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Country Roads: Ferrari Museum
Country Roads:
The Redheads of Maranello

Story and photos by Tom Weber

Insight Vacations' Country Roads of Italy bus driver Carlo

limbing on board the motorcoach with the rest of my groggy-eyed group of merry media – journalists and photographers invited by Insight Vacations to sample an abbreviated version of its fabulous Country Roads of Italy itinerary that races you through Umbria and Tuscany – I'm trying desperately to clear my head after yesterday's "dark and foodie night" of eating way too much and over imbibing, and this morning's early wake-up call. YAWN.

views of the Borgo San Luigi villa, Tuscany

Carlo, our experienced charioteer, puts the big fella in gear as we bid Arrivederci! to Borgo San Luigi, the sprawling Tuscan villa where we spent two memorable nights, mostly at the bar.

As Tuscany, with all of its lovely rolling hills filled with vineyards and olive groves, fades away in the rearview mirror, I can think of only one thing: REDHEADS. Not the Super Tuscan wines we just left behind, the flowing locks of Nicole Kidman, Rita Hayworth and Lucille Ball, nor the curly pate of Carrot Top.

the prancing horse Ferrari logo

No, I'm thinking about the sleek, fast-to-the-finish line redheads designed, engineered and built by the late Persol sunglasses-wearing Enzo Ferrari: the Testa Rossa (redhead). And, we'll get a good look at a bevy of Il Commendatore's redheads shortly when Insight's motorcoach pulls into the parking lot fronting the Museo Ferrari in Maranello.

You know the drill, roll the "R" and repeat after me: mah-rah-NEL-oh. Outstanding!

To get to the museum, we have to motor up the A1 autostrada (toll way), leaving the rays of the Tuscan sun for the flatter, more industrialized region of the Emilia-Romagna, the manufacturing hub of fast cars – Alfa Romeo, Maserati, Lamborghini and, of course, Ferrari – and home to regional foodie favorites like mortadella, tortellini, lasagne and ragu' alla bolognese (meat sauce). A pretty fair geographical exchange, wouldn't you say?

the Museo Ferrari at Maranello, Emilio-Romagna region

Rounding the corner, we eye the large black stallion. We've arrived.

Like a well-tuned pit crew, we're off the motorcoach and inside the museum in a flash, and pick up headsets for English language narration while we wait on our Ferrari girl, a guide assigned to us for the VIP tour.

Sorry. I can't wait for the guide, curvaceous as she might be. I've got to get ahead of this media pack, like Lauda in '75 when he flew across the finish line at Monte Carlo in a 312/T. So, off I go in search of Enzo's curvaceous redheads.

With over 3,500 square meters of surface space – including a Formula 1 simulator that lets you strap yourself in and give it a go – more than 250,000 visitors pass through the turnstiles of the Museo Ferrari annually to walk among the legendary stable of cars with the prancing horse logo that has won 31 Formula 1 World Constructors' and Drivers' titles and counting.

The industrial gray floors and white walls and ceilings, coupled with excellent lighting, make the museum the perfect photo-shoot studio. Living up to what Cavaliere Ferrari once said, Sono uno che ha sognato (I am one who has dreamed), this place is a true auto racing aficionado's dream come true.

red, blue and white Ferraris on display at the Museo Ferrari

Buffed to the nines, Enzo's redheads, along with a few of his white and blue creations, just lie in wait to pose for the camera. Every buxom speedster is so willing and able.

Close up, low, wide and overhead, I'm going orgasmic, like Selleck in Magnum, P.I., crawling, kneeling and lying on my back to frame these red-hot beauties with my lens the best I can. Both batteries now spent on the DSLR, I switch over to the iPhone 5 for a few extreme wide shots.

With everything to see, seen, I pack up my gear and take the proverbial checkered flag as I walk out of Enzo's historic gasoline alley. I gotta tell you, it's a real pity to have to leave all of those gorgeous redheads behind.

Back aboard the motorcoach, now just a "slow boat to China" ride compared to what's inside Museo Ferrari, Belinda, Insight's tour guide-slash-storyteller, gives out our new GPS coordinates.

We'll double back a bit and stop in Bologna for a short stroll and then a quick lunch on your own euro. She adds, By the way, Bologna is affectionately known as "La Grassa," or "Fatso," because of all of her great cuisine. What do think of that?

All together now: FATSO! FATSO! FATSO!

For complete information on Insight Vacations' 12 Italian premium and luxury-escorted itineraries and over 100 journeys throughout Europe, just click HERE, or call toll free (888) 680-1241, or contact your travel agent.

I'll see you in a little bit when we gather in Bologna's Piazza Maggiore to chew the fat.

Ciao for now.

Related Articles:
The Good Humor Man of San Gimignana; Scorgiano: A Dark and Foodie Night; San Gimignano: Scraping the Tuscan Sky; Chianti Pours Forth from Fonterutoli; Cortona: Under the Renovated Tuscan Sun; Linnertime in Spello




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Let Tom know what you think about his traveling adventure.

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Feedback for Destination Bosnia: Inside Sarajevo's Tunnel of Hope

Spent time in Sarajevo in the fall of 1973…beer was excellent!

--- David

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Hi Tom,

I must say, you're photographs are always amazing. They are top notch. You bring so much class to Traveling Boy. It's photographs like yours that make me want to go out and do my own traveling. Please don't get tired of sending us your amazing adventures. It's such a delight for the soul.

--- Raoul, Whittier, CA

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Hi Tom:

I'm also an American living in Italy. I've read with interest your blog and articles. I'd like to speak with you regarding residency and citizenship for Americans in Italy as you do seem to have a great deal of knowledge on all of these subjects. Would it be possible to give you a call on the phone? If so, please let me know how to reach you. If not, I can ask my questions via email.

Thank you!

--- David

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Hey Tom – Wow! Love those photos – they are so super that they make me A) Want to start eating NOW. B) Go there myself. C) See all that pristine beauty that looks so restful and peaceful. Great story, superb pix!!! Bravo!!

--- John, Los Angeles, CA

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Feedback for Destination Southwestern France: Saint-Émilion

Good job, Tom, and timely info. St. Émilion is in the list of places Jim Hayes and I will visit in September 2014. If we get the chance, we will exploit your experience to enhance the trip!

--- Bobby Harper, Dameron, MD

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Feedback for Vicenza Walks – Monte Berico

I lived in Vicenza for 4 years in the U.S. ARMY from 1963 to 1967. A wonderful place to explore. Palladio’s works are amazing. Have been back twice since and find new places to visit. My favorite is MONTE BERICO where I have some wonderful photos of my family.

--- Dr. Albert Pizzi, Hanover, MA

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I liked the new TB particularly the Vicenza article that took me back as a youth when we lived in Naples and travelled up there for a baseball tourney (U.S. Military Bases dependent schools played each other.)

Took me back to the plaza.

--- Bill

Feedback for A Canterbury Trail (Sutri)

Very interesting note. I have wedroned which route the early pre-Christian and Christian pilgrims travelled to Rome from England. Is it still possible to travel the Francigena trail?

--- Pawel

You can find out more info on walking tours of Via Francigena at this site: http://www.compagniadeicammini.it/en/. Thanks for stopping by and commenting..

Tom

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Good article, enjoyed reading it. Saved your recommended sights for future use.

--- Dardenne Prairie, MO

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You're going to be great at this Tom. Congrats.

--- Donna Vissa -Montreal




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