In Dante’s Footsteps: a Motorbike Adventure Through Romagna & Tuscany

Duration: 3 days
Total distance: approx. 554 km
Difficulty: Easy
Recommended period: mid-April to late October
Recommended bike type: Suitable for all motorcycles – touring, naked, custom, scooter touring

Day 1: Ravenna – Bagnacavallo – Lugo – Imola – Brisighella – Modigliana
Total km: approx. 136 km | Riding time: 3.5 hours | Difficulty: Easy

Departure from Ravenna – Byzantine art and history
The tour begins in the splendid Ravenna, city of mosaics and former capital of the Western Roman Empire. Before leaving, we recommend a short visit to San Vitale, the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, and the UNESCO World Heritage Byzantine mosaics.

From Ravenna to the Romagna hills
We continue towards the elegant Bagnacavallo for a walk among porticoes, squares, and historic buildings. Then we cross the plains to Lugo, birthplace of Francesco Baracca, where you can visit the Aeronautical Museum.

Lunch suggestion:
Typical trattoria near Lugo – Romagna menu with homemade pasta and local cured meats.

Afternoon towards the first hills
We reach Imola, with a brief stop to admire the historic center and perhaps take a look at the Enzo e Dino Ferrari Circuit, a temple of speed. Then we head up to Brisighella, a medieval village dominated by the Rocca, Clock Tower, and the Gypsum Vein. The last stop of the day is Modigliana, a small romantic village surrounded by vineyards.

Dinner suggestion:
Trattoria or agriturismo in Modigliana – local inland cuisine with regional wines.

Points of interest:
Ravenna: Mosaics, early Christian basilicas, historic center
Bagnacavallo: Piazza Nuova, Civic Museum
Lugo: Francesco Baracca Museum
Brisighella: Via degli Asini, Tower, PDO Oil
Modigliana: Ponte della Signora, historic center

Day 2: Modigliana – Dovadola – Portico di Romagna – Passo del Muraglione – Florence – Pontassieve
Total km: approx. 270 km | Riding time: 5 hours | Difficulty: Easy (some mild mountain stretches)

Historic roads between Romagna and Tuscany
Day two starts towards Dovadola, where the road gently climbs toward the Apennines. Stop at Portico di Romagna, a medieval village with the charming Bruscia Bridge. Then continue up to Passo del Muraglione, an iconic spot for every motorcyclist, with breathtaking views of the Tuscan Apennines.

Lunch suggestion:
Panoramic restaurant at Muraglione or trattoria in San Godenzo – typical Tuscan dishes, game, and mushrooms.

Afternoon towards Florence
Descending to San Godenzo, we enter Tuscany along a pleasant, wooded road. Then we head to the magnificent Florence for a (even quick) visit to Italy’s Renaissance heart: Duomo, Ponte Vecchio, Piazza della Signoria.

We end the day in Pontassieve, in a hilly area surrounded by vineyards and panoramic roads.

Dinner suggestion:
Trattoria in Pontassieve – Tuscan cuisine with Chianti wine from the Florence hills.

Points of interest:
Passo del Muraglione: gentle curves and panoramic views
Florence: Duomo, Ponte Vecchio, Uffizi (if time permits!)
Pontassieve: Vineyards and scenic roads

Day 3: Pontassieve – Poppi – Stia – Santa Sofia – Forlì – Cervia – Ravenna
Total km: approx. 284 km | Riding time: 5.5 hours | Difficulty: Easy

Between Casentino and Romagna
Departure along the Casentino roads, passing Poppi, dominated by the Counts Guidi Castle, then Stia, at the gates of the Casentinesi Forests National Park. The ride is smooth, through woods, hills, and endless panoramas.

Lunch suggestion:
Agriturismo near Santa Sofia – mountain cuisine with local products such as porcini mushrooms, cheeses, and grilled meats.

Return to the coast
In the afternoon, we return to Romagna passing through the villages of Galeata, Meldola, and Bertinoro, famous for its wine and panoramic views of the Riviera. Short stop in Forlì for a coffee in the historic center, and finally on to the sea: Cervia and then Ravenna, where the trip ends.

Final dinner in Ravenna:
Dinner at a seaside restaurant with fish specialties and local wines (Albana, Trebbiano, Pagadebit).

Points of interest:
Poppi: Castle and medieval center
Stia: Casentinesi architecture and nature
Santa Sofia: Casentinesi Forests Park
Bertinoro: panoramic terrace and wine tasting
Cervia: salt pans and promenade