What to do in Maranello?

[MacG]

Family holiday in Italy this Summer takes us very close to Maranello and I have a pass (that I didn't even request) to spend a bit of time there.

I know there is a Ferrari museum, but I do not know whether it is any good and whether there are other petrolhead 'must-sees' in the vicinity.

Can one ever, for example, get close to the Fiorano test track, and are there always cars flying around it?

Advice please.

[bryn_p]

I was there last month and really enjoyed the Museum, it's not expensive to get in either (12 euro I think?).

You can also pay to drive Ferraris outside (not an official Ferrari thing). They had a 458 Italia (which I drove), 430 Scud, 430, 430 Spider, California and a Gallardo LP560-4.

We also walked down to Fiorano and you can see over the Fence but there was only a 599 lapping which wasn't particularly exciting. I guess what you will see totally depends on the day though.

Can't tell you anything about the town itself I'm afraid.

Cheers,
Bryn.

[chevronb37]

GV statue is worth a moment of reflection and there are quite a few automobilia shops to enjoy, though they didn't seem nearly as good 4 years ago as they had been 15 years ago. There is also the Cavallino restaurant which is relatively inexpensive, utterly delicious and full of awesome photos and Ferrari stuff generally. Enjoy!

[tomtom]

It's a bit of a one horse town really. Not much to do, we ended up sitting in bars most of the time.

As above really, although the Montana restaurant is also fantastic.

[Magic919]

tomtom said:

It's a bit of a one horse town really.

I see what you did there.

[AndrewD]

Eat at Montana, and bring some of their balsamic back with you

[cayman-black]

bryn_p said:

I was there last month and really enjoyed the Museum, it's not expensive to get in either (12 euro I think?).

You can also pay to drive Ferraris outside (not an official Ferrari thing). They had a 458 Italia (which I drove), 430 Scud, 430, 430 Spider, California and a Gallardo LP560-4.

We also walked down to Fiorano and you can see over the Fence but there was only a 599 lapping which wasn't particularly exciting. I guess what you will see totally depends on the day though.

Can't tell you anything about the town itself I'm afraid.

Cheers,
Bryn.

Pay to drive a Ferrari.????????????????? Never seen or heard about this.

[Magic919]

All around the museum you'll find places that do this. We took out a 458 and the LP560 Gallardo.

[crostonian]

Yes, check out www.maranellorentcar.it

This is one of the main ones, if you google 'Ferrari Noleggio Maranello' a few more are thrown up.

[jtremlett]

If you're there on a weekday stand by the side gate of the factory for a bit and you'll see all the new cars coming and going out on test drives. If you're lucky they'll be a prototype of two as well (the experimental department is the building just to the left of the side gate).

Also visit the Galleria as mentioned above. Toni Auto's workshop (a little way down the road from the Cavallino restaurant) always has something interesting in. A little further down the road goes over a bridge where you can see into Fiorano. No chance of a current F1 car testing these days unfortunately but still worth checking to see what might be on track (anything with a race engine you can hear all over town). See if you can see into Zanasi by the entrance of Fiorano. Again, often something interesting in there but visitors are not always encouraged. A number of souvenir shops around town. Shopping Formula 1 close to Cavallino, opposite the old factory gate is the best for books and 1:43 models. Warm up, next to the Galleria is better for large scale models and clothing. The official store next to Cavallino has all the official stuff. Finally, as mentioned above, look out for the statue of Gilles Villeneuve by the entrance to Fiorano and cast a glance at the street names around town too.

Jonathan

[crostonian]

If you are arriving through Modena, on the Via Emilia just south of the city is the Stanguellini Fiat dealership which has a collection at the back and Auto Speak a classic car dealer who have some great stock. If you have a bit more time don't forget that Lamborghini, Pagani, Maserati and Ducati are also in the area.

[isuk]

This should help http://www.arthomobiles.fr/MaranelloGuide/guidemar...

[Auburn852]

Check out www.motorvalley.com. Links to all the car factories, bike factories, and, my personal favourite: the museums and collections:
http://www.motorvalley.com/museums-and-collections...

Enjoy!