A trip to Italy is never, ever a bad idea. Think of the food, the drinks, the landscape, the people – it has everything as a selling point really. Each city has its own brand of what a city is or should be but all some how make a uniform identity that make Italy so special. However, it’s Tuscany that really is postcard Italy – handy then that Mugello is right in the heart of it.
Let’s start with the immediate surrounding area of what is officially known as the Autodromo Internazionale del Mugello – talk about building a circuit into the landscape. There’s not a viewpoint that leaves you disappointed but it’s probably the riders that have the best one, as the break from over 350km/h for San Donato and see the Tuscan mountains greeting them. Few places compare on the calendar – the Red Bull Ring is a valid contender, Brno has forests, Mandalika’s beach vibes and Phillip Island’s coasts are all in the mix but Mugello is the one that everyone can unanimously say is one of their faves – for all the things that we mentioned at the start, plus the climate is probably the best and most predictable.
Oh, and to just talk about the track itself if we can – not only is it one of – if not, THE – most beautiful circuit’s we have fortune of visiting but wow did they get it right first time. The layout hasn’t changed an inch, so it’s only right that on the year that the circuit celebrates 50 years of being open, we salute the original designers in what they created. They definitely got it right first time – and not easily either. The track flows to the natural undulations of the land and therefore gives the riders and fans – and TV directors – some of the most enjoyable shots, views and challenges of the year. But at over 5km long, we have a circuit that really was nailed the first time.
So, if you’re coming to Italy for the MotoGP from afar – or close – then how do you enjoy the best of what is to offer? The obvious solution would be to get yourself some wheels to take in a true Italian road trip but if that’s not possible, then Italy’s cheap and reliable train travel connects all major towns and cities. If you’re starting off at Mugello, chances are you’ll fly into Florence – home of Renaissance. Housing some of the best pieces of art and wandering the streets of some of the best bits of architecture, it really is a city for history lovers as well as those who love to step back in time. Check out the Ponte Vechhio, Uffizi Galeries, Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore and the Basilica Santa Maria Novella when you’re in the city.
If you can’t find a way into Florence, then you’ll probably end up there at some point – but the chances are if you’re not arriving into it, then you’ll instead be welcomed into Italy with Bologna’s open arms. Italy’s food capital sits right in the country’s self-proclaimed food valley; they gave the world Bolognese, or Ragu as it should be known, as well as Tortellini, Mortadella, Lasagna all Bolognese and Balanzoni. We won’t tell you what it is, come and discover it for yourself but be warned – once you do, you’ll find it hard to put down.
We love Italy and you should too – particularly if you like travel and motorsport. Ahh, about motorsport… more on that when we get to Misano and it’s Motor Valley!