Ok...so, I am home from Italy and what a great experience. I have nearly 1000 photos all told. Won't even attempt a full report here other than to say that
Ive been to Rome, Tivoli, Assissi, Ravenna,
Chioggia, Venice, Penzano, Sienna,
San Gimignano, Bologna, Imolo,
Firenze,Pisa, Porto Fino,
Here are a few shots from the Factory...none of the really sweet new stuff...pics were forbidden inside the plant but, yes Virginia, there really is an 848 that looks like the 1098 in Pearl White.
(poached pic...not mine!)
And the Desmosedici is gorgeous...
('nother poached pic)
This is the front of the main Factory...
If you plan to visit the factory in Bologna you need to email them ahead of time and reserve a tour. My wife and I arrived and were in a group of about 8 others led by a hot, and knowledgable, guide!
As we gathered in the Cafeteria, several other tours were waiting to start so I have Bette, (my long suffering better-half), snap this pic!
When the original Ducati Radio Factory was bombed to rubble in WW2, they reinvented themselves with the Cucciolo...
The museum was really well done with lots of historically important motorcycles on display. Here are a couple...
Batman stands next to Troy Bayliss' Superman Leathers...and who says I'm a poseur???
It didn't take long for Ducati to get this put up...
We left Bologna and spent the night in Imola. The next day we drove to Florence (Firenze). I know that the Centopasso in the Italian Alps is supposed to be a great ride, but I could lead a really cool week long trip through tons of awesome roads in the Chianti, Umbria, Tuscany regions. Road after road that are stunning in the beauty and maintained to perfection for great riding!
And, at least here, it is forbidden to blow your own horn...
Parting shot...mist in the hills
Linear Mode
