Guest dkgross Posted July 18, 2003 Posted July 18, 2003 I need some experienced help. Please feel free to email me privately or post here. The wife and I will be going to Italy in September. Probalby from around the 6th thru the 23/24th. We plan on being in Mandello on/around the 10th -12th I'm probably going a week ahead of her to get a motorcycle guided tour in until she gets there on/around the 11th. There just seems to be SO many decisions/choices to make. I'd love some recommendations regarding accomodations, etc. One thought was to go for the weekend to Venice from Mandello, then back to Mandello on the 15th for a special event..Is that feasabl?. Of course, we want to see Florence, Rome..etc...wheeeee. We've even heard that taking a night train and waking up in Paris for a day is a special treat. We would love any insight, ideas, opinions you have to share with us. Please email to my wife and I at: Relaena@yahoo.com dkgross@mac.com GRAZIE!!!!!! Dave and Relaena
Orson Posted July 18, 2003 Posted July 18, 2003 Hi Dave, From Mandello to Venice can be done in about 3 hours via autostrada or make it an all day ride by sticking to the back roads. Going east from Mandello will take you into the Dolomite Alps then, you can cut south to Venice. That route would probably be 8 to 10 wonderfully scenic hours. Remember that everything in Italy shuts down for 3 hours during lunch time so, be sure to top off the tank around 11:30 AM. Some stations do stay open but, better be safe & fill up ahead of time. Speaking of lunch, the Italians love a long leisurely lunch so, if you stop, be prepared to spend at least 1 hour. Of course you can find a McDonalds but, that seems kinda heretical to me. Sometimes I'd just take a roll from the Hotel's breakfast buffet & make a sandwich & stuff it in my tank bag. Daylight is precious & you have all those wonderful roads to ride As far as accomadations, I just played by hit or miss method. There's always hotels around. Some days, I'd get lucky & score a NICE 3 or 4 star hotel. Other days, not so lucky & slept in truck stop type places. I've found if you book ahead, you can spend hours trying to find the dang place as opposed to just stopping at the first place that looks nice. On Lake Como, Bellagio is a very nice town (I thought it was a Casino in Vegas) across the lake from Mandello & there's a ferry linking you to the otherside. You can have the missus scour the web for a nice place there. I don't think there are many hotels in Mandello itself. I found one in Varenna, just north of Mandello. The train to Paris sounds nice but, with Mandello being right at the foot of the Alps, the question is...WHY? I guess it WOULD keep the spousal unit happy Sienna is a a Tuscan town that holds a famous horse race in the town square that pits neighborhoods against each other and is full of dastardley subterfuge. I think it's in August tho so, you'll just miss it. here's a link: Sienna Of course, seeing Florence goes without saying. I haven't been to Rome so, I can't help you there. South of Rome, I've heard the Amalfi coast is stunning in its beauty. As you probably know, traffic in Italian cities is chaotic to say the least. Just go with the flow. Fall in behind a fast moving moped & let him clear the way for you. Remember, anything goes. Even the center stripe is an "unofficial" bike lane. Also, be prepared to get lost once or twice a day. It happens. Don't let it frustrate you. Italian roads aren't as well marked as American roads. You basically have to go from town to town, looking for a sign to the next town on your route. The roads have numbers but, they only exist on the map. It's another reason I don't try to schedule my stops. That way I don't HAVE to be at a certain place at any time Last but not least here is a link for a place in Milan that rents Moto Guzzis as well as Ducatis & Beemers: Mototouring I think they'll even pick you up at the airport. I think I've typed too much Have fun!
Lex Posted July 18, 2003 Posted July 18, 2003 All, My wife and I are talking about a trip to Europe in the next few years, I'd love to see the MG factory, catch a WSB and/ or a GP, see some of the sites and meet the locals. My point, assuming I have one, is that if you would be so kind as to tell us about your trip after you get back I think it would be a great start to a section of this board, Yanks in Europe/ Italy. Things like "We found a great hotel close to the factory/ this race track/ that famous site/ etc." or "You could take the autostrada from a point A to point B but if you have time try these back roads" would be great. Orson's post is a great example, I've spent enough time in Northern Europe/ England (always on business, unfortunately) to have a fair idea of how to get around up there but I've never had the pleasure of visiting the South so the long lunch, rules of the road advice, etc. is very valuable to me. More on the MC rental companies would be great, besides the one Orson mentioned I found a directory (http://www.moto-directory.com/touring/rental_foreign.htm) but comments from customers (was bike in good shape, type of bikes available, how a problem was handled, etc.) would be useful. As an example of what I am talking about, my wife and I rented a pair of BMWs from Te Waipounamu in New Zealand years ago and really enjoyed the experience but I would warn non-mechanical types that the bikes were a little rough. New Zealand is a little like how I picture Italy, "Don't worry, she'll be right mate" often translates as "Stop worrying about every little thing you up-tight American twit". It would be great to have a place to have this type of information archived. If it would be valuable we in the US and the folks who have visited here could also have a place to put comments about the USA for our European friends. Given the current USD/ Euro exchange rate I think the US may be a travel bargain right now. Sound like a good idea? I know Jaap is already putting in too much time on this site, if I could help I'd be willing to be an administrator. Lex PS. Dave, FWIW, my one trip to Paris was great. It may not be the Alps on a motorcycle but it is an incredible place. I have a memory of sitting under one of the bridges on the Seine waiting out a light drizzle listening to a street musician playing French jazz while looking at Notre Dame that will stay with me for a long time. Contrary to what I had been told, most of the people were reasonably friendly, even (shock!) the waiters.
Orson Posted July 18, 2003 Posted July 18, 2003 OOPS!...I forgot! September + Alps = COLD & maybe SNOW! Oh well. Plenty of good roads to the south. Also, the rental outfit I mentioned. I have heard no references on them. I only pointed them out because they rent Moto Guzzis From reading their web page tho, it seems like they have their act together. No idea if their prices are competitive. Dave, I think you said you were in Greece last year so, you kind of know what to expect from the drivers. Forget everything you've learned in the States. Bikes rule in Europe. No waiting in line at construction zones or stop lights. Go to the front of the line Cops turn a blind eye unless you're being a total hooligan. After half a day, you'll be riding just like a local
Paul Minnaert Posted July 18, 2003 Posted July 18, 2003 First what crosses my mind is that you have to go to switserland, got to the gothard pas, , furkapas, grimsel pas, sustenpas. taht's within 100km from mandello, the weather should'nt be bas, if it's a bit clear there, you'll never forget it. If you havn't had enough after that, goto chur, st moritz, zernez, stelvio pas,pao di gavia, ponte di legno, colico, mandello. A lot off city's are worth seeing, but goto: bologna and firenze. Milan is not the most interesting city. If youre going more south, from firenze to roma, the autoroute is one of the most beautifull i've even seen. Or do that by train. For eating, look where the italians are eating! In september, a hotel is no problem, don't book in advance, just stop where you want to sleep. The country in the north starts with mountains, until the line milan/venice. From there it's flat, and at bologna the mountains start again. I've been a lot in italy, so if you are more specific what you want to do there, I may have more advice.
jrt Posted July 19, 2003 Posted July 19, 2003 Stay out of Bergamo! I got lost every darn time I drove through that town...Oh, well. Seriously- There's a lot of good advice listed above- Orson is right about lunch- it takes awhile. I rented a motorcycle from some young fellows in Milan- Bianco Blu or something close to that- they had only BMW's, but were very nice to deal with. I'd rent from those guys again in a second. I encouraged them to pick up a couple of Guzzi's As far as accomodations- I strongly recommend agrotourismo's. They're like a cross between a bed-n-breakfast and a farm. Italian law stipulates that they have to feed their customers products from their farm. Man o' man, that's some fine eats. We stayed in some very nice ones, including a horse farm and a converted monastary. See that turkey running around? That's dinner. You might want to let someone else make accomodations for you. We (my wife and I) did that the first time we went over- we used a couple that advertise in the MGNOC newsletter- le volpi ciccioni (again- my spelling is off). They're a really nice young couple trying to set up a travel-tour company aimed at motorcyclists. They worked very well for us, and really weren't too expensive. Not only that, but they go ride all the roads before they recommend them to you. They make accomodations, and set up evening meals (which is cool when you've been driving in Italian all day ) Certainly something to consider, they support motorcycles, Moto Guzzi and they're nice. But my biggest word of advice is to relax and don't worry TOO much about a schedule. It's a lot of country to see both Mandello and Rome. North Italy is a couple of weeks in itself. You won't be disapointed. Enjoy, Jason
Guest dkgross Posted July 19, 2003 Posted July 19, 2003 thanks for all the advice! I love the idea of a seperate 'yanks in europe' page. JRT...funny you should mention the Volip folks. I've already have a number of wonderful email conversations with them. I'm probalby going to do a week with them BEFORE my wife arrives!!!
Orson Posted July 19, 2003 Posted July 19, 2003 Jason... I was wondering about those agroturismos! Thanks! I'll have to give them a try next time. Dave... Regarding the Moto Guzzi museum...when I was there, they were only open from 4:30 PM to 6:00 PM though, you mentioned a "special event" there so, maybe they'll be open longer.
Guest Jaap Posted July 19, 2003 Posted July 19, 2003 I see that everybody is quite enthousiastic about a travel section... no problem! (I have moved this thread to the travel section.)
Guest dkgross Posted July 20, 2003 Posted July 20, 2003 Thought I'd share one of the email I've recieved from the Le Volpi ciccione folks (info@levoloiciccione.it). I hope I get to do a guided type tour with them. I love the idea of following a local around for a week, and having all the 'details' taken care of. Then I'll do some exploring on my own! dg --------------- Prego David!!!! Here are the web sites of accomodations we have selected so that you may soon have a look. About the motorcycle part of the tour, I will email you later (I have to think a little to give you the best suggestions basing it on what you said!): Venice: www.hotelsanzulian.com it is close to the beautiful Piazza San marco, nice place, nice people, nice rooms. Florence: www.inpiazzadellasignoria.com it is a very nice place standing just in the heart of the town, they have just few rooms (kind of accomodation I like most!), the place is clean and beautiful, nice people (ruled by a joung couple). Rome: I have two suggestions depending on the part of the town you prefer to stay (Rome is huge!) : www.antica-locanda.com is ruled by father and her daughter, it is 5 minutes from the Colosseo and the ancient area, in a quiet street. They also own a "taverna" (sort of restaurant) near the accomodation. www.pensionepanda.com stands in a lively street spotted by bars, small restaurants etc., close to Piazza di Spagna (Spanish Steps). They don't offer the breakfast but lots of bars are in the area, the rooms are small but nice and clean. When staying in towns I would suggest the bed & breakfast accomodation and having dinner around. On the contrary when staying in the countryside I would suggest the half board accomodation (breakfast + dinner) as the home-made food of the farmhouses is very worth eating! Ciao Giusy
jrt Posted July 20, 2003 Posted July 20, 2003 It is nice to have some details taken care of. By the time the day is over, you're just tired and want some food. It made my wife a lot happier that she wouldn't have this responsibility. Another suggestion- When in Florence, go to the Hotel Baglioni, and go to the rooftop bar. It must be the best damn view in all of Florence. Evening- about sundown- is absolutely gorgeous. You get a 360 view of the City, including all the cathedrals. It's even a nice old-style hotel to stay in, very elegant, but it's just that- a hotel. You won't go wrong working the the Volpi, but you will laugh cause they're probably younger than you. Tell 'em hi from Sonya and Jason. Oh, yeah- more suggestions- If you want to go to the museum in Florence (the Uffizi- Wow!), then buy your tickets on-line. The wait outside if you do it 'spur of the moment', is several hours And I recall that the Guzzi museum was open only one hour, from like 3-4, M-F, so you better check with those folks. Cheers, Jason
Guest RFusi Posted August 8, 2003 Posted August 8, 2003 Has anyone here actually rode a motorcycle in Rome? We were on a city transit bus and a moped cut us off. Driver said "eh, whats ya gunna do?" The craziest drivers I have ever seen. I drove in Malta and it was fun. My wife would not let me rent a car in Rome Really want to do a tour of Northern Italy on a bike. Maybe fall of 2004. My advise: Stay off a motorcyle in Rome! Ciao Randy Fusi "Being half Itailian is better than being no Italian at all"
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