Club Arnage

Hello to all,

I will be working in Rome next week and will have two days off to do some exploring, not much I know (I will also be of little budget).  I'm thinking of renting a car and either making a run to Maranello to gaze at the Ferrari factory, or possible all the way to Monza to visit the banking.  Any tips or suggestions would be greatly appreciated, especially routes and lodging. I speak no itialian. I will also have the video camera with me, don't know if they would allow me shots of the banking or anything else of interest to us all.

Thanks and "Ciao Baby"

John

Ferarri own Mugelo (I think) worthwhile asking for a view.

No. 1 buy is dictionary.

Jerry

I believe Rome to Milan (Monza) is about a four hour drive with expensive toll roads, and -especially in cities- the Italians are not the most pleasant people as soon as they get behind the wheel of a car. It might be worth checking train fares if you're on a budget, from Milan to Monza there is good public transport available. The only thing you might get a little stuck with is combining Maranello (or Mugello) with the Rome - Milan trip as for public transport.
Good luck and have fun!

Rome to Milan is about 4 hours if you drive like most Italians and ignore the speed limt.  I did it the Porker last summer but it still took five hours.  Dont forget you still need to stop for fuel, you and the car. 

Thats in a UK reg car where at the momet you cant get done for speeding unless you are stopped by the Highway Patrol.  On the A1 there are SPEC cameras on the gantries and with an Italian Hire car they could find you.

Italians are not the mad drivers they are made out to be, apart from in Rome. 

Its about 35 YoYos in Tolls each way which is a lot cheaper than French Tolls.  The streatch from Bologne to Milan is just one long straight boring drag strip

Okay, that's a bit more detailed ::)

When in Rome,do as the Romans. ;D

They are quite exciting in Sicily and Sardinia!

 ;D

John,

Having done a "grand tour" this summer, if you're going from Rome, IMHO, it might be a bit far to get to Milan if you want to actuallly get out and do or see stuff.  However, Modena is in much easier reach, with the Ferrari aspects already posted, plus you are slap bang in Maserati, Lamborghini, Pagani and Ducati factory territory as well, which are all worth seeing.  As part of the trip, unless the weather is completely rubbish, I suggest as a real "must" is that you plan your route after Modena back to Rome to take you down the old national road from Bologna to Florence, climbing over the Passo di Futa and the Passo di Raticosa - the old Mille Miglia route.  Fantastic driving road (whatever you are in), fantastic scenery, rewarded by an awesome view of Florence as you come over the hills.  Lord only knows how Moss averaged nigh on 100mph, even in a 300SLR in the '55 Mille Miglia.  If you have time, there is the Mugello circuit a little to the north-east of Florence if there is anything going on there.  Follow that by driving through the Tuscany hills to get back to Rome.  Drink wine.  Eat olives.  Enjoy.

MG Mark

"Italians are not the mad drivers they are made out to be, apart from in Rome." and even worse in Napels!

On the autostrada 1 rule to remember is that the inside lane is for slow traffic the middle lane for fast traffic and the out side lane for overtaking i.e fing quick stuff. But autostada driving is a doddle, I was out there a few years back I drove the A4 autostrada from Vernoa to Milan, I had a big Audi thing behind me and a big BMW thing in front and couple of others we were crusing at some what more that the speed limt, there was no tailgating and none one from the middle lane tryed to fill the gap, just a steady very fast speed.

If you are in Rome, the main local wine is Frascati, dont panic its not all rubbish, also look out for Est Est Est. Enjoy.

Est Est Est is a nice wine if you are in to very sweet stuff. When chilled properly it is very good to drink on a warm summers day, or even a warm autumn's day! It is originates somewhere from the Pau planes, do not know exactly were!

Modena does sound like a good option for you, about a 2-3 hours drive on the autostrada, close to bologna and Ferrara (beautifull medieval town). Enjoy

  As part of the trip, unless the weather is completely rubbish, I suggest as a real "must" is that you plan your route after Modena back to Rome to take you down the old national road from Bologna to Florence, climbing over the Passo di Futa and the Passo di Raticosa - the old Mille Miglia route.  Fantastic driving road (whatever you are in), fantastic scenery, rewarded by an awesome view of Florence as you come over the hills.  Lord only knows how Moss averaged nigh on 100mph, even in a 300SLR in the '55 Mille Miglia.  If you have time, there is the Mugello circuit a little to the north-east of Florence if there is anything going on there.  Follow that by driving through the Tuscany hills to get back to Rome.  Drink wine.  Eat olives.  Enjoy.

MG Mark
[/quote]
 Hi John,
           More good advice from Mark. Please Video the return to Rome.AND bring it to Sebring for us to view it.
Envious Phil

I can recommend spending a day in both Siena and Florence. Siena is about halfway from Rome to Florence and the road from Siena to Florence going through the Chianti district is absolutely awesome.

Wait a minute..you only have two days off. I'd spend it in Rome.

I agree, drink, watch the world go by, drink, chase woman, drink, dance and drink,

What better plan can there be?

Or as they say " When in Rome" -  ;D

Or if you want a good laugh, try one of these (they do Florance and Rome)

(http://www.segwayfirenze.com/cgi-bin/imgslide/IMG_1561.jpg)

Did one in Paris, what a great 1/2 day. So easy to drive and great smiles all round.

Web site, is http://www.segwayfirenze.com/rometours.asp (http://www.segwayfirenze.com/rometours.asp)

Not sure how they are compared to Paris, but worth a look.

And just released by segway - (http://www.luxurylaunches.com/entry_images/1007/22/ferrari_segway.jpg)

Hi Neil,
       That looks like a scene from Star Trek. Beam me up Scotty ::)
Phil

Hello and thanks to all. I am in Rome for my work, all my gear make it through customs and its a beautiful day in a beautiful city. I think Monza is too far given the time I have so I will probably opt for the Maranello trip. I will try to spend some time in Maranello "drinking, watching the world go by, looking at women, drinking..."

Great idea taking the old national road, being on the same road as traveled by Moss and countless others, even in a crappy little rental will be a thrill.  Now that was Road Racing!  Not sure I can drive and shoot without falling off the road but I'll see what I can do.  Any significant spots on that road or any other places in the area? I will do my best to make a little travel film for Sebring. Thanks again and keep the ideas coming!
John

Mark,
Any tips for finding that road?  I've been studying the map and searching the web for a map of the route.
John

John,

Find the A1/E35 motorway that connnects Bologna and Firenze - the route you want is the SS65, which runs in the hillls to the east of that.  It is signed as the SS65 in some parts and the SP65 is others.  Village names along the route (runing north to south) are the likes of Riolo, Zula, La Posta, Covigliaio, Montecarelli, Le Maschere, Cafaggiolo, Vaglia, Pratolino.  That's the Mille Miglia route, and it will lead you over the Raticosa and Futa passes into Firenze.  The Italian auto club maps have the two passes actually marked as "Passo della Futa" and "Passo della Raticosa".  Hope you find it OK,

Mark 

I'm with Pieter on Siena and Firenze, but I would add in a few other stops. A nice little 500 mile jaunt stopping at Orvieto, Montepulciano,Cortona, Arezzo
Firenze, Lucca, Volterra, San Gimignano, Siena and home again. There are fabulous roads and passes throughout Tuscany plus San Gim is breathtaking.

Rusty
 

Agree with Rusty and Pieter here, these are some great places to visit but could spend easily 2 days in each. Recommend doing Rusty`s route in a 2 seat open top sports car with accommodating weather.

A quick update on my trip.  I was late arriving to Maranello (Italian road signs SUCK!!!) so I spent Thursday doing the Ferrari thing.  Very Cool. Luca Badoer was doing some testing.  My wake alarm was the sound of a Ferrari v8 at full soung. Extremely cool. Museum was fantastic.  Brilliant as you brits say!!  A full report (with pictures) to follow.

Alas, the Mille Miglle trip will have to be another time.

Thanks for everyones input!

John