MPN Contributing Editor Tours Majestic Italy by motorcycle
With layers of history built up like a lasagna, terrific roads full of curves and luscious scenery, and world-renowned wine and cuisine, Italy is a fabulous destination for motorcyclists.
Beach’s Motorcycle Adventures Ltd. is the oldest motorcycle tour company in Europe. Founded by Bob Beach in 1972, Beach’s was an important part of the “fly and ride” BMW program in Europe, offering clients the opportunity to take delivery of a new motorcycle in Europe, ride it on tour, then have it shipped back to their stateside BMW dealer for pickup. Rob Beach (Bob’s son, who grew up riding in Europe with his father) now runs the business and has expanded the company’s offerings to the United Kingdom, New Zealand and South Africa.
“‘Magical’ is a term I often use, for the simple reason that so many of the places I take tour members are, indeed, ‘magical,’” said Rob Beach. “Here and there (far more frequently than you can imagine), in the ever-changing terrain of central Italy, are pockets of magic. Places and traditions untouched by time and by tourism. Roads traveled only by locals. Views and vistas enjoyed by no one but me and the riders with me at that moment. From the familiar beauty of the Tuscan hills to the brutal vertical faces of the Gran Sasso mountains, central Italy is about variety.”
The Italian Idyll is an itinerary that covers more ground, in a personalized and intimate way, than other tours through the region. “As we began to move away from Tuscany it seemed like we were giving up the good, but it was really about discovering the brilliant,” concluded Beach.
