I will be in the Florence-Siena area with my 16 year old son in June for 9 days. He is in love with high end Italian cars, so I was thinking of taking him to the auto museum in Turin and/or the Ferrari factory in Maranello. Both require a bit of travel, so I am wondering if anyone has been to either, and whether they are worth making the trip.

I think that getting in to the Ferrari factory may be way harder even than getting into Jules Verne - - maybe up there with meeting the Pope or something. I think you have to be a Ferrari owner - - on their website, there is something about a new "association" or club or something - - you have to pay $100 a year dues, and then you MIGHT get an invitation to visit Maranello. <BR> <BR>I investigated this last year after a trip to the Porsche factory in Stuttgart - - also hard - - you pretty much have to be a Porsche owner - - or a prospective Porsche owner who has already put down a deposit (I went with an owner - - I am not an owner myself). <BR> <BR>Anyhow, I thought that our time at the Porsche factory was one of the highlights of a week in Germany. I strongly recommend it to anyone who can swing it. With a later trip to Italy planned, I investigated the Ferrari factory, and I concluded that it couldnt be done without connections or at least strong (documentable?) evidence that you might actually be planning to buy a Ferrari. <BR> <BR>I don't know if it is worthwhile as the Porsche tour was for me, but if you have the connections and the necessary lead time, I would say to go for it. <BR> <BR>Best wishes, <BR> <BR>Rex <BR>

Melinda--yes, there is a "museum" dedicated to the Ferrari near Turin, and your son would enjoy it. It is not the factory--which is closed to the public, but more of an exhibit hall. On display are tons of Ferraris, from the antique ones when they first began to more recent models. There are also exhibits on how the motor works, interactive things where you get in and pretend to drive, etc. There is also a speedway nearby where Ferrari drivers test new models, or something like that. I'm not really sure where its located, but if its not too far out of your way, your son would get a kick out of it. Also, there really isn't anything near the place, in terms of towns, so you might want to stop along the road for food (aka, don't expect to hop into a quaint trattoria after your visit to the museum.) Good luck!

Actually--just noticed that you are staying in the Florence/Siena area. The Ferrari museum near Turin would be quite a long day trip by car (anywhere from 4 hours up). You might want to consider taking a train to from Florence to Bologna, spending a day there (there is a medieval museum that is pretty cool, a bowling and video game place right in town that your son might like, and other neat sights). You could rent a car, and I think it might be a little over an hour north of Bologna. Check out an online map, perhaps, to get an idea.

This is a bit off the subject - - but there is also a "Porsche museum" at the Porsche factory in stuttgart - - and I could NOT recommend it to anyone. It contains about 20 cars at most - - one or two are formula one - - some historic models and one (ancient) Porsche TRACTOR. It would take all of 5 minutes to see it. While the factory tour is great, do not go to see the "museum" as a substitute, if you are unable to get factory tour reservations. <BR> <BR>And on an unrelated note: Bologna? to get closer to Turin? Bologna only gets you about 10% closer to Turin from Florence! <BR>

We went thru the factory last year and it reguires a reservation and a time.If you own a Ferrari it is possible.It was great and the whole little town is nothing but Farrari--a great museum any one can enter and stores to buy anything Farrari. From Florence it will take about 2 hrs. <BR> <BR>

My husband and I read all of your responses regarding the Ferrari factory and museum. Obviously, we can't get into the factory, but does anyone have specifics on going to the museum? Where it is located, phone number, do you have to make a reservation, cost, etc. <BR>Thank you very much for any information!

The Ferrari Museum (Gallera Ferrari) is about 300 yards from the factory in Maranello. No reservations necessary. Admission isn't that much, it was 2,000 lire a few years ago. See this web site for phone number, schedule, etc.: "http://www.comune.maranello.mo.it/gallery.htm" The museum displays old and new Ferrari's, trophy's, etc. and is worth it if you like that sort of thing.