We live in a seriously beautiful country, I don’t think we need to elaborate any further and justify that statement. One of our resorts did recently finish third in the ‘Top 100 Hotels & Resorts of the World‘, but we’re on the same page when it comes to our natural beauty.

Now everyone loves a road trip but how about one with a little twist, a trip from Jozi all the way to the pearly white shores of Mozambique and back again (via Swaziland) riding a Vespa? The tour sets off from Jozi on November 5 and returns on November 8, with this from South Africa Tourism’s official site:

Vespa South Africa began the tours in 2004 as “an excuse to get out of the house”, but quickly realised that people craved adventure and the concept took off.

It’s a great way to see South Africa, says [ Louw du Toit, technical director of Vespa South Africa], not least because the Vespa’s not very fast and because frequent fuel stops are a given. And, he adds, the funky-looking Vespas cause a stir wherever they go.

“Motorcycles [make people wary], but the whole town comes out to see the Vespas,” he says, and this makes for wonderful social interaction with locals.

In fact, the tours are just that: a social way for Vespa lovers to get together and enjoy their scooters to the maximum. There’s little in the way of formal organisation, and there’s no cost involved other than the trip; the riders and Vespa South Africa, essentially, do it for the love of it.

“It’s something we give back to our customers,” says Du Toit.

Let’s take a look at that route then…

Of course the fun isn’t just for Vespa riders, as du Toit explains:

While the tours are specifically aimed at Vespa owners, he continues, there’s nothing stopping others from going along and Vespa South Africa will assist them to do so.

Interestingly, the tours never have a back-up vehicle; it’s real seat-of-the-pants stuff, and any repairs have to be done by the roadside. “It’s a testament to the touring Vespa” that there have never been any serious mechanical breakdowns on tours, and in the past five years no issues beyond flat tyres, he says.

“Riding a Vespa is a great way to get out of the house and do something different,” says Du Toit. “Your holiday starts when you get on a Vespa, not when you get to your destination.”

Sounds to me like the perfect way to wind your way from the highveld to the coast and back again.

If you would like to get involved or find out more check out HERE and HERE.

[source:satourism]