READY FOR “SALI A BORGO”:
TOUR WITH THE MOTO GUZZI V9

Pesaro, 23 June 2017 – The starter’s flag is ready for “Sali a borgo”, an initiative promoted by ENIT, Italy's national tourism board, Moto Guzzi and “Motociclismo” magazine, in cooperation with the “I Borghi più belli d’Italia” association (The most beautiful villages in Italy association), who have set up an itinerant project to valorise the attractions of central Italy's wonderful towns and villages.

Starting from Pesaro on 23 June and for four weekends (23-25 June, 7-9 July, 21-23 July, 28-30 July), a number of splendid localities in the regions of Umbria, Marche, Lazio and Abruzzo will reveal their charms as three Moto Guzzi V9 motorcycles ride along the old roads exploring hidden places, for a full immersion in local history and centuries-old traditions. Moto Guzzi wanted to share the values of authenticity and “Italianness” addressed by this initiative.

“Promotion of the project has two objectives,” said Fabio Maria Lazzerini, a director of the ENIT tourism board. “To provide concrete solidarity with the regions hit by the recent earthquakes and to make our own contribution by promoting tourism in some of Italy's loveliest spots. At the same time, riding these routes on a motorcycle is an opportunity for us to learn more about the traditions and countless charms of our country, because motorbike-tourism provides a new perspective in helping people discover Italy’s least known localities and architectural gems.”

One thousand three hundred km of memorable experiences, a slow ride through little-known areas of Italy, one bend after another to discover unexpected breathtaking views, jewels hidden away in the mountains where time seems to have stopped, delightful villages overlooking the sea or tiny hilltop hamlets marking the boundary between land and sky.
“We want to thank Enit, Moto Guzzi and Motociclismo, who, with the support of the association ‘I borghi più belli d’Italia’, have organised these weekends,” said the Mayor of Pesaro, Matteo Ricci. “The project will have a great impact, because these places have an extraordinary heritage. The start from Pesaro is a significant tribute to the Land of Riders and Engines recently recognised by the Marche Regional Authority, because engines and motorcycling are a particularly important driver for tourism, sport and local food and wine.”

PESARO

The participants will have the opportunity to enjoy a unique experience as they ride through a range of different landscapes: from the mellow Adriatic coast to the indomitable mountains of the Gran Sasso, via the evocative Lake Trasimeno and the cool waterfalls of the Aniene river at Subiaco, the undulating hills rolling down to the sea and the medieval castles dominating the valleys below.

The towns and villages involved in the four itineraries include: Pesaro, Urbino, Citerna, Montone, Castiglione del Lago and Panicale for the first weekend (23 – 25 June); Grottammare, Ascoli Piceno, Civitella del Tronto, Amatrice, Castel del Monte and Santo Stefano di Sessanio for the second weekend (7 – 9 July); Rome (Appia Antica), Subiaco, Rieti, Norcia, Ferentillo and Narni for the third weekend (21 – 23 July); Rocca San Giovanni, Passo Fonte Tettone, Sulmona, Opi, Boville Ernica and Sperlonga for the final weekend (28 – 30 July).

The aim of the initiative is to valorise the wonders of central Italy’s beautiful localities as they recover from last year’s earthquake. Moto Guzzi is sharing the values of authenticity and “Italianness” that underpins the project by providing the V9 motorcycles, fitted out in Italy's national colours. For four weekends, starting from Pesaro, the Italian bikes will be the protagonists of fascinating itineraries exploring many memorable localities.

“The importance of the Sali a Borgo initiative,” said Fiorello Primi, President of the “I Borghi più belli d’Italia” association, “lies in the choice of routes through the regions hit by the recent earthquakes, to demonstrate that the great majority of places are perfectly well equipped to welcome tourists and visitors. The mayors of the Borghi più belli d'Italia taking part are enthusiastic supporters of the initiative, and will do their best to welcome the guests, while the localities themselves, already so beautiful, will provide an unparalleled spectacle.”

A rich program including local food and wine tastings, historical events and re-enactments capturing the unique spirit of the places will accompany the bikers as they travel through the towns and villages on silent, personal journeys that will become a choral narration to discover the soul of the four regions.

ALL ABOARD! Use the hashtag #SaliaBorgo to follow the trips live, with a series of video clips filmed each day to illustrate the highlights and emotions of each route, which will be published on the social media of ENIT (Facebook - www.facebook.com/ENITItalia; Twitter - twitter.com/ENIT_italia) and Italia.it (Facebook - www.facebook.com/italia.it, Twitter - twitter.com/italia, Instagram - www.instagram.com/italiait).

The social channels will also offer real-time short videos filmed with a camera installed on one of the motorcycles.