For enthusiastic Vespa riders, Europe has a multitude of beautiful and varied tours on offer. The routes lead along beautiful coasts, romantic rivers and charming lakeshores. Tuscany is also a dream destination for a holiday on a scooter – after all, the Vespa originated in Italy.
As soon as the sun appears in spring, it’s time to get the scooter out of the garage. With a bright blue sky and a gentle breeze, riding is particularly enjoyable. European countries offer a lot of variety and very special sights. This article presents the most beautiful Vespa tours in Europe.
Pure Holland on a scooter
The Dutch coast with its endless beaches, dunes and cliffs is one of the most popular holiday regions in Europe. It offers a lot of peace and quiet, but at the same time numerous sights. In the Dutch cities, nature, culture and shopping can be wonderfully combined. Especially the large harbour cities with their canals, gabled houses and bridges are great destinations for a trip on a Vespa.
The starting point of the Baltic Sea Route is in Amsterdam. Amsterdam is located near the coast on the beautiful Amstel River. The cultural capital of the Netherlands with its old and decorated houses from the Middle Ages is well worth seeing. The old town hall, the magnificent churches and the Van Gogh Museum are real sensations.
After the visits to the main sights, the tour continues to The Hague. The Hague is the second maritime stop. The enchanting row of houses on the harbour and the promenade along the harbour invite you to linger and relax. A walk along the dike is incredibly relaxing. The fresh North Sea air wafts around your nose. The dreamlike view into the distance is included.
The Hague is one of the famous historic seaside resorts. In the 19th century, rich merchants, aristocrats and artists came to the sophisticated seaside resort. The charm can still be felt in the city today. The Art Nouveau cafés on the sea promenade and the pier are particularly worth seeing.
Afterwards, the tour continues to the Kijkduin. Many pretty beach cafés await you in the wide dunes. There you have the opportunity to take a well-deserved break after the beach walk.
After a few hours on the beach, it’s time to move on. The last destination is Rotterdam. Rotterdam has the largest port in Europe. After exploring the huge port facilities, it’s time to head back to Amsterdam.
Route: Amsterdam-The Hague-Rotterdam-Amsterdam
Duration: 1-2 days
Distance: 110 km
French river romance
The romantic Loire route is certainly one of the most beautiful routes in Europe. The road passes directly by the Loire. Many artists have already described the beauty of the narrow river valley with its numerous medieval towns and castles.
The Loire invites scooter riders on a journey of cultural discovery. The ride passes castles, fortresses, vineyards and valleys. The Loire Valley really does offer a lot of variety.
The route begins in Nantes. The city can look back on a long tradition. The medieval castle in the centre once belonged to the Dukes of Brittany. Today, the castle houses a modern multimedia museum. A tour of the fortified ramparts is also definitely worthwhile. The former ducal seat with its medieval gate has a lot of flair and a huge park on the shore.
The drive from Nantes to Angers goes directly along the Loire. On the way, you can admire numerous historic villas, lush gardens and islets.
The old town of Angers is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There are numerous medieval church buildings such as the old cathedral, Saint-Aubin Abbey and Saint-Serge Church. Most of the buildings date from the early 13th century. The Château du Roi René is also well worth seeing. The Count of Anjou built the castle in the 11th century. Because of its 17 towers, however, it is more reminiscent of a fortress. The tapestry of the “Apocalypse of Angers”, over 100 metres long, is considered the oldest preserved tapestry of this size.
Between Angers and La Ménitré there are numerous small castles and ruins. In La Ménitré there are some pretty sights such as the church of Saint-Jean-Baptiste, the manor house of La Ménitré and a historic mill from the 18th century. An attractive photo motif is the river island Île de Baure.
The beautiful promenade and quiet city centre offer relaxation before continuing to the lively city of Tours. The university town has a Gothic cathedral from the 12th century, an exclusive shopping mile and some museums worth seeing.
Route: Nantes-Angers-Tours
Duration: 1 to 2 days
Distance: 216 km
Scooting around Lake Maggiore
Lake Maggiore is one of the most beautiful lakes in Europe. The well-preserved medieval town of Locarno is the starting point of this route. Locarno is located in the south of Switzerland at the foot of the Alps.
The town is famous for its old town, the Castello Visconteo and the Museo Civico. The museum displays finds from Roman times. The church of the Madonna del Sasso is one of the most important pilgrimage sites in the region. It can only be reached by funicular.
From Locarno you go to Ascona. The town is only a stone’s throw away from Locarno and is particularly famous for its Mediterranean architecture and beautiful promenade. In the old town stands the 16th-century Church of St. Peter. Paintings by Paul Klee and Alexej von Jawlensky can be admired in the Museum of Modern Art.
Stresa with its magnificent villas and the Grand Hôtel des Îles Borromées is one of the most beautiful places on Lake Maggiore. The writer Hemingway stayed at the hotel. Villa Pallavicino, with its botanical gardens and zoo, has been beautifully restored. Boats leave from the shore for the Borromean Islands.
The last destination on the stage is the pretty beach Spiaggia di Reno. This popular pebble beach on the shore of Lake Maggiore with hotels and restaurants invites you to spend a pleasant evening. After dinner we return along the shore to Locarno.
Route: Locarno-Ascona-Stresa-Spiaggia di Reno-Locarno
Duration: 1 day
Distance: 170 km
Experience Tuscany on the Vespa
The tour starts in the Tuscan capital Florence. The Renaissance city attracts visitors with numerous masterpieces. Among the most famous sights are the enormous cathedral by the artist Brunelleski and the bell tower by Giotto. Michelangelo’s David is on display in the Galleria dell’Accademia, and paintings by Botticelli and Leonardo da Vinci can be seen in the Uffizi Gallery. The next world-famous destination is the Leaning Tower of Pisa. A photo with the tower should not be missing in any album.
Siena with its medieval brick buildings and fan-shaped main square is another highlight of Tuscan architecture. The Gothic town hall and the Torre del Mangi with its white crown from the 14th century are located in the Piazza del Campo. From Pisa we return to Florence.
Route: Florence-Pisa-Siena-Florence
Duration: 1 day
Distance: 250 km
