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| SOUTHERN
ROADS OF ITALY AND THE HEART OF GREECE |
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This tour is scheduled only per request
for groups of four riders or more. |
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A great tour, which will lead you to the exploration of
the wonders of the south of Italy and the central part of Greece. You’ll
start with the Costiera Amalfitana, an area no visit to the south of Rome
should do without. This coastal road is so stunningly beautiful that it
will remain in your heart forever. The small villages along the coast in
their pastel colors and narrow alleys, which wind up and down the cliffs,
will take you back in time and to a different pace of life. Positano and
Amalfi the main towns of this coastline offer great shopping and
sightseeing opportunities (Capri, Sorrento and surroundings).
Your tour will continue south to another exclusive resort: Maratea. This
town is the only sea town of the Basilicata region sandwiched between
Campania and Calabria. From here excursions to visit the inland of the
Cilento National park and the one of Pollino will set up a wonderful day
ride.
Once you leave Maratea you say good-bye to the Thyrrenian Sea and cross
over the mountains to the Ionian and Adriatic coast. But before we reach
the other coasts, we have two significant stops at the national park of
the small Dolomites of Lucania and in Matera by the Sassi and Chiese
Rupestri: fascinating medieval cliffhanging constructions. On the way we
stop in Alberobello, a town that has a central section completely built up
by Trulli constructions. Trulli are round shaped houses with cone shaped
roofs, traditional of Puglia. A second interesting stop on the transfer
day is by the unique Castel del Monte, built by Federico of Svevia and
steeped in mystery regarding its octagonal geometry and relations to the
equinoxes. It is a very interesting visit.
A comfortable overnight ferry ride will transport you
and your bikes to the Ionian port town of Igoumenitsa in Greece.
From here you’ll start discovering the cradle of western
civilization. Greeks are
known for their openness and hospitality.
Greece has been described as having its mind at the west and its
heart at the east. A country
full of contrasts, rugged terrain, and breath taking beauty.
While in Greece we’ll visit among others - places such as the stone
formations of Meteora with their monasteries built on top of them –
still a mystery how the monks did some 600 years ago, Delfi, where its
Oracle could foresee the future, Plaka, the oldest neighborhood in the
oldest continuously inhabited city in Europe, Palea Epidavros with its renowned and best preserved ancient theater in the
world, we’ll cross a bridge with the longest suspended deck in the
world, and charming islands like Lefkada with its exquisite sunsets.
Two chances to ride in the Gargano peninsula, with stunning nature, more
twisty roads and a wonderful sea, make it a very enjoyable diversion after
you experience in Greece and before returning to Naples on the way to
Rome. |
| Daily
route |
| Day 0.
Arrive in Rome; transfer to hotel, meet the tour leader and other tour
members, welcoming drink and general tour briefing with completion of all
paperwork. For people arriving in the morning there is a possibility of a
city tour of Rome with a professional guide. Welcoming dinner. Overnight
in Rome
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| Day 1.
South out of Rome through
the hills of ancient Albalonga, where Romolus and Remus came from to found
Rome, we reach the Circeo peninsula, which is said to carry the
profile of the "maga Circe", the potent witch that fell in love
with Odysseus and kept him prisoner for many years on the Island of Ponza.
In the evening we reach the Costiera Amalfitana.
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| Day 2 and 3.
You
have two days to enjoy every corner of this 60 km long coastline. Each
road is entertaining each corner reveals a spectacular view and each house
has a story to tell. Amalfi is named after a nymph who Hercules loved but
who suddenly died. Hercules distraught by sadness decided to bury her in
the most beautiful place on Earth, the bay of Amalfi. During these two
days you also have the chance to visit the excavations in Pompei or take a
boat trip to the Island of Capri. Two overnights in Sorrento
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Day
4.
We leave
the Costiera and visit Paestum's archaeological site, another must when in
this region. Greek and Roman ruins, temples and painted tombs dated as far
back as the 3rd century BC make up for a interesting visit. After the
visit to Paestum. We have a ride to Maratea and Parco del Pollino.
Overnight in Maratea. |
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Day
5.
Loop
ride the Cilento and Vallo di Diano National park. Pay a visit to the
Certosa di Padula a very interesting monastery. Experience some incredible
views from the Vallo di Diano.
Then we head our bikes to Brindisi to get on our Ship in the evening:
destination is: Igoumenitsa in GREECE. |
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| Day 6.
Welcome to GREECE.
After a good night’s sleep on the ferry, we head towards Meteora.
The road to Meteora winds through the pass of Katara (meaning
“the curse” in Greek). It
is an excellent motorcycle ride. Meteora,
meaning ‘suspended in air’ is a unique set of rock
formations in the middle of a valley.
On top of the rocks monks have build monasteries dating back to the
14th century. This is a site
not to be missed.
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| Day 7.
Today the road takes us to Delfi – a walk through time. During the Mycenaean period, the
female deity of Earth was worshipped in this small settlement. The
development of the sanctuary and oracle though, began in the 8th century
B.C. with the establishment of the cult of Apollo. The most significant
ruins to be visited are the Temple of Apollo, the Teasury of the
Athenians, the Altar of Chians, the Stoa of the Athenians, the Theater of
the Sanctuary, the Stadium, the Castalia Spring, the Tholos, the Polygonal
wall, and the Gymnasium. We'll arrive with enough time to visit as much of
the ruins as you'd like.
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| Day 8.
Riding through the back
roads of this ancient land, we’ll enter the capital of Athens, with
final destination the Plaka where we’ll spend the night.
Plaka is the oldest part of Athens. Most of the streets
have been closed to automobile traffic but motorcycles can generally go
through, which is a good thing for us. Plaka is full of outdoor
restaurants and cafes but the best ones remain well hidden - after all who
wants to go where all the other tourists go... Tourist shops are plentiful
and packed with souvenirs. From here the Acropolis is only a short walk
away.
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| Day 9.
Our destination today is Nafplion.
This former capital of Greece (1828 to 1834) is located in a picture
perfect place on the Argolic Gulf with its rocky shores and mighty castle
looking into calm blue water. Along
the way we’ll visit Palea Epidavros - A small ancient town home of the
theatre of The Sanctuary of Asklepios.
This is a must see. It is the most renowned and best-preserved
ancient theater in the world. It is constructed of stone and can seat
12,000 people.
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| Day 10.
Heading west on the Peloponisos Peninsula,
we’ll visit the city of Argos. Dating
in the Bronze Age, Argos is believed to be the oldest city in Greece.
The ruins of the temple of Hera are definitely worth a visit.
Moving towards our final destination – the island of Lefkas –
we’ll cross a 4-pylon cable-stayed Bridge that has the longest
suspended deck in the world (2,252m / 7,388ft). Lefkada as is commonly called by the Greeks, nestles away in
the center of the main Ionian Islands and is the only island linked to
mainland Greece. A swing bridge gives easy access by road. You will
probably find some of the most picturesque views around, looking out from
the calmer waters of the east coast overlooking the famous Onassis island
of Scorpios, the other islands and mainland Greece and in contrast on the
west coast you will find the best beaches and most spectacular sunsets.
Lefkada maintains its charm because of its strict building laws, which do
not allow high storey buildings.
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| Day 11.
Our
last day in Greece. The winding back roads of this region will take us to
our final destination of the day – Igumenitsa.
After a short ferry crossing in Aktio, we’ll arrive at the port
of Igoumenitsa where the bikes will be loaded to the ferry heading back to
Brindisi.
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Day
12.
We
leave BRINDISI and head
our bikes to the Gargano mountains and Riviera.
Our destination is Gallipoli for a beautiful series of twisty roads and
breathtaking scenery on the sea. Leaving Gallipoli we’ll ride north to
Naples. Overnight in Naples |
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Day
13.
Fast
ride to Rome and Time at leisure to enjoy the eternal town. Possibility of
guided optional tour of the city
Farewell Dinner and Overnight in Rome |
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| Day 14. DEPARTURE |
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| GUIDED
TOUR |
| Riding
days: |
13 |
| Support
vehicle: |
Yes |
| Hotel
level: |
3 star: 10 nights
4 star: 3 nights |
| Airport
transfers |
Yes |
| Welcome
and farewell dinners: |
Yes |
| Starting/Ending
in: |
Rome-Brindisi /Rome |
| Riding
ability level: |
Experienced |
| Shopping
opportunities: |
Positano, Amalfi, Maratea,
Gallipoli, Lecce, Vieste |
| Riding
distances per day: |
200-300kms |
| Dates |
| July
7-21, 2006 / September 6-20, 2006 |
| Prices
(Per
person:) |
single
occupancy, riding solo
double occupancy, riding solo
double occupancy, two-up |
€ 2174
€ 1812
€ 1538 |
| Motorcycle
rental: |
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V-Strom 650, CBF600F
Moto Guzzi California 1100
Ducati ST3, Multistrada, GS1150
RT1150, GS1200 |
€ 1312
€ 1535
€ 1715
€ 1972 |
| * Prices in US$ based on
Euro to Dollar exchange rates as of January 24, 2006 |
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