Panoramic Vespa Tour

Our guide was amazing...

Our guide was amazing (can’t remember his name). Very informative and a delight. Only recommendation could be for the company to provide headsets so everyone could hear all the great history our guide shares with us. Definitely a great tour.

via Viator

To flee

Uncouth and obnoxious staff, attention tourist scam The vespa tour was cancelled at the last moment without valid excuse, no refund

Response from the operator: We believe it is necessary to provide some clarity. The Vespa tour booking, made through a tour operator, was confirmed based on clearly stated conditions communicated via email, which specified the requirement of proven experience in riding two-wheeled vehicles. This was a crucial requirement, given that the route includes hilly roads with climbs, descents, and technically demanding sections. Despite this, the initial booking — which included 9 Vespas — was gradually reduced to 5 by the day before the tour. Throughout our communications with the tour operator, we repeatedly expressed our legitimate concerns, as it was immediately evident to us that the experience had been promoted too lightly, without sufficient understanding of the nature of the product. We are very familiar with both the vehicle and the territory: the roads in the Bologna hills are not suitable for inexperienced riders. Allowing someone who is not fit to ride a scooter is not merely an operational decision — it is a real responsibility, which we take seriously, both for the safety of the rider and for others who may be put at risk due to someone else's lack of experience. Despite our reservations, we remained cooperative and proactive. We even proposed — at no additional cost — to convert the tour into one using vintage Fiat 500 cars. This offer was initially rejected but then surprisingly requested by the clients on the day of the tour, when it was unfortunately too late to reorganize the logistics. In addition to the tour operator, we also interacted with the group’s Italian tour leader. Our exchange with him took place the day before the tour, when he was asked to assess the actual experience level of the participants. From that conversation, it emerged that one of the participants had never ridden a scooter and therefore chose to withdraw. We were also informed that the participants had been rather vague in describing their riding experience, making it difficult for the tour leader to accurately assess their suitability. Furthermore, it was reported that two participants had a build that made it inadvisable to carry a passenger on a 125cc vehicle, due to safety and performance concerns. In light of this, we felt it necessary to contact the tour operator again to propose converting the tour to Fiat 500s — a safer and more suitable solution given the circumstances — which, we must stress, was rejected. When the group arrived at our office, the French tour leader was immediately agitated and unwilling to engage, to the point of refusing even to enter the premises to sign the contracts. At that point, upon observing the group, we reiterated our concerns about the ability of two participants to carry a passenger safely, given their physical build and the technical limitations of the vehicle. Had the participants truly been experienced riders — as required — they would have known that a 125cc scooter is not designed to support excessive weight, as it compromises the vehicle’s stability, safety, and braking, especially on a hilly route. Your management of the situation appeared unclear and disorganized. Although we repeatedly confirmed that the tour could proceed regularly, you remained agitated and resistant to any solution, despite our clear explanations on how we intended to handle the vehicle assignments. We reiterated to the Italian tour leader that all we needed was to be allowed to work calmly, so we could proceed with proper and safe assignments for each participant. It was your group that chose to cancel the entire experience, rejecting every attempt at mediation. We were unable to communicate directly with you, as you spoke only among yourselves in French and ignored every attempt we made to engage. This made any form of constructive dialogue impossible. We have since been penalized with two one-star reviews, containing serious and entirely unfounded accusations of discrimination — despite our constant commitment to ensuring safe, fair, and well-organized experiences for all our clients. You have now also left a third negative review. Before publishing false and defamatory content, it would be wise to reflect on the actual responsibilities and the consequences of what is being written. In light of all this, we do not believe a refund is warranted: the service was fully prepared, the staff was present and available, and the decision to cancel the tour was made entirely by your group.

via Tripadvisor (translated)

A Must Do in Bologna!!

This was such a great tour! Our guide was friendly, informative, and easy to understand as he brought us through the old part of Bologna, into the suburbs and then into the hills of the countryside. We stopped often so he could explain the history of the area and also take pictures. We couldn't recommend this tour any more! A++++

via Viator

Try a different company

I would recommend you select a different tour company. The experience was pretty disappointing. We want to support real local providers rather than larger companies but this company didn't seem to really want or appreciate your business. They decided one of the party was probably not comfortable enough on a vespa to drive themselves (totally fine) but then charged an additional 35 euro for the person to ride behind the guide. This makes no sense when we had already paid for the person to have her own vespa which would have also included petrol etc. that was then not being used. You DO need an international license or an additional 35 euro will be charged and they won't let you cancel if you don't have one. The actual guide was a nice man but we didn't even get to go into San Luca at all. Overall, we were really looking forward to this tour but it just left a pretty negative and unhappy feeling which was sad. I think they are so small that they are deathly afraid of having any bump to their equipment. They didn't really leave the feeling that there was concern about you getting hurt, just their machine. They take a 500 euro deposit per machine, and take a very long video of every inch before you leave on the trip, even though you will be with a guide the whole time. It was just not a happy experience.

Response from the operator: We are very sorry to read this review, especially since we did everything possible to ensure you could regularly participate in the tour. We would like to clarify a few important points. The product description clearly outlines the requirements for participating: a proven experience in driving, possession of a valid driver’s license (Category B), and a credit card. Additionally, for participants who are not EU citizens, an international driving permit is mandatory. After verifying that you did not have the international driving permit, we presented you with three options: obtain it online (€35 per person, which they certainly weren’t paying to us!) with an estimated wait time of about 15 minutes, sign a Liability Release Form(free of charge), or cancel the booking, bearing in mind that a 100% cancellation fee would apply, as stated in the terms (free cancellation is only available up to 24 hours before the tour). After some reflection, you chose to sign the Liability Release Form. We followed all contractual procedures and moved to the square in front of the shop to allow you to test the Vespa. As part of our standard protocol, we recorded a video of the Vespas, a measure that protects both us and our customers from any disputes about pre-existing damage. This step is essential to ensure full transparency and accuracy. We wonder if, when you rent a car, they just hand you the keys and give you a pat on the back, or if they ask for the same guarantees that we do. We don't see the difference between two or four wheels—it's still about engines. Regarding driving experience, allowing someone to ride a scooter carries significant responsibility for us. An inexperienced driver not only endangers themselves – a fall can cause serious harm – but also the other participants and the guide accompanying the group. Our priority is the safety of everyone, as outlined in the product description, and we reserve the right to deny the use of the Vespa to anyone who demonstrates a lack of familiarity with the vehicle. Unfortunately, on this occasion, the lady showed clear difficulties in driving: she was proceeding slowly, with her feet on the ground and unsteady, which is incompatible with the requirements for the tour. The route includes hilly roads that demand solid driving skills. The lady herself admitted she did not feel confident. We then proposed two alternatives: she could be transported by her husband at no extra cost, or by the guide, with an additional charge, as this was an extra service. Her husband chose not to transport her, and so the second option, the extra service with the guide, was selected. The payment was required because the Vespa was reserved for her tour and therefore could not be rented to others. We would like to point out that the lady paid €150 for her tour, while the driver service costs €185. She simply paid 35€ for the difference for the additional service she received. Furthermore, the tour lasted the full two hours as scheduled, even though it started considerably late, which unfortunately meant the arrival in San Luca just minutes after it had closed. Finally, we would like to remind all customers of the importance of reading the full product description before making a purchase, to avoid any misunderstandings or unnecessary discussions.

via Viator

Bologna on a Vespa

I was on the back of a Vespa with a tour guide driver who gave an excellent explanation of the main sites. The weather turned out to be fine and driving around Bologna city and the country side was a wonderful and exciting experience. In effect I had a driver and a tour guide on my own and he was very friendly. The two hour tour was just right and Bologna has such a beautiful country side which must not be missed.

via Viator