The 40-Year-Old Vespa Virgin

Peter Moore recounts his adventures during the summer of his 40th year, on a Vespa as old as he was and in the pretty much the same condition – rough around the edges, but still going OK!

It’s a journey that takes him through medieval hilltop towns, past fields of sunflowers and into Italian hearts – seeing a side of Italy others rarely see.

All thanks to a 1961 Vespa called Sophia.

Please Note: This is a special abridged version of Peter’s book Vroom with a View. It first appeared in the Lonely Planet anthology, Flightless.