Yesterday I had my first ride ever on a Vespa in Milan and until you’ve done something like this, you won’t really understand the romance and style of this Italian tradition.
I had a grin from ear to ear as we ducked through Milan’s traffic and whizzed past the trams.
The Vespa has a reassuring putt-putt-putt, making it a real protagonist in the trip – it’s like touring around with an old friend.
Being on a Vespa means you’re up front with the other scooters in the city, like a starting grid for a scooter gran prix where the car traffic comes second best.
What’s more, you get a completely different perspective of a city riding a Vespa.
You really get to see the people of Milan, its architecture and avenues, the grand central station looming at the end of the road; not to mention the freedom of zipping about on the surface, enjoying Milan’s city sights, rather than being underground in the dingy Milan metro stations.
So, if you don’t have an Italian friend who can take you, try renting a scooter in Italy: options include Vespa in Italy, in Milan, Florence and the Dolomites; or if you want something less like taking your life in your hands, with some great scenery, try renting a Vespa on Lake Como.
Apparently there is a company called Turba which rents scooters in Bellagio.