the country ’ s better known eastern and western shores and cities , revealing secrets of the interior regions , which have been there since the beginning of human civilization yet are still largely unknown to tourists .
Some of these secrets included wonderfully diverse landscapes that transitioned from rugged stone mountains to soft rolling hills and vast plateaus . We experienced deliciously nuanced foods , each homemade and unique to a region ’ s own crops , creatures , catches ,
After riding to Arezzo and Cortona , where scenes from the film Under the Tuscan Sun were shot , we embarked on a breathtaking ride around Lake Trasimeno . Dane and Vicky pause to enjoy the amazing view . and culture , and we met delightfully distinct people who welcomed us and were genuinely interested in hearing our stories as well as sharing their own ( since these aren ’ t big tourist areas , the residents were eager to engage , even when language was a barrier ).
Although there is a wide socioeconomic range throughout the country , when it comes to beauty , character , history , fascinating people , and utterly amazing food , Italy is rich in every region ( we rode through seven out of 20 of them ). And while each is impressive on its own , the differences make the entirety even more interesting , more appealing , and infinitely sensational .
Our tour participants were equally diverse and sensational , with folks converging from Turkey , South Africa , Colombia , and all over the U . S . The tour was led by Edelweiss ’ s energetic and tremendously knowledgeable Domenico , a native Italian and proud son of the city of Naples . He was eager for this fresh opportunity to share the cultural riches and splendid roads of his beloved country , with support from his equally upbeat and capable guides , Michael and Nicolas ( aka “ Nico ”). At one point during a casual group gathering , I stepped back and just listened to the unusual blend of Italian , German , Turkish , Spanish , and a mix of South African and American English dialects as these foreign individuals found common ground and began to seamlessly meld into one harmonious group .
34 / FEBRUARY 2024 / RIDERMAGAZINE . COM