The poster for Eleonora Montagnana’s Vespa Tour (sponsored by the Municipality of Busto Arsizio and the Vespa Club Busto Arsizio); Eleonora and her passions: the violin, her cat and her Vespa. A stop in Sirmione, admiring the lake at sunset.
THE MUSICIAN AND VESPA ENTHUSIAST MADE A RIDE FROM BUSTO ARSIZIO TO TRIESTE, IN THE SADDLE OF HER VESPA LX 50. THREE DAYS, TWELVE STOPS, TRAVELING SLOWLY AND A LEISURELY 500 KILOMETRES, THROUGH THREE DIFFERENT ITALIAN REGIONS. ALL DOCUMENTED BY THE KITE CHAMPION ‘FLY FISH’
From left, 24 April 2026, setting off from Busto Arsizio with the Mayor and the Vespa Club. 26 April 2026: arrival in Trieste, welcomed by the Vespa Club.
May (G.T.) – Talent, charm, resourcefulness, creativity. And furthermore, genuine, spontaneous kindness (a far cry from the influencer stereotype), combined with remarkable versatility, transforming from a dedicated artist performing a violin solo – in an elegant sheath dress or a grand evening gown complete with train – into a sporty young woman, climbing into the saddle of her scooter and making her way across three Italian regions, celebrating the 80th birthday of an Italian icon: Vespa, the world’s most famous scooter (1946–2026).
https://www.facebook.com/eleonora.pitturamusicaanima/
Eleonora Montagnana is the star of the show: a violinist of the highest calibre, she shares her performances (including concerts, events and duets with famous singers such as Albano) with her many loyal followers. She also shares her other passions, including her beautiful cat Sibi (named after the musician Jean Sibelius) and her elegant blue Vespa LX 50, her faithful companion on life’s adventures, her ‘Vespina’.
Tour preview – Elenora Montagnana’s road book:
https://www.facebook.com/reel/3428287643994950
On the eve of her road trip, Eleanora said: “I’d been dreaming of taking a trip on my Vespa LX for a while - I used it to get around every day for more than 13 years in Bologna, where I was studying performance, juggling work, music and real life. And I still remember the overwhelming thrill of getting on my Vespa for the first time, with a mixture of curiosity and trepidation. Once I was in the saddle, I felt a such a sense of freedom. It’s a wonderful feeling, and I relive it every time I take a trip on her. And by chance, this trip I’ve been planning for some time happens to fall at the perfect moment: the day after Vespa’s 80th birthday (23 April 2026, ed.). From 24 to 26 April, I’ll be travelling through northern Italy, from Busto Arsizio to Trieste, taking my time as I travel along the A-roads, passing through quiet villages and enjoying views of the lake, until I reach the sea.
DAY ONE – LOMBARDY: BUSTO ARSIZIO – SONCINO – SIRMIONE.
Busto Arsizio (Varese), with the Mayor and the Vespa Club.
Soncino Castle (Cremona).
Sirmione, the ‘Pearl’ of Lake Garda (Brescia).
It’ll be an authentic account, a short documentary in the form of a travel blog, recounting my experience through videos and photos that I’ll share on my social media channels. A journey through the real Italy – the Italy that is best explored at a leisurely pace, taking in all the beauty of the various regions; it’s also a celebration of freedom of movement, and a tribute to an iconic vehicle like the Vespa, which has real sentimental value for me. Once again, she’s back as my travelling companion!”. To prepare for a road trip, Eleonora carefully chose a practical outfit, complete with Vespa sneakers shoes and helmet, without forgetting to have her scooter checked over (along with its original windscreen and top box) at Gallazzi Piero, the Piaggio and Vespa dealership in Busto Arsizio.Eleonora’s enterprising spirit also deserves a mention, which saw her involving local institutions and the Vespa Clubs in the areas she travelled through. Who could possibly say no to her? The response was immediate, positive and engaging.
DAY TWO – VENETO: CASTELFRANCO VENETO – FRIULI VENEZIA GIULIA: GRADO.
In the province of Treviso: celebrating the 25th of April with the Resanesi Vespa Club (with toasts and the Alpini army corps).
Sunset on the coast at Grado (Gorizia).
Mission accomplished! On returning from the tour, Eleonora said: “What a sense of achievement, as well as a lot of hard work! But I was smiling all the way. I started my ride in Busto Arsizio, accompanied by Mayor Emanuele Antonelli and a delegation from the Vespa Club Busto Arsizio (who gifted me the club’s pennant and sash); I then stopped off at Soncino (a stunning little village) before arriving in Sirmione at sunset. On the second day, I stopped in Castelfranco Veneto with the Resana Vespa Club (and enjoyed a genuine Venetian welcome… Spritz included) and arrived in Grado in the evening, right on the beach.”
DAY THREE – THE ARRIVAL IN TRIESTE.
On the road, accompanied by Vespa riders from the VC Trieste.
In the beautiful Piazza Unità d’Italia in Trieste, with the Chairman of the City Council and the Trieste Vespa Club. Mission accomplished!
Eleonora continues: “On the third day of my trip, I met up with some members of the Trieste Vespa Club, who rode with me along the coast to the stunning Piazza Unità — where I was welcomed by representatives from the municipality (the Chairman of the Municipal Council, Francesco Di Paola Panteca, was also present). What can I say… it was really incredible. I still can’t quite believe I’ve covered all those kilometres, little by little, riding through such diverse landscapes… and with three days of perfect sunshine! There was a bit of everything (including a brief detour onto the Verona ring road by mistake!), but the best thing was the energy of the Vespa Clubs: they really are like one big family. I felt welcomed, encouraged, and loved… they are just wonderful. And now I’m even a member of the Busto Arsizio Vespa Club!”
“You can be whatever you want!” – Clip video:
https://www.facebook.com/reel/1616539362748101
The photos from my Vespa Tour were taken by ‘Fly Fish’ (a kitesurfing champion), who joined me at a few stops to film the content.” Thank you both for the stunning photos!
What will be Eleonora’s next adventure on her Vespa? No spoilers, follow her on social media.
And she promises: “I’m just finishing the last edits of my YouTube reel: a tongue-in-cheek, entertaining documentary of around an hour, which relives the entire journey. There’ll be plenty of surprises!”
Now that this experience has come to a successful end, the musician is already making new plans: “I’d like to explore this passion for slow travel and my love for the real Italy, which is a world away from the cliched images. Maybe one day I’ll create a ’format’ that combines music, food and special places.” On a Vespa? “I hope so!”.
Eleonora Montagnana social media channels.
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/eleonora_montagnana?igsh=eThjd2tuaWZnazMw&utm_source=qr
TikTok:
https://www.tiktok.com/@eleonoramontagnana?_r=1&_t=ZN-94sAAExaYLe
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/eleonora.pitturamusicaanima/
Photos and videos courtesy of Eleonora Montagnana & Fly Fish.
