Stories from the Road
Expert guides, local insights, and tales of adventure from Italy's most beautiful motorcycle routes
Motorcycle Tours Italy: Umbria's Best Riding Secrets
Skip the Stelvio crowds and head to Umbria, Italy's Green Heart, where winding roads, medieval towns, and serene landscapes redefine motorcycle touring. Discover the best routes like the Bocca Trabaria pass and Corbara Lake road, learn why May and September are the perfect months to ride, and find out how to fuel smart and park wisely in hilltop towns. Whether you're on a Ducati Multistrada or a BMW GS, Umbria's mix of curves, culture, and countryside offers the ultimate Italian riding escape—crafted for riders who crave authenticity over tourism.
Don't Go to Italy Without Reading This First!
You've been dreaming about it for months—maybe years. The Dolomites. The Amalfi Coast. Those winding Tuscan backroads you've seen in films. Your bike's ready, the dates are locked in, and you're counting down the days until wheels touch Italian tarmac. But here's the thing: Italy on a motorcycle isn't just about booking flights and hotels. It's about understanding a rhythm that's uniquely Italian—one that can transform your trip from good to absolutely unforgettable. After years of guiding riders from around the world through Italy's most spectacular roads, we've learned that the difference between a good Italian motorcycle tour and a life-changing one comes down to preparation, local knowledge, and understanding what makes Italy truly special. Before you pack your panniers and head to the airport, let us share what every rider should know before their first Italian adventure.
Best Motorcycle Routes in Tuscany for Australians
Tuscany is where slow roads meet fast joy. For Australians craving curves, countryside, and culture, it delivers every time. Picture starting your day in the vineyards of Chianti, stopping for a mid morning espresso in Greve, and riding under the golden light towards San Gimignano's towers. You'll pass cypress lined avenues, mediaeval villages frozen in time, and ridgelines that roll like waves. But Tuscany's real magic isn't just in the riding—it's in the rhythm. You take your time, meet winemakers, chat with butchers, dip your boots in cool rivers, and pause for roadside picnics with Pecorino and prosciutto. Australian riders often say it feels like the best bits of the Hunter and Barossa, just with 1000 years more history. Whether you're riding solo or in a small group, routes like the Val d'Orcia Loop, Crete Senesi Trail, or the wild Maremma coast offer variety and soul. This is a trip that slows your mind and stirs your senses.
Dolomites vs Alps: Which Italian Mountains to Choose
Choosing between the Dolomites and the Alps is like choosing between two legends. Both offer unforgettable motorcycle experiences, but the vibe, terrain, and riding rhythm are totally different. The Dolomites feel sculpted by artists—sharp, cinematic, colourful. You'll ride through moonscape switchbacks, fairy tale forests, and picture perfect passes like Passo Giau, Passo Sella, and Gardena. Everything is tighter, twistier, and breathtakingly vertical. Meanwhile, the Alps are more about grandeur. Wider valleys, longer sweepers, epic tunnels. Routes like the Stelvio Pass or Col de l'Iseran offer wide, arcing turns and a different kind of flow. Culture wise, Dolomites blend Italian warmth with Austrian precision, while the Alps swing between French flair and Swiss charm. So what should you choose If you're a confident rider craving adrenaline and close quarters climbing, start with the Dolomites. If you prefer open roads and longer days with sweeping landscapes, the Alps might be your jam. Either way, you'll return changed.
Pillion Friendly Roads in Italy: Complete Guide
Riding two up through Italy can be just as thrilling for the passenger as it is for the rider—if you know where to go. This guide is built from experience: smoother tarmac, frequent stops, and routes that balance beauty with comfort. Think Lake Garda's lakeside roads, where you can stop for a swim or gelato. Or Umbria's olive covered hills, where the curves are gentle and the landscapes open. We've picked routes with regular cafés, panoramic rest points, and chances to stretch and breathe. From Liguria's Cinque Terre vistas to Emilia Romagna's backroads near Bologna, these are rides made for shared joy. Tips for pillion friendly setups Pack a backrest or top box, use a helmet intercom to chat mid ride, and plan shorter days with long lunches. Because it's not just about the roads—it's about the memories you create together. If you're planning a romantic escape or a relaxed adventure with a friend or partner, this guide is your map to harmony on two wheels.
Italian Factory Tours: Ducati, Dainese, and More
If you ride Italian, you owe it to yourself to visit the legends. Touring the Ducati factory in Bologna or walking through Dainese's innovation lab in Vicenza is like stepping into motorcycling mythology. These aren't just production lines—they're sanctuaries. At Ducati, you'll see engines built by hand, frames painted with race day precision, and history etched into the museum walls. Dainese shows how safety becomes style—from Rossi's suits to airbag systems. Booking is simple: online portals usually have tours in English, and both brands include museum access. Don't forget Moto Guzzi by Lake Como—it's like a postcard with pistons. These tours aren't just for enthusiasts. They're emotional, inspiring, and humbling. You realise every ride has roots. You meet the hands and minds behind your machine. And maybe, just maybe, you'll leave with more than souvenirs—you'll leave with pride.