Ferrari Factory Tour advice

If you don't arrange the tour ahead you won't get a tour.

 

One day is very short. Yeah, the two museums and a lunch are about all you can do.

I'm back in Modena myself in June but for four days. I've done the Ferrari factory tour in the past so didn't even try getting a slot again this time.

I'll probably pop into the Ferrari Museum in Maranello and certainly the Enzo Ferrari museum in Modena. Neither need reservations.

There is lot of non-Ferrari stuff in the Italian "Motor Valley." Personally, I've got tours booked at Pagani and Lamborghini as I have never done them.

I'll probably also visit the Luciano Pavarotti house/museum.

I am still trying to figure out how to do a good Balsamic tasting.

 

I've been twice and agree it's a lot in one day. Personal opinion, but I would go to Montana instead for lunch. You should make a reservation.

 

try casa Cavadoni for Balsamic ... its over in Sasoulo... not far.

 

Stay at the Maranello Palace hotel. You need a car. two ways to think about it. Go to Modena in the AM do the Enzo Museum, and you can also do Maserati as its across the tracks... set aside 9.45 to 12. At Noon, go to Maranello and have lunch at 1Pm at Montana, then go to the Ferrari museum. Have dinner at Cavalino that night. Then Do the Factory tour in the AM. Park at the Museum and walk past the GS - race team building. OR do the reverse. You need two days minimum.

Pagani is in Modena, and Lamborghini in Santa Agata both are about 30 min away. ( Pagani is close if you are in Modena for the Enzo museum. Also check out the old Bugatti Factory.

Dinner in Modena down town -Osteria Francescana $$$$$$$, or in Maranello La Gazella ( if its still open ) .... Acetia Cavadoni in Sasoulo, - family run and very nice, ,make an appointment. they also sell Lambrusco as well... forget the Parmesan cheese producer he was north of Modena about 1 hour away... well worth the effort... but that is like a half day experience. dont eat much if you do either agro tours...both serve you a huge "tasting" ....

 

you will need a reso at either place. Cavalino has gone up market... Massimo Bouttura is the Chef... so its $$$ and a production but I would personally go there! both are worth it. Montana is very local, and traditional. No menus they serve what they make. ragu bolognese.... melon & parma ham... lots of parmesan and Lambrusco.

 

There is a lot of driving by buildings but you do get a good 30-45 minutes in the factory. Another 30 at the building by the track which has a lot of cool cars inside upstairs and down. Another 30 at Scuderia which may have the cars there when you go. We had just missed them on their way to Imola. We walked the production line this past Thursday, saw several SF90XX, among all the Romas, 296’s, Cilindri’s etc, went upstairs and saw the Puro’s and the leather production. Had a couple F80’s drive by all decked out in black/white camo tape. Looked like an M&M factory with all the different colored cars on the production line. It’s worth it once.

 

I enjoyed the factory tour. We ate at both Cavallino and Montana; we enjoyed Montana slightly more. We stayed at the Hotel Villa Maranello, which is operated by a wonderful man named Enzo and his family. They make a delicious breakfast. The hotel isn't very large, though, so they may already be booked.

 

Been looking. Think I found it. Full name is "Acetaia Cavedoni".

Thanks for the tip. Really want to fit it in.

 

that is them. Its a family run biz. the Balsamic is very, very good. If you don't know the difference between IGP and DOP... DOP is the stuff you want - but its really hard to find, and its $$$$$$$$$ like Several hundred for a small 5 - 6 oz bottle.... but this is the stuff you can put on ice cream!

 

I've done the tour 3 times, and enjoyed it each time, the time in the assembly hall, is a bit boring... but going to the Clienti building and then to the race team is pretty cool. When we were there, both cars were in between races, and they were literally ripped apart and pegged to a large flat white table like some kind of specimen ... there was a guy testing each circuit. they had the PU under a cover so you could not see all of it. but the cylinder block was on a table and its looked like a shoe box that is how small it is. The tours are about 1.5 hours, depending on who you get. usually its Interns who take you through the factory. the larger the crowd, the shorter the tour.

 

The standardized bottle that all Modena DOP balsamic comes in was designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro. But then, that guy designed almost everything.

 

In reading up on this stuff, I have been made to feel I know NOTHING about Emilia-Romagna balsamic. I very much look forward to a detailed tasting.

Acetaia Cavedoni offers a tasting accompanied with food and, given that I am traveling alone and find eating alone rather lonesome, I may just try to arrange for the grander tasting around mealtime.

 

I did not know that! very interesting.

 

The making of Balsamic Vinegar is very interesting. At Cavedoni, literally the vineyard is right out back, so you can see from harvest to pressing and then storage. Its interesting that the Attic's in a lot of homes in Emilia Romagna have balsamic vinegar casks up there... its a cross between the Solara / Bodega process and evaporation over time. I hope you have a good time there. The vintage Balsamic is really good.... but $$$.

I found the Parmesan maker - Casifica Rosola ... in Zocca. its the one where Bottura sources his Parmesan from. Its excellent.

 

I will never forget the balsamic 'tour' we had over 10 yrs ago. I had no idea behind the process nor the grades produced.
It made a convert out of me.
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https://www.getyourguide.com/parma-l2480/tour-parmigiano-cheese-parma-ham-balsamic-vinegar-t440413/

Can recommend.. we did and was easy way to experience with no stress on travel

 

The crowned heads of Europe have their personal reserves with the best producers. This applies to the production of Culatelo ham and Parmigiano cheese.

 

Pagani is a very small factory and about a 45 minute tour. Spend more time in Maranello and enjoy the Cavallino lunch and do the Enzo Museo in Modena.

 

Agree, Pagani is a bit hit or miss. There is not really much to see... I did get to shake hands with Horacio, he is actually there! when I went, they ( or someone ) was testing a 918 Porsche. it was going in and out of the gates on the back of the factory.... I assume they were doing some comparative tests?.... My wife did not want to go along, she was sleeping in the car!

 

One of my "assignments" at Pagani is buying a bolt at some sort of gift shop they have.

A friend, who visited Pagani in the past, apparently has deep regrets not buying a Pagani bolt.

I will dutifully oblige, if possible. ... I have no idea why this is such a big deal to him.

 

The Schedoni family has its own reserve above the factory

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Better, direct on table, no intermediaries