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@drscooter avatar
UTC

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2007 GTS 250ie 2006 Ducati Monster S2R 803 2005 Sportster 883XL 2010 GTS 300ie
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@drscooter avatar
2007 GTS 250ie 2006 Ducati Monster S2R 803 2005 Sportster 883XL 2010 GTS 300ie
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UTC quote
Clown emoticon I will be in Italy soon for a little R&R. My wife has arranged (birthday present) a "Vintage" Vespa outing/tour for us for one of the days. I will submit pictures and my personal review of the great event Clown emoticon . Sounds like it will be a fun ride, adventure and most importantly a fine lunch. Nerd emoticon

I will be close to the Vespa factory (from what I understand) so if I can, I would like to go by there (although more the probability, BUY there). Mind you, that is a very low priority for my wife, still I know I would enjoy it and my wife would too even if she won't admit it. My question is, is there anything for the Vespa that I could/should buy??? For instance would I get a super deal on a top box (big purchase) as I think with my plane ticket I could haul that home at minimal cost. Or are there just some cool doo-dads that one should aquire whilst (is that a real word) on the Italian Rocker Scene? Nerd emoticon We are doing a split tour with most of the time on a Cruise and then a few days "on our own" travel. We are also doing this tour with my Mother and her sister in tow, so we have old, older and oldest, lucky for me I'm just old Crying or Very sad emoticon as that makes me the young 'un with this group Wha? emoticon
@jimc avatar
UTC

Moderaptor
The Hornet (GT200, aka Love Bug) and 'Dimples' - a GTS 300
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@jimc avatar
The Hornet (GT200, aka Love Bug) and 'Dimples' - a GTS 300
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Location: Pleasant Hill, CA
UTC quote
All the items in the Piaggio museum (which is as near to the factory as you'll get) are extremely expensive! You'd be far better off buying stuff online.
@haole avatar
UTC

Molto Verboso
2007 Vespa 250 gts / 1964 Vespa VNB / 1961 Lambretta Li150
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Molto Verboso
@haole avatar
2007 Vespa 250 gts / 1964 Vespa VNB / 1961 Lambretta Li150
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UTC quote
jimc wrote:
All the items in the Piaggio museum (which is as near to the factory as you'll get) are extremely expensive! You'd be far better off buying stuff online.
I agree.
We just spent 2 1/2 weeks in Italy and there was nothing you couldn't get here. The "Official" Vespa Logo'd items you'll find here and there are pricey, but DO get vespa calenders, note pads, key rings from shops & stands.
@huskyteer avatar
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Veni, Vidi, Posti
Honda NC700D Integra
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Veni, Vidi, Posti
@huskyteer avatar
Honda NC700D Integra
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UTC quote
How lovely - I hope you have a fantastic time!

When I visited the museum, there were free posters available both there and at the Pontedera tourist information centre. Nice, authentic, and the price was right

I searched the gift shop high and low for something you can't buy online or at home, and they do have some pens and keyrings with the museum logo rather than just Vespa - go for those.

Oops, just read your post properly and I see you're after kit for the bike rather than souvenirs. I don't think you'll get any crazy good deals on parts/gear, sadly.
⚠️ Last edited by Huskyteer on UTC; edited 1 time
@treppenwitz avatar
UTC

saggezza di scala
2009 'Burma Shave' Red GTS 250ie
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Location: Israel
 
saggezza di scala
@treppenwitz avatar
2009 'Burma Shave' Red GTS 250ie
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Location: Israel
UTC quote
The only things you should think about paying for in Italy are the things and experiences that are uniquely Italian and can't be exported:

Fresh food & drink
Local handicrafts
Tours/sightseeing
Archeological sites
Museums
Churches

If you want to bring home a bottle of wine or grappa from a boutique winery or something similar that might not show up at your neighborhood store... go for it.

But brand name stuff you can buy when you get home.
[edit: fixed stupid typos]
⚠️ Last edited by Treppenwitz on UTC; edited 1 time
@paperino avatar
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GTS 250 "Audrey"
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GTS 250 "Audrey"
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UTC quote
Sounds like a great trip! I'm looking forward to your pictures.

Based on similar experiences, I'd say get your bigger things elsewhere, except for the odd knickknack that will have meaning to you because you got it there.

I hope you have a fabulous time.
@mutt_the_hoople avatar
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Molto Verboso
Buddy Pamplona 50cc, Vespa GTV 250ie
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@mutt_the_hoople avatar
Buddy Pamplona 50cc, Vespa GTV 250ie
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UTC quote
If you go to Glorence, they have lovely leather products... Purses, jackets, gloves. There are shops all over the place. Node signer brand names but really gorgeous and well made. I bought four pairs of gloves, two for me and two for gifts. I found one of the very same pairs at Neiman Marcus or almost $200 and I paid EUR16 each. I bought a really nice leather jacket three as well. Venice has places with Venetian glass... I still have several bottle stoppers that are nice, inexpensive, and didn't take up much room in my case. Beautiful stationary and paper products. Most of the other stuff is not just expensive, the extra cost when you weigh your luggage can be jaw dropping.
@cdwise avatar
UTC

Veni, Vidi, Posti
GTS 300, Buddy 125
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Location: Knoxville, TN
 
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@cdwise avatar
GTS 300, Buddy 125
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UTC quote
Well, I'd probably pick up a thermoscud. Sure you can get them online and shipped but shipping is outrageous for one.
@bleverone avatar
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Molto Verboso
GTS 250ie, GTV 250
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Posts: 1361
Location: Charlotte, NC
 
Molto Verboso
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GTS 250ie, GTV 250
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UTC quote
Lemoncello, wine and pesto.

The Museo Piaggio is an interesting and fun place to visit. My wife and father didn't really want to go there on our last trip, but I got my "one day" to plan and we all really enjoyed the 2-3 hours spent there. You'll smile the entire time. But the gift shop there is expensive and I don't remember seeing any accessories for my scooter that I couldn't get cheaper in the US. The shop is interesting and has a lot of "knick knacks" that are Vespa centric, but nothing you are going to have to have.

I think we bought two key chains, a pen and a coffee mug. Still worth the trip, but you won't go wild spending in the gift shop.
@rangeraj avatar
UTC

Molto Verboso
2011 300GTV
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1741
Location: Cedar Rapids, Iowa
 
Molto Verboso
@rangeraj avatar
2011 300GTV
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Location: Cedar Rapids, Iowa
UTC quote
Treppenwitz wrote:
The only things you should think about paying for in Italy are the things and experiences that are uniquely Italian and can't be exported:

Fresh food & drink
Local handicrafts
Tours/sightseeing
Archeological sites
Museums
Churches

If you want to bring home a bottle of wine or grappa from a boutique winery or something similar that might not show up at your neighborhood store... go for it.

But brand name stuff you can buy when you get home.
[edit: fixed stupid typos]
You can't import a church?
UTC

Ossessionato
X10 350
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Posts: 2959
Location: London
 
Ossessionato
X10 350
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Location: London
UTC quote
Salami?
@frogman_94 avatar
UTC

Hooked
Piaggio X9 500, 1974 Rally 200, 2005 Big Ruckus, 2006 Big Ruckus
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Location: Sacramento, CA
 
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@frogman_94 avatar
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UTC quote
cdwise wrote:
Well, I'd probably pick up a thermoscud. Sure you can get them online and shipped but shipping is outrageous for one.
That is exactly what I bought last Sept when I was in Italy. Saved a bunch in shipping. Also, my wife picked up a nice Tucano Urbano summer jacket for half price. I would look at the Tucano Urbano line of stuff because it's expensive to have any of it shipped to the USA.
OP
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2007 GTS 250ie 2006 Ducati Monster S2R 803 2005 Sportster 883XL 2010 GTS 300ie
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UTC quote
That thermoscud (odd name) sounds like a very good idea. How about a front leather case for the fron rack? I noted that SIP out of Germany has the "Vespa" top box for $200, however, to ship was about $140 don't know if I could make it a "packed bag" on my return flight?

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