Down
to Sicily
Tour
dates:
24 March -
6 April 2012
6 - 19 April 2013
This
tour is a 12 riding day trip combining 5 days to reach Sicily and 7 days
around Sicily. All the riding will be be done practically off the
highways and avoiding the big traffic congested cities as much as
possible. We shall aim for the most significant towns, historical
sites and scenic areas riding the best roads available off the
beaten track.
There
are 3 double night stopovers in Amalfi, Taormina and
Siracusa, which allow rest/shopping days or interesting loop
rides.
We
start by riding the south coast of Lazio, a very often neglected
part of Italy by riders in a hurry to reach the Amalfi coast, but
that offers very nice riding and interesting sites, like Sermoneta
castle, the Circeo promontory and Sperlonga, a very nice fishing
village purched on a cliff, where we shall spend one night.
We
then follow on to the Amalfi coast. On the way there we have time
for a visit to Pompei before reaching Amalfi itself, where
we shall stay two nights in ahotel right in the centre of this
town. A complete day to enjoy the scenes and roads of the
Amalfi coast is bearly enough to savour the magic of this
place. The majestic views from Monte Faito over both the gulf of
Naples, Vesuvius, Ischia and Capri will surely stay with you for
many years. So will the fantastic meta di Sorrento - Positano
section of the SS163. We shall visit Ravello and Positano
as well: two major attractions of the Amalfi coast.
We continue
our ride south visiting the Greek temples in Paestum
and enjoying a fantastic ride along the Cilento coastline reaching
Maratea in Basilicata for our overnight stopover.
Our
descent to Sicily follows the twisty roads of Basilicata and the Pollino
national park before engaging the SS18 all the way to Pizzo
Calabro, for a well earned, award winning hazelnut gelato, known
as the tartufo (truffle) of Pizzo, and an overnight stop in the
fascinating town of Tropea.
We
cross into Sicily around lunch time and reach Taormina from the
Nebrodi mountains. In Taormina we have a double night stopover,
ideal for resting and visiting this gemm of a town, or for a ride
up to Etna, to explore this amazing active Volcano. The roads are great and
the views from the very top of Etna absolutely amazing.
We
continue south to reach Siracusa, Archimede's home town, through
the Anapo Valley, rich of prehistoric human traces, and enjoy two nights on the island of
Ortigia,
the barroque heart of this city. Another opportunity to stay off
the bike and visit this very charming and interesting city, but
also to enjoy a loop ride through typical mediterranean
countryside to view the barroque towns of Noto, Modica and
Ragusa.
From
Siracusa we ride the SS124 to Caltagirone, Sicilian capital of
prime pottery, and then on to Piazza Armerina. Here we cannot
avoid a visit to a remarcable Roman Villa del Casale to view the
incredible mosaics available here. In the evening we reach the
Valley of Temples in Agrigento. Once the visit is over,
we ride across the interor of this part of Sicily away from any
traffic and reach Prizzi and Corleone, before
cutting back to the east to reach the Madonie hills and Cefalu.
From here we head for Palermo. In Palermo we also have
practically two nights, the first in a hotel right by teatro
Massimo, the second we sail back north to Civitavecchia. This will
allow us to run a loop ride to the west and visit Erice.
Finally
we take the GNV cruise overnight ferry from Palermo (8pm),
which will land us in Civitavecchia at 8am the following morning.
Our final ride is all highway for 50km reaching the CIMT
headquarters by 12pm. You are then free to reach your next
destination. No hotel night is included for this night.
map:
Prices
in EURO per person:
|
motorcycle |
couple
in double
one bike |
solo
rider
in shared twin room |
solo
rider
in single room |
|
Suzuki
V-Strom 650 (old version) |
2605 |
3205 |
3685 |
BMW F650GS (twin)
BMW F800R
Triumph
Bonneville
Suzuki Vstrom 650 abs (new) |
2670 |
3335 |
3820 |
Ducati ST3
BMW F800GS |
2765 |
3535 |
4015 |
BMW
R1200GS
Ducati ST4s |
2835 |
3665 |
4145 |
BMW R1200RT
Ducati MTS1200 |
2895 |
3795 |
4275 |
K1600GT
Alfa Spider |
3030 |
4055 |
4535 |
minimum number of participants:
10
maximum number of participants: 14
closing date:
60 days prior to tour commencement
If
minimum number of participants isn't reached the tour can be
cancelled or run with different format.
Booking fee 10% of total to be paid on reserving a place on
the tour.
for currency converter click here
what is included:
1)
motorcycle rental of a touring prepared bike with side cases, top case, tank bag, locks and alarm,
tubeless puncture repair kit.
2) 13
nights accommodation in 3 or 4 star family run boutique hotels with
breakfast and safe parking for the bike
3) 1 ferry
crossing with cabin from Palermo to Civitavecchia, ferry
crossing from Villa San Giovanni to Messina
4)
Francesco (owner of CIMT) will be your motorcycle guide always on a
motorcycle. The guide is there as a point of reference and to
facilitate things during your trip. You can ride following him
or decide to seek your own way. You will always be able to reach
him on his mobile phone in case of need or get advice during
riding breaks. Think of him as your local source of
information and a fellow traveller.
5)
support van with second guide to carry your luggage (one piece
per person) from hotel
to hotel, provide necessary assistance during the tour with
tools and spares, and carry any purchases you have made along
your way. It also has two extra seats for passengers who wish to
take a rest from the pillion seat.
6) Dinner
in Rome at the start and dinner in Palermo at the end of
the trip
7)
maps and road book of the tour
what is NOT included:
1)
fuel for your motorcycle
2)
motorway tolls and ferries
3)
entrance to museums or other sites
4)
gratuities and tips
5)
all lunches and dinners (except as per included ones)
6)
beverages with your dinners
7) airport transfers (we
will give you all options - including a chauffer driven car if
you wish)
when:
24
March - 6th April 2012
6 - 19 Aprile 2013
for enquiries and booking
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