Tuscany by Vespa

Scooterbella in the news:  our tours have been featured in the travel section of The Guardian (UK) on January 20, 2007 (see the article here). Another article was published by The Observer on April 23, 2006. See it here!  And a 3-page full-color article covering this trip was published in the London Telegraph (click here and then search for "The Vespa and Italy").

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 - In Florence you spend one night at the Hotel Royal, an elegant 18th century villa that has been transformed into a lovely hotel with garden and pool (some departures stay at the charming Orto de' Medici, a superior 3-star hotel located on the former gardens of the powerful Medici family). We then move to the countryside for our 4-night stay at the Borgo Fontebussi, an 18th century manor house that has been lovingly restored and turned into a beautiful four-star boutique hotel. A new 25-meter swimming pool has been added to the grounds to create a wonderfully relaxing environment. Borgo Fontebussi is the perfect base from which to explore Tuscany by Vespa. Should you opt for the 7-night "Extended Southern Tuscany" itinerary you stay two nights 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.


The Vespas - We have brand new, bright red 125 cc Vespa scooters. They are lightweight, comfortable, and easy to ride, with an electric start and automatic transmission. 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. Indeed, we usually do not exceed 50 kph (30 mph).  Of course, couples can ride together on one Vespa (and save €100 for one person!). 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 become a part of the environment rather than being sealed off from it. You can stop when and wherever you want, and parking is never a problem. Come and feel the thrill of cruising down the open road, under the Tuscan sun!


Day 1 - Saturday: Independent arrival in Florence and check-in at your pre-booked hotel, the Hotel Royal, an elegant 18th century villa that has been transformed into a lovely hotel with garden and pool (some departures stay at the charming Orto de' Medici, a superior 3-star hotel located on the former gardens of the powerful Medici family). Both hotels are conveniently located in the center of historic Florence. Dinner tonight is on your own, but we have many suggestions that you will receive in our pre-departure information. You will meet your guide and the rest of the group tomorrow morning. Should you wish to arrive in Florence a couple of days early, please let us know as we would be happy to extend your reservation in Florence for you. Hotel included.


Day 2 - Sunday: Pick-up in Florence at your hotel at 9 a.m. A private van transfer takes us to the village of Gaiole in Chianti where we pick up our Vespas. Before hitting the open road we will have an orientation and safety talk. We start out in a parking lot and then we head to a very quiet stretch of road to start on so you can get used to driving your Vespa. Indeed, today is designed to get you very well acquainted with your Vespa. We then ride along two scenic ridge roads that offer wonderful views over the romantic Tuscan landscape. We stop for lunch at a local trattoria in the village of San Regolo. After lunch we have a very short ride and walk up to Castello di Brolio to visit the park and gardens of this magnificent and historic castle. This part of Chianti was fought over by the Sienese and the Florentines for centuries, and Brolio castle was in the thick of it for 300 years. We then wind our way through Tuscan villages and hamlets to arrive at our home for the next four nights, the Borgo Fontebussi. Time for a dip in the pool before dinner, a short walk away in the village of Montegonzi. Hotel, breakfast and dinner included.


Day 3 - Monday: This morning we cross the Arno river and ride toward the imposing Pratomagno mountains. We stop for a cappuccino break in the picturesque medieval town of Loro Ciuffenna, once an important stop on the Roman "Cassia" road and now a colorful village that has retained its traditional character.  Afterwards, we continue on to "Il Borro," a Tuscan village which has been bought in its entirety by the Florentine fashion house of Ferragamo and completely restored. We have lunch at the excellent "Osteria del Borro," then have some time to walk around the village shops. The afternoon ride takes us back to Fontebussi through rolling countryside with gorgeous views. You will have time to relax back at the hotel and enjoy a swim before meeting up for an informal wine tasting followed by dinner on the hotel terrace. Hotel, breakfast and dinner included.


Day 4 - Tuesday: We know you have come to Tuscany not only for its romantically beautiful landscapes and fascinating history but also for its excellent cuisine, so today you will learn some secrets of Tuscan cooking. A one-hour ride takes us to Starda Castle, a small, picturesque hamlet of medieval origin. Built around 1000 by the noble family of Conti Guidi it is now home to Gabriela and her husband Giovanni, their dog Grieg and cat Tris, all of whom are wonderful and gracious hosts. Gabriela's son Alessandro will invite us into the restaurant's kitchen, where he will teach you how to cook Tuscan style. You better pay attention, because you will be eating what you are cooking for lunch! Afterwards, we head for the Badia Coltibuono (Abbey of the good harvest) for a guided visit of this beautiful and historic site. The Badia was first established in the 11th century by Cistercian monks who soon started producing wine. Indeed, the Badia Coltibuono is still one of the area’s best producers of Chianti Classico and its olive oil is famous throughout the world. Dinner tonight at Fattoria La Forra, a country restaurant a short distance from Fontebussi. Hotel, breakfast, lunch and dinner included.


Day 5 - Wednesday: Today we ride to Siena, one of Italy's most beautiful and historic cities. We have a guided visit with Rita, a native of Siena and our favorite city guide. Only a native of this Gothic city can explain the furor and passion that surround 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. Free lunch in Siena and then rendez-vous in the Piazza del Campo for our return ride via Monteaperti and Castelunuovo Berardenga. Dinner tonight on the terrace at Borgo Fontebussi. Hotel, breakfast and dinner included.


Day 6 - Thursday: Today we depart at 10:15 to allow you time to pack your bags and enjoy a relaxing morning swim. A thirty minute ride takes us to the hilltop town of Radda in Chianti where you will have free time to enjoy the view from the medieval walls and to check out its antique shops and cafés. Then it is on to Rampini ceramics, arguably the best producer of hand painted ceramics in all of Italy. The head designer will explain to us how majolica ceramics are made, a process that remains essentially unchanged since the Renaissance age. Of course you may also peruse the lovely showroom attached to their workshops (they ship world wide!). One last beautiful ride on our trusty Vespas take us to the village of Gaiole in Chianti where we will have lunch at Trattoria Sfizio. Chef Fernanda serves up homemade dishes using the freshest ingredients. We will be picked up at the restaurant at 15:00 and transferred by van to the Montevarchi train station, via Borgo Fontebussi to pick up our luggage, for the 16:14 p.m. train to Florence and Rome. Travel time to Florence is 40 minutes, and 2 hours 50 minutes to Rome. If you need to leave the trip earlier, then please let us know and we can arrange a transfer for you at your expense. Breakfast and transfer to the train station included.


**Two-Day Extension** - We are offering a two-day extension into southern Tuscany, adding two more nights, with the trip finishing back in Montevarchi on Saturday afternoon. The per person price for the seven-night extended trip is €2,650. For more information, read on!


** Day 6 - Extended Itinerary - Thursday: 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 town's 16th century castle. Enjoy the beautiful views from this lovely hilltop town perched high above the surrounding landscape. Tonight’s dinner is on the terrace of the hotel's restaurant. Hotel, breakfast and dinner included.


** Day 7 - Extended Itinerary - Friday:  Today we have a gorgeous ride to the striking hilltop 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 our visit 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 a leisurely ride takes us back to our lovely hotel. Take in the views while enjoying a glass of wine before dinner. Hotel, breakfast, and dinner included.


** Day 8 -- Extended Itinerary - Saturday: 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 p.m. trains to Florence and to Rome. The Florence train is direct, whereas you must change in Arezzo to get to Rome. Travel time to Florence is 30 minutes, and 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 alternative 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 or 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 -

ScootNZ: a really great website with useful info about Vespas, scooters, and related 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: details on the city's history and events.

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.