When you say Italy, you inevitably say Vespa. From La Dolce Vita to Gregory Peck and Audrey Hepburn, through cinema, design, the Lunapop (don’t know them? Click here) and, above all, the summers of all of us who grew up on carefree attitudes and simple pleasures. Because let’s be honest: at least for those like me who were in high school in the early Nineties, the Vespa was a symbol of freedom. Sometimes rough, often souped-up, it wasn’t just a way to get around, it doubled as a meeting spot when there weren’t enough benches for a group of seventeen-year-olds dreaming of adventure.
Two wheels and Italy have always gone hand in hand. And even today, in the age of electric mobility, scooters remain one of the most loved ways to get around.
And Salina is no exception. Renting a scooter in Salina to explore the island is perhaps the most authentic way to experience it: breathing in its scents and colors, feeling the sudden cool air as you reach Valdichiesa, riding along the straight stretch of Capofaro with the sunset glowing ahead, or heading home beneath an impossibly starry sky after dinner in Pollara.
The electric scooter is romantic, practical, and silent. The ideal travel companion. It doesn’t ask for anything, let alone demand; it doesn’t need petrol, just a bit of rest at night while it recharges, just as we recharge ourselves.
But how does one practically rent a scooter in Salina?
Simple. If you are a guest at Frangimare, you can contact me before your arrival and I will reserve one of ours for you. You won’t have to worry about a thing, you’ll find the keys and helmet directly in your room.
Easy, right?
And once you’re in the saddle, what are the best routes?
In truth, it’s hard not to be amazed: every road is a scenic route with breathtaking views. Riding through Salina means connecting with its most genuine spirit.
From Frangimare in Malfa, you can head toward Santa Marina and continue on to Lingua. Along the coastal road, you’ll see Stromboli and Panarea appear on the horizon, followed by Lipari and, on especially clear days, even Mount Etna. It’s a journey framed by sea, volcanic rock, prickly pear cacti and wild broom, ending at Lingua’s small lighthouse, where stopping for a granita is practically mandatory.
Or, again starting from Frangimare, you can head toward Pollara or Rinella.
If you choose Pollara, don’t miss stopping at the panoramic viewpoint at the top of the climb, before descending into the crater. From there you can admire Panarea, Stromboli, Filicudi, Alicudi and Pollara itself from above. I recommend sunrise and sunset, but at any time of day the views are striking and never predictable.
If you head toward Rinella instead, you can visit Valdichiesa, with the Sanctuary of the Madonna del Terzito, and the small village of Leni, before descending to the hamlet of Rinella, with its large dark beach and its little seaside cafés.
These are, of course, just suggestions. For the rest, follow your instinct. Follow the sun, follow the shade, follow that desire you’ve long had to take a nighttime ride through the island’s darkness, in a silence so profound it feels unreal, while everyone sleeps and the moon lights up your thoughts.
Still deciding between an electric scooter and a car?
Remember this: a scooter in Salina means no parking stress. A scooter in Salina is eco-friendly, convenient and undeniably fun. And nothing compares to the feeling of fresh air against your skin on a warm summer day.
So, if I’ve convinced you, don’t wait to book. Write to me right away. At Frangimare, there’s an electric scooter ready for you.
A presto,
Serena
