Emilia Romagna is a car and motorbike enthusiast’s dream come true. Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati and Ducati all have their factories and museums in the area, which is known as ‘Motor Valley’. Find out more at the following websites:

The Ferrari museum (and factory and racetrack) is in Maranello, just south of Modena. Tickets can be bought in advance on the website.

There is also the Museo Casa Enzo Ferrari in Modena. This museum focuses on Enzo Ferrari himself and the history of racing cars. Part of the museum complex is the house in which Enzo was born, but alongside it is a beautiful futuristic eco-friendly exhibition gallery with a yellow roof that resembles a Ferrari bonnet. Again, tickets can be purchased online.

The Lamborghini Museum in Sant’Agata Bolognese (between Bologna and Modena) is open Monday – Friday. Factory visits must be booked at least five days in advance.

There is also the Ferruccio Lamborghini museum in Dosso, nr Ferrara, which is opened only on request  (+39 051 86 26 28).

Details on the Ducati Museum (near Bologna) can be found at  (again, museum and factory tours need to be booked in advance).

There are also two amazing private collections of historic and classic cars that can be visited (once again, they need to be contacted in advance):

The Stanguellini Museum in Modena, open Mon-Fri 2pm-6pm by appointment only.

The Panini Museum in Cittanova, nr Modena, is open by appointment only, March – October, but closed in August! It includes one of the finest collections of Maseratis (23) and is situated on a farm that also sells fantastic organic Parmesan.