Felicity Long
I don't foresee finding a Ferrari under the Christmas tree with my name on it this year, but I will be taking myself to Michael Mann's newest film, "Ferrari," based on the life of Enzo Ferrari of Italian sports car fame and set to open Dec. 25.
More importantly, the cinematic experience will serve as a valentine to Modena, Ferrari's hometown in Italy's Emilia-Romagna region. Many of the location shots were filmed in Modena, and as we know, films and TV series can serve as strong tourism drivers -- think "The Lord of the Rings" series and New Zealand, "Game of Thrones" and Northern Ireland and Croatia, "White Lotus" and Sardinia and "Frozen" and Norway, to name a few.
Ferrari lived in Modena, and car enthusiasts can do a deep dive into his life at the Museo Enzo Ferrari Modena, which offers a behind-the-scenes look at his life and houses a showroom of classic cars.
The Museo Ferrari Maranello showcases the history and evolution of the automotive brand, complete with examples of classic and current Ferraris throughout the years. Photo Credit: Museo Ferrari Maranello
A second museum, the Museo Ferrari Maranello complex, is located about a half-hour south of Modena and showcases the history and evolution of the automotive brand, complete with examples of classic and current Ferraris throughout the years.
While there, visitors can dine at the car-themed Ristorante Cavallino, which features a garden and open-air terrace adorned with racing memorabilia from the company's archives. Cavallino's menu is helmed by Michelin-starred Modenese chef Massimo Bottura.
The museum also offers shuttle bus tours to the Fiorano track — site of car testing since 1972 — and along the Viale Enzo Ferrari boulevard in the factory complex.
The Ferrari Campus, the heart of the complex where the cars are built, features facilities designed by such well-known architects as Renzo Piano, Massimiliano Fuksas, Jean Nouvel, Marco Visconti and Luigi Sturchio, while the historic part of the factory has been meticulously preserved.
Thrill-seekers who want the fun of racing a Ferrari without putting their lives at risk can try one of the semi-professional driving simulators, which put you in the seat of a Prancing Horse Formula 1 single-seater in Maranello and a high-performance GT car inspired by the SF90 Stradale in Modena. The rides take you along a choice of famous circuits: Monza, Barcelona, Silverstone, Imola, Nurburgring, Zandvoort, SPA Francorchamps and Mugello.
Or try the pit-stop experience, which requires a minimum of two participants to change the tire of a Formula 1 single-seater.
More motoring in Emilia-Romagna
Beyond Ferrari, the entire Emilia-Romagna region is known as Motor Valley because of the heavy concentration of Italian automotive luxury brands based here, including Lamborghini, Maserati, Dallara, Ducati and Pagani.
Every year Emilia-Romagna hosts the Motor Valley Fest, celebrating Italian automotive innovation and the history of these luxurious auto brands, with next year's edition scheduled for May 2 to 5.
Of course, there is more to life than fast cars, at least for most of us, and the region features some iconic culinary specialties, such as traditional balsamic vinegar, prosciutto di Parma and Parmigiano-Reggiano.
Modena, for example, is home to Osteria Francescana, the three-Michelin-star restaurant.
For more ideas on things to do in Emilia-Romagna, visit their website.