Italy By Vespa 2025

BBSC in Italy '25!

Emily is planning a week-long trip to the Campania region of Italy in May 2025. More information will be added but you can find a tentative itinerary and costs to begin planning. Italy is notoriously crazy when it comes to drivers. This trip is recommended for advanced riders.

Itinerary (Tentative)

Day 1: Fly to Naples.

Day 2: Arrive in Naples, pick up scooters.

Day 3: Ride to Pompei and the Amalfi Coast to Salerno.

Day 4: Salerno to Rome.

Day 5: Explore Rome.

Day 6: Rome to Florence and Lucca (Tuscany region).

Day 7: Lucca to Pisa and Fiumcino (Near Rome).

Day 8: Fiumcino to Napoli, return scooters.

Day 9: Fly home.

Trip Cost Estimates

Costs are expected to fluctuate based on the exchange rate and flights. This would be a ballpark estimate with today's rates and below is everything in USD. We may be able to get group discounts and cut costs on lodging.

Flight: $2,125

Lodging: $600

Food: $10-20 a meal

Entrance Fees: $75

Vespa 250cc or higher scooter rental: $620

Vespa 125cc scooter rental: $475

Gas: $225+/- (gas is currently at 9 euro a liter)

Total Estimate: $3,200-3,650 (depending on scooter type)

Dates

October-November 2024: Begin looking for flight deals for May 2025.

January 2025: Make reservations for lodging and Vespa scooters.

March 2025: Make any reservations required for visiting Pompei and sites around Rome or Florence.

May 10-18, 2025 (tentative): Vespa Trip!

Trip Planning & FAQs

What kind of scooter rider should go on this trip?

Italy is known for crazy drivers. I recommend a rider that can drive defensively and is an intermediate or advanced rider.

Can I legally ride a Vespa in Italy?

Yes, if you have a legal driver's license to drive a scooter in the U.S. AND you get an International Driver's Permit

What is an International Driver's Permit?

An International Driver's Permit basically validates that your license works in the U.S. and you can drive the same licensure in 100+ countries with this. You can get it through AAA for $20 and is good for a year. You will need your current license, application, 2x passport photos. You can go to a AAA office to get the paperwork done. For more information go to AAA.

Can you explain the costs on the trip?

Your biggest expenses will be flight, scooter rental, and lodging. This is subject to change based on the economics of fuel and supply/demand. Emily is keeping tabs on any major shifts. We can expect to pay a little more because we are at the beginning of the tourist season in Italy.

Where will be renting the scooters through?

When Emily was in Naples she rented a Vespa GTS 300 CC for 2 days through Vespa Enjoy. They were great to work with and said they would setup Vespas for a group to ride. Many rentals will only do in-city rentals but Vespa Enjoy let's us travel with unlimited miles anywhere in Italy. They have different scooter models with different pricings. You can check out their website with more detailed and up to date pricing information. We'll be renting scooters for 7 days.

What about lodging?

Once we know who is able to attend, we can discuss doing VRBO/AirBnB stay options to help share costs. There are plenty of options available but it really comes down to your budget.

What's the food like?

My gosh, it's unbelievably good.

Will we have a tight itinerary?

The itinerary will mostly consist of getting from point A to B for the day but there is plenty to see in between those two points! Emily will check with the group to see what they fancy and of course finding the funnest route to visit these places. Some most-see places include: Pompei, Amalfi Coast, Rome Colliseum, Vatican, Vespa Museum, and the Leaning Tower of Pisa!

When do I have to commit to the trip?

Your commitment is centered around the reservations you will be making. Emily will be making her reservations and letting the club know via the BBSC website and Facebook Event Group. With enough notice and planning, you can decide to join in on things like shared lodging and getting on the exact flights. You very well find a better deal on a different flight but the goal for the trip is to arrive at the same time in order for everyone to travel in Italy together.

How should I pack?

We are on a scooter tour and will be carrying our stuff via scooter. Emily plans to rent a Vespa 300 GTS and it comes with a top box. She will carry her extra clothes and toiletries in a small duffel that she can strap to the seat of the scooter. She plans to bring her own riding gear and camera too. 

*scooter shop we will be renting from provides helmets and smartphone mounts. 

Can I ride 1-up on a scooter?

For sure! The only tricky is making sure you have enough of a scooter for power and that can carry your stuff. We will not have porters this trip and will be carrying our stuff at every leg of the trip.