How can you combine cars, food, wine and history? Easy! With a day amongst the hills in the province of Modena.
First stop, Maranello, whose name echoes a four-wheeled legend.
Then on to Castelvetro di Modena and Levizzano for gastronomic full-immersion, enjoying Balsamic Vinegar, Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, PDO Prosciutto di Modena ham, crescentine round breads, and Lambrusco Grasparossa wine.
So, here’s your car and castle itinerary…Ready, steady, go!
As previously mentioned, this itinerary starts out by pleasing car lovers, but that’s not all. The Ferrari Museum in Maranello tells you the story of the prancing horse brand, taking you on a discovery of the cars that have made automobile history on the international circuits and in the streets.
Speaking of streets, at the Ferrari Museum you can imagine you’re on the Formula 1 racetrack in a virtual simulator to feel the same rush as your favourite pilot.
Such a thrilling experience at the Ferrari Museum will surely have given you an appetite, so your second stop at Castelvetro di Modena is just the thing.
The production areas of five local products used in traditional cuisine meet at Castelvetro: PDO Lambrusco Grasparossa wine, Balsamic Vinegar (check the opening hours of the Acetaia Comunale, a vinegar production site located in the Town Hall, well worth a visit), Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, Nocino liquor and PDO Prosciutto di Modena ham.
Gourmet tip: this is the place for crescentine round breads. If you have no clue as to what they are, it’s time to find out!
After lunch, it’s time for you to visit Levizzano Rangone, a small hamlet of Castelvetro immersed in some of Italy’s most charming countryside, on the rolling foothills of the Apennines covered with vineyards producing PDO Lambrusco Grasparossa wine.
Here’s where you’ll find Levizzano Castle, dating back to the end of the ninth century. Inside the castle, don’t miss the Bishops Quarters from the sixteenth century, where family crests adorn the coffered ceiling along with scenes of knights and romance, hunting and rural life, countryside, villages and castles reminiscent of the surrounding areas.
Interesting fact: the underground tunnel built in Medieval times, useful for hasty getaways, connects the castle to the Matildica Tower.
