Vroom with a View: In Search of Italy's Dolce Vita on a '61 Vespa (2004)

by Peter Moore

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193	6	142,201	(3.58)	5
After a late night Tai Bo fitness commercial warns him that his life will be over after 40, Peter Moore decides to pursue a boyhood dream sparked by watching old black and white movies of Sophia Loren riding motor scooters - to putt-putt around Italy on a 1960s Vespa, living la dolce vita.Of course, it couldn't be just any Vespa. With his 40th birthday approaching, Peter wanted a bike as old as he was and in the same condition - a little rough around the edges, but still going okay. And it had to have saddle seats. And a temperamental electrical system. And a little too much chrome. Basically the sort of motor scooter you'd see a young Marcello Mastroianni riding wearing a sharp suit and a pair of Ray Bans. From picnicking in the Italian alps to attempting to gate-crash Frances Mayes's villa and re-enacting 'Roman Holiday', VROOM WITH A VIEW is as much a romance as a travel adventure. Not only does Peter sweep the woman of his dreams off her feet, he falls in love with a side of Italy others rarely see, along with Sophia of course -… (more)

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

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rcampoamor | Mar 13, 2010 |

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

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spywall | Nov 14, 2009 |

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. (

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skinglist | Jan 10, 2009 |

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. (

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karenpossingham | Oct 25, 2008 |

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. (

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ros.peters | Dec 12, 2007 |

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2004

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Milan, Lombardy, Italy

Lombardy, Italy

Italy

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To the desire of my heart

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Prologue: It was a late-night television commercial that finally drove me to pursue a long-held dream of riding around Italy on a Vespa.

Chapter One: Standing in front of Milan's huge Fascist-era railway station clutching a red vinyl bag, I felt like a Cold War spy. But I wasn't there to make a drop; rather I was waiting to meet a guy about a Vespa.

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After a late night Tai Bo fitness commercial warns him that his life will be over after 40, Peter Moore decides to pursue a boyhood dream sparked by watching old black and white movies of Sophia Loren riding motor scooters - to putt-putt around Italy on a 1960s Vespa, living la dolce vita.Of course, it couldn't be just any Vespa. With his 40th birthday approaching, Peter wanted a bike as old as he was and in the same condition - a little rough around the edges, but still going okay. And it had to have saddle seats. And a temperamental electrical system. And a little too much chrome. Basically the sort of motor scooter you'd see a young Marcello Mastroianni riding wearing a sharp suit and a pair of Ray Bans. From picnicking in the Italian alps to attempting to gate-crash Frances Mayes's villa and re-enacting 'Roman Holiday', VROOM WITH A VIEW is as much a romance as a travel adventure. Not only does Peter sweep the woman of his dreams off her feet, he falls in love with a side of Italy others rarely see, along with Sophia of course -

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