By Marcella Gallace
The Italian hilltop town of Tavullia has become synonymous with Valentino Rossi. At the end of the day, Rossi does own the keys to the city. Located in the Province of Pesaro, this quiet town is loud in many ways, with quirks that pay homage to their hometown hero, such as a 46km speed limit, flags upon entry, a fluoro yellow colour scheme and local stores adorning Rossi merchandise.
Visiting Tavullia is a bucket list item for any Rossi fan, no matter how faraway you live from the Doctor’s homeland of Italy, you have to visit Tavullia. A 22-hour flight, 4-hour train ride and two buses later, I finally found myself walking the same streets as the man who ignited my passion for MotoGP.
Here’s my guide and tips for Tavullia:
Is Rossi ever in town?
Rossi still resides in his hometown of Tavullia. As you know, his career is still thriving, and his time is split among competing in the FIA World Endurance Championship and his involvement in his Moto2, MotoGP teams, Academy and so much more. It’s quite rare to catch Valentino Rossi strolling through the streets of Tavullia, especially given how frequently he’s out of town. However, if you’re hoping to see him in his hometown, there’s a renowned “Rossi Party” that locals eagerly anticipate. This event typically occurs on the Thursday before the San Marino MotoGP, and Rossi himself makes an appearance.
Where do I go in Tavullia?
The main street, or 'corso,' in Tavullia is Via Roma, where you'll find shops proudly displaying tributes to their hometown hero, Rossi. As you near the clock tower, you'll spot the Official VR46 store on your left. Be sure to explore the nearby streets, where you'll uncover numerous tributes to Rossi along the way.
The ‘Secret’ Rossi Party
I happened to travel to Tavullia last year, I chose the Thursday before the San Marino MotoGP weekend because I was in the region for MotoGP. I was surprised when I arrived at the train station and asked about how to get to Tavullia that the bus assistant replied with, “Oh you’re going for the Valentino Rossi party” – I wasn’t. In fact, I didn’t even know there was a Rossi party!
But this is common knowledge to the locals. The town comes to a halt and the main street, Via Roma, is blocked off for a stage, where thousands gather to see Rossi. Last year, the Doctor was given the keys to the city!
The only downside of choosing this day is that the local shops selling fun Rossi merchandise, which are usually open, remain closed. And you don’t have the privilege of roaming Via Roma and surrounding streets due to the crowd. The VR46 Rossi shop is open, but with the influx of extra guests in town for Rossi and the San Marino MotoGP, be prepared to wait in line anywhere from 10 minutes to over an hour.
Interestingly, I haven't been able to find any information about this year's Rossi party online. It appears to be a well-kept secret known only to the locals—and now, to you! Enjoy!
VR46 Rossi Store
The VR46 Rossi store alone is reason enough to travel to Tavullia, the store doubles as a Rossi museum. It’s two levels with multiple rooms. You’ll see some of Rossi’s old leathers and a Championship bike! Check out my video to see it in a minute.
How to get to Tavullia?
Tavullia is a hilltop town in the Province of Pesaro, if you are driving, it’s quite straight forward. However, for public transport users you will need to catch a train to Pesaro train station and then catch two buses to reach Tavullia.
You can purchase bus tickets old school style from a ticket office located at the bus terminal located outside of Pesaro train station called adria bus. Tickets are €2.35 one-way, I recommend buying your return tickets from here too as they are valid until stamped (and I have no idea where you would get them on return). From Pesaro station you catch bus CD – ask the bus driver to inform you when it's time to get off for the changeover to Tavullia. I had no idea, but my driver was extremely helpful, he even stood up and looked for me to let me know it was time. This is about a 35-minute journey.
“To changeover for Tavullia?” Italian: “Per fare il cambio per Tavullia?”
You will then need to wait for bus 46. Don’t be surprised if there are only one or two passengers. Remember these are old towns, and the tourism is low in such parts of Italy. Despite me thinking that every Rossi fan would be on the bus with me. The journey up to Tavullia is about 20-minutes, it’s an exciting moment for any Rossi fan, as you'll see Valentino Rossi’s famous motorcross ranch on approach (on your right). It’s one of those ‘wow’ moments in life.
Overall, Tavullia is a must-visit for any hardcore Valentino Rossi fan. The town pays tribute to him in countless ways, offering an experience that will leave you with lasting memories and stories to share.
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