We will be in Modena in mid-March of this year. Flying into Venice, then Modena for 3 nights, then 4 nights in Venice. Short, but it’s all the time we’ve got. While in Modena we were thinking of doing a food tour one day and then car museums and factory tours the 2nd day. I found one food tour only that included Parmesan producer, balsamic vinegar and prosciutto. You can add on a lunch in a winery. Perfect, but super expensive! So we were playing with the idea of renting a car and diy the tour. Then we could also visit the Lamborghini factory that’s out of town on the next day. Not sure if we would rent from the Venice airport and drive the whole time or rent from Modena. Opinions on this?? Or if there are any suggestions for tours, that would be awesome!
Posted by
Colorado Mountains, USA
8027 posts
We did a parmesano/vinegar/prosciutto with extended lunch tour while in Bologna this past October. It certainly wasn’t cheap, but it was a great experience, so a good value in the end. We sure got a lot of food and wine! Riding in the Mercedes 8-person van, in and around Modena, we didn’t have to be concerned about navigating, sampling or drinking wine then driving, or arranging for entry to the production locations, or getting guided visits while there.
If you can find suitable places for doing tastings, that could certainly work as a DIY. You might not be walking the floor of the cheese plant as they stir and strain milk and curds. And great restaurants about, for an excellent lunch. We didn’t have Lamborghini as a follow-up to lunch, so you could have a filler experience- maybe. We still had a long day, 7am to something like 5pm, so we got out money’s worth, time and experience wise.
Oh, and having a car while we had our Bologna apartment would’ve been a hassle and a liability. If you’re venturing into the surrounding country, and have parking available and a ZTL-free route in and out of town to your lodging, you could be in OK shape.
Enjoy your trip, however you do it!
Posted by
Milwaukie, Oregon
1057 posts
I did the food tour from my base in Bologna and agree with the poster above that this was a full day. The particular tour that I took also had an option for a tour to I believe the Ferrari factory. I don’t believe it cost too much money, although it was spendy because it included so much content and a great meal besides all the factory samples. If you arrange this type of food tour day on your own, keep in mind that it might be difficult for you to have the same type of experience, as you will have to make reservations everywhere and line your day up according to what’s available at the places you visit. I would advise that you do this tour with group. I would also advise that you don’t need a car during your stay in Modena unless you plan to use it for out of town day trips.