With the abundance of motorcycle travel companies these days, riding a motorcycle anywhere in the world is simpler than ever. But if you want to go it alone, we’d suggest crossing some of the following destinations off your bucket list—they’re bike friendly and adventure worthy.

Whether it’s the drama of the scenery, the hospitality of their people, or the richness of the motorcycling culture, these places all have one thing in common: You can discover them best on two wheels.

To say Spain is the epicenter of grand prix motorcycle racing is hardly a stretch. Motorcycling seems to be in the blood of the people. There must be an overlap between the spirit responsible for the good life of siestas and tapas (“you mean, as long as I keep drinking, you’ll keep feeding me?”) and one that acknowledges motorcycling as an endeavor worth pursuing. From mountain to sea, there are beautiful roads to explore. For motorcycle travelers, it doesn’t get too much better. Plus, anyplace that serves an array of cured meats for breakfast is A-OK.

Nowhere is the connection between land and machine more palpable than in Italy. The great cast of Italian marques (past and present) could only ever be from Italy. And you can sense it everytime you thumb the starter on an Italian machine. This is what wine snobs call terroir. It’s what motorcyclists call a hell of a good time. Is there a place more popularly photographed for its winding mountain passes and dramatic vistas? Practically everyone in Italy has a motorcycle story. Why shouldn’t you be one of them?

From the Scottish highlands to England’s Lake District, the UK is a motorcyclist’s bucket-list destination. Just look out for the rozzas. And the speed cameras. Depending on the location, you may not be able to discern the accent of the brickie sitting next to you in the pub, but at least the road signs are in English. The UK’s depth and breadth of biking culture—from the cradle of roadracing to the birthplace of café racing—makes it one of motorcycling’s great pilgrimages.

RELATED: Riding The Mach Loop On A Triumph Speed Triple RS And A Thruxton R

KTMs and mountains. What else do you need? A MotoGP race? Check. Strudel? Check. Austria’s mix of German precision and Italian exuberance (see: KTM) is evident when smooth pavement leading up mountain passes is buzzing with European motorcyclists on holiday. In many parts of America, performance motorcycles are looked at with a mix of disdain, ignorance, and apathy. In Austria, that’s not the case. Sign me up.

For the motorcyclist, Morocco is the gateway to Africa. It’s accessible, it’s tempting, it’s sublime. The snowcapped Atlas Mountains are an ADV rider’s dream. Riding through poor mountain villages is a reminder of how far away from America you are. It’s a reminder of how small your scope can be. Wherever you are, you’re always close to a helping hand. The Moroccan denizens are hospitable and eager to engage with strangers.

RELATED: A Triumph In An Arabian Spring

India’s sheer size makes traveling there daunting. Riding can be hazardous as narrow roads cling to cliffs and unyielding truckers ignore your existence. India is a land of extremes that accost every sense. The smells are either intoxicating or noisome. There’s abject poverty and lavish wealth. From the intimate beauty of Himachal Pradesh to the majestic Himalayas, India is a source of constant amazement. Riding a motorcycle there can be harrowing, but the support of locals makes it one of the friendliest as well.

The untrammeled wild of Patagonia is an allure to the motorcyclist in search of the spectacular. Unlike a lot of places, where the motorcycle seems right at home, Chile can make it seem like it doesn’t belong. Not that it’s out of its element, but the near-sacred sights of Patagonia seem to invite us to turn off the engine and put on a pair of hiking boots.

The land of the long white cloud is home to an unmatched diversity of landscapes. Glaciers, rain forests, sandy beaches, and quaint villages make it a dream vacation for anyone, but its smooth pavement and sparse population make it a paradise for the motorcyclist. New Zealand seems more exotic than other English-speaking countries, but remains a less daunting prospect than many far-flung destinations. Always nice to not have to rely on Google Translate to order a burger.

Sure, have your beach vacation. But then rent a bike and head north to the mountains for miles and miles of twisty roads. Thailand is as exotic as it seems. With a hospitable culture and, uh, Thai food, you really can’t go wrong. As in many other southeast Asian countries, congested urban areas mean you’ll be one of a zillion people on two wheels. Blend in with the crowd. Ride a motorcycle.

For our non-American readership, it should be said that the US is a great place to ride a bike. Ride the cycling meccas of California and the southern Appalachians; visit the Barber museum in Birmingham, Alabama; and the Harley-Davidson museum and factory in Milwaukee. Catch a down-home flat-track race at a middle-of-nowhere fairground. Wherever you wind up, there’s a road of note. For riding a motorcycle, the US offers an experience as vast as its borders.

Have a favorite place to ride a motorcycle? Tell us your story.

Packing for a motorcycle trip is incredibly important not only for the fact that you want to have the right cargo during your time on the road, but also to keep your things and yourself safe. There’s no definitive “right” way to pack however, or a list of things that you need to have every time you hit the road for a few days. What we’re offering below are some best practices, some things to consider, and a few tips we’ve picked up along the way that make the packing process an easy experience.

How To Pack

There are two main elements when planning how to pack for a trip. The first has to do with getting all the stuff you need into the luggage you have, and the second has to do with securing the luggage safely and thoughtfully to the bike.

Getting your goods into the luggage is straightforward, but some things to remember are the fact that you have limited space and that the weight should be pretty evenly distributed. Limiting yourself to the bare essentials is key to optimizing the space, and we recommend being as neat as possible when you pack things up.

As for weight distribution, this depends on the type of luggage you’re using. If you have saddlebags, try to pack each so they weigh about the same when on the bike. If you’re using a top case or stacking some dry bags on the pillion, keep the heaviest items toward the bottom and build up from there. Top-heavy loads on the back of the bike can tip, shift in the wind, or affect the feel and handling of your bike.

If you remember to keep the weight on the bike as even and centrally located as possible, you’ll be good to go.

Securing luggage to the bike is made exponentially easier if you have luggage racks installed already for your particular bags. Many will lock into place quickly and detach easily when you’re ready to call it a night, so it can be worth the extra cost and labor to get a setup like this.

Where you need to be vigilant is when you’re using universal-fit items or lashing down things like dry bags or duffel bags with bungee cords or ratchet straps.

Universal saddlebags, for example, will typically have straps that can anchor to rigid parts of your bike. Make sure tension is evenly applied to both sides so the bags don’t tilt one way or other and triple-check that any loose strap material is tucked away or tied off. You don’t want some material flapping around and getting caught in any of the moving parts of your bike. That would be bad.

Bungee cords or nets can work to hold down things on the pillion or rear rack, but be cautious. Since there’s give in the cords, cargo can shift around more dramatically than with a ratchet strap. The hooks need to be properly placed too so they don’t slide up a frame rail while riding.

Ratchet straps need to be anchored the same as bungee cords, and any excess material absolutely needs to be secured far away from any moving parts.

The configuration of these tie-downs depends on the bike you have and the anchor points at your disposal. Keep the above tips in mind when thinking about how you’re going to secure your luggage and all should be well.

RELATED: A Guide To Motorcycle Travel Bags And Luggage

What To Pack

The things that make the cut for your next motorcycle trip are entirely up to you, but there are some items we think to be essential regardless of your destination.

Rain gear is at the top of the list. Unless you’re riding with a fully waterproof set of gear, having a rainsuit at your disposal will make the trip much more enjoyable if an unexpected storm hits. You can find one-piece suits, covers for just your gloves or boots, or two-piece options like the WeatherPro option from Nelson-Rigg.

A tool roll with a screwdriver, a few wrenches, some zip-ties, needle-nose pliers, and a tire-repair kit will come in really handy in the worst situations. We’d recommend keeping something like this stored on your bike at all times if possible, but especially when you’re a long way from home.

A snack or two is also really nice to have at the ready for those times when you’re in the middle of nowhere and still a few hundred miles from the nearest diner.

Base layers are also helpful to have, in case you get caught out in colder-than-expected climates. This can be a technical base layer that is form fit, like the Klim Teton, or it can be a long-sleeve T-shirt and pair of warmer pants that will fit under your gear. Something that allows you to layer up.

Other things can be useful too, like a battery charger for your smartphone or rag to clean your face shield.

RELATED: How To Plan A Motorcycle Trip

And, of course, a few changes of clothes and any ancillary gear necessary for your trip. Many riders like to camp en route to a destination so a compact tent, sleeping bag or blanket, and whatever other essentials you’d need to be comfortable outdoors.

At then end of the day it’s entirely up to you what comes along for the ride. Just remember to keep the packing list as sparse as possible and your luggage securely anchored.