“I used to experience camping in a completely traditional way and had never considered dedicating myself to alternative activities: long hikes at most, or a bike ride, and for me the ecosystem of opportunities had always stopped at these two options. I was convinced that unspoilt South Tyrolean nature and good food were all I needed to unwind and enjoy the days in total relaxation. At least until I was offered the chance to rent a Vespa and discover a landscape off the beaten track, away from the conventional routes followed by cars and regular hikers. I was right to change my mind, because at Arquin they went above and beyond hospitality — I felt less like a guest and more like a relative visiting from abroad, being given tips on the best entertainment and the many charms this area has to offer.
All it took was putting on a helmet for me to immediately begin savouring the thrill of a scenic and evocative journey unlike anything I had experienced before. I was the star of an iconic day aboard a stylish two-wheeler, made even more special by a visit to the wineries along the Wine Road (I’d suggest writing an article about this, as one doesn’t seem to exist yet), starting from Lana. The villages of Nals and Andrian, suggested by the landlady Simone, opened their doors to me for wine tastings worthy of the most renowned labels. I then set off again on the Vespa towards Appiano, stopping first in Firmiano to admire its castle and the Messner Mountain Museum.
The hours flew by like the wind in my face, one stop after another, until the afternoon drew me to the beautiful Lake Caldaro for a spritz on its shores.
Nothing I had been used to compares to the spectacle that unfolded before me. I was almost sorry to head back to the campsite.
The view you can reach on a Vespa is unmatched, and it is right at your fingertips thanks to the tours discovering unexplored treasures that were laid out before me. I wouldn’t call myself a “centaur” just yet, but the experience certainly brought to mind the poetic script of the classic film “Roman Holiday” — one I’m unlikely to forget anytime soon.