Beginning in the peaks of the Alps and ending in the Tuscan hills, the Corsican Caper is a unique adventure spanning a variety of cultures, terrain and history.

Munich, Germany is the gathering point for the group. This dynamic city offers a taste of Germany, Bavarian style! Munich is home to the BMW brand of motorcycles and automobiles, and the new BMW museum will certainly interest the motor-heads among us. Those with a lower interest for things mechanical will find excellent shopping possibilities, centuries of history, or delightful, easy riding through the Bavarian countryside. A first glimpse of the Alps might be in order as riders become acclimated with their new steeds.

The first real day of riding adds another country to the 'been there' list. The quaint, compact, medieval town of Feldkirch is situated on the border between Austria, Switzerland and Liechtenstein. Our hotel sits safely within the city walls, in the shadow of "Schattenburg, " Feldkirch's thirteenth-century castle.

In Europe countries sometimes pass beneath the bike as quickly as counties do in the United States. By day's end on the second day on the road two things will have happened. There will be 3 new countries in the bag, and tour members will have crossed the backbone of the Alps while crossing into Italy. The Italian Lakes District is a lure for tourists from around the world, with good reason. Our stay on the longest of those lakes, Lago  Maggiore is in a grand hotel perfectly located on the water's edge.

After dawdling about the lake in the morning it is time for a dash to Torino, Italy, home of the 2006 Winter Olympics. To the west of the city the Alps rise as a seemingly impenetrable barrier. In fact, delightful roads over high, remote passes allow passage to the adventurer. And so we go, through the range to our first overnight in France.  For some it will be time to relax, and a free day allows just that. For those with an urge to ride, the highest passes in the Alps await, but the free day means we return to a familiar hotel to enjoy yet another fantastic meal.

Nice, on the French Riviera, is the next destination. Following an amazing motorcycle ride to the coast over tiny mountain pass roads and through impressive gorges it is unlikely that any of the tour participants will be at all envious of the flash cars and pleasure boats found at the coast. There is little doubt that everyone will feel that they have arrived there via the best mode of transport - by motorcycle.

On Sunday afternoon it is time to set sail, destination Corsica. Birthplace of Napoleon. This jewel of an island in the Mediterranean it the antithesis of the Riviera. Oh, the fantastic roads, stunning views, miles of coastline and breathtaking sunsets are there. Missing is congestion, obstinate wealth, and people. Corsica is a place you may have all to yourself!

We kick off our stay on Corsica with a free day in Saint Florent. Here walking, swimming, fishing, jet skiing or simply sunbathing just might replace a ride. The next 4 days and nights allow plenty of time to investigate this lovely island in detail. As always, riders have long or short routes available, and each of our accommodation is located in what must be the loveliest place on earth.

Or is it? From Corsica we sail across the Tyrrhenian Sea to disembark at Livorno. And here we get a sample - a small, but piquant, sample of Tuscany with a drive-by view of the Leaning Tower of Pisa as the introduction. The much more welcoming walled city of Lucca is our choice for a stop this evening.

The last day on the road is one of choices (as is every day on each Beach tour!) Putter about in Lucca? Head for the hills and those last kilometers of twists and turns? Or beeline to Florence to experience both its hustle and bustle and its magic? Oh, difficult decisions, attractive options - how can it be over so soon?

 Italian Idyll