The town of Maranello may not ring any bells for most people. For serious car fans, though… it’s a mecca.

Maranello, a small town near Modena, Italy (about midway between Florence and Pisa) is nestled in beautiful, winding, mountain roads. The air has a different quality, fresh and clean and the views are breathtaking. The views, however, are not what makes Maranello a specialty tourist attraction.

This is. Ferrari’s main factory and test track is located here. While you can’t get into the factory unless you’re someone like Jay Kay or Michael Schumacher (this picture was the closest we got when visiting), the Ferrari fan can get their fix at the Museo Galleria Ferrari – A museum for all things Ferrari. While I’ll admit that we took the trip primarily for my husband’s sake, there is plenty for everyone to enjoy. It’s almost impossible for even the least automotively-inclined not to appreciate the beauty of a Ferrari.

Exhibits include displays of over 40 cars (including some exceedingly rare models) and glimpses at the Ferrari F1 design process over the years. The museum is open Monday through Sunday (except major holidays). Being a specialty destination, Driver in Italy can prepare a custom quote if you’d like to experience this town. It makes a great add if you’re going to Pisa.

Bonus Tip: For the Ferrari Fanatics, the test track is kept pretty well hidden, but there are a few small bridges where you can get some decent (but obstructed) views. If you’re lucky, you might even see a car on the track. You didn’t hear that from us, though.

Images: Creative Commons Attribution No-Derivative-Works (2.0) images from 59546886@N00’s photostream

4 Responses to “Off the Beaten Path: Maranello”