Since the first time I landed in Rome ten years ago, I dreamed of being a badass Italian woman riding a vintage Vespa in a silk scarf and high heels.

In Asia a few years later, I found myself peer-pressured into riding an old scooter for the first time. It was the best way to temple-hop around Bagan, and with the help of some hostel-mates, I somehow figured it out. Since then I have scootered around India, Vietnam, Mexico, and my hometown of Chicago. I loved riding so much that I even got my motorcycle license.

On a scooter, you have the freedom to explore off the beaten path while taking in the sounds, the smells, and the landscapes all at once.

When I started planning a Vespa trip around Tuscany, I was shocked to find one Reddit post from 2007 on the topic. Is renting a scooter in Tuscany a good idea? Is it safe? Where should I go?

Well, I decided to go for it, and can easily say these were some of my happiest memories in Italy. I had my Vespa (Babs) in Tuscany for one month and have everything you need to know below.

Experience Level

I have almost a decade of experience driving a scooter and felt very comfortable on the roads.

Most of the roads in Tuscany are made for scooters and bicyclists, so they are well-maintained and pretty easy to navigate. You should, however, be prepared to deal with passing cars, trucks, roundabouts, and few traffic lights.

While the roads are pretty welcoming, I would not recommend learning on Tuscan hills the first time. If you are a total newbie, I would take a class in your hometown before you visit. At the very least, be sure to get a thorough de-briefing (one plus hour with practice time) on your scooter with the rental company before taking off.

Of course, you must be careful avoiding highways. You may also find yourself on a bumpy gravel road now and then, which is not super fun for the bum (or the scooter). Check roads ahead of time on google maps (click avoid highways) to check.

General Tips

For directions, I use Google Maps if I have a service but rely on Maps.Me for offline maps.
Pay attention to the signs! There are many signs indicating where smaller towns, hotels, restaurants, and cafes are.
Always wear sunglasses or eye protection from wind, bugs, dust, or particles flying into your eyeballs. Even at night.
Speaking of night, I would avoid driving after the sun goes down. The lighting isn’t great, and you don’t want to run into any wildlife including Tuscany’s wild boar…I am not kidding.
Keep sunscreen, water, and lip balm with you. It can get really hot under the Tuscan Sun.
Make sure your helmet FITS. It’s no use to you if it’s too big.
Fill up on gas when you can. You may not know when the next station is coming next.
DON’T BE STUPID. This should go without saying, but DO NOT drink and drive.

Who to Rent From

Not all rental companies are created equal. I used Vintage Tours Toscana which I could not recommend more! They offer drop-off and pick-up services, guided tours, and daily fees for exploring on your own. You can also rent bikes, e-bikes, and vintage cars on top of the scooters.

Best of all, they offer pretty much 24/7 service in case you have any issues with your bike or get lost.

Routes

Vintage Tours Toscana offers guided tours all over Tuscany. If you feel comfortable on your own, you can take a look at their detailed routes all found on the website.
If you only have one day, I would recommend a scenic drive through the Val d’Orcia
You will most likely pass by a few sunflower fields, but just in case I listed where to find a few here

Above all, be careful and have fun!

Have you rented a scooter abroad? I would love to hear from you! Leave a comment below or find me on social media.

XO,

Jac