Tuscany Vespa Getaway

Note: Everyone who drives one of our scooters needs to have an international drivers license. This is very easy to get!  Please click here for more information.


The Hotels - We stay three nights at the hotel La Fonte del Cieco, a restored manor house that was built 300 years ago by a prosperous local merchant. It is a small, cozy hotel, whose rooms still have the original wood-beam ceilings and handmade terracotta floors. Of course, all the rooms have en suite WC and shower. Weather permitting, breakfast is in the pleasant front garden overlooking the piazza. There are four cafés, three banks, a pharmacy, a few grocery stores and several wine shops where you can enjoy a tasting or two of the local Chianti Classico. 
** The hot-weather departure of August 8 will stay at the four-star Hotel Borgo Fontebussi, an 18th century manor house that has been lovingly restored and turned into a beautiful four-star boutique hotel. After a day of Vespa-ing, take a refreshing dip in their gorgeous 25 metre pool.

Second Hotel:  the optional extension includes a two-night stay in the delightful village of San Giovanni d'Asso at the Locanda del Castello, a small family-run "boutique" style hotel located within the 16th century castle that dominates the village.  From here we explore the completely different landscape of southern Tuscany and the Val d'Orcia.


The Scooters - We have bought brand new, bright red, 125cc Vespa LX scooters. The Vespa is the classic Italian scooter; they are lightweight, comfortable, and easy to ride. They have electric start and automatic transmission, and the brakes are on the handlebars, like on a bicycle. We provide you with helmets. The 125 cc Vespa is powerful enough for two people to happily cruise through the Tuscan countryside. Top speed is 80 kph but we will be touring at a slower, more comfortable and safe speed. Couples can ride together on one Vespa and save €100. We also have two smaller 100cc Sym "Mio" scooters for those in need of a shorter, lighter ride.

Touring by Vespa is a wonderful way of exploring all that Tuscany has to offer. You can stop when and wherever you want, and parking is never a problem. Come experience the thrill and exhilaration of gliding along the quiet Tuscan roads, soaking in the sights and scents of Italy.


Day 1 - Friday: Independent arrival in Florence. You will probably fly into either Pisa or Florence airport. For more information on getting to and from the trip please see the sections "Getting There" and "Flight Info." We will also send you detailed information. If you arrive early in Florence you can check your bags at the train station and visit some of Florence's sites or do some shopping at the San Lorenzo market. After lunch take the 15:09 train to Montevarchi, arriving at 15:46. We will pick you up by van and take you to Gaiole in Chianti, a 30 minute drive. Your guide will give you a safety talk and demonstrate how to operate the Vespa. You then have a chance to try out your scooter on very quiet stretch of flat, straight road. Once you feel comfortable we begin our ride, past the hilltop hamlets of Rietine, Castagnoli, and San Martino in Vento. Wonderful views over the heart of Chianti take in a string of medieval castles which were the front line in the battles between Florence and Siena. We can see Siena's towers and cathedral thirty kilometers away, while the mass of Monte Amiata (southern Tuscany's highest mountain) rises like a giant pyramid to the south. After about 1.5 hours of riding we return to Gaiole in time to enjoy an aperitivo in the piazza before dinner at the "Osteria del Ponte," where (weather permitting) we will dine al fresco on their lovely terrace beneath a leafy canopy. After dinner, walk back to the hotel or join the locals for a grappa in the corner bar.  Hotel and dinner included.


Day 2 - Saturday: This morning we ride through the village of Lecchi and past the vineyards of the Castello di Ama. We continue to the picturesque hilltop town of Radda in Chianti, where we stop for a cappuccino break and to explore the town's medieval streets. In 1203 Radda came under the hegemony of the growing Florentine Republic but was conquered and burnt down by the Sienese in 1478. It was rebuilt, and 50 years later successfully fought off the last Sienese siege. Today Radda has the best cappuccino and pastries in Chianti as well as some lovely antique shops and boutiques. We then have a short ride to visit Rampini Ceramics, arguably the best producer of hand-painted ceramics in Italy. The head designer will explain how majolica ceramics are made, a process that remains essentially unchanged since the Renaissance age. Then take a short ride up to the Trattoria "Carlino d'Oro" in San Regole for lunch. After lunch we meander along two ridge-top roads, affording us 360-degree views over the romantic Tuscan landscape.  Rustic stone farmhouses and elegant palazzi rise up from a sea of undulating vineyards and olive groves. In the springtime the roads are lined with bright red poppies, while in the summer fields of sunflowers smile up at us.  Before making our way home, we stop at the Castello di Brolio, home to the noble Ricasoli family since 1141. We visit the park and gardens of this impressive and historic castle. Brolio castle is also famous as the birthplace of Chianti wines: in 1861 the Baron Ricasoli established the rules by which Chianti wine was to be made. Brolio is still the ancestral home to the Barons of Ricasoli as well as the location of the Baron Ricasoli winery. Return to Gaiole and relax or go for a walk up to the medieval hamlet of Vertine. Dinner tonight is in the village piazza at Trattoria Sfizio. Here the Bianchi family make simple but tasty Tuscan dishes including excellent truffle ravioli or tagliatelle with porcini mushrooms. Hotel, breakfast and dinner included.


Day 3 - Sunday: Today we visit Siena, one of Italy's most beautiful and historic cities. We have a guided visit with Rita Ceccarelli, a native of Siena and our favorite city guide. Only a native of this Gothic city can explain the furor and passion that surrounds the famous bareback Palio horserace which is run around the city's 12th century Piazza del Campo twice a year. You will have free time to explore Siena's exquisite historic center and admire its Gothic architecture. Of course, you might get side-tracked by the shops and cafés along the Banchi di Sopra, Siena's main pedestrian shopping street. Lunch in Siena and then rendezvous in the Piazza del Campo for our return ride via Monteaperti and Castelnuovo Berardenga. We return to the green embrace of Chianti for a wine tasting in our adopted village of Gaiole. The wine shop of San Donato in Perrano is conveniently located in the piazza, less than 100 meters from our hotel. We have left the Vespas for the day, so no need to spit out the wine! After the tasting we have a short walk to the Osteria del Ponte, where (weather permitting) we dine al fresco on their lovely terrace beneath a leafy canopy. Hotel, breakfast and dinner included.


Day 4 - Monday: Unfortunately this is our last day of riding but still another adventure awaits! We leave Gaiole on our trusty red Vespas and ride to the walled village of San Gusme for our mid-morning cappuccino break, then we have a wonderful ride to the top of Monteluco, one of the highest points in Chianti for breathtaking vistas. The road leads us down to the hamlet of Rietine where we willl have a special visit with wine maker Mario Gaffuri. Mario is the heart and soul of Fattoria di Rietine, which produces Chianti Classico, Chianti Classico Riserva and a "Super Tuscan." This is no ordinary winery visit, as Mario takes us into the vineyards to explain to us the essence of what it takes to make great wine. It is a fun and informative visit, and is a real treat for anyone even remotely interested in wine. Afterwards we have only a 2 km ride to our lunch spot at the Trattoria Fornace di Meleto where Valentina and Diego, two young Tuscans, have created a little culinary heaven. After lunch it is a 2 km ride to Gaiole where we leave the Vespas and get picked up by van and taken to the Montevarchi train station to catch the 15:15 train to Florence (arr. 15:51) or the 15:46 to Rome (arr. 18:46). If you need to leave the trip earlier, please let us know and we can arrange a transfer for you (*extra transfers are at your expense). Breakfast included.  


** 2-Day Extension** - We offer a 2-day extension into southern Tuscany. This means two more nights, with the trip finishing back in Montevarchi on Wednesday afternoon. The per person price for the 5-night trip is €2,100.  For more information, read on!


*Day 4 – Extended Itinerary - Monday: Those who opt for the longer itinerary will ride south after lunch, leaving the green wooded hills of Chianti for the wide-open spaces of the Crete Senesi. We ride into a completely different terrain from the first part of the trip. Those who have seen the films "Stealing Beauty" or "The English Patient" will recognize this starkly beautiful landscape of barren rolling hills topped by stone farmhouses and solitary cypress trees. Our route takes us through Asciano, a centuries' old walled town whose inhabitants have ingeniously incorporated the old defensive walls into their homes. Asciano boasts a fine gelateria too, so we won't miss the opportunity to stop and explore town while enjoying a delicious gelato. Another 45 minutes of riding brings us to San Giovanni d'Asso and the Locanda del Castello, a beautiful small hotel located within the walls of the villages 16th century castle. Enjoy the beautiful views all around you from this striking hilltop village, perched high above the surrounding landscape. Tonight's dinner is on the terrace of the hotel's restaurant. Hotel, breakfast and dinner included.


*Day 5 – Extended Itinerary - Tuesday:  Today we have a gorgeous ride to the perfect Renaissance town of Pienza. We take small roads that wind their way up, over, around, and between tiny villages surrounded by olive groves and vineyards. We will stop just outside of Petroio to visit a factory that produces giant terracotta urns. It is a fascinating process, really! Then we head to Pienza for our mid-moring cappuccino break. Pienza was designed and built by a local boy who made it big:  Pope Pius II. Pius issued a Papal Bull decreeing that his home town was to become a center of art and humanistic scholarship. The town was constructed between 1459 and 1462 in full Renaissance splendor. After visiting the town we ride down into the Orcia Valley for wonderful views back onto Pienza's Renaissance skyline. We ride up to the walled village of San Quirico d'Orcia for a late lunch, then we have a leisurely ride back to our lovely hotel. Take in the views while enjoying a glass of wine before dinner. Hotel, breakfast, and dinner included.


*Day 6 – Extended Itinerary - Wednesday: Today offers one last chance to enjoy Tuscany's beautiful scenery. This morning we head back towards Chianti, passing the castle of Trequanda on our way. We have a late lunch beneath the shady limbs of huge plane trees at Osteria del Ponte in Gaiole in Chianti. Your bags will be transferred by van back to Gaiole, then you have a van transfer to the Montevarchi train station for the 16:14 trains to Florence and Rome. The Florence train is direct, whereas you have to change in Arezzo to get to Rome. Travel time to Florence is 30 minutes, and to Rome is two hours and thirty minutes. Breakfast and transfer to the train station included.


IMPORTANT!!  :  QUALIFICATIONS

You must be over 18 years of age and have a valid driver's license to drive a Vespa. Of course anyone can be a passenger. To drive a Vespa, previous experience on a scooter or motorbike is advantageous and highly advised, but not necessary, but only if you are a good driver, athletic and coordinated, and you are used to riding a bicycle. If you cannot ride a bicycle we do not advise you to try and ride a scooter for the first time on this trip. Indeed, if you have never ridden a scooter before we highly recommend that you rent a scooter locally and try it out before coming on the trip. Although our Vespas are easy to ride, a good sense of balance and coordination is required. The Vespas have a 125cc engine and an all-steel frame. They are lighter and easier to drive than a larger motorbike but they are also heavier than a moped (the Vespa weighs 110 kg, or about 235 lbs).

You will be driving a motor vehicle on public roads. You are responsible for your safety but also for the safety of other motorists, bikers and pedestrians. You must be able to control the Vespa and drive it competently. If we feel your driving skills put you and others at risk we reserve the right to take the Vespa away from you. In the event that you cannot ride as a passenger on one of the Vespas, then we will help to arrange an alternate mode of transport, either taxi or rental car, but at your expense.

We have been doing these trips since April 2006 and have found that 80% of people are very good drivers and have no problems with the Vespas from the start. 10% are marginal, but with practice and coaching are able to drive the Vespas competently. Finally, the other 10% have been incompetent and frankly dangerous. We have been forced to tell these people that they cannot use the Vespa (sometimes, however, not before they have fallen!). So far no one has suffered any serious injuries, but we are amazed that some people sign up for a trip of this type with no experience and poor coordination or athletic ability, and then expect to drive a motorized vehicle on public roads in a foreign country.  Please do not be one of these people.  We will not hesitate to take the Vespa away from anyone who we feel is a threat to themselves and to the safety of others.

Finally, age may be a factor. We have found that most people who are over 50 and who have never ridden a scooter or motorbike have problems riding the Vespa. If you have not used the “motorbike” part of your brain before the age of 50, then it may be too late to learn. We don't know why this is, but such are the mysteries of Life, Zen, and the Art of Vespa maintenance.  So if in doubt, please take the time to try a scooter at  home. Find a big vacant parking lot, put on a helmet, read our accompanying document about motorcycle safety, and give it a whirl. If you are happy with your abilities and you feel safe, then you are ready to ride one of our Vespas.  The bottom line is that we just want everyone to have a safe and happy holiday!


Useful Links -

SccotNZ: great site about scootering with lots of cool links.

The City of Florence: everything you need to know about the city
 
The Accademia: home of Michelangelo's David and other world-famous works

The Uffizi Gallery: one of the greatest collections in the world. We recommend you make reservations ahead of time.

The Duomo: one of the wonders of the Renaissance, Florence's cathedral.

Siena Tourist Authority: this site has many interesting links to areas within Siena province, like Chianti, the Val d'Orcia, the Crete Senesi, etc.

Chianti Classico wine consortium: a site devoted to this world-renown wine and its group of producers

Chianti History:  concise article on the history of this famous region

UNESCO World Heritage sites in Italy: come see the marvels that await you in Italy!

Vespa on Wikipedia:  very complete, interesting site with lots of trivia!

Vroom with a View:  check out Peter Moore's lively account of his solo trip from Milan to Rome on a vintage Vespa.  Cool website with lots of pictures & info.