Recommended Travel Destination for the Petrolhead

By Tiff Needell

Still got some summer holiday time spare? Tiff Needell recommends a sojourn to Northern Italy and the home of exotic sports cars...

If you fancy a late summer holiday, I’ve got the perfect place for a car nut to visit: the Emilia Romagna region of Italy. Why? Well, it’s an area that includes such quaint towns as Modena, where they make Maseratis, San Cesario sul Panaro, where Paganis are built, Sant’ Agata Bolognese, the home of Lamborghini, and Maranello, which is where you’ll find Ferrari. Need I say more? Yes, all huddled together right in the middle of the top portion of Italy, a couple of hours south of Milan or 30 minutes north of Bologna, live the four greatest supercar manufacturers in the whole wide world!

And a day never goes by round there when you won’t stop and stare as a piece of motoring exotica howls by. Sometimes you even get to see exclusive camouflaged prototypes being tested on the surrounding roads.

I’ve visited the region on many occasions, and every time you know you are heading not only for an automotive treat, but also a cultural one. In fact, so many great memories during my time in motoring journalism have come from here – perhaps none better than driving Alain Prost’s 1990 Ferrari 641 grand prix car, which scored the marque’s 100th F1 victory. I was really lucky to get the chance to do that.

My most recent trip, though, was to test the fabulous new Maserati GranTurismo. It continues the resurgence of this famous marque, which had somewhat fallen into the doldrums before first being taken over by Fiat in 1992, then more importantly being placed under the wing of Ferrari six years later. Normally, makers launch their new cars in foreign lands thousands of miles away from their factories. Well, you would, too, if you were based in Luton!

But for the lucky few that are situated in the stunning Emilia Romagna region of Italy, there’s no need. The Apennine mountains – with their switchback roads and jaw-dropping scenery – aren’t far away. There’s probably no better place on earth to film, photograph and put a thrilling driver’s machine through its paces.

Unfortunately, it’s a long, slow crawl out of the towns to get there, but this gives you a chance to familiarise yourself with the car and the local drivers. After a while, the towns open up and you’re in the most scenic rolling countryside with winding, hairpin-strewn roads. And the hills come alive with the sound of music – well, screaming V8s, V10s and V12s at least!

But of course it’s not only the cars that make this part of Italy so special. It’s the people, the place and the food. Modena is a charming little town, steeped in history with its 11th century cathedral. It’s a joy to wander round. Yet when it comes to fine eating, there is only one place for the car enthusiast to go: the Montana in Maranello.

Tucked away round the back of Ferrari’s test track – where on many a day you will hear the wailing sound of a grand prix car pounding round – sits Rosella and Maurizio’s famous little restaurant.

Since opening in 1967, it has become the home of Ferrari personnel and drivers alike. The walls are covered with photos and memorabilia. Messages and signatures from both motor racing and motorbike worlds are everywhere – with photos of Rosella and Michael Schumacher taking pride of place. This eatery is an absolute must for any Ferrari fan visiting the area. And the food is just so good.

For the car nut, there’s no better holiday destination in the world than the Emilia Romagna region of North Italy