Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
France 24
France 24
Politics
FRANCE 24

‘Vespa is a way of life’: Thousands ride through Rome as Italy’s iconic scooter turns 80

Rome Italy Alberto PIZZOLI Andrew Ward Roberto Gualtieri World War II
Vespa enthusiasts from around the world are gathering in Rome for the World Vespa Days, which mark the 80th anniversary of the iconic Italian scooter brand, on June 25, 2026.
Vespa enthusiasts from around the world are gathering in Rome for the World Vespa Days, which mark the 80th anniversary of the iconic Italian scooter brand, on June 25, 2026. © Alberto Pizzoli, AFP

Thousands of Vespa enthusiasts rode through Rome on Saturday as Italy celebrated the 80th anniversary of its iconic scooter. Created in the aftermath of World War II, the Vespa has evolved from an affordable means of transport into a global symbol of Italian design, lifestyle and cinematic glamour.

An icon of the Italian way of life, the Vespa was celebrating its 80th birthday on Saturday, as thousands of riders paraded through Rome on the legendary scooters.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Man goes to Tim Hortons and sees some Harry Potter-themed donuts. Then he takes a closer look: ‘I was deeply concerned’
Those are definitely not going to the Hogwarts feast!
We Got This Covered
We Got This Covered
Ex-Dunkin’ worker says her paycheck was withheld. Then she airs alleged dirty laundry about drinks, creamers, and more: ‘When you’re not looking’
She allegedly was treated differently after getting a new job
We Got This Covered
We Got This Covered
Ultraprocessed Meal Raised Insulin More Than a Calorie-Matched Whole-Food Meal in Small Virginia Tech Brain Imaging Trial
Two 300-calorie meals with matching nutrients drew different insulin and metabolic responses in a small Virginia Tech trial. Here is what it means.
Medical Daily
Medical Daily
Trump may kill free chips and salsa
Tariffs on tomatoes could turn one of dining's smallest gestures of hospitality into a line item
Salon
Salon
Selena Gomez Fans Beg Her To Dump Benny Blanco After Latest Comment About Their Relationship
What seemed like a funny story about their relationship left some viewers deeply uncomfortable, with critics accusing Benny Blanco of repeatedly embarrassing Selena Gomez in public.
Bored Panda
Bored Panda
AI can help with academic research but doesn’t always get it right – here are some tips to check the information you receive
Almost 25% of adults in the United States are using artificial intelligence chatbots on a daily basis, a 2026 Pew Research Center study found.
The Conversation
The Conversation
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.
Download on the AppStore Get it on Google Play