Modern Vespa

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 . Sounds like it will be a fun ride, adventure and most importantly a fine lunch.

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? 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 as that makes me the young 'un with this group

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.

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.

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]

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.

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.

Well, I'd probably pick up a thermoscud. Sure you can get them online and shipped but shipping is outrageous for one.

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.

You can't import a church?

Salami?

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.

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?