Tuscany by Vespa
Duration: day departures
Departures 2006: Weekly, May through October, every Monday, & Tuesday, and Thursday.*
Departing from: Borgo Montebuoni, 10 minute drive from Radda in Chianti and a 20 minute drive from Castellina in Chianti and Gaiole in Chianti.
Tour finishes: Borgo Montebuoni.
Price: Euro 140 for one day. Euro 260 for two days. Euro 370 for three days. Prices are per person. Includes rental of a 50cc Vespa scooter, and helmet, entrance fees as listed, lunch, and a bilingual (English/Italian) guide to accompany you. Special cooking day is available for a minimum group of 4 people. Please see details below.
Hit the open road on your own Vespa scooter on this guided tour of Tuscany's Chianti wine growing region. Meet at 09:00 at Borgo Montebuoni where you will be provided with a new 50cc Vespa scooter and helmet. Your guide will give you a brief orientation and safety talk before we start. We have picked a very quiet stretch of road to start on so you can get used to your Vespa. Indeed, we will keep you off the busy roads and take you on the most scenic roads in Chianti. You can do one day, two days, or all three days. Each day offers a different itinerary.
Monday: Introduction to Chianti. Departure 09:00 from Borgo Montebuoni. This is a wonderful way to spend your first full day in Chianti. We have noticed that people are keen to ride on their first day on the Vespa so we oblige and take you on a fantastic ride through the heart of the Chianti wine-growing region. We will first pass through the little village of Lecchi in Chianti before swinging through San Sano and then on to the hilltop village of Vagliagli where we will stop for a mid-morning cappuccino. Vagliagli is locally famous for its fantastic viewpoint from where you get a 270 degree vista over the Chianti countryside. On a clear day you can see the distant towers of San Gimignano, the dome and spire of Siena's Duomo, and the rolling countryside of Le Crete Senesi. After our break we have an exhilarating super scenic 10 km downhill run that takes us to the famous “Chiantigiana”, the road that has linked Siena and Florence for centuries. We'll stop in the walled village of Castellina in Chianti where you will have time to explore its medieval fortifications and present day wine shops. Just outside of Castellina we will have lunch on the airy terrace of the Trattoria Pietrafitta. After lunch we enjoy some spectacular views on our loop ride through San Donato and La Piazza and then we head to the village of Volpaia, considered by many to be the prettiest village in Chianti. Some free time here to enjoy a cool drink at the little café or you can investigate the castle and winery of the Castello di Volpaia. A short ride to Radda in Chianti and then back to Borgo Montebuoni. We are usually back at about 17:00 in the afternoon. Day trip price: Euro 140 per person. Includes rental of a 50cc Vespa scooter, and helmet, lunch and a bilingual (English/Italian) guide to accompany you.
Tuesday: Castles and Rampini Ceramics. Departure 09:00 from Borgo Montebuoni. This morning we have an hour ride along one of the most scenic roads in Chianti passing through the village of Monti in Chianti and on to historic Brolio Castle where we will have a visit of its park and gardens. The foundations of the castle were laid about the year 1000. The present day owners, the Ricasoli family, took possession in 1141, 849 years ago!. The castle was at the center of the long conflict between Florence and Siena from the 13th to 16th centuries. It was laid to siege by the Sienese on many occasions and in 1434 its walls were breached and the Ricasoli family were imprisoned, although eventually ransomed. More recently the castle was scarred by fighting during WWII. After our visit here we have a short ride to the village of Villa a Sesta where we can have a break to enjoy a cappuccino or cool drink. Our route then winds its way amongst the vineyards, olive groves, villas and castles of Castelnuovo Beradenga before taking us to the hillside village of Castagnoli for lunch. Our lunch spot has a wonderful shaded terrace which looks out over the hamlet of Bricciano and on to the Medieval tower at Montegrossi. After lunch we have a short ride to the Castello di Meleto for a guided visit of its grounds and interior. The history of Meleto Castle is visible to the eye starting with the 12th century fortified tower, through to the late medieval battlements, the Renaissance extension, and the unexpected Baroque interior. Our ride back to Montebuoni takes us past Rampini Ceramics, arguably the finest producer of hand painted ceramics in Italy. We can take time to stop in Radda to enjoy a gelato before the last 8 km ride back to Borgo Montebuoni. Day trip price: Euro 140 per person. Includes rental of a 50cc Vespa scooter, and helmet, lunch, entrance to Brolio castle and Meleto castle and a bilingual (English/Italian) guide to accompany you.
Thursday: Le Crete Senesi: Departure 09:00 from Borgo Montebuoni. Today is a big day. We leave the olive groves, vineyards and oak forest of Chianti for the wide-open and starkly beautiful landscapes of Le Crete Senesi. Along the way we will first scoot up Montelucco, the tallest point in Chianti for fantastic views over the whole of Chianti and also the Valley of the Arno to the east. We then glide down to the medieval village of San Gusme for a morning café break. Afterwards we head south and all of a sudden the scenery starts to change as we enter the landscape of the Crete Senesi. During medieval times this area produced grain to feed the pilgrims on their way to Rome. Ancient stone farmhouses seem to dot the top of every hill. We will arrive in Asciano, a former Sienese outpost that guarded the southern approaches to Siena. Over the centuries, its defensive walls have been ingeniously turned into houses and apartments by the residents of this village. Our afternoon ride will take us through remote backcountry before looping back into Chianti and its soft embrace of forested hills. We will be back at Borgo Montebuoni around 17:00. Day trip price: Euro 140 per person. Includes rental of a 50cc Vespa scooter, and helmet, and a bilingual guide (English/Italian) guide to accompany you.
Friday: Scooting and cooking: By advance reservation only. Minimum of four people.
We know you have come to Tuscany not only for its romantically beautiful landscapes and fascinating history but also for its excellent food and wine. So today is food and wine day! This morning we have a more relaxed start time, departing at 09:30 for a 45 minute ride to Starda Castle, a small, picturesque village of medieval origin. Built around 1000 by the noble family of Conti Guidi it is now home to Gabriella and her husband Giovanni, their dog Grieg and cat Tris, all of whom are very wonderful and gracious hosts. Gabriela will invite us into her kitchen where she will teach you how to cook Tuscan style. You better pay attention, because you will be eating what you are cooking for lunch! If you’re not keen on cooking, you can opt out and go for a ride to the lovely village of Montebinichi and then join us for lunch back at the castle. Gabriella and Giovanni's farm also produces Chianti Classico, Extra-Virgin Olive Oil and Vin Santo so we can enjoy a visit and tasting before lunch. After a leisurely lunch we have a 45 minute ride back to Borgo Montebuoni. Day trip price: Euro 210 per person. Includes rental of a 50cc Vespa scooter, and helmet, cooking course and lunch and a bilingual (English/Italian) guide to accompany you.
The Scooters: The Scooters are the classic Italian Vespa scooter manufactured by Piaggio. They have a 50cc four stroke engine. The scooters are equipped with a rear luggage case where you can carry what you need for the day. The Vespas have electric start and automatic transmission.
What’s included: Includes rental of a 50cc Vespa scooter, and helmet, and a bilingual guide (English/Italian) guide to accompany you. Entrance fees as described in the day’s itinerary. Lunch is not included unless specified. The day lasts from 09:00 until about 16:30 – 17:00. Petrol is not included. You will be given the scooter with a full tank. At the end of the day we will stop at a petrol station in either Radda in Chianti or Gaiole in Chianti to fill up the tanks. The scooters get about 40 kms per litre of petrol. Petrol costs about Euro 1.25 a litre so you can expect to pay about Euro 3.
Reservations: Please contact us at info@customwalks.com or go to the reservations and bookings page on our website at: www.customwalks.com for more information. We will send you a trip agreement that outlines the terms and conditions of payment and cancellation. To reserve your space full payment is requested. Payment can be made by Credit card or bank transfer.
Qualifications: . The scooter is easy to ride. It has an electric start, automatic transmission, front and rear handlebar mounted brakes, just like on a bicycle.You must have a valid driver's license. Previous experience on a scooter or motorbike is advantageous but not necessary. If you cannot ride a bicycle we do not advise that you try and ride a scooter for the first time on this trip.
Weather: Rain can occur during any of our departures so you must bring a waterproof rain jacket. In the event of rain we will adjust the itinerary to avoid excessive riding in the rain. We will provide you with waterproof trousers to wear on the bike should it be raining. Of course, during the summer months it will be hot but happily while you are on your Vespa there is always a cooling breeze. You will want to make sure, however, that you have put on sunscreen.
*Dates: Weekly, May through October, every Monday, & Tuesday, and Thursday except for the following dates: The weeks of June 10 – 15, July 1 – 6,
July 15 – 20, Sept 23 – 28, Oct 7 – 13.
This is a wonderful experience! Why wait? Space is limited to 8 people per day. Send us an email or fax to reserve your space.
Email: info@customwalks.com
Fax: (39) 0577 749 354
Come and join us!
