No good, lazy Italians!

[muskrat]

Touring via Vespa http://www.italybyvespa.com/
Fun as hell no matter how corny it sounds.  Also http://www.lamborghini.com/en/heritage/museum/factory-visit/

[Kopfjager]

They are not lazy, they work to live instead of live to work. Summer in Italy needs to be enjoyed. 

[geoffduc]

They are not lazy, they work to live instead of live to work. Summer in Italy needs to be enjoyed. 

Well said that Man...

If you search the Italian motor cycle club forums you'll find that they organize alot of weekend events and they do things rather good and welcome stray ducati owners with open arms...    I know...

Geoff...

[Raux]

A big one I know is DOC Gorizia they're on FB.

but i'm sure any of the DOCs if you reach out would be helpful

[muskrat]

They are not lazy, they work to live instead of live to work. Summer in Italy needs to be enjoyed. 

I'm still trying to find a way to do this here in the good ole USA. 

[Novelo]

You could check out Ducatitours.com and get some moto riding action while your over there. Owner's is English so he might not take the awesome vacation that the rest of the Italians do. I their office is in Lucca last time I was there just a quick ride north and there is some sick riding in dem mountains.

I got more pics on my computer I could load for you but most of the good stuff we flew by and never had a chance to snap a picture of it.
http://smg.beta.photobucket.com/user/Batman50/story/7423

[748s]

Another vote for Ducatitours.com
Still in Lucca, they have a range of riding gear as well.

[swampduc]

August is a tough month to be in Europe in general. Everyone's on vacation. But if you do get access to a bike or a decent car, I highly recommend the stelvio pass from personal experience. Also, I'd second stopintime's comment about the hills north of Firenze. Beautiful scenery of all kinds 

[muskrat]

and if you should find yourself on the Autostrade plan on bringing plenty of change.  http://www.autostrade.it/en/autostrade/percorso.do

[hbliam]

Obviously, you've never mailed anything to/from Italy.

Everything in my sig line has been mailed from Italy.

[FIFO]

Now you guys are getting me excited.  Feel free to share pics/links.

This is the closest i got to any Helmets in Napoli, 2 weeks ago,a picture through the window
they just closed up shop for the afternoon siesta.

I personally wouldn't waste time looking for riding gear at all, the shops are few and far between.and Service, what service lol 

[748s]

I personally wouldn't waste time looking for riding gear at all, the shops are few and far between.and Service, what service lol  

If you were in Firenze Motorama http://www.motorama.it/en/ was the place to go.
Excellent service, all sizes and much cheaper than AU
Got a Dainese suit 50% cheaper than AU prices.

[geoffduc]

DucatiFirenze and DucatiVicenza are two ducati stores that I've visited and been made most welcome...

If you're in Riva-del-Grada theres a great Dainese store in town were myself and some of the customers on the tour purchased quite alot of bargain priced gear...

If you're in Milan the 100HP club meet weekly at their own bar in Galarate, plus theres the RomboDesmo club in Vicenza who also meet weekly at the Break Bar in Sarego and I know from personal experience that the members of those two clubs will welcome you with open arms..

Geoff...

[1.21GW]

Thanks everyone.  Some really good options here.    I'm particularly interested in Ducatitours.com since my grandma was from Lucca so maybe I can make it a heritage trip, too.

[OT]

Obviously, you've never mailed anything to/from Italy.

Still, the 2nd helmet idea may be worth considering.  But am I going to run into a problem back here b/c it's not DOT (even though, as I understand it, the EU regulations are stricter)?

+1 on the mailing/Fedexing, etc.

FWIW, "DOT" is a 'recommended' standard, not a regulation/law...many US states don't even require helmets for riders with enough time in the saddle