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BIT1701 Tour of Tuscany

Tuesday, May 23, 2017 | Ursula Peter / Manuel Marabese | Europe

Good Bye everybody. It was a pleasure guiding you. Hope we could give you a taste what Italy is like. And there is so much more out there - awesome roads, good food, nice people. Hope we will see each other again.

Safe travels

Your Tourguides Ursula and Manuel

8. Day: San Marino - Florence

Rain in San Marino this morning, not so good forecast for Florence - we decided to do the short route. And if it clears up we could extend a little bit. It was a wise decision.

Coffee stop in Forli - the best coffee on tour. Guess whose is whoms? The favourite mother-in-law maybe knows??

dry roads up the Passo Muraglione - nice ride

and than at the end the sun came out and we dance a little bit up and down the Passo della Consuma.

7. Day: Loop Day San Marino

Today it is a hop on hop off day. We are going down to Rimini to the "Teutonengrill" which means more or less "German Barbeque". Simoncellis museum and memorial are on the list as well as Misano Race Track. A lunch at the beach will give us the energy to continue to Valentino Rossi`s place in Tavullia. His Ranch, his coffee shop and the fan shop will enjoy you. And maybe you get a cappuccino with the "46" on it. But first of all we wait for the 1000 miglia. The cars are coming to San Marino today.

San Marino

Today there is the Mille Miglia historical race passing through San Marino!
Time for a beach shot!!! And some swimming too...

Sic`s memorial in Coriano

Misano race track

free entrance to the training

Bel Sit - high above the Adriatic Sea. Beautiful view and awesome food

last not least Rossi`s Ranch....

... and the Cafe dello Sport with fan shop

Time for a walk in the sunset to the top of San Marino to dine in "Il Nido del Falco"
The General and the Corporal discussing about the daily gelato...

6. Day: Assisi - San Marino

Another beautiful blue sky above us and another fantastic road below us! 254km today to get to San Marino, one of the oldest republic of the world!

First we will pass by Lake Trasimeno - where an important battle between Rome and Carthago took place in 217 BC, then a stop in Cortona for visiting the famous town featured also in "Under the Tuscan Sun", followed by many, many curves until our lunch stop in Umbria.

Some more left right left right and we arrive in Urbino, one of the best example of Renaissance architecture: the Palazzo Ducale (Duke Palace) of Montefeltro is simply astonishing!

In the afternoon it's time to leave Italy and enter the tiny Serenissima Repubblica di San Marino.

The Palazzo Ducale in Urbino... magnificent!
Coffee time "Italian style", standing at the bar and sipping it in 5 seconds.
oh Franz has also found some cake together with the coffee!!
We are on the Adriatic coast! San Marino and Rimini are very close now...

5. Day: Assisi loop to Norcia

Another "rest day" today: who wants to leave the bike in the garage and walk around Assisi all day? No one? Ok, let's go for a ride towards Norcia and Monti Sibillini then! This area in the last two years have been affected by several strong earthquakes and some roads are still closed. Villages like Castelluccio and Arquata are still isolated and nearly completely destroyed. 

Norcia, famous for its "salami di cinghiale" (will boar salami) can be partly visited but we need to modify a bit our route since the road through the Monti Sibillini plateau is still closed.

Saint Francis

Norcia undergoing severe reconstruction
On the way back to Assisi we stopped for lunch in the scenic little town Spello
A vintage lady, still very attractive... for classic beauty, age doesn't matter...
And it's Ursula's birthday today!!! Tanti cari auguri!!

4. Day: Siena - Assisi

TIme to move on to the next destination: the spiritual and peaceful hometown of S. Francis, Assisi! But between Siena ad Assisi there are countless of wonderful panoramas. Once again along the verdant rolling hills of the Crete Senesi, then a stop in Montalcino famous for its Brunello wine (an old bottle can be priced up to 1.000 eur) and then a scenic picnic stop in Bagno Vignoni.

first stop was Montalcino - famous for the Brunello. We climbed up to the fortress, not Franz of course.

What a view!

San Antimo - a mystical place

the chefs preparing the picnic

and after some 100 curves more we arrived in Bagno Vignoni, a charming town and a therrmal spa.

A delicious picnic waited for us.

this is an internal joke! Hi Tom, für eine Machete hat es leider nicht gereicht

The big medieval pool is filled with the water from the hot spring nearby
We were lucky to come during the exhibition "Reflections" of the Italian artist Daniela Capaccioli.

finest art along the basin - amazing

John and Nancy enjoying the Tuscan ride.
Can Tuscany be more scenic and picturesque than this? I doubt.... and every curve reveal a new panorama...

Lago Trasimeno - we had an ice cream. Some had some problems to eat it

Uiiii - Franz`s shoes!! If you think it is a beginning alzheimer - wrong!

Franz is on his 5th tour. Look at the most expensive t-shirt on this planet and it fits perfectly.

3. Day: Siena Restday

Le Crete is our destination for today. Typical Tuscan hills, cypress alley along the driveways to the farmhouses. We will visit San Galgano und Abbazia di Monte Oliveto and we will learn something about the power of the church. Curvy roads in the Merse valley and in the afternoon sightseeing in Siena - Piazza del Campo, Torre del Mangia, the cathedral with the unique mosaic floor, 

Ducati parking

San Galgano - our first stop

masterpiece of gothic archtitecture

this is Tuscany how you know it from calender pictures

Franz took a rest today and the boys waited for us with a delicious picnic

the salad sauce was awesome - thank you Franz

and a coffee with the sweeties sponsored by Angelika

some impressions of this paradise

the cathedral of Siena

on the left San Domenico.( Picture taken for Domenico )

And after an idyllic ride, a tasty picnic and a stroll around one of the prettiest town of the world... what else? Of course an aperitivo!
Il Campo and the Torre del Mangia under the warm light of the sunset are simply fine Italian charm.
Dinner in a typical osteria downtown tonight... Pici (a traditional Tuscan pasta) for everyone!

2. Day: Florence - Siena

The rolling hills of the Chianti, that`s what we will enjoy today. The icon is the black rooster, which is on every Chianti wine bottle and garantees D.O.C. A stop in Greve with its famous butcher shop as well as the "Manhattan of Tuscany" are on our plan. So let`s roll...

 

Briefing time in the fresh air of the Tuscan hill just outside Florence
Parking centrally in Greve in Chianti....oppps it's market day we are not supposed to park here but the local Polizia was very accommodating today.
Espresso time!
Chiarlie has a dejavù, since he has been in Tuscany before, on our MotoGP tour.... here posing in front of a famous old butcher shop.
Somewhere down there... in one of the houses Leonardo's Mona Lisa lived...
Castel Meleto, an imposing vinery castle
San Gimignano, always crowded but still not losing its medieval charme
John and Nancy in Monteriggioni, our last stop before reaching Siena

1. Day: Arrival in Florence

The first Tour of Tuscany in 2017 is about to start. Villa Pitiana, south of Florence, in the middle of olive and vineyards is our meeting point. The bikes are already here, clean and brand new.

Stay tuned....

I have seen worst working tables than this... such a pleasant view for concentratinng on the route planning!
The group is starting to arrive... what a royal welcome in this high ceiling mansion!
Villa Pitiana in its splendor...
Ursula showing the route to our "boutique" group... only 5 participants, like a family tour!
The 2 Ducati - red of course - are ready to roar!
A sumptous welcome dinner indeed!
A big classic in Tuscan cousine: Tagliata di Bistecca alla Fiorentina!
And a few desserts to coronate the evening...
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Add a comment Rate this post
Charlie Green
Monday, May 22, 2017 at 13:03

To Ursula, Manuel, John, Nancy and Franz....
This tour was great fun with this small group of new friends. To Ursula and Manuel, great job guiding! Shout out to Ursula - Passo Della Consuma was special! My best to everyone. Thank you!
The Corporal
General
Sunday, May 28, 2017 at 12:41

Hi Korporal and all others off this fantastic group! We had so lot off fun toghether, it was great. Small Team and quit a little Famili! Good guiding Team verry twisty roads, delichius Dinners and also a big nice birthdayparty with Ursula
Ursula Peter
Monday, May 29, 2017 at 09:16

To the General with the 2 different shoes,
thank you very much. It was a pleasure. We have to train a bit how to lick an icecream, but maybe we can do that next time.
I am in Zürich next Wednesday for a big tour, so maybe check the blog.
Ciao Franz, hope to see you again

Ursula
Ursula Peter
Monday, May 22, 2017 at 22:49

Corporal, I am happy that you enjoyed it. Was a pleasure for me. And I haven`t yet seen you laughing so much. Very good. Stay in touch. Hope to see you again.
Ursula
Nancy Becker
Friday, May 19, 2017 at 22:25

Laughing more tonight after fun at the beach, crying for SIC and cheering for Rossi...
The general (Franz) and the corporal (Charlie) are fun for all. The limoncello was good too!
Nancy Becker
Thursday, May 18, 2017 at 21:42

A great day today. Charlie and Franz made me laugh all day. Franz sure did love those FREE cookies! Too fun.
Michelle
Thursday, May 18, 2017 at 01:42

Happy Birthday Ursula!!!
Hello Charlie! Looks like a fabulous tour! I am missing Italy very much and missing spending the days with you both!
Take care
Michelle
Ursula Peter
Thursday, May 18, 2017 at 06:13

HI Michelle,
thanks for your wishes. Had a really nice birthday here in Assisi. The weather is beautiful, the sights and the riding as well. Hope you got your mens group organized in Rome . Say regards to the rest of the Canadian gang. Miss you
Regards Ursula
Wenda & Tom
Tuesday, May 16, 2017 at 03:04

Absolutely gorgeous. So happy you can enjoy a great experience. xox for continued fun!
Björn
Monday, May 15, 2017 at 12:16

Hey Charlie, nice to see you are enjoying Italian roads on a Multistrada. Have fun!
Nancy
Monday, May 15, 2017 at 09:21

Dan.. it's a brand new red Ducati
Multistrada ... and it's fast! And the roads are curvy... need I say more?? But so far so good
Wenda Silco
Monday, May 15, 2017 at 16:34

Sharing replys with Dan! Curvy roads must show nice scenery--great time!
Ursula Peter
Friday, May 19, 2017 at 18:58

To the favourite mother-in-law!
Awesome that you write comments. They are very proud of you.
Keep going
All the best
Ursula
John Becker
Thursday, May 18, 2017 at 22:03

Wait till you see the videos!
Franz Callegher
Monday, May 15, 2017 at 08:19

Einmaliges Hotel. Bitte nur sanft renovieren. Sonst geht der Charme dahin. Ja das Nachtessen..... mir fehlen die Worte. Nur soviel....Mmmmhh foin
Manuel Marabese
Monday, May 15, 2017 at 22:17

und wir kommen wieder vorbei am Ende eheheh
Tom-Wenda
Sunday, May 14, 2017 at 22:51

Wow! Some bike!!! Dan's comment "sweet!" Pam sent picture!!!439
John
Monday, May 15, 2017 at 21:39

It is a fantastic bike. Better than I expected and comfortable for my better half! A red Ducati in Toscana - nothing better... J
Dan visiting G&G
Sunday, May 14, 2017 at 22:46

Views look good, how about the bikes. Get an extra bottle of wine out of this tour for Mr. Dan?? Dan's rundown says cool bike--views good, but looking for a bike report!!!
John
Wednesday, May 17, 2017 at 22:12

Dan, about the bikes. The Ducati is working really well, we both like it. More than enough power, And tons of electronic help (ABS, traction control that adjusts for the lean angle, and wheelie control). Four riding modes and suspension adjusted electronically for two people on the bike. It handles pavement that is not smooth in the curves better than expected. With two of us it helps to be in the right gear coming into a corner. At too low rpm it stumbles as it is geared tall. It is red (nuff said). Your Aunt is comfortable and sits high... look at the pic of us on the road. Uncle John
Simone und Tom
Sunday, May 14, 2017 at 09:13

Schönen Gruß aus Dubrovnik!!! Wir frühstücken gerade und hätten gern eine schöne, frische Melone.... Freuen uns auf Fotos vom Picknick! Liebe Grüße Simone & Tom
Manuel Marabese
Monday, May 15, 2017 at 22:18

Melone und Prosciutto waren heute dabei!!! Und morgen auch...
Ursula Peter
Monday, May 15, 2017 at 08:56

Hi Tom, hi Simone,
schön mal einen Kommentar auf dem Blog von Dir zu sehen, anstatt auf dem CMS der BOE
Ich werd mich für den Chefkommentator natürlich bemühen einen Melone zu finden. Mit der Machete schauts allerdings wahrscheinlich schlecht aus.
Liebe Grüße

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