Amalfi Coast Vespa Tour: Your Full Day Adventure Awaits

Thinking about seeing the Amalfi Coast, are you? Very well, the Amalfi Coast, you know, that stretch of Italian shoreline that looks almost too pretty to be real, really does live up to the hype. Yet getting around those winding roads can feel, well, a bit tricky in a regular car, very slow too. So, when I discovered there was a option to explore it all on a vintage Vespa, the idea just felt too perfect, practically screaming “Italian adventure,” if you get my drift. Anyway, that is the story of my day touring the Amalfi Coast on a classic Vespa, what was enjoyable and what you might want to keep in mind to prepare for the occasion.

Why Choose a Vespa Tour?

Now, you might ask, “Why a Vespa?”, very fairly, and that’s a good question. You see, cars, you know, they’re sort of stuck in the traffic, and buses? Well, they’re on a schedule, which is certainly restrictive. Yet a Vespa? Oh, a Vespa, is almost a different story altogether! Very agile, able to slip through those narrow roads and find parking spots that cars can barely dream about. So, it is not just about getting from point A to point B; you also become completely absorbed into the scenery and able to stop anywhere to shop, sight see, or just absorb the scenery.

Booking and Prep

So, planning the tour was, you know, easy enough, mostly handled online with a local tour company. Yet what really mattered was picking the “Full Day Private Vintage Vespa Tour.” Typically it goes on for like seven or eight hours, which, in my experience, offered just the right amount of time to see several towns without things becoming too rushed, and I definitely did not feel that this adventure was either hurried or prolonged, more or less, at least. Basically, they offered optional add-ons, like having a photographer or a videographer for a price, however those did not strike me as necessities so I happily abstained. In fact I just prepped by making sure to bring sunscreen, sunglasses, and of course my camera and fully charged portable battery. Now that is all anyone should expect to bring in regards to prep, but not knowing anything of the tour company, one should set reasonable expectations for their tour guide and vehicle. Mine came on time, the Vespa worked as promised, and our tour guide was awesome so nothing went wrong.

Hitting the Road: Sorrento to Positano

The tour, you know, began in Sorrento. Very lovely location in it’s own right to take off. Anyway we hopped onto the Vespa and started making our way toward Positano, which basically is, perhaps, the most photogenic village on the Amalfi Coast. The roads are winding, certainly, but the views? The views made me forget all about that and think they more than made up for it! Anyway, it’s all cliffs dropping straight into the sea, cute little houses clinging to the hills, and lemon groves stretching as far as the eye can see. Your first few stops will most likely be photo ops because it’s almost too breathtaking to handle!

Exploring Positano

Okay, so in Positano we stopped for around two hours, which let me wander around the steep streets, very leisurely too, browse through artisan shops (lots of sandals and ceramics), and grab some lunch at a restaurant with an unbelievable view. That is basically what you can expect. Like what you do here is up to you. So, of course it’s a little touristy, right? But that kind of charm is what draws folks here, honestly. Make sure to get your camera charged and cleared here, and it is wise to get refreshments if it’s a warm day.

Amalfi and Ravello: A Change of Pace

Very well, after Positano, the tour rolled onward toward Amalfi, the town that gave the coast its name, and the less publicized but just as worthy destination, Ravello. Amalfi, you see, felt more steeped in history, with its magnificent cathedral, standing as a silent guard over the town square. Yet Ravello, is slightly higher up in the hills. Very nice for panoramic vistas that will make your camera very happy. It’s quite calm too, in contrast to the relative activity found elsewhere.

Lunch and Local Flavors

Typically the tour, like your own independent exploration, is more or less designed for enjoying local food, or at least the ones I could discover. And there’s, you know, loads to try. For instance, I tasted the scialatielli ai frutti di mare, which, in a way, is like a local pasta with seafood, which, to be honest, I could eat every single day! So, if you see some then get it for sure! Yet it doesn’t end there, of course, because don’t forget to try limoncello, as I have learned it’s practically the drink of the Amalfi Coast. Oh, and ice cream. Many different styles to try.

The Vintage Vespa Experience

Okay, but how was the Vespa? you may ask. Well, the vintage Vespa, the one I rode anyway, very apparently had that classic Italian design, with the look that I basically had envisioned. Now it handled reasonably well on the winding roads, very true to a motorcycle really, even though these roads will keep you on your guard and constantly shifting. The fact that it’s old, might cause alarm in certain drivers that do not ride often. However, that can also be part of the experience and can definitely add to the flavor and distinctiveness of a journey through this very famed slice of Italy.

What to Consider Before You Book

Okay, if you’re thinking about booking a Vespa tour, anyway, a few tips might be just what you need to have your concerns at bay, almost. So, do your research of all possible vendors, find the highest-rated ones, and ask what their track record is in ensuring mechanical working order. Moreover, do consider the season in order to have the weather be ideal, and take what they tell you in regards to “crowded” seasons with a pinch of salt, because it is Italy, where one never truly knows how crowded things can be. Also, and as stated before, do remember to have protection from sunlight for both your eyes and skin!

Was It Worth It?

You know, without a shadow of a doubt, yes, it was worth it! You know, seeing the Amalfi Coast from the back of a Vespa, right, isn’t just a tour; it also feels like stepping into a movie. So the blend of being so close to the elements, along with the ability to discover things at my own pace and to simply the local charm of that vehicle, are practically enough to declare the success of the whole endeavor.