7 day tour Tuscany or Peter the Indian and the Motorpostel

7 days tour Tuscany or Peter the Indian and the motorpostel

It happened at a time, very early in the morning of May 1st, that the tradition-conscious, younger sections of the population set out in numerous places to bring a festively decorated, very long log to the village squares of this country, to sell them with a lot of heart and soul muscle power to lift up to the sky.

At the same time, four "motorpostel" started from different directions to make their way to a convention of the motorized kind. The travel weather was only partially kind to the motorposts, it shed tears over them and repeatedly gave them the cold shoulder.

Their path led them across the Bavarian foothills of the Alps, through the gorges of the neighboring mountain people, until they finally reached the land of their temporary accommodation. In this country, with pasta, pizza, plenty of espresso and some red grape juice, all the necessary prerequisites should be in place.

Well, since it was supposed to be a special encounter, one of the usual lively meeting places was not chosen.

After a long, tiring and really winding road, it turned out that our motorpostel found a lodging in a former Franciscan monastery, Villa Morelli of 1713, built on the ruins of an earlier complex of the 10th century and dedicated to the last true Grand Duke of Tuscany, Cosimo III de' Medici, and the Curia of Fiesole was available related.

The Convent-Hotel, just outside, is next to the Church of San Giovanni Battista in the municipality of Dicomano, surrounded by a park with centuries-old trees, there is silence and tranquility, making it an ideal place for meditation, relaxation and contact with nature.

After arrival and meeting another motor postal who had already arrived, everyone was able to move into their dormitory for the next few days before they gathered in the refectory to eat together under a fresco of a world-famous scene.

Subsequently, individual accounts of the arrival and other views of the coming time were discussed. In addition, some red grape juice from the Chianti region was enjoyed before the group of motorposters went to sleep early in the morning.

But before that, a common daily routine had to be decided for the upcoming tasks. After a mature discussion and naming of all points, weighing up all the advantages and disadvantages, and the motorpostel really didn't make it easy for themselves, a common date for the daily departure could finally be found. 9:37 a.m., that was the result that should be observed by everyone for the next 7 days.

Already early in the morning, on the 2nd day, the adjoining church “San Giovanni Battista” made every effort to ensure that the motorposters did not miss the date they had set themselves for the first departure.

Breakfast was taken in the refectory almost in silence and all the motorposters didn't want to miss the deadline of 9:37 a.m. they had set for the first exit. And so it happened that everything left on time.

The route led over small and very small streets through numerous curves via Poppi, a little-known town in the province of Arezzo today, in the valley of the Casentino and Arno, which, in addition to its sights, was the headquarters of the Guidi noble family in the 13th and 14th centuries. After a short stay and a warming drink, we continued through tenderly burgeoning green, through which warming rays repeatedly hit the motor posts, to the Camaldoli hermitage. The name Camaldoli derives from "Maldolo", a count from Arezzo, who Legend has it that Romuld, who was canonized in 1595, found this piece of land near Amabile, a clearing 1100 meters above sea level on the Tuscan side of the Romangolian Apennines, on which he founded a new hermitage in 1012.

The hermitage and monastery of Camaldoli, located in the heart of the Forest Casentinesi National Park, has a lot to offer historically and artistically, such as the monks' refectory, the cloister or the ancient library of the Sacro Eremo.

It went on and there was a brief moment of confusion, in which the most important motorpostel got lost after an Italian maze of traffic, after a pure chase over the tarred belt, this trip ended after a good 210 km. And so everyone left the evening after a three-course meal and drink in your refectory and then in the retreat, end with red grape juice.

Also today, the third day of the retreat, everyone was called punctually with plenty of heavenly bells to the morning assembly.

After a set time of 9:37 a.m., a distance of 180 km was covered, of which approx. 70% consisted of tar and a wonderful sunny day. The mostly very curvy route, which was supposed to lead around a dammed lake, but unfortunately it was not possible to get through here because it was repeatedly closed in places, was also accompanied by slight off-road passages.

At lunchtime, the motorposters gathered in a beautiful, quiet village called Santa Sofia, where they had country ham, cheese, pasta and water, and had an espresso or cappuccino before they started the second leg of the tour. Here two of the five motorposters made their way home early. The rest enjoyed the wonderful afternoon and went on the dusty attempt to be able to circumnavigate the reservoir after all. But you didn't succeed. So they too began the long journey back. Oh, that evening the meeting ended in the already practiced ceremony.

Today is a big and long tour. Punctual as every day, all vehicles were started at 9:37 a.m. and so the 5 motorposts set out to travel via Certaldo to Vinci in the most beautiful weather, at a warm 26 degrees, we went over small, winding streets past vineyards, the surrounded by countless olive trees, through the Tuscan landscape.

In Certaldo, whose origins go back to the time of the Etruscans, it was first mentioned in 1164. The city, built like a castle and made of red brick, invites you to linger in numerous cafes, bars and restaurants.

But after a hot drink in the morning, our Motopostel had to drive on to the most famous citizen of the city of Vinci, to whom a museum is also dedicated.

Vinci Castle was first mentioned in the 11th century, followed by numerous battles and Vinci often changed affiliations. After the French occupation, the town became an independent municipality again in 1814 and the Italian President Luigi Einaudi declared the town on July 15, 1954 because of his historical importance to the city. The son of this city was an Italian painter, sculptor, architect, anatomist, mechanic, engineer and natural philosopher and is considered one of the most famous polymaths of all time, he went by the name “Leonardo".

Since the interesting exhibits took more time than expected, the tour was shortened without further ado. Just in time for the onset of the rush hour in Florence, the five motorposts mastered the relevant Italian driving style, which was usual here after a short learning phase, and successfully mastered this test. After 260 exhausting kilometers, the starting point was reached again today without any major incidents.

The 5th day was to be the most difficult day for some of the motorposters, punctually as every day the bells of the church tower "San Giovanni Battista" did their work and the refectory filled up. In order to be able to start punctually at the usual time, 9:37 a.m., the motorposters had a quick breakfast.

Only one of the participants stayed behind to prepare for his onward journey to Corsica and Sardinia. So four of the community set out to explore the paths, mostly off the beaten track. The weather conditions for this, cloudy and cool, almost ideal for the upcoming efforts.

The wheels were quickly started and the way to the next town started with light clothing in unstable weather. In a small pizzeria Rosticceria Ghiottone in Dicomano, a few tables were quickly pushed together, the menu studied in the local language and an understanding was achieved with all available means. With water, some red grape juice, dishes freshly prepared on the grill, coffee and cake, everyone enjoyed the moment, true to the famous Roman poet Horace “carpe diem”.

After a long ride over hill and dale, one of the group saw an even greater challenge. The hard enduro and motocross area in Porcentico, where the 33 sixth Italian national champion just did his laps, or rather flew and jumped. After a short chat, two of the moto postel tried their hand at this discipline. One succeeded without major incident, the other landed on his side mirror. At the end we were allowed to do a lap with the state champion's cross machine.

In cold and sometimes drizzly weather, the way home was then started, which also led again through the fields and forests with greasy ground. Thank God there was no further damage apart from a broken mirror. And so this time again, with some red grape juice, the stories were extended late into the night.

Also this day, the 6th, began punctually with the usual morning ritual.

However, all participants of the convention showed clear signs of exhaustion and so the departure mark 9:37 a.m. passed, this time without being able to hear the whirring of the starter.

The morning passed, and towards the middle of the day a general feeling of hunger made itself felt.

The broken mirror from the previous day was professionally welded on by a suitably trained specialist workshop equipped with all the usual local equipment details.

So this day ended with the same evening ritual.

Another wonderful trip through a landscape typical of Tuscany, lined with vineyards, olive groves, cypress avenues and the Italian buildings typical of this region, was planned for today. So after the usual morning ritual, the engines were started again punctually at 9:37 a.m.

First there was a visit to the Parco Skulpturi del Chianti, a permanent exhibition of contemporary sculptures, a private initiative of the Giadrossi couple.

Now it went on, this time a medieval, Gothic town was chosen as the destination of this journey, which is still one of the most beautiful towns in Italy today. Founded in 1240, this university town cites the tradition of a famous horse race, the Palio delle Contrade, held annually in July and August in the Piazza del Campo, the Town Hall Square, and watched by thousands of enthusiastic spectators. After this wonderful city tour, some Motorpostel were overwhelmed by another building.

The Siena Cathedral, which enjoys worldwide fame with its unique exterior facade. Enchanted by all these impressions, we went back to the former Franciscan monastery, the Villa Morelli, when the weather was nice. Here, on the last communal evening, all the impressions of the past few days were exchanged before the Motorpostel set off on their different journeys home.

So it happened that on the 8th day everything was programmed to leave, Peter continued his journey to Livorno, from where he translated to Sardinia, Jürgen chose the direct and fastest way home, Martin drove back comfortably and alone through the country.

All of this happened on the 8th day. Only two of the motorposters extended your return journey by another day to explore other new and exciting destinations.

But about that another time.

Peter, we would like to thank you for the organization and the choice of route, it was nice and we will definitely ride together again.