MotoGP Mugello Tour - Viva Italia

Tavullia, Italy, is a quaint and rustic little town. Sandwiched between the borders of Pesaro-Urbino and Rimini, Tavullia is rich in history that dates back to the Middle Ages (the earliest known document from the region is dated 1283). With an area of 27 square miles, it boasts a population of just over 7000 people. Unlike many other places in Italy, the municipality isn't known for its trading or for its charming landscape-though its cobblestone streets and vintage architecture are surely stunning. Nope, Tavullia is on the map for one reason and one reason only: Valentino Rossi. "The Doctor" is so popular in his hometown that he has his own dedicated page on Tavullia's official website, updated with interviews and videos from each race. In fact the town even has an annual "Rossi Day" in celebration of its hero.

So it's no surprise that when the MotoGP circus made its way to Mugello earlier this year, all of Italy came to pay homage. Recognizing the opportunity to expose folks on this side of the Atlantic to a true MotoGP experience, Edelweiss, (www.edelweissbike.com) one of the early pioneers of motorcycle tours, again hosted a MotoGP tour. This time around the selected race was the aforementioned Mugello date.

The premise was simple: Edelweiss took us for a ride through some of the best roads around, all the while experiencing everything Germany, Austria and Italy had to offer. In between all the riding we got to be among the madness at a MotoGP race as well. What more could you ask for?

The Details
The MotoGP Mugello tour spans a total of 10 days, eight of which will be spent on two wheels. The tour begins and ends in Erding, Germany, with numerous stops throughout Austria and Italy as well. Specifically, the Mugello tour includes passes over Austria's highest mountain, the Grossglockner; as well as the Dolomites, (the mountains around Lago di Garda), and other winding roads that only locals know about. Participants can choose from a number of models in the BMW lineup, with a few Ducati Multistradas and Suzuki Bandits and V-Stroms added into the mix for variety. Edelweiss has relationships with most of today's leading manufacturers, so if you'd like something specific contact them and they may be able to get the steed you desire. Pricing for the tour varies depending on the motorcycle chosen as well as the assorted accommodations.

It's also worth mentioning that these tours run rain or shine, so packing the right riding gear is vital for a successful trip. Fortunately, one of the perks of going on tour with Edelweiss is that they take care of transporting your luggage from one hotel to the next. Included with the price of admission are the accommodations, maintenance of the motorcycles and entry into the track during race weekend. The only things they don't cover are fuel, lunch, fees for toll roads and personal expenses.