(January 22, 2016)- Leod Escapes Italian Dream returns in June 2016, this time with track time on Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli. Follow Italian guides to great motorcycling roads only an Italian would know, hidden little accommodations and amazing food. Arrive and depart from the Eternal City of Rome. Visit the Ducati Factory and stop in Valentino Rossi’s home town of Tavullia. Riders will enjoy eight days and eight nights, ride over 1000 miles and do one day of track instruction on a Panigale. This small tour will only have a maximum of 12 riders so get your spot reserved this February.
What is this tour like?
This tour brings together a small group of intermediate to advanced riders an authentic Italian motorcycle experience.
Yes, you will see some of the top attractions in Italy but you’ll be seeing it with an Italian local and avoiding the tourist traps. Your guide Enrico is a 7th generation Roman who pulsates with the passion of Italy and is an accomplished rider.The pace is quicker than most tours but not unsafe.
The food is absolutely amazing, from fine restaurants to quaint little cafe’s you will sample it all. Dining in Italy is more than a meal, it is an event. Hotels range from business hotels to small little boutique inns. The Ducati factory tour is fascinating and you’ll see a few misty eyes when a new Ducati gets started for the first time. The roads through the hills, valleys and tiny villages are amazing and really give you a flavor of the region.
When should riders reserve their spot?
1. Riders to book this tour in February and March.
2. The earlier you book the wider selection of bike are available to you.
When? What does it cost & what’s included?
• Tour 2016 June 3rd to 11th
• Prices start at $5350
• 6 Days of world class riding
• 1 Day of track Instruction on Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli
• 8 Nights in 3 and 4 star hotels
• Base Rental bikes like BMW F800R and MotoGuzzi V7, upgrades like BMW R1200R available.
• Panigale 899 During Track Day
• Track Fees and Ducati Track Instructors
• Ducati Factory Tour
• All airport transfers
• Italian Breakfast everyday
• Luggage Support Vehicle
• Small group of only 12 riders
• Local Guides and Translators
• Temporary cell phone in case you get separated from the group
Who would enjoy this vacation?
• Track day riders and amateur racers
• Experienced sport touring riders who have never ridden a track before can do a day long training course and then do some laps of the track at the end of the day.
• People who want to escape their normal routine and do something awesome.
What’s the DRE like?
On this tour we take part in the Ducati Riding Experience at Misano World Circuit. How else could we get something as pure Italian as riding a Panigale on an Italian MotoGP track. It’s more than that. Ducati brings out celebrity riders. It’s kind of cool to get passed by Carlos Checa or to have Andrew Pitt give you tips on your braking technique. The whole event is very polished, very organized, very well photographed and very Ducati. If you have no track experience it is possible to take the Ducati Precision Course during the day to build up your skills and then go out for some laps on the track at the end of your training.
A few words from Cat MacLeod on what makes this tour special.
The passion of Italy is what makes it sexy. The food, the cars, the motorcycles, the people are all made with a passion for life.
I worked personally with Enrico to make this tour enjoyable for our style of rider and our type of trip. Like so many great Italian things it turned out authentic, curvy and delicious. Enrico used to do film production so he’s very good at logistics and planning but he’s anything but boring. The Ducati supplied Panigale is wonderful on the track, it just carves turns with such ease and confidence. This year we could have returned to Mugello but we had the opportunity to do Misano. It’s a famous MotoGP course dedicated to the memory of Marco Simoncelli and it’s Valentino Rossi’s home track.
For the track day rider the one thing we missed last year was visiting Rossi’s hometown of Tavullia. Well we’ve got it covered this year. This year we also extended the tour by one day to have a rest day in Orvieto. This allows you to really take a moment after the track day intensity and recharge in a real Italian wine country town.
Yes, Italy’s passion for life makes it romatic… so bring a date if you can.
VIDEO of Last Year’s Tour
Thanks to Nancy our Operations Manager we got a lot of great video from last year’s tour. Be sure to turn up the volume for the full Italian effect. Video is available here on YouTube
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