(March 22, 2012) BOLOGNA, Italy — Ducati is gearing-up for the new riding season with “Ducati Dream Tours,” a weekend escape that combines the experience of visiting the famous Italian motorcycle factory and museum with the pleasure of riding a Ducati along the legendary roads that surround Bologna.

The experience starts on Friday on five different weekends (listed below) with arrival and lunch at the Ducati Factory, before making a guided tour of the famous home and Museum of Ducati motorcycles in Borgo Panigale, Bologna. From there participants will collect their pre-selected Ducati motorcycle and depart on a guided-ride through the Apennines of Emilia Romagna known as “Motor Valley”  ending at the hotel of  “Monte del Re” in Dozza.

Ducati museum

The hotel, created from a classic 13th century monastery and famous for its regional cuisine, will become an idyllic base for the weekend and point-of-departure for Saturday’s guided-ride into the mountains along roads recommended by the official Ducati test riders themselves. After stopping for lunch in the countryside, even a leisurely ride back to the hotel on a Ducati will deliver riders early enough for a spot of relaxation before dinner in the friendly atmosphere of Ducati Dream Tour friends.

Sunday’s tour follows the same schedule, but returns to the Ducati factory late in the afternoon. The Ducati Dream Tour is an ideal get-away for those wanting a luxurious and seamlessly organized weekend of Italian motorcycling.

As part of the Ducati Travel Experience initiative, the famous Italian marque offers a range of models for the tours from Hypermotard 796 and Monster 1100EVO to Diavel and Multistrada 1200 Touring. For all details on Ducati Dream Tours, including prices and ordering process, visit www.ducati.com/ducati_travel/ducati_dream_tour.do.

2012 Ducati Dream Tours calendar

May 4-6
May 18-20
July 6-8
July 13-15
July 27-29