May be visiting Italy for a work meeting, some factory tour questions

I have some meetings in Europe in February. I'm still waiting for confirmation about one in Rome. So a couple of questions...

- What is the best way to get from Rome to Maranello?

- Are the tours done only during the week, i.e. no Saturday?

- How much lead time is needed for a factory tour? I may not have my meeting confirmation till about 2 weeks before I leave.

- I don't generally work with a factory dealer now as I use an independent mechanic, how would I approach my local dealer (Ferrari of Central NJ) to set up a tour? I understand I will have to pay a fee for the tour, any idea what it would be per person? I'd love to bring a good friend with me from Germany who would meet me in Rome.

- if I can't get a "Ferrari owner" specific tour because of either lead time or dealer requirement, is there a general public tour option that is less personal?

Thanks,
Cheers,
Corey

 

Lots of answers in last month's tour thread - its also quite a journey from Rome to Maranello so you're probably better off with a public turn-up tour especially as you will have so little notice

 

Thanks. Is it worth going if all you get is a 45-minute bus ride, or are the museums alone worth it? Basically, I'm saying should I wait till I have a non-work trip to Italy and book the real factory tour through Central NJ Ferrari?

 

That is going to depend on what Ferrari means to you.

I day tripped from the west coast of Italy to Maranello for a (pre-arranged) factory tour so didn't see much else (lunch at Cavallino, return visit to museum, watched FXX K #13 on track).

Maranello is a one-horse town. You will only be sniffing around the edges by going there for a few hours without a factory tour reservation. Maybe that is good enough for you; maybe not.

 

Thanks. That actually settles it. I'll wait and maybe just do some shopping for my wife in Rome.

 

As mentioned above, there are several good threads here that address your questions. Try the search function. I know several of us have posted details about the entire tour process and the local sights etc. (even down to where to eat and stay).

 

In my opinion, Ferracosa train from Rome to Modena would be about 3 hours ish... you would need a car to get from the station to Ferrari - about 1/2 hour drive.

it is worth the time to do both the Enzo Ferrari museum in Modena - very close to the station and the Ferrari Museum in Maranello alone. if you can get a factory tour even better. dont think the factory does tours on weekends - its closed down. great food also. I'd do it as an overnight stay at the Maranello Place hotel- hilton garden inn style ... do the museums on one day and factory the next - go back to Rome that night. you would go from Termini station to either Bologna or Direct to Modena centro...

 

Be sure to hit "Da Enzo" resto in Trastevere.
There's a few posts about it in the Italy section.
Great (Italian, duh) food...

https://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/threads/italy-trip-dinner-notes-november-2019.612344/page-3

 

Wait . That's the best move imo

Shopping for wife . Get to the airport early and do it there

 

Maranello Palace hotel closed now.

Marcel Massini

 

shush!

 

oh too bad... it was super easy and close to the factory....

 

I took the train everywhere when I was there and it was awesome. I'd recommend paying the small amount extra for first class. It's worth every penny. Regular ticket cars were packed in like steer.

 

What happened?


Sent from my iPad using FerrariChat

 

OK the trip is getting a little more locked down. I will be in both Rome and Turin, so I'm sure I'll be able to get to Maranello if I want to.

So I had a thought, since there isn't enough lead time for a factory owners tour, has anyone done a driving experience at the track? I assume they are still open even though it will be early February. If anyone has done the driving experience, which company did you use and which car? I was thinking a challenge car would be awesome and something to remember.

 

Modena, 6 years ago. I don't know if still offered. A shuttle between Ferrari museum and Modena and the Museum in Maranello was available. We took a train to Modena and shuttled to Marrenello. Also I beleive the shuttle had a stop to visit Parvarotti's house.

 

When you get to the factory, go pick up and then pass out drug test kits, they need it ! lol

Big g

 

Hi. Corey, have your dealer set you up the official tour, it’s much better then the bus tour. Just have your rep set it up. It’s free for clients. The lead time for the bus tour is nit that long, I’ve seen folks get it same day, but still check in advance The museum and Enzo’s house are cool if you are a Ferrari fan. I would recommend flying in from Rome, but the drive is really nice too, but takes a few days. Let me know I’d you have any questions.

kind regards

 

Good idea Corey. Factory tour is well worth a visit at some point but make part of a trip in that region of Italy unless you have unlimited time. If you do decide to go from Rome take a high speed train to Milan or Bologna (both good spots to visit) and rent a car for the drive to Maranello. These trains are a pleasure to travel on (get a first class ticket). If you’re a Ferrari owner your dealership should be able to arrange the factory tour. It’s complimentary for Ferrari owners believe it or not. As another post here stated there’s not much else in Maranello. Have lunch at the local Ferrari eatery to add to the experience.

 

It's no longer free. Friend just received pricing from dealer. Think it starts at $89 for the shortest tour?

 

Oh okay thanks. I went twice in past years with no cost. I guess Ferrari decided the over inflated price of the cars and options wasn't enough

 

Here’s what was just passed on from Miller Ferrari in Greenwich.

Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

My opinion having done it recently and several times in the past.

Ask your dealer and/or FCA. May be a long shot but ask.

The Bus tour ( buy tickets in advance) actually gives you better views of some things you cruise by on the owners tour including Fiorano and the Factory grounds.

Ask for a factory tour of the Design Studio/Tailor Made. More than the usual walking the factory line and very much worth the time.

Go the night before. I stayed at a nice place ten minutes away but if you do, Uber/taxi to the factory and walk around. Parking is a nightmare and the Museo is where we parked.


Restaurant reservations fill quickly so you;ll be likely eating at whatever you can get ( Hotel or other).

Its worth a solid day not a short day. the museum gets short changed in the factory tour - they used to go in now they give you tickets, but there is not the amount of time to really enjoy it ( First timer) with some cool stuff that you wont want to walk by.

IMHO it s worth it even if the factory tour is not available.

Other things to do which most people don’t- walk around the outside of the factory. On the right side ( as you face the main entrance on 4 Via Abetone Inf - on I believe Via Sg Evangelista
Go in the dog park to the fence of the factory. That is where they park the older mules and some interesting non-active test cars. You have seen pictures of these no doubt.

On the Employee entrance on the other side is the exit with the new cars and mules. The traffic circle with the large Cavallino is a great vantage point for the test drives.

Across from the museum there is a shop with exotics to rent for drives in Maranello. I haven’t but it would be cool to do so. Also the gift shop in the museum has the good stuff for swag, but the Ferrari store has all the car models.


Let us know if you go. Feel free to message me, I have much data and good experiences there.

good luck