- Paperback: 304 pages
- Publisher: Bantam Press; New edition edition (1 May 2004)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0593052781
- ISBN-13: 978-0593052785
- Product Dimensions: 22.8 x 15.2 x 2.6 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (52 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 733,397 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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More About the Author
Product Description
Product Description
He was an Australian author approaching 40. She was a fading Italian beauty from the sixties. They spent one unforgettable summer together, a magical road trip from Milan to Rome. Only one thing stood in the way of perfect love. Sophia was a motor scooter. After a late night Tai Bo fitness commercial warns him that his life will be over after 40, Peter Moore decides to pursue a boyhood dream sparked by watching old black and white movies of Sophia Loren - to tour Italy on a Vespa, in pursuit of la dolce vita. From picnicking in the Italian alps to exploring tumbledown seaside villages, gate-crashing Frances Mayes's villa and re-enacting Roman Holiday, this is as much a romance as a travel adventure. Not only does Peter sweep the woman of his dreams off her feet, he falls in love with a side of Italy others rarely see, along with Sophia of course...
From the Back Cover
He was an intrepid Australian author fast approaching forty. She was a fading Italian beauty from the sixties. They first met on the Internet and together would spend one unforgettable summer travelling from Milan to Rome. Only one thing stood in the way of perfect love . . .
Sophia was a motor scooter.
After a late night Tai Bo fitness commercial warns him that after forty his life will be over, Peter Moore decides to pursue a boyhood dream sparked by watching old black and white movies of Sophia Loren - to putter around Italy on a 1960s Vespa in pursuit of la dolce vita.
But it couldn't be any old Vespa. With the big day just around the corner, Peter wanted a bike as old as he was and in the same sort of condition - a little rough round the edges, a bit slow in the mornings perhaps, but basically still OK. And it had to have saddle seats. And temperamental electrics. And a little too much chrome. The sort of scooter you'd imagine a sharp-suited, Ray Ban-wearing young Marcello Mastroianni riding.
From picnicking in the Italian alps and rattling through cobbled hilltop towns to exploring tumbledown seaside villages, gate-crashing Frances Mayes's villa and re-enacting Roman Holiday, Vroom with a View is as much a romance as a travel adventure. Not only does Peter sweep the woman of his dreams off her feet, he falls for a side of Italy others rarely see, along with Sophia, of course ...
'Moore has a parched dry wit, the solid brass cojones of a true traveller and a rare eye for the madness of the wider world.' JOHN BIRMINGHAM
'Peter Moore is the genuine article, a traveller's traveller.' FHM
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Peter Moore has always captured the feeling of being a long way from home with nowhere to be and no deadlines. In short, he captures that moment, a week after you start traveling when all your cares disolve and you can wander where ever coincidence takes you.
Vroom with a View in no different.
Taking a suitably sleepy route through Tuscany, Moore sees the countryside at a pace that suits his narrative. His observations are all the more sharp on a vespa that barely and rarely moves.
For those who need a trip away from their desk at lunch time, this book will put you in the Italian countryside, the smell of the wheat, the sight of sunflowers and the conversation of strangers.
9 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Combine the humour of Bill Bryson (with whom Moore shares the same editor) and the sprightliness of Tim Moore and you'd come up with Peter Moore. Although not facing the same challenges as in 'The Wrong Way Home' or 'Swahili for the Broken Hearted', this is an affectionate account of a tour around Italy on a forty year old Vespa. It's a fun read with a good tale of highs and lows, complete with a happy ending.
Perhaps better to read after his earlier books, it's good to see Moore is still up to scratch as the self styled 'voice of independent travel'. Make sure to visit his website to see the photos that prove it's a true story! (This is a review of the Australian edition.)
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Ok, I admit that I'm writing this because I went to Peter Moore's website and he's soliciting reviews. BUT I went to the website 'cause I loved the book. I've got a house in Italy and he perfectly recreated the magic and romance of living and traveling there. Now all I need to do is get myself a Vespa! This book is a quick read and lots of fun - then plan your vacation to Italy.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Got a scooter, Then read this book.
Just a quickie, if you have a scooter, and ever thought about shooting over to italy, or anywhere for that matter, You must get this book, and the follow up book, Vroom by the... Read more
Published 1 month ago by FUNKY MARTYN
Memorable read
This is a great read. Evocative and atmospheric. Moore really lets you taste and experience Italy! Wonderful characters, wonderful places, great fun shared.
Published 6 months ago by azone
vroom with a view.
THIS IS A MUST READ BOOK !!! How good is it ? Well i'm a biker and after reading this book i almost went out and bought a Vespa !! Read more
Published 10 months ago by AndyT.
A great read even if you've never heard of a Vespa
I am an avid scooter tourist, and all I can say is that this book describes what touring on a classic scotoer is all about. Read more
Published 17 months ago by Tiago Pereira
A relaxing holiday read
This the story of the author's tour around Italy on an old Vespa. I must admit that it hasn't got the laugh out loud moments I was rather hoping for when I read the blurb but it is... Read more
Published 19 months ago by Aunty Pog
The initiation of a Vespal Virgin
Whilst not excatly formulaic this book is pretty much as you would expect from Peter Moore. It is the micro scale, flip side of tourism which appeals and endears the author to many... Read more
Published on 9 July 2009 by Eric Stephen
On two wheels
Wonderful story of a man's sentimental journey through Italy on a Vespa called Sophia. This book should appeal to all lovers of two wheeled transport, sentimentalists and Vespa... Read more
Published on 13 Feb 2009 by Mr. P. Bailey
Dolce Vespa
Funny how this book makes you ponder the worth of buying an old Vespa, even though you know you won't It also makes you think seriously about buying a heap of Kinder Surprises. Read more
Published on 11 Aug 2008 by Rod De Lisle
The Joys of 2 stroke motoring (in sunnier climes!)
A lovely book with interesting facts about the history of the Vespa and its social impact on Italy's society. Read more
Published on 27 Mar 2008 by A. Midgley
Better than the crazy frog!!!!
This is the third of Peter's book that I have read now and found it the same as the other two, I was not able to put it down. Read more
Published on 29 July 2005 by "phogan110"
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