Vroom with a View: In Search of Italy's Dolce Vita on a '61 Vespa

This is a fabulous book of the adventures of a crazy Australian who decides to travel around Italy for 3 months on a 1961 vespa. The funny thing is that it almost always breaks down and the story is as much about the wonderful characters he meets who help him fix it, as it is about the freedom of the road and the slower pace of travel around this lovely part of the world. The author also has a great website with pictures of his trip and the vespa. It really makes you want to go and live 'la dolce vita' too.

Turned out to be a really fun book. Each chapter focuses on a specific city of the journey - as well as the toy surprise found in the author's chocolate egg during that timeframe. If I had to describe the tone in a single word, I say: mellow. No fawning over the good times, nor raging about the bad ones; they're all part of the experience. Peter and his then-girlfriend Sally married after the trip, and before the book went to press; they made a great pair, so here's hoping for another book of theirs.

I love reading anything about Italy. Peter buys a 1961 Vespa and decides to travel from Milan to Rome. His view of Italy changes as a result of the bike....locals gravitate towards it and offer unexpected hospitality.....he finds himself in out of the way places unreached by the regular tourist.......he finds romance with his girlfriend.....and meets some friendly locals who become friends via the bike. This is therefore more than just another travel book. I especially liked the inclusion of the contents of the Kinder Surprises.....a quaint touch. Looking forward to reading the sequel.

Found this when I went to release a few books in Toowong Village! I love Peter Moore and though I have just started this book, it looks to be as good as Swahili for the Broken-Hearted, which I loved.

12 January: You know, this book was even better than Swahili, which I didn't think was possible. I think that might have something to do with my lingering desire to go to Italy, and the general theory of travel dreams. PM really makes you want to travel Italy on the Vespa as well.

A fun and cheeky scooter travelogue from an Australian driving from Milan to Rome on a Vespa that he bought on eBay.

Justification and rationalization of all forms of Mid-Life Crisis'.