Advice please - Monaco to Bologna in May

[Guy]

In May, I am planning a trip with a couple of petrol head friends to incorporate the Monaco Classic, followed a week later by the Emilia Romagna GP. The route to Monaco and back from Bologna will be fast but dull utilising the Autoroutes and Autovia (keeping total trip length to a minimum - a stretched boys weekend!!). The interesting part is the routes to explore between the two. Current thinking is Route Napoleon, Alps, Lakes but looking for any advice. We have 5 days to cover 500kms direct driving. Any good ideas really appreciated (including any must do places of interest). I suspect we will base ourselves in Bologna for the F1 weekend. Thanks.

 

[urquattrogus]

The Emiglia Romagna area has an official "Motor Valley" area with lots to look at, that should list out places you can visit.

This might be in the wrong direction but one of my tips would be to visit Dallara if you can, they have a new building with a nice small museum.

Dallara · Via Provinciale, 33, 43040 Varano de' Melegari PR, Italy

★★★★★ · Manufacturer

maps.app.goo.gl

There is also a small circuit next to Dallara although unlikely to be much on....

I've been to Dallara twice and 5 mins down the road we went to this restaurant for lunch both times, great food

Osteria Delle Vigne · Via Roma, 4, 43040 Varano de' Melegari PR, Italy

★★★★★ · Restaurant

maps.app.goo.gl

 

[Guy]

The Emiglia Romagna area has an official "Motor Valley" area with lots to look at, that should list out places you can visit.

This might be in the wrong direction but one of my tips would be to visit Dallara if you can, they have a new building with a nice small museum.

Dallara · Via Provinciale, 33, 43040 Varano de' Melegari PR, Italy

★★★★★ · Manufacturer

maps.app.goo.gl

There is also a small circuit next to Dallara although unlikely to be much on....

I've been to Dallara twice and 5 mins down the road we went to this restaurant for lunch both times, great food

Osteria Delle Vigne · Via Roma, 4, 43040 Varano de' Melegari PR, Italy

★★★★★ · Restaurant

maps.app.goo.gl

Thanks Angus, my sister has a house about 40 mins from Dallara near Bardi and have driven past the factory when visiting so I might see if we can borrow the house and visit Dallara on one of the days.
Had a recommendation to go to Panini Museum too. Modena is not too far from there too. I'll check out the 'Motor Valley' tourist info but personal recommendations are often best in my experience.
Need to find some good roads to though I recall the mountains around Bardi are pretty good and this time won't be in a rental!

 

[urquattrogus]

Thanks Angus, my sister has a house about 40 mins from Dallara near Bardi and have driven past the factory when visiting so I might see if we can borrow the house and visit Dallara on one of the days.
Had a recommendation to go to Panini Museum too. Modena is not too far from there too. I'll check out the 'Motor Valley' tourist info but personal recommendations are often best in my experience.
Need to find some good roads to though I recall the mountains around Bardi are pretty good and this time won't be in a rental!

The Panini Museum is quite cool, especially the maserati Element. Quite small but worth a look, I loved the Ghibli Open Cup they have there, a bit weird to find, as you might have heard, it’s on a working Dairy farm

Then there is the compulsory vineyard and balsamico visits!!

Sounds like a lot of fun

I have a baby on the way for April so no lads trips for me this year!!

I have also been to Pagani, it was worth a look, small visitor centre and I think you can book a factory tour, the factory building is interesting, went with a lorry crane manufacturer.

 

[RoaryRati]

Check out the Route des Grand Alpes - a bit to the east of Route Napoleon - (we're planning Route Napoleon to south France and returning via RDGA) - and from my research it's a lot more challenging (and fun) than route Napoleon - Col de Larche or Maddalena is fun too

 

[Guy]

Ok, planning under way and accommodation sorted in Antibes for the Monaco Classic (we’ll take the train to annd from Monaco) and Bologna (train to and from circuit). Does anyone have a recommendation for secure parking in either town? Need somewhere to leave an FF for each weekend away from the touch parking so common in Europe. Thanks

 

[safrane]

It may not be the same, but when I have visited Canne, the older houses on the front often let other drivers use their carparks for a fee.

 

[DLax69]

It may not be the same, but when I have visited Canne, the older houses on the front often let other drivers use their carparks for a fee.

Same with a place like Villefranche...also relatively convenient to Monaco...

 

[P R]

Have you done the Maserati factory tour? That was very good, a see everything look around the production of the MC20
If you go in your Maser they let you park in the plant itself
Also route wise I really enjoy the A15 La Spezia to Parma. Its a motorway but it goes over the Cisa pass and its fun (I prefer it to the sometimes overly tight usual passes). Very traffic dependant of course but when quiet you can pick you line across both lanes... allegedly!

 

[Guy]

Have you done the Maserati factory tour? That was very good, a see everything look around the production of the MC20
If you go in your Maser they let you park in the plant itself
Also route wise I really enjoy the A15 La Spezia to Parma. Its a motorway but it goes over the Cisa pass and its fun (I prefer it to the sometimes overly tight usual passes). Very traffic dependant of course but when quiet you can pick you line across both lanes... allegedly!

Going in an FF so would have to park with the Fiats! Thanks for the tip re the A15.

 

[Ebenezer]

@Crofty had to park his 4c round the back when we rolled in en masse, and they were making the 4c's there!
Eb

 

[RoaryRati]

We pitched up on a Saturday morning - the security guards told us to go away - as is demonstrated in my avatar we ignored them but couldn't get past the barrier.

 

[P R]

Going in an FF so would have to park with the Fiats! Thanks for the tip re the A15.

You should be able to get a Ferrari factory tour if you are an owner...

 

[Crofty]

@Crofty had to park his 4c round the back when we rolled in en masse, and they were making the 4c's there!
Eb

Even tried bribing the guard with Haribo

 

[RoaryRati]

Even tried bribing the guard with Haribo

Surprised you weren't arrested for that