Giro d'Italia

On our last day in the Naples area, we were treated to Italy's version of the Tour de France - the Giro d'Italia! It's starts by crossing the Island of Corsica, they then hop a ferry to Salerno, just south of the Amalfi Coast. From Salerno, they ride north through Rome, through the Tuscan countryside, and across the Italian Alps - how nice does that route sound? Since this was the same direction we were headed, we thought about buying a couple of bikes and following behind them. But, we found out no Vespas allowed, only pedal bikes, so we decided on a salami sandwich and to stick with the train.

We were sure glad to have such a fun event prior to our departure, because we were really having a hard time leaving the Naples area. There is always such a feeling of activity in the air here, whether it's a scooter buzzing by, sidewalk cafes full of people, a ferry headed out to the islands, or a major bike race through the middle of town. So, we headed down to the main square in Sorrento so we could get one last fill of life as a Neapolitan.

Surprise, Becky makes a new friend while waiting for the riders to come through the square.

The preparation to clear the streets for the riders can best be described as total mayhem. How can you block the streets from tourists and locals, all jockeying for their position to watch the riders fly through? Well, the Gira d'Italia method may be the only way: scare the #!** out of them! They do this by sending fleets of speeding police cars, lights flashing and sirens screaming. Then, they send the support cars carrying the back-up bikes and riders' gear, with horns blarring. It truly is amazing no one is hit, and we guessed this may be the only way to keep this crowd out of the bikes' way.

You can feel the anticipation building as the roar of the crowd is heard from miles down the street. It starts as faint cheering, but as the bikers were getting closer to our location the cheering grew louder and louder, like a wave of noise headed our way. It was such a unique experience for us as Americans who have never seen a bike race up close.

Three cycles in the lead...

...and the rest of the pack.

No Vespas!
We were sure thankful to have had such a wonderful stay in the Naples area, a time full of wonderful adventures, incredible sites, some of the best food we have ever tasted, and most importantly some of the greatest people we have ever met. How else can you say it.....Grazie Napoli!