Italy’s lesser-known central regions – Umbria and neighboring Le Marche – offer riders a refreshing taste of Italy away from the crowds. Umbria is nicknamed “the Green Heart of Italy” because of its rolling hills, forests, and lush farmland. Nestled between Tuscany, Lazio and Marche, this inland region is full of gentle valleys, medieval hill towns, vineyards and olive groves. Just east lies Le Marche, a region that spans from the Appennine mountains down to the Adriatic Sea. Together these regions showcase a varied, unspoiled landscape. Riders on motorcycles will find quiet, scenic roads winding through this countryside, with almost no traffic and plenty of nature to absorb. In short, Umbria and Le Marche feel like Tuscany without the crowds – an authentic Italy that’s perfect for motorcycle touring.
Riding Through Umbria’s Quiet Countryside
Imagine cruising on a twisty two-lane road beneath cypress trees and olive groves, past medieval villages perched on ridges. That’s everyday Umbria. This landlocked region is all hills and gentle mountains, bisected by the Tiber River Valley in the north and edged by Mount Vettore in the east. Beyond the few well-known towns (Assisi, Perugia, Orvieto), most of Umbria’s roads lead into rural countryside. Here you’ll find quiet lanes through vineyard-laced hills and sunflower fields, ancient Umbrian towns, and hilltop castles. One rider describes our routes: they pass “medieval villages, sun-drenched hillsides, and vineyard-laced valleys”. For example, Italy Moto Tours’ Central Italy tour winds from Rome into Umbria, stopping at places like Assisi and Montefalco, where riders enjoy panoramic views of olive groves and vineyards. No crowds of tourists obstruct the view – just peaceful scenery as far as the eye can see.
These roads are perfect for motorcycling. They have curves and climbs that keep the ride engaging, but they carry much less traffic than Italy’s highways. As one guidebook notes, expert planners have found “scenic, low-traffic cycling routes in Umbria”. In fact, Italy Moto Tours deliberately designs the Umbrian portion of its tours to avoid busy stretches. The result is a day of riding from village to village, with breaks for local coffee or gelato in quiet piazzas, rather than a rushed drive. By not overscheduling, riders can take spontaneous detours on a side road, admire a Romanesque church, or stop at a family-run winery. The company’s small-group approach (never more than 6 riders per guide) means there’s time to pause and truly soak in these vistas. You’ll have your camera ready to capture scenes like Umbrian castles against golden fields, or the lush Trasimeno Lake framed by green hills.
Umbria’s culture and food are as rich as its landscapes. Motorcyclists can park in storied towns like Spoleto or Gubbio, then wander cobblestone streets in medieval shadows. This region is famous for saffron and white truffles, so menus often feature these treasures alongside hearty pasta and roasted meats. You might visit a traditional agriturismo (farm inn) outside Perugia for a meal of homemade olive oil, cheeses and cured meats. Wine lovers will enjoy the local Sagrantino reds of Montefalco or the crisp white Orvieto classico. All this enhances the motorcycle adventure. Italy Moto Tours notes that Umbrian hill towns have “good wine, delicious food, and nature galore” – a combination that makes every ride stop a delight. Even less-experienced riders feel welcome here: guides ensure groups ride at a safe, enjoyable pace. And because Umbria is often bypassed by tour buses, you can feel like you have these beautiful roads to yourself.
Exploring Le Marche’s Hidden Charms
Just east of Umbria lies Le Marche – a long, narrow region stretching from the Apennine peaks to the Adriatic coast. Though less famous to tourists, Le Marche has everything a rider could want: mountains, rolling green hills, and even a few dramatic coast roads. A travel writer calls Le Marche “an unspoiled region in central Italy with a varied landscape of sea and mountain and a blissfully unhurried atmosphere”. In practice, that means you can ride one day in the shadow of the Sibillini Mountains, and the next day follow a serpentine road along seaside cliffs at the Conero Natural Park.
One highlight is the Conero coast south of Ancona, where steep cliffs drop to hidden beaches. For example, the Mount Conero National Park offers “a stunning stretch of coastline facing the Adriatic Sea, well known for its unspoiled nature and stunning beaches”. Imagine parking your bike at an overlook and hearing only waves below and birds in the cypress trees. Inland, Le Marche’s interior is dotted with Renaissance hill towns like Urbino (a UNESCO site) and the fortress village of Gradara. These tiny towns perch on ridges and reward riders with breathtaking 360° views – all after navigating yet another twisty, quiet back road.
Le Marche is often described as Italy’s “best-kept secret.” Despite being next to Tuscany, “Le Marche is still quite under the radar, despite being absolutely gorgeous”. What does it have? Splendid Adriatic beaches, historic towns, and a spectacular mix of lakes, hills and mountains. In fact, one cycling tour notes that as you pedal through Le Marche’s pastoral countryside, you’ll “enjoy quiet roads with little traffic”. In practice, this means your motorcycle cruise from village to village without winding through throngs of cars or crowds of other tourists. You might follow roads that hug the countryside between olive orchards and barns, stopping only for an espresso in a sleepy piazza like Ripatransone or Fermo. The sound of your engine is often the only thing breaking the peaceful silence.
Riding in Le Marche also offers a wonderful contrast of sights. The day’s ride could include a seaside lunch with sunset views, followed by an evening in a cozy mountain town enjoying local olives and Verdicchio wine. Italy Moto Tours often plans stops at family-run trattorias so guests can taste the region’s cuisine. For example, near Ascoli Piceno you might try stuffed fried olives or fritto misto all’ascolana. And because many villages here are tiny and less-visited, you’ll usually have the narrow streets of the town square to yourself. This mix of natural beauty and local culture – with virtually no tour buses – is precisely what makes Le Marche ideal for motorcycle touring.
Custom Tours: Ride Where You Want, When You Want
Italy Moto Tours doesn’t currently have a fixed group tour exclusively labeled “Umbria–Le Marche,” but they can still get you there. The company’s Anytime Smart Tour program lets you design your own trip. You simply choose your dates (from 1 up to 6 days), select a departure city (like Rome, Florence or Milan), and set your route. Then Italy Moto Tours takes care of the rest: premium motorcycles, an experienced guide (or tour manager), a support van, and accommodations. In their words: “Experience the ultimate flexibility with our fully customizable motorcycle tours”, where you pick the itinerary. Want to start in Rome and ride north through Umbria into Le Marche, or begin in Ancona and end on the Amalfi Coast? No problem – it’s your trip.
This flexibility is perfect for exploring quiet roads like those in Umbria and Le Marche. If you have a group of friends (even just 1-4 riders), they’ll tailor the tour to include these destinations. For example, you could request a route from Perugia across the Apennines into Urbino and then down to the Conero coast. Because the tour is private, the guides can adjust each day’s plan: if you want an extra stop at a hidden abbey or a longer stretch on a back road, they’ll make it happen. The advantage is that you get Italy Moto Tours’ expertise in planning scenic routes without being locked into a fixed calendar. As their site emphasizes, these custom tours combine expert planning “on your terms” with full support.
Why Choose Italy Moto Tours
When you book any tour – scheduled or custom – with Italy Moto Tours, you’re getting a team of passionate experts. All our guides are veteran motorcyclists who know Italy’s roads inside out. They’ve spent years riding these exact backroads, so they can choose the best curves, the quietest lanes, and the most scenic overlooks. Because of this local knowledge, they often include off-the-beaten-path spots that other operators miss. As one company statement says: “Every guide knows the ins and outs of the roads, local culture, and those off-the-beaten-path spots that make a trip truly memorable.”.
Safety and personal attention are also top priorities. Groups are always very small – a maximum of six riders per guide – which means no one gets left behind. If a group grows larger, Italy Moto Tours adds a second guide. This keeps the ride organized and relaxed: faster riders won’t feel held up, and less experienced riders won’t feel rushed. Before each day’s ride, guides give a full safety briefing so everyone is comfortable with the route and their bike. A support van follows every tour too, carrying luggage and ready to handle any mechanical issue. This way you really can relax and focus on the countryside – knowing that the team has thought of everything.
Italy Moto Tours also crafts an authentic Italian experience off the bike. We plan stops at charming villages and eateries that showcase local culture. For instance, riders might enjoy lunch at a family-run trattoria or stay at boutique country hotels. The tours include “visits to local trattorias and family-run hotels for authentic experiences”, so you taste real Umbrian cuisine, taste local wines, and connect with friendly Italians. These moments – sharing an agriturismo meal after a day of riding, or sipping wine in a village square – turn a nice ride into an unforgettable journey.
In short, by riding with Italy Moto Tours you combine stunning scenery with full support. Many customers rave that “everything was super well organized” and that the guides handled “all the arrangements” so they could just ride and enjoy. The company’s five-star reviews echo this – guests repeatedly highlight the guides’ expertise and the quality of planning. When you’re racing through the Umbrian hills or Marin coast on one of their tours, all you do is twist the throttle. Italy Moto Tours takes care of the rest.
Plan Your Motorcycle Adventure Today
The quiet roads of Umbria and Le Marche are calling, and with Italy Moto Tours you can answer. Even though no set group tour is exclusively labeled for these regions, the company can craft a private journey through Italy’s green heart. Whether you join one of our Central Italy tours (which already include Umbria) or build your own custom tour, you’ll benefit from guides who treat these routes like home turf. Italy Moto Tours stands ready to design an itinerary that highlights the best of Umbria and Le Marche. Contact us to discuss dates and preferences, and we’ll map out a private tour that hits those hidden valleys, vineyards, and seaside roads you’ve dreamed about. With expert local guides, support at every turn, and our commitment to safety and fun, Italy Moto Tours is the go-to partner for this kind of adventure. Book a consultation or start with an Anytime Smart Tour request – then all you need to do is show up with your helmet and get ready to explore Italy’s Green Heart on two wheels.
