My husband and I have a scooter (Vespa) on the island where we live and are very used to driving it around. However, we would never think of renting the same in Italy unless we were strictly in one very, very small town.

So, I highly agree with the others that this is not a good idea at all.

As soon as I saw the title of this thread, I immediately thought of the girl that we saw crashing her Vespa last month in northern Italy. She ran right into the back of her boyfriend's Vespa after he stopped too suddenly. She seemed okay, but her scooter didn't fare so well. My family was actually pretty shaken up by the whole sight.

As others have mentioned, Italian traffic is so unpredictable. You won't believe this until you see it first hand.

Trust your instincts.

I rode a Vespa & motorcycles for years in the States and planned to rent one in Tuscany. However, I decided against it once I got there. Reading the above comments, I'm sure I made the right choice.

So, does ANYONE think that this is a good idea (not me !!!!!!)

I rented a scooter with my husband on capri. We had a wonderful time. Yeah, the traffic is scary but we just drove conservatively and were fine.
I think it would be fun.

Steveigene:

I've not been to Capri (although I will be there in about a week), but I have to believe that the traffic on that little island is MUCH less then on the mainland, especially around the cities that Jaimkee may be visiting. I plan on renting scooters in Capri, but will NEVER rent them again on the mainland. I'm very thankful that I wasn't killed in my accident.

Dear God, no.

It won't be anything remotely charming a la Roman Holiday. There will be crashing, cursing, crying, torn clothing, scars, and having to pay for damages. I'd go find a cute parked vespa somewhere and you can take pictures standing next to it.

why dont you all decide when you get there and get a taste of the traffic and the roads, etc. It is probably hard for you to imagine not riding along the beautiful little roads with the wind blowing in your hair and the boys waving at you at you pass, but it might not turn out that way as others have noted.

Do you all ride scooters at home?

Have you all at least driven a Vespa/scooter before?

If not, then no I wouldn't do it in Europe.

Also where exactly are you planning to go? Vespas are certainly not appropriate for on the highway or long distances. So do you mean within one city only? Then take a train to the next city and rent another scooter there? Or going from city to city? I'm a little confused by the way you worded the post.

I think jaimkee has ridden off into the sunset....leaving a little puff of dust

Just for fun, may I suggest the book "Vroom with a view" in which the writer buys a vintage Vespa on the internet and tours Italy in search of la dolce vita- It's a fun, irreverant read- might also scare you out of renting a Vespa

Steve

a single post, never to return to Fodor's forum. too bad because i was interested in hearing what they decided to do.

Ah Vespas.
I just ran into 2 Italian guys on a powder blue 1959 150cc Vespa in Columbus Circle in NYC yesterday. mmmmm

I took Vespa lessons on the streets of NY (yes, ther's a school!) last year because I wanted to use a Vespa on my trip and I wanted to be well prepared.
I got a motorcycle permit to take with me.

Within the first 15 minutes of my arrival in the small town where I was staying in Italy I witnessed an accident where 2 tourists in a car crashed into a local fellow on his Vespa. They hit him from behind, and he wasn't going fast or changing lanes. He hit the street on his head, and in spite of being injured, was up immediately and pacing in a fury-- about the damage to the Vespa!!! I rented my Smart Car per Due the next day.

On this latest trip- I enjoyed a wild night ride through the back streets of Palermo with a local resident my last night there- and yes the driver did use both street and sidewalk as needed and drove like mad, but for some reason I felt quite calm during the ride because I was with someone who knew how to navigate an Italian street.

My conclusion- don't rent Vespas in an Italian City as a way to have fun if you don't know the city.

The "wind in your hair" fantasy is a great one, but better as a rider when you ride with a local who knows what they're doing. If you do rent scooters, do it in an area without much traffic. And get some practice driving one before you leave so you can know how to handle unexpected road situations (hitting gravel on a curve, sudden swerves on a wet surface, etc. Turnign on a hill, etc. Safety first!

We rented a Vespa in Positano and drove the Amalfi Coast and had a blast. So much so I bought one when we came home! Though at home is a lot different than Italy, especially Florence or Rome. I would not recommend renting one unless you are driving maybe the coastline such as us. The traffic moved relatively slow and we felt safe. In the city you are just asking to have your trip ruined!!!!

If jaimkee ever comes back, I would suggest that she rents the 'pack' car and let the friends ride their Vespas. This is a very common arrangement with biker groups.

She can take all the luggage and rescue the girlfriends when it starts raining.

Jaimkee: I'm sure I speak for many other Fodorites - How was your trip? And, did you rent Vespas????

I wonder what <b>women</b> on Vespas would be like.

guys, jaimkee has never returned to comment after her OP.

I'm a woman on a Vespa! I own two, a vintage 1960 model and a 1980 100 Sport.Yes, purchase of which was totally inspired by Audrey Hepburn in Roman Holiday.Do I ride on USA highways? NO. Would I ride in Italy? NO. Would I like to and am a big whoos? YES.
Number one, you must be very familiar with riding something that according to Eddie Izzard is merely &quot;a hairdryer on wheels&quot; and be knowledgeable on how to make repairs along the way. They can break down frequently.
Although, I've read about people who have taken Vespas across Europe and even across South Africa. What a way to see a country for sure, maybe if I was much younger and had that adventuresome spirit again.

Thanks for all your comments. I have managed to talk the girls out of the Vespa adventure. I think they came to their senses. I am the only one in the group that has motorcycle experience, I used to race dirt bikes and know how dangerous they can be. Much different than a scooter, I know, but I, too, have seen the dangers of two-wheel-mobiles!