Stelvio Pass, voted the greatest driving road in the world by Top Gear, is one of the highest alpine passes through the Italian Alps reaching 9048ft at the top. Before my husband and I went on this trip, I had never heard of Stelvio Pass and had no idea roads like this existed. We had taken our Honda CBR 600RR, for a four day tour of the Austrian and Italian Alps when our friend insisted we spend the day experiencing some of the best riding in the world. Many motorcycle enthusiasts from around Europe make their way to the magnificent road between May and November, depending on the weather, every year.

When we arrived at the base of Stelvio Pass, it was an unbelievable sight. When you look up, all you can see is a road that winds so tightly and weaves so closely to the edge that your heart starts pumping. The turns become tighter and tighter as you increase in elevation. The roads provide breath taking views and hair pin turns that definitely put your stomach to the test. There were many motorcycle riders and also many high performance cars, such as Ferraris, Porches and Lamborghinis. There are also many brave cyclists who, through pure insanity, rode up the pass. The road is secluded which adds more excitement because you know if something goes wrong, you're on your own.

As we ascended the north side, we realized that while there is no speed limit the turns are so tight that you are forced to take them slowly. For a road that is in the middle of the Alps, it is well-maintained and the tires, Dunlop Q2's gripped well. The road demanded respect because one faulty move and you were going over the side of the mountain. Once at the top, there were restaurants, cafes, souvenir shops and an obviously expensive hotel. There are countless picture opportunities and chances for you to see what you just accomplished.

As we descended the south side of the mountain, the sensations were completely different. It was a steep decline and my husband said he never felt the weight come off the front tire. Of course, with two people on a sport bike, going down from over 9000ft was not an easy task. However, the tight turns do not last as long as the first side and before you know it you are passing a beautiful waterfall on a straight away.

This was one of the most memorable trips of my life. My husband and I have travelled the world and we will never forget the day we spent at Stelvio. My husband has amateur experience at race tracks with his bike and has been an owner for many years and he recommends that this road only be tackled by experienced riders. It is possible to join tour groups that allow you to rent motorcycles and travel on the amazing roads that the Alps offer. If you are planning a European vacation and you are a motorcycle enthusiast, do not miss Stelvio Pass.

- images Courtesy of Amanda Riley