Did anyone do the Maranello factory tour?

Congratulations on your win

You may be surprised to learn that many members have had factory tours over the years and as a result there's about a thousand threads answering all your queries mainly in the general section

 

Congratulations on your win

You may be surprised to learn that many members have had factory tours over the years and as a result there's about a thousand threads answering all your queries mainly in the general section

eg https://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/threads/visiting-maranello.580642/

https://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/threads/factory-tour.569703/

Plenty more

 

The closest airport is Bologna, but I would be very surprised that you could fly direct to Bologna from the United States. (Bologna is a beautiful city that must be visted).
From Bologna, you then have to go to Modena, which is about 25 miles from Bologna (And, by the way, Modena is a nice city that deserves a visit). There is a train shuttle service between Bologna and Modena. Then, from Modena to Maranello, it is about 15 miles.

Rgs

 

If it's your first trip to Italy maybe try to also visit Venice/Florence, the Factory is great of course but travelling from the USA make the most of your time.

 

I did a tour of the factory in 2016 organised through my local dealer as an owner and the instructions were pretty much the same. Get there 10 to 15 minutes before hand . You’ll be greeted, confirm some details, they’ll tape up any camera phones etc so you can’t take pics and then be asked to grab a seat until they’re ready to go. Tour is awesome and as they don’t do public tours you do get that feeling of seeing something beyond the reach of the general public. My partner and I treated brilliantly. Your tour will likely include a visit to one or both museums, one in Maranello and one in Modena, also both great to visit. As others have said, see more of Italy while you’re there if you have the opportunity. Stunning country


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Congrats David! You’re going to have fun for sure. I did went back in 2009 when they were building the 599

 

Well, I’ve been there a few times. Not with a lottery mind you but through the Ferrari owners club here in Austria.
Bologna airport is good. Milan can be crazy if you can avoid it.



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If you are from California as your location states, fly to east coast (JFK or Newark) then to Milan. Rent a car or arrange for personal travel to Bologna or Maranello (~3hr drive, wasn't bad). I suggest stay at GH Baglioni in Bologna (~ 25min to factory) and either drive to factory (parking was hard to find) or go by hire. Also if you have time do some other factories and cheese, balsamic & ham tours. Or stay closer to factory in Maranello . There is another thread posted here that lists a number of things to do.
Have a great time. I'm going again in July

 

I went on the factory tour in 2015.

Yes, search this website as there is lots of threads related to it.

The logistical tips/comments I will provide are:
- there is lots of free on-street parking around the factory.
- arrive plenty early. The famous Cavallino restaurant directly across the street has a coffee shop in the back which opens early and is a great place to sit and wake up.
- yes, you simply walk through the famous main gate (fence) and immediately turn right. There is a guest reception room there.

 

I'll put it this way: we were vacationing in the Cinque Terra area and my brother and I drove to Maranello and back as a day trip. That's half way across the country. It was fun.

Having said that, there were many things we missed not spending time in Modena and the area. (I suspect they roll up the sidewalks at night in Maranello itself.)

 

why would you want to be talked out of it?

it's fine, imo.

driving to & fro not a problem (i only had problem finding parking, I couldn't figure out posted signs)

You'll have a blast

 

David if you want, you can also ship your QV to Italy and use it to drive around the country.
That would be awesome to drive your car to her birth place.

 

If you drove in France and Germany, you wouldn't be out of your element, but driving in Emily-Romagne can be testing at times, because of the traffic, which can be quite heavy. Just remember that many historic cities have small, narrow streets, and are not easy for parking spots; check beforehand, as circulation inside historic cities might be restricted. As for visiting Italy, well: it's probably one of the most beautiful country in the world if you like architecture, old cities, fine food, etc...so there is something to be seen almost everywhere. As I wrote above, the city of Bologne itself really deserve a vist, for instance. Or go up North to the lakes and make a grand tour of these; or turn around and go to Florence, then visit Tuscany...well, there is something to visit almost everywhere, in fact. One year wouldn't be enough.

Rgds

 

When being in Bologna, for a car nut a drive to Florence across the Raticosa and Futa-passes is a must. It's a section of the Mille Miglia. I would rent an Abarth 595 for it. But beware, on weekends there's heavy motorbike traffic.

Best from Germany
Martin

 

Make sense, Martin. And it will be at the end of June, so the traffic will indeed be intense...
Rgds

 

I once drove there on a Holy Saturday (is this term correct for the day between Good Friday and Easter?) Crazy!

Best Regards
Martin

 

No good idea. If he gets a problem with his QV, they will empty his wallet.

Best from Germany
Martin

 

Been there a few times from various parts of the USA. Bologna is easiest and if you don't know your way around or are familiar with Italy getting a cab at the airport terminal is very easy and not really expensive. He can drop you at the front door. Actually cab rides in Italy are kind of fun. All the cabbies think they are being interviewed for a spot on the F1 team. After the tour walk around Maranello and look at the shops and museums. Then? Whatever for the rest of your trip. One thing I'd do for sure it to go to Modena and see the museum there too. There are no bad side trips, You cannot run out of things to see or great restaurants.

English is very widely spoken so do not worry about a language barrier.

 

Never stayed there myself, so take care, but I have heard nice things from friends about the "Maranello Palace". "Palace" seems to be kind of a misnomer: a "Palace" it seems not to be, but a nice hotel nevertheless.
Rgds

 

That’s why it’s important to keep the 308 in top shape before driving it overseas.