Italy Tour?

[chickenstrip]

Thinking about this with my mate who came with me to Europe last month*. I was very taken with what we saw of Italy, with the variety it has to offer and with the people we met, and would like to see a lot more of the country.

Many people talk about availability of hotels being problematic in September, when the Italians have their holidays. Has anyone experience of this? Is it really as prohibitive a situation as it sounds? Do hotel prices soar during this period? Other difficulties caused?

If you were to do such a tour, when would you go, if you had the choice of any period?

We're I'm thinking of going down through Tuscany again, but hopefully, with better weather ( ), I'd spend a bit more time to sample the feel of this region. Then down to Rome to do the touristy bit on foot/public transport for 2/3 days. Then along part of the Amalfi coast to Naples/Pompeii, from where I'd like to catch a ferry over to Sicily. Two or three days on Sicily, then back up through the "toe", and up via the Pollino National Park,** generally following the 'spine' of the Apennines to Cassino (war stuff) and on home. Everything between those places is thus far blank in the plans.

Anyone comment on this/add ideas/offer useful information? Any advice/helpful suggestions gratefully received.

Bugger. Looks like you can't get a ferry, with vehicle, from Sicily to the toe of Italy. Unless anyone knows different?**

*Now just me

**Scrapped this idea!
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Chickenystripgeezer's Biking Life (Latest update 19/10/18) Belgium, France, Italy, Austria tour 2016 Picos de Europa, Pyrenees and French Alps tour 2017 Scotland Trip 1, now with BONUS FEATURE edit, 5/10/19, on page 2 Scotland Trip 2 Luxembourg, Black Forest, Switzerland, Vosges Trip 2017
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[rubyhorse2]

just got back from doing a little of italy, only tips i can offer are..

dont go in june/july as its baking hot and makes riding just unpleasant

the coastal roads around italy are really good but can be busy

accommodation, lots of campsites if thats your bag, we did struggle with hotels and apartments but always managed to find somewhere

i actually preferred the small little villages rather than the tourist cities that everyone goes to, that's seeing a country to me, but suppose the 'have to' places need to be visited

Just to add i absolutely loved italy, the people are all friendly, food is amazing and the country is stunning. also the traffic, although seemingly chaotic just works and i felt totally safe and confident, even through the centre of Genova at rush hour. Reminded me of Vietnam a little, if you go with the flow it just seems to work. We are definitely going to go back.

[chickenstrip]

Trip report required!

We're looking at going early September or perhaps early October, as I agree, I don't fancy 34degC+ temperatures really, although I guess I'd cope if it came to it. My mate reckons in August the touristy places fill up with backpackers So it looks like there's no time better than any other?

What I liked about our last trip was that despite the wet conditions we encountered for much of the trip, we did keep things varied with touristy stuff for a day in Florence, good twisty roads in the Apennines, stops in quaint little villages for the cafes etc. For me, this is the key to a good tour, and is what we'll be aiming to do on the next trip too. I find it nice to have a day or two off the bikes here and there, and places like Rome will hopefully give us that - I can be quite the average tourist when the mood takes me

I agree with all the praise you have given Italy, hence wishing to go back there above all other places in Europe (although we're also looking at maybe another blast to the Alps to cover what we originally had planned for the last trip).

But yeah, trip report please!
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Chickenystripgeezer's Biking Life (Latest update 19/10/18) Belgium, France, Italy, Austria tour 2016 Picos de Europa, Pyrenees and French Alps tour 2017 Scotland Trip 1, now with BONUS FEATURE edit, 5/10/19, on page 2 Scotland Trip 2 Luxembourg, Black Forest, Switzerland, Vosges Trip 2017
THERE'S MILLIONS OF CHICKENSTRIPS OUT THERE!

[Copycat73]

maybe of interest or use.

https://www.bikechatforums.com/viewtopic.php?p=4275481
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[Silver_Fox]

I've just got back from Italy as part of my european tour. Fascinating place and bonkers people. Right up my alley

The 38 degree heat was draining though as was mentioned. It's not nice sitting in ball soup
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[chickenstrip]

[Silver_Fox]

I've been meaning to but trying to download and scan through 7000 photos and 40 videos is takin' a little time

I will do a proper write up shortly, but to summarise it was 7 countries in 7 days, England, France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland, Italy. 2048 miles (Monday-Sunday) Belgian's can't drive for sh*t and Italian waitresses are hot

https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13494968_10153944680298192_5051385403081749537_n.jpg?oh=a12e60b5ef8df736ddcb6cea29ed7017&oe=58339189
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CG125

[rubyhorse2]

i'll get a trip report sorted soon, to be honest it was more of a holiday than a biking tour as was the other halves first time, apart from the usual TT trips, as a pillion on a longer trip, so i just wanted to keep her happy.

I think our plan for next year is again going to Nice but heading west along the coast in France. i'd love to do all the twisties and the alps etc but i think that'll be without the mrs.

[Matt B]

[Silver_Fox]

We hit up lake Homo too
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[chickenstrip]

[Silver_Fox]

It's a darn long way just to get to Italy. It was our furthest point South and we only touched into it before heading back
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[chickenstrip]

[Silver_Fox]

You're North England aren't you? It's 815 miles just from Milton Keynes, let alone starting from oop there
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[Matt B]

[chickenstrip]

Yeah, 370-ish miles just to get to the Chunnel

It doesn't put me off - I've got the time and funds to do it. But there will be a limit on the funding somewhere!
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Chickenystripgeezer's Biking Life (Latest update 19/10/18) Belgium, France, Italy, Austria tour 2016 Picos de Europa, Pyrenees and French Alps tour 2017 Scotland Trip 1, now with BONUS FEATURE edit, 5/10/19, on page 2 Scotland Trip 2 Luxembourg, Black Forest, Switzerland, Vosges Trip 2017
THERE'S MILLIONS OF CHICKENSTRIPS OUT THERE!

[Silver_Fox]

We saw a lot of German registered bikes ridden by many nationalities whilst at various haunts and hotels. I assume the hire scene is healthy there. Perhaps a cheap flight over and hire something?
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[chickenstrip]

Here's a very rough outline of what I'd like to do:

Calais to Andermatt (Switzerland), or thereabouts; only for approx mileage figures: 2 days, approx 520miles (direct).

Andermatt to Siena, Tuscany: 1 day, approx 350 miles (direct).

2 days/3 nights @ Siena, to explore Tuscany region.

Siena to Rome: 1 day, 150 miles (direct).

3 days/4 nights to explore Rome, Tivoli etc.

Rome to Naples: 1 day, approx 150 miles (direct).

3 days/4 nights @ Naples to explore Pompeii/Vesuvius, Amalfi Coast, Naples.

Naples to Sicily via ferry: 1 day.

Sicily: 2 days/3 nights to explore, Palermo, Mt. Etna, Syracuse.

Sicily to Naples via ferry: 1 day.

Naples to Cortina D'Ampezzo, Dolomites: 3 days, approx 600 miles (direct).

Dolomites, 2 days to explore.

Cortina D'Ampezzo to Calais: 2 days, approx 750 miles (direct).

Think I'd be looking at a total of somewhere in the region of 3000 miles (not including UK travel)! And that's just going by Google with no limitations on toll and motorway routes, so probably considerably more than this; and that's without exploring on the days I'd be based for a couple of days in various places - although in one or two places I'd go motorway to link up certain places.
It's just initial thoughts really, and obviously needs a lot more thrashing out before I could really call it a plan.

[chickenstrip]

[rubyhorse2]

have to agree, every road we went on in italy was great, hardly any holes, bumps etc.

We did the train paris to nice and flew, cant fault it, though one cost to take in to account is taxis's from airport, next time i'd jump on a train and not fly.

roads along coast from nice to pisa are really nice, though busy, especially near towns and cities, the lights and crossings will drive you bonkers. But i'd still do this rather than waste time riding down.

if satnav says 2 hours...just double it

[Casper]

[rubyhorse2]

its a good point, the UK part isnt exactly really enjoyable and it just feels like your riding to the start of your holiday rather than it being part of it.

[Efes123]

More than welcome to stop off at our gaff-- near Lake Trasimeno, Umbria

Most Italians go on holiday in August rather than September. September is a great time to visit as the temperature starts to drop to a comfortable mid-20s to 30ish.

I'd sincerely advise against riding in Rome, it is just plain mental.

Most of the smaller roads start to deteriorate past Tuscany. They can still be loads of fun to ride, but beware of corners that are like cobbles. I've had a few brown trouser moments since I've been here

Sounds like a great ride, shout if you need me to look anything local up for you
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[Silver_Fox]

Roadtrip to Italy it is!
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CG125

[Fizzer Thou]

Mrs Fizzer had never experienced Italy by bike before,so,as part of our Euro-Tour that we got back from today,that country was on our three week agenda.

I worked in Italy thirty years ago but only got to see industrial areas,train stations and hotels.To my friends it sounded like fun,but it was full on hard work as my first daughter was due.So I wanted to return to Padua/Padova as part of our tour.

As has been said,the Italians serve up some super food.And they do their best to speak English,unlike the frogs.

Fantastic scenery around the Alps and the Dolomites.The FJ worked well but will need a few mods before riding around France and the Pyrenees next year.

https://i666.photobucket.com/albums/vv23/WiNot_Rhencullen/Biking%20Abroad/20160711_153107_zpsvio8n3ah.jpg
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