Motorcycle Tour of Abruzzi
- Campo Imperatore and Castelluccio di Norcia
Central
Highlands
A stunning 7 day riding
program in the mountains to the east of Rome. We cross several
regional and national natural parks of great beauty and
historical interest. The riding is amazing! There's always something interesting to see and quaint
hilltop villages to explore.
This week tour will
give you an unforgettable flavour of Italian mountain life both
present and past.
Day 1: we exit
Rome on A24 and then take the Via Tiburtina (SS5). After Arsoli,
we veer north along the
shores of Lake Turano, reaching Mount Terminillo, also known as
the mountain of Rome, as it's the closest ski resort.
The views from the top are amazing. Riding down on the other
side of this mountain we reach Leonessa, worth a visit, and then
on to Norcia and the Sibillini mountains. Castelluccio di
Norcia is
famous for the flowering at the beginning of the summer, exactly
when we ride this guided tour. People from all over come to see this. We'll have the privilege to
stay here overnight, sample the local produce and soak up the
atmosphere for two nights.
Day 2: We ride a
loop around the back of the Monti Sibillini, visit Camerino,
ride along the shores of Lake Fiastra, visit the small town of
Ascoli Piceno, and return to Castelluccio from the eastern approach. We spend a second night
in Castelluccio which gives you another opportunity to enjoy the
flowering of this amazing place and enjoy its
hospitality.
Day 3: We leave
Castellucio and head towards the Gran Sasso mountain which is
the highest peak in Central Italy. The setting is amazing and
the riding superb. This plateau is known as Campo Imperatore.
Before we reach Campo Imperatore we ride through the ruins of
Amatrice (destroyed in the 2016 earthquake), along the shores of
lake Campotosto and also take a quick visit the archaeological site of Amiternum,
near l'Aquila. We also ride the SS80 which is one of the best roads in Central
Italy, also known as Passo delle Capannelle. We visit Campo Imperatore,
where, in the hotel under restoration now and built in the 30s,
Mussolini was held captive at the end of WW2. We end our day in an amazing place
where our hotel rooms are spread across a small mountain
village. We'll be sleeping in old restored homes of the middle
ages, of course with all modern comforts.
Day 4:
We take another loop ride and this time head across the
valley to the Plateau of the Rocche (fortresses). We reach Albe Fucens and
visit another ancient Roman site with a magnificent
amphitheatre. We then ride the amazing Forca Caruso SS5 (Via
Tiburtina) before returning back to the hotel via the Sirente
mountain range for a second night in our medieval village.
Day 5: We set out
back north to Campo Imperatore and complete our ride towards
Castel del Monte and Rocca Calascio, Ladyhake's castle (film 1985).
From here we ride through the small village of Navelli, famous
for its high quality saffron, and reach the massif of the Majella.
Our destination is the dead end at the top of Blockhaus, where
on a clear day you can view the islands of Croatia all the way
across the Adriatic sea. We finish our day over the Leonardo
pass into Sulmona for another two night stop
Day 6: We take a
loop ride in the National Park of Abruzzi, Molise and Lazio as
far as Isernia on the "toboggan" which is the old SS17. We
then ride to view
the San Vincenzo Lake, in a unique setting, and then head north
on the Devil's pass returning to Sulmona.
Day 7:
It's the
last day of the tour and we have to make our way back to
Rome. Our ride however still has some surprises. We ride the Sagittario gorges and then reach Lazio over the Forca d'Acero
pass. This pass is especially beautiful in fall with the
incredible foliage colours of the Beech and Maple trees, but
still offers refreshing shade in summer and an array of greens.
Before we reach Rome we shall be enjoying the rolling hills of Ciociaria, a region in the past known for its intense herding of
sheep. A short blast on the autostrada, as we did on day one, will
see us at our hotel in no time at all, ready to hand over the
bikes and aim for our farewell dinner.
Prices in EURO per person:
sharing a double: 2200 euro
in a single room: 2750 euro
for currency converter click here
minimum number of participants:
8
maximum number of participants: 12
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 to CIMT on reserving a place on
the tour.
Balance
to be paid to Freelance srl between 60 and 30
days prior to tour start
what is included:
1) 8
nights accommodation in 3 or 4 star family run hotels with
breakfast and safe parking for the bikes, especially selected
for being located in the historical centre of each town
2)
welcome and farewell dinners in Rome
3)
Francesco (owner of CIMT) will be your motorcycle guide always on a
motorcycle. He will be there as a point of reference and to
facilitate things during your trip.
4)
support van with second guide not only to carry your luggage from hotel
to hotel, but also 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.
5)
maps and road book of the tour
6) a CIMT gift
of the tour
what is NOT included:
1) motorcycle
rental (you can come with your bike, rent one of ours, or
from any other rental outfit)
2) fuel for your motorcycle
3)
entrance to museums or other sites
4)
gratuities and tips
5)
all lunches and dinners except for welcome and farewell dinner
6) beverages with your dinner
7) motorway tolls and ferries
8) airport transfers (we will give you all options - including a
chauffer driven car if you wish)
9) flights to and from Rome
Any questions
or doubts first see our
FAQs
for enquiries and booking -
tours@cimt.it
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