Maranello, Florence, Siena trip recs

I drove from Tuscany to the factory and it took 3 1/2 hours. We had an early time also, and getting through Florence, and other larger towns will be slower with morning work traffic. Also a ton of narrow tunnels where the truckers squeeze over on your lane. After getting off the highway, it still isn't signed very well, even with the factory direction sheet in our hands, so allow more time there also. Definately worth the drive, just stop at the gas station and have one of their potent expresso's and you will be there in no time. We didn't know that a lot of the local shops close from 1:30-3:30 or 4 for their lunch hour, so after eating and seeing the museum we couldn't buy any memoribilia before we had to leave, so plan around that. Have a blast!

 

We are booked in on Friday 4th April at the factory and we have been advised to be there for 9.30 for the 10am tour.

Coming from Lake Garda and thought I would just use the train..

cheers
Kevin

 

My wife and I along with a cousin went on the 10 AM factory tour this past October. The cousin drove down from Torino that morning and it took him about 3 1/2 hours because of weather (fog. rain) and he made it at 9:30. It took him 45 minutes longer than he thought and he had made the trip 5 times previously. He had been to meetings in the Ferrari offices but had never been allowed on the factory floor. (He's a retired Fiat safety engineering manager.) I had elected to get into town the night before and we stayed at the Planet Hotel across from the main gate. I'm glad we did. There was no available parking in the area. The Planet has an underground garage, we parked there free as guests and the hotel manager let my cousin park in the garage at n/c as well. The Cavallino Ristorante is across from the main entrance as well. We had a leisurely dinner there the night before, and walked across the street to the main reception area at 9:45. They are punctual. Rare in Italy!

If you have not planned your route yet, you may want to try this site:

http://www.viamichelin.com/viamichelin/int/tpl/hme/MaHomePage.htm

Looks like 2hrs, 20 min from Siena

 

when you are in tuscany, besides Florence and SIENA, you can
visit 2 wonderfull little cities as LUCCA and SAN GIMIGNIANO. to go from florence to Maranello you have to across the Appennini mountains. IF you take the highways, as usual, you pass near Mugello truck.....and when you are in Maranello it is very nice to drive the road to ABETONE pass - 1500 mt on sea level- that it is the road used by all ferrari factory drivers to test ALL the cars since 1948! it is a difficult and very fun road !
WELCOME IN ITALY !
ALEX

 

+1 on San Gimigniano my wife and I spent 3 wks in Italy last year and visited SG. Went back a week later because we liked it so much!!

 

Check-out the following: http://www.motorvalley.it/index.asp?lang=1

Also, here's a phenominal hotel about 2 miles behind the Ferrari factory: http://www.cortedegliestensi.it/ing/index2.htm

The road from Sienna to Florence is a Strada Statale, a 2 lane no-toll freeway that can be jammed with trucks during the morning commute. The same thing applies once you hit Florence heading north to Bologna ... traffic! IMO, I would leave extra early (6am-ish) and if you arrive in Maranello early, grab an espresso and hang-out.

The 10am tour finishes around noon, right when the workers are letting-out for lunch (pranzo.) The last part of the tour is the final assembly line, which, if you arrive close to noon, will be shutting down. So, chances are you won't get to see the final assembly. That's why I always opt for the afternoon tour.

Also, bring a TomTom or other navigation device for your rental car. You'll be thankful a 1000xs over and save yourself a huge headache ... especially in a labrynth like Firenze!

 

It is much easier to stay at the Planet Hotel (planethotel.org), the night before. Why stress out. If you have not driven those roads before you are really taking a chance.You will need to leave at 5AM. You are on vacation... The Planet Hotel is accross the street from the factory. That is where you want to stay. Have dinner at the Cavallino the night before. You really do not need to spend 2 nights in Marenello if you are on a tight time schedule. You can see lots in in 1 day. I have been there twice and would not even think about driving from Siena the morning of the tour.

 

I presume you have Florence hotel reservations made, but just in case may I suggest Villa San Michele in Fiesole: http://www.villasanmichele.com The Villa is in the hillside town of Fiesole with a shuttle to drop you into the pandemonium of Florence and then return you to the tranquility. Also assuming this is redundant, but reservations for Academia and Uffizi are must or risk waiting in line for 2-3 hours. Eat well!
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Sounds great. When in Maranello check out the Hotel Domus for a casual dinner or lunch. Great pizza!

 

I collect my 599 form Maranello sometime in April, maybe we'll be there at the same time

 

I probably won't know until quite short notice maybe just a Week or two before as i have to wait for the Factory to confirm collection date, i'll let you know

btw we did the Abetone Road last Year to Lucca in the 575 after the 60th Celebrations with 8 other Ferraris and a QP and also back in 1999 in our 328, a great drive

 

I love the Planet Hotel. It is not fancy but clean and nice. We usually stay in the back in a suite with a view of the track. The suite does not cost too much more and they may give you a deal if they are slow. It has a loft and frig. You can buy great cheeses and wine at the supermarket just next to the hotel. In Firenze we stayed at the Bellevue House which is reasonable,central location, close to the train station, and quiet. It does have quiet a few stairs however. God I can't wait to go again. Have a great time.

 

I am going to Rome in June and taking the train to Modena. Are there any trains down to Maranello from Modena, or should I consider bus, taxi, etc? I do plan on spending the night before and not getting into a time crunch.

Thanks for the advice on the tours, too.

 

Mule
We did the same thing. Train from Rome to Modena. There is no train to Maranello, but there is a bus. However it does not run very often. We took a taxi and was a reasonable price. Plan to do the same thing again this Sept.

 

Excellent. Thanks, that was a hole in my plan. We are flying from Anchorage to Rome over the Pole, then a day and a half in Maranello.

Of course, Custer had a plan...