Little Italy

Much like the Fiats themselves, Florence is as compact as it is pretty. Only 10 minutes’ drive south of the centre brings you into the rolling hills of the Chianti, and this really has to be done. Past Galileo’s house, the roads narrow and the scent of the fresh wild mint grows strong. We are even able to pluck figs and plums off the trees through the 500’s sunroof.

Our final destination, the Villa Le Piazzole (28 Via Suor Maria Celeste, 149/A Via Gherardo Silvani, tel: +39 055 223 520), is a magnificently aristocratic mansion with incredible views to match.

See this beautiful city in a whole new fourwheeled light A guided tour of the ancient cellars culminates in tasting the red and white wine (unusual for the Chianti region) produced here, along with the home-pressed olive oil. It’s all accompanied with an Italian-style picnic of prosciutto crudo and crostinis, smeared with chicken liver pâté or tomatoes with garlic. It’s then a battle of wills between digesting or jumping straight into the pool.

Bottles of wine (€14) and the divine olive oil (€5/100ml) are available to buy from the main office.

The dream
Sophie’s tours are unique in a town where prices can be as high as the culture. “People are fed up of over-paying for ice-cream or being triple-charged for a coffee,” she says. And it’s understandable. Many head for the Tuscan hills and dip in and out of Florence because it can be quite oppressive, which is a shame because Florence is a fun, friendly place once you get acquainted.

Hang on, who’s driving? For instance, when Sophie mentions to her window-cleaner she needs a mechanic the response is immediate. Just 30 minutes later a burly traffic-cop pulls up outside the garage and before Sophie can rustle up her official papers and permits, he announces he is a car enthusiast and offers to be of service.

“If ever I’m out on the street and anything goes wrong I just call him up and he arrives on his motorbike. I have the police in my pocket!” she says, jokingly.

The Florence vibe is one of a beautifully tight-knit community, and taking a 500 tour means you really do experience that. You get so much love back from the city that you almost feel like an attraction yourself.

“Driving one of these around Florence is probably about as close to being Italian as you’re gonna get!” Sophie says. And there’s no denying that the 500 Touring Club is Florence in a nutshell – or should that be a chassis?
VISIT www.500touringclub.com

Via Vinegia

City in a street
The Via Vinegia is not just home to the 500 Touring Club but is a microcosm of Florence’s tight-knit community vibe.

THE BLOB CLUB
21/R Via Vinegia (tel: +39 055 211 209, www.theblobclub.com) Where the city’s bar staff head for elusive after-hours drinking, and DJ Dom spins hiphop faves on Fridays..

‘SECRET’ BAKERY
These fine fellows open at 2am, so when you’ve worked up an appetite on the dance floor simply walk out of Blob Club and pick up a pastry next door.

WOOD-WORKER SAURO AND METALWORKER MARCO
Not sure why you might need their whacking or whittling services during a weekend stopover but, hey! It’s good to know they’re there, right?

GELATERIA DEI NERI
22/R Via dei Neri (Tel: +39 055 239 6810). OK, so this is on the next street down, but it’s the best place in town for ice cream, at a good price, too.

ALFREDO
14/R Via dei Leoni (Tel: +39 055 294 912). Trattoria with good honest grub and great vino, also just close by Via Vinegia. Try the spaghetti with clams (vongole). Tasty.

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