I’m glad it’s not just me that annoys my family by interrupting the holiday to disappear off down side roads and stop what we’re doing, to go and photograph a Vespa or Ape and such like - it would seem Graham Keat can’t help himself either.. !
Graham was recently holidaying with his family in the small town of Carovigno, next door to Ostuni, situated in Italy’s southern region of Puglia. Ostuni is also known as ‘La Citta Bianca’ or ‘The White City’, famous for its many white buildings - lit up by the sun sat atop a hill, from a distance and as you approach, it’s easy to see how they coined the term.
Graham photographed these oft seen and typical Italian Apes and classic Cinquecentos (Fiat 500s) during his stay - note Ostuni’s white buildings in the background.
Still used for just about anything, this Ape doubles as a greengrocer’s stall…
Carciofi, fagioli, aglio, pomodorini, fragole…. don’t mind if I do!
White Vespa PX - good colour choice for Ostuni..
Lovely condition Fiat 500 Giardiniera with Brindisi registration plate..
Another Cinquecento Giardiniera, TA being Taranto registration I believe..
Thanks very much to Graham Keat for sharing. Graham has an interesting GS160 which I hope to be bringing you more on in due course.
My wife and I visited Puglia in 2004, staying at a grand old masseria (farm) in San Vito Dei Normanni, the next town further on from Carovigno. We visited Ostuni a few times and ate so well there; probably some of the best and least expensive food we’ve experienced on our various Italian travels. One night we went for dinner in Ostuni after enjoying a Campari and soda aperitivo with olives - we thought we were very Italian! The bar was in Piazza Liberta, Ostuni’s main square and before we found it, we came across this lovely old Alfa parked opposite the piazza which seemed to be in the perfect setting…
Alfa - Piazza Liberta, Ostuni, 2004. Photo © Paul Hart
Do you have some holiday snaps to share? If so please email me at vespamore@hotmail.co.uk