I have 5 hours in Modena... What to do?

You may or may not be lucky with the tour but if you can get down the road to Maranello do the Galleria and just wander around - that should take most of your allotted hours - read the creme puffs thread to get a feel for the area - I'm guessing you'll need a taxi from Modena and if you're hungry Cavallino or Montana

 

Modena e Maranello SI trovano Molto lontane da Portofino. Il viaggio durerà Minimo 3 ore per la sola Andata .
SARÀ A Maranello Interessante Visitare L'Officina "Toni" Che SI TROVA all'ingresso di Fronte Del Vecchio Stabilimento Ferrari.
Modena e Maranello è a lungo lontano da Portofino. Viaggio di minimo 3 Hs .
In visita a Maranello "Officina Toni " , di fronte al modo vecchia entrata in Ferrari (Via Abetone ).

 

So... you're visiting 7 cities in 10 days. Too bad you can't stay longer in each one to get a better feel for each city. Actually, I just wish you could stay longer in Modena and Maranello.

 

You are definitely going on a whirlwind trip hitting all those wonderful places.

Regarding the factory tour it might be difficult. Factory tours around the time of the Italian Grand Prix are often reserved for sponsors and special customers. But give it a whirl with your dealer anyway. The tour will take up most of your 5 hour allotment so if you get it there really is not much time to do much else.

If you don't get the factory tour you should visit the Galleria Museum, the Ferrari Store, Cavallino for lunch and the shops around Maranello. They are fun things to do. You will be surprised how fast the time will go.

I have made the drive from Santa Margherita to Maranello a couple of times. Santa May is just 5 miles east of Portofino. You will take the Autostrada that parellels the coast and then turn east around La Spezia IIRC. The highway that crosses the mountains from there is very scenic and also has little traffic. When you approach the other side the scenery becomes more industrial and not memorable as you close in on Maranello. I believe you will exit Modena Nord to get the shortest route to Maranello. I think your 2.5 hour estimate is close. But allow for traffic on the A1 as well as getting lost trying to find Maranello.

Are you renting a car from Portofino? Keep in mind that the pace and ease of renting a car in Italy is not like using Hertz. Everything takes longer. Plan accordingly.

 

There's a spot down a residential street where it ends overlooking the Test Track, you can see everything running that day....

Maybe someone with better knowledge could point you towards that.....

 

Another vote for having a meal at Ristorante Cavalino. The "other" restaurant, name slips my mind, only opnes for dinner and you may not be in the area at that time. Cavalino offers up a very nice lunch. In fact, had lunch and dinner there and after dinner got to visit Enzo's private dinning quarters. Still used for the big wigs.

 

A lot of the shops close in the afternoon for a couple of hours, and we didn't know that until too late. Shop early.

 

the car stuff is fine but the area is famous for something other than horsepower. food. parma has great ham and cheeses. modena is where balsamic vinegar comes from. these are things you can purchase and take home. prociutto that melts in your mouth. parma-reganio cheese from small local farms

 

Generally shops closing are between 12:30 or 1 PM to 3 or 3:30 PM. Since you have to be back in Portofino at 6 PM make that time for your lunch at Cavallino.

If you get back to Portofino at around 5 or so have an aperitivo at one of the outdoor bars overlooking the harbor. My preferred bar was on the northeast side of the piazza closest to the corner. My wife loved their fresh strawberry rossinis.....made w/ Cliquot. This simple little time spent in the harbor is true la dolce vita......

 

What cruise line are you going on? I did a very similar cruise with Regent just a couple of weeks ago. It was fantastic.

 

The website for the Galleria says that it has 40 models on display. Does that mean there are only 40 individual cars? Or are there more cars, but only 40 models represented? Thanks.

 

Have a good time when you're there!

If you have limited time to spend around town I suggest you:

* take a look at the old factory entrance (Via Abetone)
* visit the Ferrari Store (and other stores around town)
* check out the Galleria Ferrari
* take a look at Carrozzeria Zanasi's workshop: http://www.zanasiferrari.it/ita/home/home.aspx
* check out the action at the Fiorano testtrack

You might also want to check out the other factory entrances while new cars come and go being test driven.

Gr. Martin

 

Does anyone have any more precise info on this "spot"?

I´m in Maranello now on Thursday (9:th Sep), & would appreciate some more info on this.

Thanks in advance..

 

You can check the action on track out at the bottom of this picture in the Via Marsala, or at the right of this picture in the via Giardini Sud:

http://maps.google.nl/maps?q=maranello&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-a&ie=UTF8&hl=nl&hq=&hnear=Maranello+Modena,+Emilia-Romagna,+Itali%C3%AB&ll=44.534703,10.858762&spn=0.005851,0.013937&t=h&z=17

Gr. Martin

 

Thank you very much!

/Anders.

 

Don't forget to post them pictures!

Gr. Martin

 

My "weapon" will be an iPhone, so I´m afraid the pics will not be the best!!

 

You can also drive the latest models:

http://shop.pitlane.cc/noleggio-ferrari

http://www.pushstart.it/