I love Italy!

[pete roper]

Crossed the border and stayed in Fenis last night, nice hotel, good meal. Had a couple of drinks in the 'Local' bar rather than the tourist trattorias. Went up tho the castle this morning and had a still around before heading to Milan to pick up our friends. Staying at a small hotel in Somma Lombardo and what a fine place it is. A working town, we're currently stealing WiFi in a bar with native born Italians, Turks, North Africans and probably a couple of Arabs too. You can tell the North Africans because like the Arabs they're drinking coffee rather than beer, (Well the Africans are all pretty damn black so that's a bit of a give away too!) but everyone seems to get along just fine, even accepting a pair of odd, expat Aussies with crap Italian! :D

Where else in the world would you still be able, in a first world country, buy something as odd as a Piaggio Ape! I only wish I could get one registered in Oz! They are the absolute shitz!

Pete

[Groover]

My dad had an Ape 501, in Texas Yellow. Fun ride, even better times. I wanted to bring it over here but never got around to it mainly because I couldn't figure out how. He then sold it to local fisherman, and then got seized by the police in the hands of the new owner because he didn't keep up with the inspections needed for something that old (it was a 1978). And that was the end of that vehicle. The price of the fine to release it and get it back in the road was more than the worth, at least that's the story the fisherman told my dad.

Enjoy your stay!

[lucian]

Glad your enjoying your holiday Pete, you deserve it. Stuff about ten canolis down for me would ya.

[pebra]

Fegato!
Porcini!
&c
Just had something Italian for the digestion.

[Unkept]

Have a great vacation! I love hearing about other people's trips, the stuff we should live for...

-Joe

[azguzzirep]

Pete,

What's yourcell phone number? I'll need to reach you somehow in Mandello. Or you can meet us on Saturday at 1100 at Pasticceria Amerigo di Allippi Elena. It's only a few blocks from the museum.

Tom

[pete roper]

Pete,

What's yourcell phone number? I'll need to reach you somehow in Mandello. Or you can meet us on Saturday at 1100 at Pasticceria Amerigo di Allippi Elena. It's only a few blocks from the museum.

Tom

Sent via PM

[redrider]

Just in case you get homesick-
<iframe width="640" height="360" src="http://www.liveleak.com/ll_embed?f=3b3b0690fb97" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[azguzzirep]

Sent via PM

Got it!  Sent mssg and used whatsapp.

[Ncdan]

Love to see some pictures Pete, I'd live to go to Italy some day but don't can't talk wife info flying:(

[old head]

the wife and I went to Italy about 10 years ago.  Had a great time.

we went to Rome, Florence, Siena, the Vatican, and  couple small towns.  Loved Florence, Rome was neat but it was crowded and like most other big cities. 

we really loved walking Florence late at night, no problems and great atmosphere.

We went with my Architecture professor as a group.  Saw all the usual touristy stuff, but the churches and architecture are awesome.  So much to see, not enough time.

Food was great.

Old Head

[Tom]

 :1:  I did consider moving there.  The wife gave me a funny look and that killed it before it got serious.  Love what they do with "fruitta de mare". 

[simonome]

if you are spending tonight in milano area, we can ride together to Mandello Del Lario tomorrow morning.

[simonome]

Speaking of Ape, this is the ultimate thing to own





I regularly meet a gentleman in his sixties, dressed in his smart business suit and bow-tie, who rides (drives?) this thing to his office in downtown milano, wearing leather driving gloves and smoking his cigar.

He symbolizes perfect peace, among hundreds of riders zooming by to their mundane tasks 

[Tom]

Ciao Simonome!  Are there any remaining Moto Guzzi shops in Milan? 

[simonome]

Ciao Simonome!  Are there any remaining Moto Guzzi shops in Milan?

Sure, there is one close to central railway station, and a big garage along viale Cassale. There is also a flagship store in the city centre, close to piazza Cordusio

[Tom]

Is the one near the city center, set up like Numero Uno HD?  Boutique style?

[simonome]

Is the one near the city center, set up like Numero Uno HD?  Boutique style?

It is more like a boutique, I guess





It is shared with Piaggio, so unfortunately the sight is spoilt by lots of MP3s

[Tom]

Si, salon. 

[John Warner]

Just got back from Lake Como myself, was there from 5th to the 9th on a rented Hyperstrada.
Six old riding friends with me too, had a blinding time!
Picked up a Roller Kit for my Stelvio from Agostinis on Thursday, so many Guzzis I didn't know which way to look!

We all went for a swim in the Lake just outside Lecco, on the road to Bellagio, just near the start of a nice sweeping bit of road (it hugs the Lake all the way).
Floating in the cool water under a clear blue Sky, watching and listening to Guzzi after Guzzi blatting past was just an awesome experience . . .