Blogs from Modena, Emilia-Romagna, Italy, Europe

Now for the very serious business of the cars. There are 2 Ferrari museums; one in Modena and one in Maranello. I’d gotten tickets to the Maranello museum so that we could try to get into the factory as we can get in free as Ferrari owners. We hopped in a cab and got to Maranello; we had the driver leave us off at the factory. Dale was so impressed as there is a driveway that is in many photos and there he was, walking on the driveway. We asked about going into the factory and were told we had to ask at the museum so we walked there. As it turns out, we could not take the boys into the factory as there is an age limit of 16. We were disappointed but at least ... read more

Une journée de plus de notre voyage qui s'achève, eh la la! Mais on n'a pas l'impression que ça a passé trop vite, donc c'est OK. Aujourd'hui, on a visité 2 autres villes. Vive le train! On va officiellement pouvoir dire : Émilie-Romagne, check! C'est une très belle région de l'Italie, mais probablement pas incontournable comparativement a d'autres. On est très contents de l'avoir découverte! Ce matin, on a visité Modèene (ou Modena), la ville du vinaigre balsamique. Je pensais qu'on en verrait partout et qu'on pourrait en goûter, mais non. On aurait pu organiser une visite d'un producteur avec ll'office de tourisme, mais ça nous semblait trp compliqué. Si on était aux USA, il y aurait eu au moins 5 kiosques de dégustation de vinaigre balsamique et deux fois plus de boutiques attrape-touristes ou ils ... read more

Where is the world is Suzy Sundance ? She is parked up in a motorcaravan club sosta in the town of Modena. After another relatively peaceful night on the sosta only disturbed by the gentle trundle of the train, a lorry driver running his engine and a family with three year old in tow . She played football on the empty car park until the witching hour . Had she been mine she would be long gone to the land of nod. And we did what we never do which is set our van alarm off waking us but the rest of the town slumbered and did not bat an eyelid. Today was going to be Parma day. Parma Violets those lovely dragees that smell of perfume, taste like perfume and are pure perfume. Beloved of ... read more

Socialism: a family affair All I saw of Bologna as I motored on through its highways were the booted prostitutes on the street corner, wearing hot pants in the snow. When I reached Modena, my host Claudio told me they were mostly Romanians and Nigerians, who had settled into that particular market niche in Northern Italy. As he told me this, we watched hundreds of young and old Modenese parade through the streets in support of a communist agenda in the upcoming national elections. Swarms of impartial SWAT officers stood aloofly, observing the protest. Two beaming young girls rushed to a portable microphone, and led the chanting that accompanied the march. They smiled with great satisfaction as they venomously unleashed their harsh words of criticism against the sitting government. My host family Claudio and Cornelia are ... read more

Activities Maserati Factory Visit Lunch at Cavallino Ferari Museum Visit Highlight(s) * Sneaking a peak through the fence of the Ferraris on the famous Maranello test track * Watching Maseratis being assembled by hand on the production line * Seeing the new, limited edition Alfa Romeo C8 which is being assembled at Maserati (Ferrari, Maserati, Alfa Romeo and Lancia are all now brands under the Fiat banner) * Authentic risotto for lunch at the renowned Cavallino Restaurant where Ferrari drivers and employees dine * Dining alfresco at a local pizzeria * Michel's Gelati count - 20 * Joceline's Italian / French / German Coffee count - 45 Odd Spot(s) * Number of people stopped on side of road to catch a glimpse (through gaps in fencing and trees) of Ferraris being tested on Maranello racetrack ... read more