What does the package price include?
How and when do I pay?
OK, I've decided to go - now what?
What about insurance?
In what Italian city do I arrive for my tour and where does Italy by Vespa pick me up?
How do I make arrangements to be met at the airport for transfer to Radda in Chianti?
This looks like fun, but I don't have any experience riding a Vespa. Can I still go?
How many people will there be on each tour?
What type of Vespas will we ride?
Do I need a special license to operate a Vespa in Italy?
Will I need any special documents to go to Italy?
Will I have a scooter of my own, or will I be riding with someone?
Are helmets provided?
What kind of clothing should I bring? What will the weather be like in the spring and fall?
What can I carry on the scooter?
Who will be accompanying the group on this tour?
Can special diets (e.g. vegetarian, dairy-free, etc.) be accommodated?
Should I bring any foreign currency with me?
What if I still have other questions?
International Driving License?
Can I just rent a Vespa?

What does the package price include?

In addition to seven days of unforgettable sightseeing in the Chianti countryside aboard your Vespa, the tour price includes the following:

• Round-trip ground transportation from Florence Airport to Radda.
• 7 nights accommodation at Hotel Vignale.
• 7 breakfasts, 4 lunches including 1 picnic.
• 1 welcome party upon arrival followed by a light dinner.
• 4 dinners (2 luxury and 2 local dining experiences) selected wine with each meal.
• All event fees, local guides, wine tasting, museum entrance fees, etc.
• 1/2-day cooking class.
• Vespa usage for 7 days, fuel, and use of a helmet. Note you are responsible for all damage to the scooter. 5 days for 5 day tours.
• Limited Italian property damage insurance.
• Local host, Vespa escorts, support van and driver.
• Sightseeing activities and admissions, unless indicated as optional.
• Local scooter guides, van drivers and hosts.

Not included in tour price:

• Round-trip airfare.
• Gratuities.
• 3 dinners, 2 lunches
• IVA tax and fees totaling 20%, this will be added to your invoice.
• For more information contact info@italybyvespa.com or call 1-866-297-7725 or 001 720 209 2017

How and when do I pay?

Reservation deposits may be made by contacting Italy by Vespa at 866.297.7725. Please be aware that we need a minimum of 2 participants or 1 couple to run our week-long tours and we fill our tours to a maximum of 7 couples or 14 persons. We accept refundable €1,000.00 euro deposits for the weeks that have not yet met our minimum until we accumulate the required number of participants. We will then contact you indicating the trip is confirmed and ask for payment in full immediately or refund your deposit, depending on your decision. Non-refundable payment in full, including any deposits held by us, is required once we confirm your reservation.

Visa, MC and personal check are all accepted forms of payment for both deposit and balance. Sorry, we cannot accept American Express.

OK, I've decided to go - now what?

After you've paid your €1,000.00 per person reservation deposit, you will receive a confirmation packet in the mail. It will include everything from a map of the region to insurance information. We strongly suggest you obtain scooter riding skills prior to your arrival for safety reasons and so you are not disappointed if you cannot ride due to your individual driving skills. The expectations of travel speeds are 15-25mph for the first 2 days and will increase to 20-45mph. If you are not able to maintain these speeds safely you have the option to ride in the lead pilot van or ride with our tour guide subject to availability or your traveling companion subject to their ability. Please note this is a group tour and the expectation is you have fine tuned or have your driving skills prior to arrival.

What about insurance?

Italian liability and property damage insurance is provided by Italy by Vespa according to standard Italian policy. You will be required to sign a personal liability waiver prior to riding on a scooter. Individuals are encouraged to contact their own insurance providers if additional coverage is desired.

Travel & Cancellation Insurance

We highly recommend trip cancellation, interruption insurance with one of our two carriers which includes full medical evacuation coverage. This insurance covers all prior medical conditions when purchased with your deposit and you can even add cancel for any work reason and any reason at all! Full details are below where you can see the full coverage and get a quick quote and purchase the policy and we offer two carriers for you to choose from.

In what Italian city do I arrive for my tour and where does Italy by Vespa pick me up?

Plan on arriving in Florence, Italy by 10:00am the first day of the trip. We make pick-ups in the city center at the Gallery Art Hotel, which is near the Ponte Vecchio. The Gallery Art shares a courtyard with The Lungarno Suites and The Continentale. Italy by Vespa will be in contact with you to arrange a specific meeting time 2-3 weeks prior to your departure from the U.S. to coordinate our connection with you.

How do I make arrangements to be met at the airport for transfer to Radda in Chianti?

Once we have compiled everyone's flight arrival times, a representative from Italy by Vespa will contact you to schedule a specific shuttle time at the Florence Airport. This is why it is important for us to have your flight information as soon as possible. Italy by Vespa provides complementary transportation to and from Radda in Chianti once a day. For any special requirements beyond this arrangement, we are happy to assist you; however, this could involve an additional charge.

This looks like fun, but I don't have any experience riding a Vespa. Can I still go?

Although everyone should have some basic scooter/motorcycle experience, riding a Vespa is easy! Generally if you are able to ride a bicycle you can ride a scooter, on the other hand if you have never ridden a bicycle this tour should not be your first experience with a scooter. We will have a Vespa orientation and evaluation session on the first afternoon / evening to introduce everyone to the safe operation of their scooter. The scooter is lightweight in contrast to a motorcycle and easy to use with some training and experience; our scooters are just like those rented to the general public in many resort communities. We will be traveling quiet, scenic country roads, largely but not completely free from city traffic as we must travel through a couple of small towns on our way. Those with less experience should consider attending a Rider Safety Training program prior to arrival as noted below.

If you are not skilled, we highly encourage you to take additional training before the trip. To find available Motorcycle Safety Training courses in your area, visit www.msf-usa.org.

If you or your guest does not feel comfortable driving or if we determine in our opinion your skill is not adequate to maintain safety and expected speeds you may be able to ride with a tour guide, subject to availability, or ride in our pilot van until such time as you are able. Please note, we are not a motorcycle or scooter training company and expect you know how to ride a scooter or be willing to ride in our pilot van. Please note we will be traveling about 180-300 miles during our week’s journey; please come prepared!

How many people will there be on each tour?

Our capacity for each trip date is 14 people, or 7 couples. We do not confirm any trip without a minimum of 2 people or 1 couple.

What type of Vespas will we ride?

All of our Vespas will be a new model, Red, European-Spec ET4 or the LX 125s, very similar to the U.S. model ET4 and the LX 150. They have four-stroke, 125cc engines with electric start and automatic transmissions. At the beginning we will travel 18 and 24mph due to the winding terrain. By mid-week speeds could reach 40mph. Please note we have a van if you don't feel comfortable at these speeds or you can ride with one of the Vespa guides subject to availability.

Do I need a special license to operate a Vespa in Italy?

No, but you must be a licensed driver and you will need to provide a photocopy of your license and insurance card. You will need an AAA International Driver's License. Click here to download the application form. If you do not have a motorcycle license we strongly urge you to attend a 2 day safety course. Please visit Motorcycle Safety Foundation for more details and classes around the world.

Will I need any special documents to go to Italy?

Yes, you will need a current passport (must have 6 valid months remaining). However, no visa is required, and no shots are required.

Will I have a scooter of my own, or will I be riding with someone?

Everyone on the tour will be provided with a Vespa of his/her own for the week. However, we fully expect that you will enjoy simply riding along with a friend on certain trips to better enjoy the bellissimo scenery along the way, and we certainly encourage you to do so!

If you or your guest do not feel comfortable driving you may be able to ride with a tour guide, Italy by Vespa host subject to availability, or in our lead pilot van.

Are helmets provided?

Yes. Everyone joining us will need to be sized for their helmet when booking their trip. Your local Vespa Boutique can help you with this in person or you can provide us your hat-size by phone to help us determine your proper helmet size. Please note that Italy now has a helmet law and that helmet use will be mandatory.

What kind of clothing should I bring? What will the weather be like in the spring and fall?

The weather in Tuscany is generally sunny and quite mild during both the Spring and Fall seasons. In addition to casual, comfortable clothing for the week, we recommend that everyone bring with them, at a minimum, a light- to medium-weight weatherproof, windproof jacket and lightweight insulated gloves. Rain gear is also advisable "just in case" and ponchos are in each scooter. Please note that eye protection is required by law when riding your Vespa and therefore mandatory. Normal eyeglasses or sunglasses are acceptable; however, you may wish to bring special goggles or, if you wear prescription glasses, over-the-glasses goggles.

What can I carry on the scooter?

Each Vespa scooter has a generous storage bin under the seat designed to hold your helmet when it's not in use. This bin will also carry jackets, purses, cameras, etc. and is lockable. Additionally, each scooter will be equipped with a genuine Vespa top case on the rear rack, essentially doubling (and then some) the storage capacity under the seat. Extra storage space is available in our lead pilot van as well.

Who will be accompanying the group on this tour?

Each trip will be guided by a guide(s) fluent in both Italian and English, appointed by Vespa. Each trip may also have a designated Italy by Vespa Tour Coordinator available to address your needs as they arise.

Can special diets (e.g. vegetarian, dairy-free, etc.) be accommodated?

Yes, easily, as Italian cuisine is replete with fresh vegetables, salads and pastas. Simply inform your booking agent when you make your reservation of your dietary restrictions. We will gladly accommodate you within reason. We generally have pre-set menus when dining as a group, for lunches and dinners are served family style.

Should I bring any foreign currency with me?

Italy now uses the Euro as its standard currency, so you might want to bring some Euros along with you for immediate use instead of having to change money the moment you arrive. However, there are plenty of banks and ATMs in Italy, and most places take credit cards.

What if I still have other questions?

You may email your questions to info@italybyvespa.com or call your U.S. Tour Coordinator, at 1.866.297.7725 or 001 720 209 2017

International Driver’s License?

An international driver’s license is very easy to get. Simply download the appropriate form (see links below) and send in your form and fees, or call your local driver's license issuing bureau and ask them what is required. You will need to provide a copy of your driver's license and 1-2 passport size photos of yourself. Please note that an International License is only valid for one year.

All EU citizens can legally drive in Europe without an International Driver's license.

* U.S. citizens, you can do most of the procedure online, by following this link to the AAA site: http://www.aaa.com/vacation/idpapplc.html?association=AAA&clb_id=212&secure=N

* Canadian citizens, you can apply through the CAA website: http://www.caa.ca/english/travel/documentation/idp-app.shtml

* Australians, through this link, you can find the name and address of the Automobile Club you should contact in order to have your International Driver’s License issued: http://www.aaa.asn.au/about/members.html

New Zealand residents, here is a list of Driver's License agents. Or just call your local AA office and they can issue the license immediately. http://www.landtransport.govt.nz/licensing/getting-licence/where.html

**Please note that the International Drivers license is NOT a driver’s license in its own right, and you must also carry your driver’s license with you at all times while driving in Italy and France.

Can I just rent a Vespa?

Unfortunately no. Italy by Vespa is a lifestyle tour company and does not rent Vespas to the public. We also offer a very unique program where you can be your own guide and your own private villa for experienced riders. You must have a motorcycle endorsement on your license to participate. Want to learn more about our Villa rental that comes with 2 Vespas and be your own guide? Click here for more info. We suggest if you're interested in renting a Vespa you contact the local chamber of commerce of the city you are visiting and make your inquiry there. We do not track any rental companies and therefore do not have information on rentals in Italy.