How did we end up visiting Modena, Italy? We started off in Rome, Jay was taking part in a conference in Rome, the conference dictated the location for the trip. We were in Rome for several days, we talked about going south to Naples, or northeast to Venice. I was reading mixed reports about Naples, most of them saying get in and see Pompey and get out, so we settled on Venice. We took the train from Rome, changing in Florence, onto Venice. Between Venice and returning to Rome to fly home, we had a few days. I looked at the map for what was part way in between. Modena caught my eye, because of Balsamic Vinegar, when I zoomed in on the map, there was the Ferrari museum. A quick google search later, and I discovered the Ferrari history museum is in Modena, and the factory with the racing museum is at Maranello, with shuttle bus service between the two. The train connections were good, the mainline from Venice into Bologna, and a local train north from there.
Modena is a neat city on it's own. There is a large University, a nice pedestrian and shopping area - that had a street market on the day we were there. There is Balsamic vinegar, and parmigiano cheese - lots of amazing food. We passed the Maserati headquarters on our way to Maranello. It was really neat.
And we ended up there, because I needed someplace between Venice and Rome, and I wanted someplace we hadn't been (Florence was an option, but we had spent a week there once.) I need to pick more random places that just fill out the agenda.
This whole post made me sick for Warbucks.
ReplyDeleteThis part summer should have been our trip to Portofino and Lake Cuomo. And he drives a Maserati. I think he still has it. I drove it once before he moved. Was like riding on air. But I hated driving it, in fear Id back into something parking it in New Hope.
The new one's have back-up cameras, in time dear one, in time we will return to the adventures in life.
DeleteI thought Naples was ok. Not terribly interesting and somewhat overwhelmed with tourists, local and foreign, but ok to wander around. It was the best demonstration of the further from the tourist port you walk, the cheaper everything becomes. Coffee was half the price a kilometre into the city than 200 metres into the city.
ReplyDeleteA couple of blocks off the beaten path can make a real difference
Delete"Modena caught my eye, because of Balsamic Vinegar"
ReplyDeleteNot something you will ever hear me say.
Discovered it back the 1980's when Williams Sonoma had a great mail order catalog.
DeleteYes, there are wonderful places to be seen "off the beaten (tourist) track."
ReplyDeleteSome of the best
DeleteI bet that was an interesting place to visit. I was in that area back in 2012 when I visited a friend who was working in Treviso near Venice. Believe it or not, I still have about half a bottle of Modena Balsamic vinegar that I bought in Treviso. It just keeps getting better.
ReplyDeleteGood stuff
Delete(sings) when the moon hits your eye like a big-a pizza pie, that's amore...
ReplyDeleteHow long will that earworm stay with me.
Deletelovely
ReplyDeleteI could live there, I'd have to learn Italian, but I could live there.
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