With the worst of Covid hopefully behind us and summer on the horizon, many of us will be planning holidays abroad.
Motorbike fans looking for something a bit different can now once again consider tours which take in visits to one, or both, of two iconic museums.
For some, a trip to either would be akin to a motorcyclist’s pilgrimage.
And as an added bonus, both are situated in one of the most beautiful and historic parts of the world – northern Italy – and are a comfortable days’s ride apart.
First up is the Moto Guzzi museum in Mondello del Lario, in Lombardy, in the north-east of the country.
The town, sitting right on stunning Lake Como, has been home to the famous marque since 1921 and the museum has just reopened following the pandemic and a complete renovation and redesign.
It's part of a major project to transform the entire industrial plant, making it a hub for visitors.
The extraordinary bike collection on show is now subdivided into three major themed areas of production models, racing models, and military models, all meticulously arranged in chronological order.
Some 160 examples have been carefully and minutely restored over the past months by Moto Guzzi staff.
From the “GP” – a one-of-a-kind model that actually dates to before the official foundation of the firm – to the latest models currently on the production line, like the V85 TT, a visit is a journey into the history of this extraordinary Italian brand.
Entrance is free and guided tours can be booked in advance via motoguzzi.com.
Just 280km (170miles) away on the main road via Milan, or a bit further if you want to take a more scenic route, is the Ducati Museum.
Also just reopened, it’s situated in Bologna – midway between Florence and Venice.
A visit here includes not only the chance to view a superb collection of historic bikes, but also a tour of the factory itself to see the production process of the latest machines.
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of Brit rider Paul Smart’s 1972 Imola 200 victory, the museum is temporarily hosting his “750 Imola” bike.
That famous win kick-started production for Ducati and cemented a long-lasting bond between Smart and the Borgo Panigale company.
Admission to the museum is 17 euros and with the factory tour is 32 euros.
Both need to be booked in advance at ducati.com.
The firm also now offers a free virtual tour on the website or a guided tour – contact infotour@ducati.com.
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