’s spectacular scenery. This round trip will take you to the medieval town of San Gimignano. The town is also known as the ‘city of beautiful towers’. In its heyday, it had 74 towers, but now only 14 remain. As you approach, even from quite a distance, you’ll be able to see the famous towers.

From here, you’ll make your way cross-country to Pisa to take an obligatory photo of yourself supporting the famous leaning tower. And the final stop will be in the historic town of Lucca. Here you may try not to get lost in the spaghetti bowl of its narrow streets. Or, in our case, try not to get run over by a turbocharged pensioner in a turbocharged Fiat 500.

During today’s ride, you’ll be able to see some of the iconic images of the country roads lined with tall cypress trees leading to hilltop villas.

"Many food critics would argue that the food in Tuscany is the best in the whole of Italy and possibly the rest of the world"

Day 10 – Tuscany to Lugano (Switzerland) (Approx. 280 miles)

Today the scenery changes from mellow Tucsan to rugged Alpine. On your way towards Switzerland once more, you’ll cross the Apuan Mountains. There are several mountain routes you can take before joining the motorway at Bologna.

You can opt for a route you may have taken on your way to Tuscany. If you do, it is worth stopping to take a quick photo of Ponte del Diavolo (Devils Bridge). Alternatively, you can reverse the route and ride again over the Futa pass. Either way, it will be a great start to the day. The rest of the journey is best made on the motorway.

Your hotel in Lugano will welcome you with a comfortable room, well deserved cold drink and a delicious evening meal. This is a themed hotel, and it is built and decorated in a 50s American diner style. Each room is located above its own private garage. The hotel also has an outdoor swimming pool that quite a few times proved to be ‘just the thing’ after a hot ride.

"The Swiss make and eat a lot of chocolate. On average, about eleven kilos of chocolate per person are consumed per year"

Day 11 – Lugano to Black Forest (Germany) (Approx. 200 miles)

Today you’ll leave the Alps behind and ride towards the German border. There is a double helping of highlights today on the Dolomites and Tuscany self-guided-motorcycle-tour. First, if you wish to challenge yourself one more time, you can take a slight d-tour and ride over the San Gotthard pass, and the second is as soon as you cross the German border, you’ll join the legendary B500.

San Gothard pass is one of the main mountain routes in this part of the Alps. It incorporates no less than 24 hairpins, each with its own name. If you don’t fancy riding over the pass alternatively, you can take the San Gotthard tunnel.

The Black Forest is a region of rolling hills, dense forests and perfect biking roads. And the Schwarzwaldhochstraße is on top of that list. The road seems to be designed and built by a biker exclusively for bikers. It is no wonder that this area attracts so many of us.

You’ll be staying in a traditional family-run hotel just outside Titisee. If you wish, extra days can be arranged to extend your stay in the Black Forest.

"Germans order their beer very differently. To order a single beer, raise one thumb. If you want to order two beers, raise your first finger"

Day 12 – Black Forest to Champagne Region (France) (Approx. 250 miles)

As they are so close to the Black Forest, the Vosges Mountains are often overlooked. But it is a great biking area, and we try to include it in our transit routes as often as we possibly can.

The Vosges Mountains provide that one last “hurrah” ride before descending to the flatter landscapes. You can ride the famous Route des Cretes, or you may take a more direct route over the Schlucht pass. There are several cafes and restaurants, and they all afford fantastic views as far as you can see.

On our guided tours, we normally stop at the beautiful lakeside town of Gérardmer. It has quite a few cafés and boulangeries for a quick drink and a bite to eat. The second break is usually in Vittel (where the water comes from). Both towns have plenty of parking, so it is not an issue. Your hotel today is situated in a forest in the heart of the Champagne Region.

"Some claim that French toast isn't French, but was actually invented by the British man called Joseph French"

Day 13 – Champagne Region to Folkestone (Approx. 250 miles)

After breakfast, your route will take you through the sleepy French countryside. At Reims, you’ll join the motorway and ride back to the channel-tunnel for afternoon crossing.

We hope this fantastic Dolomites and Tuscany self-guided-motorcycle-tour met your expectations.

Thank you for RidingWithUs. Safe journey home.

"It is good to have an end to a journey… so you can start planning the next one"

What's included?

Price

Includes

12 nights b&b accommodation
11 evening meals
Return Eurotunnel crossing
GPX routes
Trip check list
Daily itinerary
Suggested tourist attractions
Emergency services numbers

Excludes

What our customers say

“We had a wonderful time on our first tour in Europe. Your organisation, hotels, food, roads and bikes everything was just great. Many thanks.”

Paulo & Carlos

Sao Paulo, Brasil 2019

Let's go touring…

Dolomites and Tuscany self guided motorcycle holiday

Tour highlights:

When to go:

Countries:

Motorcycle rental:

Day by day tour itinerary

What's included?

Price

Includes

Excludes

What our customers say

Dolomites and Tuscany self guided motorcycle holiday

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