No good, lazy Italians!

[1.21GW]

My mom turns 70 this year so she requested a family trip to the motherland.  We found a house in Chianti that was large enough to accommodate 8 adults and 6 kids and booked it.  Me?  All I've been thinking about was going up to Bologna for a day or two to make my pilgrimage.  Then I remembered: all of Italy goes away in August.  All.  I checked the website to confirm: no tours from Aug 5 - Sept 2.  

Any suggestions for alternative activities that are motorcycle or auto-related and open?

[brimo]

Ferrari museum at maranello, a couple of hours from Chianti
http://museo.ferrari.com/useful-information/times-and-tickets/

[1.21GW]

Nice.   

[zooom]

well...you could also decide to perhaps drop by Lambo while you are there?...

anyways...if I were in Italy and had time...I'd be looking to rent a bike and go explore some regions like around Lake Como and various other places like what I believe another member has some video's up about exploring in another thread here...

[1.21GW]

I thought about renting a bike.  I guess I would bring my gear sans helmet (rent one there)?  Any links or stories of bike touring would be greatly appreciated.  Meanwhile, I will seek out the thread you speak of...

[Raux]

take the opportunity to buy a nice Euro helmet for a good price

but renting a helmet   

[zooom]

  Meanwhile, I will seek out the thread you speak of...

here are a few of them I was refferring to...

http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=59458.0

http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=58653.0

http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=58383.0

http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=57984.0

  I guess I would bring my gear sans helmet (rent one there)?   

take the opportunity to buy a nice Euro helmet for a good price

but renting a helmet   

I agree on the renting ahelmet and on the fact that in Europre there are a ton of kick ass helmets you can get there that you will never see here and that you should completely take advantage of that!

[1.21GW]

take the opportunity to buy a nice Euro helmet for a good price

but renting a helmet   

Yeah, gross.  But I don't want to cart a helmet across the pond for what will probably be a one-day ride.  Buying seems a little excessive, especially since my Shoei is ~1 yr old.

[zooom]

Yeah, gross.  But I don't want to cart a helmet across the pond for what will probably be a one-day ride.  Buying seems a little excessive, especially since my Shoei is ~1 yr old.

as far as having a 1 year old Shoei....I have 3 helmets that I currently use for different kinds of rides...so having a 2nd or even a 3rd helmet ( if you can afford it) isn't a terrible thing at all...as far as carting it around....well...I'd buy the helmet I want...use it while there, and then package it up REALLY well and go to the postal place over there and mail it to yourself backhome....easy squeezy lemon peezy!

[1.21GW]

...package it up REALLY well and go to the postal place over there and mail it to yourself backhome....easy squeezy lemon peezy!

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)?

[Triple J]

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)?

Only if someone checks...which I've never heard of unless they're wearing a minimalistic brain bucket. You can also buy DOT stickers on-line if you're really worried about it.

You should be able to get some cool Euro helmets that we can't get here.  

[1.21GW]

You should be able to get some cool Euro helmets that we can't get here. 

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

[Raux]

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

This is where I bought 2 of my helmets

http://www.louis.de/_30c386fb6666561f0adb0955a46b5c92ba/index.php?topic=rubrik&menu_rubrik=1

and another from here

http://www.polo-motorrad.de/en/motorrad-shop/helme-und-brillen.html


and likely my next one



http://www.polo-motorrad.de/en/carbon-speed-56484.html

169 euro 

[Autostrada Pilot]

That helmet is absolutely beautiful.  



Just enjoy the country.  The Ducati musuem/factory is awesome, but the rest of the country is pretty sweet too.  

You'll have a blast.  

[stopintime]

I say forget about helmet buying. It won't be as easy as you hope to find one that fits and has both DOT and ECE approval in the size, shape and color you like. Focus on a rented bike ride - then carrying a helmet will become meaningful.

The hills north of Firenze are spectactularly fun to ride