TOUR AT A GLANCE – Tuscany Vespa Getaway
Duration: 4 Days/3 Nights (or extended 6 Day/5 Nights)
Departures 2012: May 5, May 8, May 18, May 29, June 1, June 5,
June 13, June 19, June 29, July 10, July 13, July 17, July 25, Aug 7, Aug 10, Aug 14, Aug 22, Sept 14, Sept 18, Sept 28, Oct 5, Oct 9, Oct 12, Oct 16.
Private departures too.
Departing from: Florence at 2:30 p.m.
Ending in: Montevarchi train station 3 p.m. for connections to Florence and Rome.
All dates are GUARANTEED DEPARTURES*
Trip price for 3-Night itinerary : €1,300 per person based on double occupancy and minimum 4 people.
(€1,500 2 – 3 pax). Single supplement: €200.
5-night itinerary price: €1,900 per person based on double occupancy. Single supplement: €300.
Click on the Currency Converter to see the price in your local currency.
We designed this trip for those who want (or need!) a quick and fun adventure. We pick you up from enchanting Florence. A one hour private van transfer takes you into the countryside to meet your guide and your Vespa™ scooter. You will soon be cruising along Chianti’s quiet roads, gliding past vineyards and villas. No need to worry about where to go and what to see because your guide will lead the way! They know the most scenic roads, the loveliest places, and the best food and wine in Tuscany. We stay at Borgo Fontebussi, a lovingly restored Tuscan Manor house that is now a four star hotel featuring sweeping views over the romantic Tuscan landscape. Touring by scooter is a wonderful way of exploring Tuscany. You can stop when and wherever you want and parking is never a problem. Furthermore, you and your Italian Vespa™ become a part of the scenery rather than being sealed off from it. Combine the freedom and exhilaration of touring by scooter with the amazing food, wine, and beauty of Tuscany. PLUS, you can extend your holiday by two nights with our optional extension.
NOTE: You must arrive at the start of the tour already a safe, competent rider. We are not a motorbike school.
Scooterbella® in the news: our tours have been featured in the travel section of The Guardian , The Observer , Telegraph, and in London’s The Times. Book this trip! Send us an email or Go to our Reservations page
Day 1 – Friday or Tuesday: The tour picks up from Hotel Orto Dei Medici, our recommended hotel in Florence. If you are flying in today 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 leave your bags at the hotel, but we have found that most people have spent the previous night in Florence. We pick you up at 02:30 pm and transfer to Gaiole in Chianti, a one hour drive. Your guide will give you a safety talk and demonstrate how to operate the Vespa™ scooter. You then have a chance to try it out on a 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. Appropriately, we stop at the Castello di Brolio to visit the park and gardens of this impressive and historic castle. Brolio castle has been the home of the noble Ricasoli family since 1141 and is today also the location of the famous Baron Ricasoli winery. We end our ride at Borgo Fontebussi where (weather permitting) we will dine al fresco on their lovely panoramic terrace . Pick up from Florence, hotel and dinner included.
Day 2 – Saturday or Wednesday: This morning we cross the Arno river and ride toward the imposing Pratomagno mountains. We stop for a cappuccino break along the way, and then continue on to “Il Borro,” a small village which was bought in its entirety by the Florentine fashion house of Ferragamo and completely restored. We then hop back on our Vespas and ride a few miles to agriturismo Paterna . Claudia welcomes us to her family farm and shows us the wine making cantina followed by a brief cooking demonstation using the farm’s own produce followed by a hearty Tuscan lunch. The afternoon ride takes us through a string of quaint villages and to a fantastic gellateria that has been rated the fifth best in Italy, out of 80,000! Return to Fontebussi through rolling countryside with gorgeous views or convince your guide to take you to the Prada outlet store. You will have time to relax back at the hotel and enjoy a swim before meeting up for an informal wine tasting before dinner in the nearby hamlet of Montegonzi. Hotel, breakfast and dinner included.
Day 3 – Sunday or Thursday: Today we visit Siena, one of Italy’s most enchanting cities. Conquered by the Medicis in 1585, Siena became a backwater, frozen in time, making it one of Europe’s finest example of a preserved Gothic city. The high concentration of buildings from the 12th-14th centuries makes Siena unique, and the main square, “Il Campo,” is considered by many to be Italy’s most beautiful piazza. The famous bareback “Palio” horse race is held in the square twice a year. Our local guide will explain the mayhem and passion of the race, then take us to visit the Duomo and its medieval treasures. You have free time to explore the exquisite historic center, of course, you might get side-tracked by the shops and cafés along the Banchi di Sopra, Siena’s main pedestrian shopping street. We have lunch in town and then meet up in the Piazza del Campo for our return ride via Monteaperti and Castelnuovo Berardenga to the green embrace of Chianti and our oasis at Borgo Fontebussi . Hotel, breakfast and dinner included.
Day 4 – Monday or Friday: This morning we ride to the picturesque hilltop town of Radda in Chianti. In 1203 Radda came under the control of the growing Florentine Republic but was sacked 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 leave Radda and ride amongst the olive groves and vineyards of Castello di Ama and pass through the tiny stone village of Lecchi in Chianti. Our destination is Rampini Ceramics, arguably the best producer of hand-painted ceramics in Italy where you will learn how majolica ceramics are made, a process that remains essentially unchanged since the Renaissance age. Of course they have a fabulous shop and they ship worldwide. Afterwards we a short ride to Gaiole in Chianti where we say goodbye to our Vespas. We have one last fabulous lunch in the village piazza at Trattoria Sfizio where the Bianchi family make simple but tasty Tuscan dishes including excellent truffle ravioli or tagliatelle with porcini mushrooms. After lunch we are 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. For more information, read on!
*Day 4 – Extended Itinerary – Monday or Friday: 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 or Saturday: 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 or Sunday: 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 3 p.m. 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 40 minutes, and to Rome is two hours and thirty minutes. Breakfast and transfer to the train station included.
The Hotels – We stay three nights at at the four-star Hotel Borgo Fontebussi, an 18th century manor house that has been restored and turned into a beautiful four-star boutique hotel. After a day on your scooter, take a refreshing dip in their gorgeous 25 metre pool. 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 provide 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 helmets and a wind/rain jacket and rain trousers if required. The 125 cc Vespa™ scooter is powerful enough for two people to happily cruise through the Tuscan countryside. Couples can ride together on one scooter (and save €100 for one person!).
IMPORTANT | QUALIFICATIONS
You must be over 18 years of age, have a valid driver’s license and an INTERNATIONAL driver’s license to drive a scooter, although people holding an EU driver’s license do not requite the Int’l license. (An International license is very easy to get in your home country! Please click here for more information.) Of course, anyone can be a passenger. Previous experience on a scooter or motorbike is advantageous and highly advised. If you have not ridden one before then you should do so before you do this trip. Rent a scooter locally, and learn how to ride it before coming on the trip. U.K. residents can try Vroom by the Sea, a scooter rental in Brighton
WE ARE NOT HERE TO TEACH YOU HOW TO DRIVE A SCOOTER. YOU MUST ARRIVE AT THE START OF THE TRIP ALREADY A COMPETENT RIDER. We have been amazed by people who arrive expecting to drive a scooter on public roads who have never ridden a scooter before and who are clearly uncoordinated, un-athletic, and who will clearly never be able to drive a scooter safely. Please do not be one of these people. Our Vespa™ scooters are easy to ride, but a good sense of balance and coordination is required. They 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 and other smaller 50cc scooters (the Vespa™ scooter 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 scooter and drive it competently. If we feel your driving skills put you and others at risk we reserve the right to take the scooter away from you. If you crash one of the scooters — defined as losing control of the scooter and driving off the road — we will not let you ride anymore. In the event that you cannot ride as a passenger on one of the scooters, then we will help to arrange an alternative mode of transport, either taxi, or rental car, but at your expense.
Finally, age may be a factor. We have found that most people who are over 55 and who have never ridden a scooter or motorbike have problems riding them. If you have not used the “motorbike” part of your brain before the age of 55, then it may be too late to learn. We don’t know why this is, but such are the mysteries of Life. So if in doubt, please take the time to try a scooter at home. Afterwards, if you are happy with your abilities and you feel safe then you are ready to ride one of our scooters.
The bottom line is that we just want everyone to have a safe and happy holiday!
Useful 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™ scooters on Wikipedia: very complete, interesting site with lots of trivia!
Vroom by the Sea: hone your two-wheeling skills in the U.K. and get yourself some cool new gear at this scooter rental company in Brighton.
Vroom with a View: check out Peter Moore’s lively account of his solo trip from Milan to Rome on a vintage Vespa™ scooter. Cool website with lots of pictures & info.
Scoot NZ: a really great website with useful info about scooters and related links.
General Information
Trip Cost Includes: 3 nights at four star Borgo Fontebussi, 3 breakfasts & 3 dinners; bilingual guide; *provision of a 125cc Vespa™ scooter with rear carrier bin and helmet; related third party liability insurance as required by Italian law (but not insurance covering damage to the scooter caused by you, which is available at an extra €10 per day); fuel; van pick-up on Day 1 from Hotel Orto Dei Medici in Florence, final van transfer to Montevarchi train station; entrance to the park and gardens of Brolio castle, guided visit of Siena with licensed city guide. Extension also includes: 2 nights lodging in San Giovanni d'Asso; 2 dinners; and 2 days guided riding and visits as per itinerary. Getting there this will redirect you to our "Getting to the Trip" page) Booking: e-mail us to receive a booking contract (or use the "Reservation" page). Insurance: We highly recommend the purchase of Trip Insurance. We recommend "Travel Guard" to our American clients, just click on the logo below, while Canadian residents can click here. Australian, New Zealand, and British travelers, please consult your insurance brokers.  We look forward to having you join us for the trip of a lifetime! * Vespa™ is a trademark of Piaggio, SpA. |
