September in the Alps offers special and specific pleasures and the Oktoberfest Olio is one of them.

Clear days and magic skies add to the joy of riding a motorbike in the mountains. Basically this is two weeks of mountain magic over sinuous routes, comfortable nights in choice hotels, foods to please a variety of palates and scenery that might have been painted by Rembrandt!

The Olio route closely follows that of the Classic Alpine Adventure. The first day on the road is a pleasant, relaxing ride through the Bavarian countryside - but then tranquility in the countryside gives way to a flurry of activity as farmers work to harvest their crops.

Seemingly indifferent to the magnificent Alpine skyline south of them, they trundle back and forth across the fields with a variety of tractors and equipment.
 
You, too, can trundle over the Achenpass for your first exposure to Alpine roads, or maybe you prefer to dive right in by attacking the narrow, wild Hahntenjoch. These high mountain roads that climb up and over the peaks offer unparalleled views and challenges to the rider.

During the next few days, as you explore Switzerland, you may opt to enjoy the Klausen, Pragel, Brunig, St. Gottard, Lukmanier, Oberalp, Neufenen, Furka, Grimsel, or Susten passes.

Even here, in the high mountains, the locals are preparing for the change in season. Herds of cows are being brought down from Alpine pastures to their villages and valleys. It is quite a sight to see the entire local population - including the school children - in ethnic dress, awaiting the arrival of the flower and garland bedecked "queen" and the rest of her herd.

Continue east to the Engiadina valley, where enthusiastic pass riders may conquer the Fluela, Ofen, Splugen, San Bernadino, Bernina, Abula, Maloja, or Julier passes.

While not riding, luxuriate in an excellent hotel, take a swim, a sauna, a massage or simply relax and enjoy the view from the garden or the window of your room. All accommodations have been carefully chosen to be the “icing on the cake” after a superlative day’s ride.

Next comes the beauty of Italy, where the striking scenery and exciting riding compete for attention. The Dolomites are simply massive and the pass-roads allow up-close access to them.

Austrian towns steeped in history are next. Villach was built more than ten centuries ago as a Roman spa town and Salzburg was founded prior to 700 A.D.

To the very end of the tour, the riding remains first rate. Austria’s Grossglockner Hochalpenstrasse offers a taste of climes from temperate to Arctic in just a few hours of riding.

Too quickly we are back in Munich! While the magnificence of the mountains, and the customs of the mountain people are still fresh in the mind, it is time to take part in another local custom -  that of the Oktoberfest, a huge party, and the observance of a royal engagement. What a way to wrap it all up!

After all those countries, all those passes, all that adventure and riding, the biggest problem you will face is deciding how to get back again, as soon as possible!

 Italian Idyll