in Venice from 28 Jan to Feb 03...

hey luke!
enjoy your trip, in case you haven't already visited before, that's a beautiful area of italy.
i grew up not far from there, in vicenza. (btw, are you staying IN venice? will you have a car?).
the weather may not be too great right now, it is pretty cold, foggy and it can be rainy - even snow is possible.
still, venice is one of the most beautiful cities in the world...
anyway, back to your question; i am not sure about factory tours (there are a few motorcycle factories in the area, if you are into that); there is a good automobile museum in bassano - les than 2 hour drive from venice, that might be a good way to spend a few hours.... let me think about it a day or two, maybe i can come up with something else
ciao

 

well - venice maybe not a lucky joice for car enthusiasts. they dont have that much roads in venice.......

go to padova - its very near, about 20 kilometers - and try a visit at michelotto, the famous f-car racing tuner. i´ve been there and had a nice time. but - no cameras inside !

 

hey luke,

Michelotto G. & C. S.n.c.
Via Chiesanuova, 27
Padova, Italy, 35100
Phone: 011 39 049-871-3811

couldn't find fax or email, sorry! they are in padova, there are trains from venice every half hour, it is around 30 minutes by train; easiest way is to get a cab from the train station once you get there, unless you are driving.

http://www.museobonfanti.veneto.it/ this one is near bassano, about 1-1 1/2 hours drive

http://www.museonicolis.com/website/collezione_auto_00main.htm
this one is near verona, less than 2 hours by car

ciao
stefano

p.s.: i live in santa monica but work in l.a. - different design though, i am in clothing....and i used to live in northern california too, s.f. ...

 

If you want to make a good tour, try to get a copy of CAR Magazine August 2005, last September i spend three weeks in northern Italy, including Venice, and i used the article "SUPERCAR VALLEY" that has all the directions, schedules,everything.

 

There's an excellent restaurant in Padova called "Mario & Mercedes." Also, the best pizza in town is a place called "Mandrillo" and the best panini are at "Bar degli Osei." I lived in Padova and return 2 to 3 times per year. It's a college town - the women are HOT.

 

Be careful of the food in Venezia. It can be very "funky" and probably not what you'd expect in Italy. There are 2 great restaurants: Locanda Montin and Trattoria San Trovaso. Neither has funky Venetian and nor will break your wallet.