I love these low-overhead street vendors who operate out of these small trucks in Italy. These vehicles are called APE‘s, made by Piaggio, the same company who manufactures the famous Vespa scooter as well as other vehicles. In fact the original model dates back to 1947 and was basically a Vespa with two wheels added to the rear.
I came across this street vendor in the Puglia coastal city of Gallipoli, located on Ionian Sea, on the west coast of the Salento peninsula. I like how the name APE is actually painted on the rear of the vehicle. Did you notice the old-fashioned scales positioned above the hand-made rectangular wooden box on the truck?
I think that fruit looks so fresh it would be hard to pass by without stopping to buy something.
Have you seen these fruit vendors during your travels in Italy or elsewhere?
I’d love to hear your thoughts, so please leave a comment.
Grazie and Ciao
For more photos from Italy, please check out my Instagram page .
Greg Speck
My wife has a love affair with the APE. Not quite so useful in Florida, but it is so prevalent in Italy. The fruit vendor I liked the best was in Cefalù who sang like the fish vendors in Catania. Last year the Washington Post had a great article on the 70th anniversary of the APE.
margieinitaly
Thank You Greg. I love seeing these cute little vehicles. I’ll have to check out that article. Thanks for the tip!
stellalucentellc
What a great photo! I never even thought to look for the Ape on the side of the truck. Will keep my eyes open for them this summer if I make it to Italy.
Bonnie Davis
So very functional and cute to boot. Surprised they haven’t caught on in other countries.
a mindful traveler
I remember seeing them years ago when we were in Sicily (Vizzini). Not sure if they would still have them around now…I hope so! 😉
margieinitaly
Oh yes..they are around in most cities. Thanks so much
a mindful traveler
Oh that’s good 😊
Andrew Petcher
So looking forward to seeing these again when I visit in September!
margieinitaly
I’m glad you enjoy these as much as I do Andrew. Have a fabulous trip!!
Travel Gourmet
Lovely photo! I remember seeing those little Ape trucks all over Puglia when I was there.
margieinitaly
Thank you so much….the smaller ones really do come in handy, too, to navigate the narrow streets and alleys
Un po' di pepe
I love ape! They are used as construction vehicles, delivery trucks and as portable ‘bancarelle’. So cute! Ciao, Cristina
margieinitaly
Thank you Cristina! I just learned a new word from you. I never knew “bancarelle” meant “stalls”
dollygoolsby
I love those little trucks, but I had not seen them as fruit vendors. I have seen them hauling all sorts of things like lumber, bricks, limbs off trees that they had pruned. I want one. I think it would be so much fun to go to Home Depot with and APE truck. Doesn’t APE mean bee? For they sound like a bee when they are running.