Piaggio Museum: a pleasant surprise

 The Museum of Vespa (and much more)

Tuscany has many symbols known all over the world: cities like Florence or Siena, areas like the Chianti, the Mugello or the Val d’Orcia, monuments as the Leaning Tower or the Ponte Vecchio, people like Leonardo da Vinci or Dante… But there is one symbol that not everybody knows that was born here, in Tuscany, too: the Vespa.

New Museum (2018)

Piaggio has made a great effort and in 2018 the new Piaggio Museum, completely restored and renewed, has been inaugurated. The museum is located right into the historical Piaggio factory in the city of Pontedera (between Florence and Pisa), a huge structure raised in the 1920’s, where the most famous scooter of the world was born and became a symbol of the industrial boom after WWII in Italy and Europe.

Even if the museum is enormous (around 5.000 sqm), very nice, clean, very complete and well maintained, (take note) the entrance to the museum is FREE! I personally think it’s a very good idea. So there are no excuses, this is an important stop when you visit Tuscany you can’t miss.

 

Vespa but not only

Obviously, the biggest part of the museum is dedicated to the Vespa scooter. You will find all kind of Vespas, old models, classics, new models, special customizations, limited editions, artistic versions from Dalì, Picasso… All presented in a very elegant and colourful way.

But there is much more, in the museum you’ll see around 250 units including other vehicles from the brands of the Piaggio group like: Aprilia, Gilera and Moto Guzzi that together have won 104 World championships in different categories (SBK, Trial, Supermoto…). A very interesting area of the museum for all the lovers of the Italian motorcycles and racing.

You will also find pieces of other important activities and vehicles produced by Piaggio such as the famous “Ape” (another Italian symbol) and projects of aeronautics and trains.

We consider this museum definitely worth a visit, you won’t regret it and will surely have good memories of it. And who knows if next stop will be a Piaggio dealer!

5 Reasons why you should visit Tuscany riding a Motorcycle

tuscany countryside road

Riding a motorcycle in Tuscany

Tuscany is one of the most famous regions in Europe and probably in the World. In 23,000 sq km (8,900 square miles) you will find many famous and interesting places to see. Cities like: Florence, Siena, Pisa, Lucca, San Gimignano… Areas like: Chianti, Maremma, Val d’Orcia, Mugello… Islands like: Elba, Giglio… Culture legacy from: etruscans, romans, renaissance…

But what does of Tuscany a special place you should explore while you ride a Motorcycle?

1 Roads:

Tuscany has a huge net of countryside roads linking hundreds of little and pretty towns. As hills make up nearly two-thirds (66.5%) of the region’s total area, these roads are full of curves which makes the ride much funnier and enjoyable.

2 Landscapes:

Let’s be honest: the sights in Tuscany are truly special. The countryside, the villas and farmhouses, the sky… They all create a special atmosphere that is unique! On a motorcycle trip in Tuscany you will feel the need to stop each 10 minutes to make a photo!

3 Nature:

Tuscany has a nature diversity known all over the world: the Chianti with its forest and vineyards, the “Crete Senesi” mounts and their grey coloration that gives them an appearance often described as lunar, the Val d’Orcia and the sweet hills with their cypresses, the Maremma and a fantastic sea… And anybody who has ever traveled in a motorcycle knows that the link between the rider and the nature around him is very particular.

4 Land of riders:

Italy and Tuscany are a place where traditionally motorcycles, scooters, riders and champions have a lot of tradition. Many of the Italian champions like Rossi or Dovizioso grew-up riding on the Apennines hills between Tuscany and Emilia-Romagna. Vespa was born in Tuscany (and still have its headquarter). Some of the most famous Italian passes are in Tuscany: Passo della Futa, Raticosa, Giogo, Muraglione, Porrettana, Consuma, Chiantigiana, Massetana… In many of these roads take place every year some exciting road races!

5 Distances:

Tuscany is not too big and not too small. I would say perfect for visiting during a week. That’s time enough to go around all the region without having to make 2 times the same road and seeing every day new and interesting places. A must region to visit if you like nature, beauty, culture, history, gastronomy, wine and first of all… motorcycles!!