Family Trip to Italy: Maranello Day Trip Day 6 (Ferrari Headquarters!)

 Day 6: Day Trip to Maranello (Ferrari Headquarters!) (Wednesday, May 20)

Today was all about il cavallino rampante (the prancing horse), the famous red signature color known as Rosso Corsa (racing red), and the sound of one of the most iconic engine sounds in the world!

We were heading to Maranello, the headquarters of Ferrari and the home of the Scuderia Ferrari Formula One racing team!

This day would be a dream come true for Timothy. As a graduation present, we had organized a Ferrari Driving Experience for him which included a chance to drive a Ferrari on the outskirts of Maranello. Also included? A test drive in a Ferrari simulator, tickets to the Ferrari Museum, a bus tour of Ferrari headquarters, lunch at a local restaurant, and the dash cam footage of his drive. It was going to be a red-letter day!

So, with Nicholas, Lauren, Jonathan, and Caroline headed out to visit the Uffizi Gallery, we waited for our private driver (another Best Decision Ever) for the 90-minute drive to Maranello.

When we entered the city, a Ferrari zoomed by. Then another one! And another! Is there anything like the sound of a Ferrari engine? Later that day I learned that the founder, Enzo Ferrari, was rumored to sit blindfolded in a soundproof room and, purely by listening, would troubleshoot problems by the sound of the engine.

We checked in at the office and Timothy filled out paperwork, submitted his international driver’s license, and was given a bright red packet containing Ferrari memorabilia, driving certificate, lunch voucher, and museum tickets. Then, he entered the simulator to get a feel for the car. He had 10 minutes to practice before we headed outside for the real thing—a Ferrari 488!

And then, with Timothy in the driver’s seat and his instructor riding shotgun … 3, 2, 1 they were off!

Later, we watched the dash-cam video and saw that Timothy reached 183 km during his drive (with the encouragement of his instructor who kept saying, “Push! Push!”). (Note: in the video, you cannot see the “1” but, rest assured, it was 183 km!) No holding back whatsoever. Timothy was all smiles when he exited the Ferrari.

Afterwards, we toured the Ferrari Museum. Truthfully, I experienced tiny twinges of regret that I was missing the Uffizi Gallery back in Florence, but I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed the Ferrari Museum. It really was fascinating and … here … I’ll share an interesting fact about Ferrari’s signature red color (of which there are 15 different shades):

 

Rosso Corsa is the most widely known

Rosso Scuderia: A lighter, brighter shade that was originally used on their Formula 1 cars (to pop better on television).

Rosso Dino: A slightly orange-hued red used in the 1960s.

Rosso Maranello: A deep, metallic triple-layer paint.

Rosso Fiorano: A darker, more sophisticated shade of red named after the company's test track.

 

When we exited the museum, we boarded a bus for a tour of Ferrari’s headquarters and manufacturing campus. Alas, no photos were allowed, but we got to see the Operational Headquarters and Research Center and the large wind tunnel built in the shape of a car engine.

After the tour, we were starving! Vouchers in hand, we walked to a local restaurant (Ristorante Drake) and had one of the most delicious meals of our trip: two types of pasta, cold cuts, cheese, spreads, and a basket of gnocco frito (fried bread which we devoured).

During the drive back to Florence … well, I cannot tell you much about. Cocooned in a nice, air-conditioned van, with room to stretch out, and the fact that the return route involved driving through the Apennines and therefore going through many long and dark tunnels … well, zzzzzzz.

We arrived back totally refreshed and ready to enjoy our last evening in Florence. After a light dinner and a gelato, we walked to Piazza della Signoria to see the replica David, Mercato Loggia to listen to a violinist play Ed Sheeran’s “Perfect”, and Ponte Vecchio where we joined the crowd in singing along to “Volare”.

Did I mention that Florence at night is very magical?

Tomorrow … Verona!

Family Trip to Italy: Tuscany Day 5 (A Wine Tasting and Dante)

 Day 5: Day Trip to Tuscany (Siena, wine tasting & lunch, San Gimignano) 

(Tuesday, May 19)

I was excited about today because we were going to Tuscany! I booked this day trip through Viator to include a visit to two Tuscan towns (Siena and San Gimignano) and a wine tasting and lunch at a local vineyard. It was going to be a grand day!

We walked to Piazzale Montelungo, boarded our bus, and within 90 minutes we arrived in Siena, a beautiful Medieval Tuscan town. Twice a year Siena is festooned with colorful flags (representing the different contrade, or neighborhoods) to celebrate the world-famous Palio, a 90-second bareback horse race around the Piazza del Campo. It is insane! The jockey does not even have to make it across the finish line to win … only the horse.

Incredibly, when I was in Siena in 2019 (just before you-know-what stopped the world in its tracks), our Girls’ group had the honor to meet Rosanna Bonelli who, in 1957, became the first (and only) woman to race as a jockey in Siena's Palio. 

Anyway, I was excited to share Siena with my crew, and the town did not disappoint. After a quick orientation, we were given two hours to explore the town. Of course, everyone headed straight to the famous Piazza del Campo, and then up the hill to the Cathedral of Siena. Our tour did not include entrance tickets, but I had purchased them ahead of time, so we bypassed the line and entered the Cathedral with its unique black and white marble exterior. Breathtaking. And the interior was even more so.

We spent the rest of the time walking the streets and alleyways. At one point we could smell pizza, and despite the fact that our next stop would involve lunch in a vineyard, Timothy just had to get a dinosaur-sized slice. He called it his morning snack.

 After Siena, we re-boarded the bus and drove to Agricola Poggio a Laghi, a vineyard in the heart of the Chianti region. Sangiovese is their signature grape variety. After welcoming us with a sparkling white wine, we sat down to a lunch of lasagna and cold cuts. At each place setting were six glasses for the wine tasting. As we ate, the sommelier had specific instructions before tasting each wine: hold the glass (by the stem!), swirl in a clockwise motion, take a sip, hold for three seconds, and then swallow slowly. He explained in detail what we were feeling. At one point he said, “What you are tasting is not the wine. No, you are tasting the soil of our region, the sun that grew the grapes, the vines that go back generations.” I mean … he was so emotional and dramatic about the wine that it brought tears to my eyes!

Needless to say, it was so much fun. AND we purchased some wine and balsamic vinegar.

We arrived in San Gimignano by mid-afternoon and were given free time to explore that charming hilltop town. The views were breathtaking. We wandered the streets, shopped, and listened to Dante himself reciting the Divine Comedy.

That evening, back in Florence, we had dinner together (and an obligatory gelato). Then we walked to the Loggia del Mercato Nuova to rub the boar snout and to Ponte Vecchio for some sunset photos. Both places had live street entertainment.

Florence at night is so magical!

Tomorrow is Ferrari Day!