Old, But Young at Heart

Old, But Young at Heart

Jan arranged a Vespa tour of the Chianti region which is just south of Florence.  None of us drive Harley’s, but, the Vespa’s sounded within the range of the possible.  She found a lovely touring company in Florence who was willing to take us sight unseen - thank you Tuscany Vespa Tours.

TO ENLARGE PHOTOS, Double-click on the photo!

Notice that all the people in the picture are in their twenties and thirties.

They warm you up by a drive by van to the hillsides where they produce chianti wine and olive oil.  The first destination is a small castle where we got a tour of the winery.  The construction of this castle was completed in 1199 (medieval times).

Our wine guide (and driver) was Angus, a relocated english man who moved to Italy for the wine.  He provided probably the best explanation I’ve heard about how to make wine from grapes and the explanation was from an english man?!?!

Once we drank a glass of wine, they figured we were loose enough to drive the Vespas on the curvy mountain roads. I loved the preamble to the instructions - “If you run into anyone or anything, you pay”.  Very simple and complete.  Why does it take at least a page in the U.S. to explain you’re responsible.  BTW - the actual instructions of driving a vespa were also simple yet complete.

I called our group the Professional Vespa Drivers at the top of the castle before we left.

Unfortunately, our guide held us back.  I never got it up to full throttle and had to follow the women.  No passing is allowed which doesn’t seem very Italian.  Shari rode with Fillipo, our Vespa guide.  Jan, Debbie, and I all rode solo.

I’m hoping you are wondering how good the Professional Vespa Drivers are as I’m adding a short movie of us riding in formation (kind of like the Blue Angels).  

As you may have guessed the Professional Vespa Drivers finished first.

Roberto