Discover, Plan & Go!

We have bought brand new, bright red 125 cc Vespa scooters. The classic Italian scooter, Vespas are lightweight, comfortable, and easy to ride, with electric start and automatic transmission. The brakes are on the handlebars, like on a bicycle. To ride the Vespa you must be over 18 years of age and have a valid drivers' license. Previous experience on a scooter or motorbike is advantageous but not necessary. However, we strongly advise that if you have not driven a scooter before then you should try one out before the trip starts. Couples can ride together on one Vespa (and save Euro 100 for one person).

Day 1 - Saturday

Start your trip in the beautiful city of Florence. Take some time to explore this city of the Renaissance, or just relax in your hotel, which is conveniently located in the center of town.

Day 2 - Sunday

Meet your guide after breakfast and take a short van transfer into the Chianti countryside where we will pick up our Vespas. Before hitting the open road we will have an orientation and safety talk. Our first ride takes you east of the Arno river to "Il Borro," a Tuscan village which has been bought in its entirety by the Florentine fashion house of Ferragamo and completely restored. We then wind our way amongst Tuscan villages and hamlets to arrive at our home for the next four nights, the 4-star Borgo Fontebussi. Time for a dip in the pool before dinner on the terrace.

Day 3 - Monday

After breakfast we have a 30-minute ride to visit 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. We then ride to Castello di Brolio and visit the park and gardens of this magnificent and historic castle. After our visit we have a short ride up to Castagnoli where we will have lunch at a local trattoria, then we wind our way along the quiet roads of Chianti back to Borgo Fontebussi.

Day 4 - Tuesday

Today is food and wine day! 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 teach you how to cook Tuscan style. You better pay attention, because you will be eating what you are cooking for lunch! After lunch we have a scenic ride to the the top of Monteluco, the highest point in Chianti, for spectacular views before descending to Gaiole in Chianti and then to the Badia Coltibouno for a visit of this fascinating medieval monastery and winery.

Day 5 - Wednesday

Today we ride to Siena, one of Italy's most beautiful and historic cities. Your guide will lead you into Siena and take you to the Piazza del Campo, famous as the site of the bareback Palio horse race. You will have free time to explore Siena's exquisite historic center and admire its Gothic architecture. Free lunch in Siena and then rendezvous in the Piazza del Campo for our return ride via Monteaperti and Castelunuovo Berardenga.

Day 6 - Thursday

For our last day, a gorgeous ride takes us up to Volpaia, considered by many to be the most beautiful village in Chianti. After a short visit we ride to Radda in Chianti, a medieval walled town that used to be seat of the Chianti League. We then ride to lunch beneath the medieval tower at Barbischio. After lunch we say good-bye to our Vespas and head back to Borgo Fontebussi by van to pick up our luggage and then on to the Montevarchi train station for the 4:15 p.m. train to Florence and Rome. Travel time to Florence is 40 minutes, and 2 hours 50 minutes to Rome.

**Two-Day Extension**

Last year many people suggested that they would like to continue for another two days, so we are offering a two-day extension into southern Tuscany. This means two more nights, with the trip finishing back in Montevarchi on Saturday afternoon. The per person price for the seven-night exentended trip is €2,650 ($3,575).

Day 6 - Extended Itinerary - Thursday

Head south after lunch, leaving the green wooded hills of Chianti for the wide-open spaces of the Crete Senesi. 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 which just happens to have a great gelateria! We then ride up to the Abbey of Monte Oliveto Maggiore, a majestic Benedictine Abbey with a beautifully frescoed cloister. A short ride then takes us to Montisi, our home for the next two nights. We will be staying at the Locanda di Montisi, whose rooms are tastefully decorated and the massive beamed ceilings and handmade terracotta floors are reminders of the villa's 17th century origins.

Day 7 - Extended Itinerary - Friday

Today we have a gorgeous ride to the striking hilltop town of Montepulciano. Our first stop is the UNESCO World Heritage site of Pienza. This village 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, so the town was constructed between 1459 and 1462 in full Renaissance splendour. After visiting Pienza, we ride down into the Orcia Valley for wonderful views back onto Pienza's Renaissance skyline. We pass the walled village of Monticchiello and then arrive in Montepulciano in time for lunch and shopping. We reconvene and head off towards the ancient hilltop town of Petroio. Dinner tonight is just around the corner at the Taverna di Roberto. Weather permitting, we dine al fresco beneath the embrace of a giant fig tree.

Day 8 -- Extended Itinerary - Saturday

This morning we head back towards Chianti on a different route than the one we came in on, passing the castle of Trequanda and the medieval hamlet of Gargonza on our way. We have lunch in the hilltop village of San Pancrazio before making our way back to Borgo Fontebussi, where we will say good-bye to our trusty red Vespas. From here we have a short transfer to the Montevarchi train station for the 4:15 p.m. train to Florence and Rome. Travel time to Florence is 40 minutes and 2 hours 50 minutes to Rome.