Recommendations of Milan area places to visit?
Discussion
caiss4 said:
Enzo Ferrari museum in Modena. They run a shuttle to the Ferrari museum in Maranello as well. I didn't bother with that as it appeared to be more focussed on F1 whereas the EF Museum concentrates more on the road cars.
It's by no means all F1 and also Fiorano is just round the corner,it's easy to see stuff circulating without trespassing.the display vehicles change quite regularly.
I've been to the Maranello one 4 times and the Modena one twice.
Have also been to the Turin one above AKA the national motor museum of Italy.
Edited by iva cosworth on Friday 14th August 19:42
I'm planning to visit the Alfa museum next year, I last went in 1988 aged 14! In addition to the places mentioned already the Lamborghini museum is worth a look and you can arrange to have a look round the Pagani factory if you email them beforehand. Not sure if you can still visit the Panini Maserati collection but again worth a look, there's also the small Nuvolari museum in Mantova and the Righini Collection near Modena, the Tonino Lamborghini museum near Carpi and the Bonfanti museum in Bassano del Grappa.
The biggest decision you will have to make is which Alpine pass to cross! 
The Stelvio is often the first one that springs to mind but there are lots of others. Whichever one you choose, ensure your brakes are in good shape as they take a pounding on the long steep decents.
Maybe have an overnight stay around one of the Italian Lakes en route?
The square outside the Duomo is a good place to have a coffee/beer and watch the world go by for an hour, but becareful of being charged 'tourist' prices if you go for a beer inside the Galleria - at least I hope they were tourist prices circa 20 euros for a large beer!
The Pirelli clothing store has a very nice Lancia Stratos on display if you happen to spend a day taking in the sights of Milan centre - Its a good way to get your daily car fix if you are wandering round the fashion stores with the missus!
If you want to be cultural and have a look at The Last Supper, you must book in advance or hang around for half a day and hope for a last minute cancellation. I would imagine the same would apply if you want to see an Opera at La Scala.
Assuming you go to Maranello and fancy a bite to eat, then visit the Montana restaurant, its FULL of Formula 1 memorabilia and its where the team, including drivers eat when in the area, along with many star guests.
If you are around for a second meal, the Cavallino restaurant is where Enzo used to dine - ask if you can take a look around his private dining room.
As mentioned above, the region is full of famous Italian marques, most have a museum nearby.
The Stelvio is often the first one that springs to mind but there are lots of others. Whichever one you choose, ensure your brakes are in good shape as they take a pounding on the long steep decents.Maybe have an overnight stay around one of the Italian Lakes en route?
The square outside the Duomo is a good place to have a coffee/beer and watch the world go by for an hour, but becareful of being charged 'tourist' prices if you go for a beer inside the Galleria - at least I hope they were tourist prices circa 20 euros for a large beer!
The Pirelli clothing store has a very nice Lancia Stratos on display if you happen to spend a day taking in the sights of Milan centre - Its a good way to get your daily car fix if you are wandering round the fashion stores with the missus!
If you want to be cultural and have a look at The Last Supper, you must book in advance or hang around for half a day and hope for a last minute cancellation. I would imagine the same would apply if you want to see an Opera at La Scala.
Assuming you go to Maranello and fancy a bite to eat, then visit the Montana restaurant, its FULL of Formula 1 memorabilia and its where the team, including drivers eat when in the area, along with many star guests.
If you are around for a second meal, the Cavallino restaurant is where Enzo used to dine - ask if you can take a look around his private dining room.
As mentioned above, the region is full of famous Italian marques, most have a museum nearby.
A friend and I went back in July, we had an amazing time but only had 4 days which just isn't enough time!
No need to pre-book at the Alfa Romeo museum, you turn up on the day - if you can find it, it is quite difficult to find from the road.
I would strongly recommend arriving early as you will need to spend a good amount of time there, at least 4-5 hours. They have a cafe/restaurant which serves Chinotto, a local non-alcoholic citrus drink that's wonderful!
Next to the restaurant, inside the museum is an Alfa Romeo dealership with a production-ready Alfa Giulia which you can get up close and personal with.
After the museum I would strongly suggest heading down to Modena. The old town is great to wander around (some amazing Sorbet and local wine/beer).
The Enzo museum is stunning, it's one of those places that just keeps giving and giving. Expect to dedicate a good 3-4 hours.
We stayed in an incredibly cheap hotel, 5 minutes walk from the Enzo museum and the old town. Hotel Europa on Corso Vittorio Emanuele 52, 41121, Modena. It's not the Ritz by any means, but it's clean and more importantly air conditioned. There is also a joined restaurant which serves lovely food (the Tagliatelle Ragu was delicious).
Near Modena is the Panini collection. We ran out of time to visit this one but from speaking to friends it's amazing, if classic Italian cars and bikes are your thing.
You also have the Pagani Factory nearby (prebook only!) and the Lamborghini Museum.
After you've done Modena I recommend spending a day in Maranello. Here you will find the main Ferrari Museum, which is cram packed full of automotive pornography, and the Scuda Ferrari culinary mecca "Ristorante Montana", I strongly suggest visiting for one of your evening meals.
To be honest there is so much that can and should be done in the area, I strongly recommend doing lots of research before you go and try and speak to a few people who have been before.
We grabbed a cheap EasyJet flight down to Milan and hired a Fiat 500 at £30 a day. It's an area that you must have wheels to get around in.
No need to pre-book at the Alfa Romeo museum, you turn up on the day - if you can find it, it is quite difficult to find from the road.
I would strongly recommend arriving early as you will need to spend a good amount of time there, at least 4-5 hours. They have a cafe/restaurant which serves Chinotto, a local non-alcoholic citrus drink that's wonderful!
Next to the restaurant, inside the museum is an Alfa Romeo dealership with a production-ready Alfa Giulia which you can get up close and personal with.
After the museum I would strongly suggest heading down to Modena. The old town is great to wander around (some amazing Sorbet and local wine/beer).
The Enzo museum is stunning, it's one of those places that just keeps giving and giving. Expect to dedicate a good 3-4 hours.
We stayed in an incredibly cheap hotel, 5 minutes walk from the Enzo museum and the old town. Hotel Europa on Corso Vittorio Emanuele 52, 41121, Modena. It's not the Ritz by any means, but it's clean and more importantly air conditioned. There is also a joined restaurant which serves lovely food (the Tagliatelle Ragu was delicious).
Near Modena is the Panini collection. We ran out of time to visit this one but from speaking to friends it's amazing, if classic Italian cars and bikes are your thing.
You also have the Pagani Factory nearby (prebook only!) and the Lamborghini Museum.
After you've done Modena I recommend spending a day in Maranello. Here you will find the main Ferrari Museum, which is cram packed full of automotive pornography, and the Scuda Ferrari culinary mecca "Ristorante Montana", I strongly suggest visiting for one of your evening meals.
To be honest there is so much that can and should be done in the area, I strongly recommend doing lots of research before you go and try and speak to a few people who have been before.
We grabbed a cheap EasyJet flight down to Milan and hired a Fiat 500 at £30 a day. It's an area that you must have wheels to get around in.
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