Ciao FC Ducatisti,
Last year DucatiPacifica did an 8 day ride in Italy with a company called "Mototouring" out of Milan. We met up in Florence and then rode down to the coast to a small town called Castiglioncello. We made that our home base for the week and rode throughout the Tuscan hills.

We plan on doing another trip this year and are just now starting to figure out the logistics of it. If any of your members are interested they would be welcome to join us.

Riding a Ducati in Italy is just plain great! If you ever get the chance you should not hesitate!

Don Schloth, President
DucatiPacifica

what time of year are you planning on going?

thx

You are talking about Eligio Arturi here. I am quite familiar with his operation. If you are interested in a cheaper location to rent Ducati bikes you can go north a little bit to the Lugano area. I have a friend that lives there and can do the reservations for you as he understands both languages. The dealer/renter is Pelican Drive Ducati, Roberto Sprugasci. I have spent six years in a row of up to two months each in this area and can be helpful for this and route ideas.

Ciao!

Bill

so what's the best time of year to go Bill?



thx.

Generally, if you wait until the end of June the passes in the Alps will open. This upcoming spring may be unusual because they are not receiving any snow this winter (so far). We usually go either in late June and come back in mid July, or wait until September. If you do the later, then you run into the problem of early snow in the Alps. I have been in some blinding blizzards, once right after 9/11. I do not recommend ever being there in August, as that month is 'Holliday' and everyone is out on the road, plus it gets bloody hot particularly in southern Italy. Some of our favorite areas center around Andermatt, St. Moritz, and the Dolomites. The best time to do the Dolomites is after the tour busses go home. I need to sit down with you and go over some maps so you get a realistic idea of what can be covered within what time frames. Generally what looks easy on a map isn't. Photos of our previous trips may be seen at www.weathergod.com

Ciao!

Bill