Modena, a short 45-minute drive or 25-minute train ride from Parma and a favourite day trip destination for myself or when I have guests visiting.
The charm of Modena will become apparent as you spend your morning strolling through the gorgeous town. In Modena, all roads will inevitably lead to Piazza Grande – with the striking 12th-century cathedral capturing visitors with its impressive architecture.
My two boys love cars and especially Ferrari so one bright Saturday morning in February we decided to hop in the car and visit the Ferrari Museum, and spend some time exploring the city.
Modena, like Parma is one of Italy’s foodie towns, a perfect place to slow down and just enjoy being in Italy. The beauty of Modena is sampling foods (like parmigiano Reggiano, balsamic vinegar) and soaking up the scene (especially from a café table overlooking the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Piazza Grande / the Modena Cathedral / the Ghirlandina Bell Tower).
Ferrari Museum
If you can, do a balsamic vinegar tasting – after all, Modena is the home of aceto balsamico – balsamic vinegar!
We normally use the Central car park just North of the centre, located off on viale Achille Fontanelli and it’s a 5-minute walk to town. We headed to Piazza Roma where the kids went to the festival Ice Skating rink in the piazza, in front of the city centre Ducal Palace, a ice rink that’s open every year during Christmas period and until February 18th.
Food
We then walked down one of the alleyways towards the Mercato Albinelli – Modena’s central food market and a place where many locals do their grocery shopping. This market is stunning, with wrought iron spirals, large columns and even a statue in the center.
At the market, you will find everything your stomach could possibly desire including flowers, fresh fruit and vegetables, hundreds of varieties of pasta, and deli meats, cakes and cheeses. The Italian uniqueness draws you in and my boys could not resist the temptations for the delicious patisseries so they had a morning snack at their favourite sweet stall.
Time for lunch...we choose one of the little street restaurants outside the Market bussing with people and we were not disappointed.
If you still have room post lunch, make sure to stop at Gioelia Cremeria for possibly the best gelato you will ever eat in your life.
Apart from visiting these sites, take your time to walk down random alleyways or hop into a café for an espresso to truly start appreciating the beauty of this town..
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