Inside the Motor Valley Fest in Emilia-Romagna, Italy

The Motor Valley Fest was back for its seventh year, a free, open-to-all event celebrating all things motors and particularly the excellence of the Emilia-Romagna automotive sector. This is, after all, a region known as ‘Motor Valley’, home of Ferrari, Lamborghini, Pagani, and Bugatti. We visited MVF in June to attend the festival and explore the Modena and Parma area in tandem. Admittedly, we’re far from automotive experts, but still had a great time. If you’re heading there without a clue, here are all the basics and everything else you need to know before starting your engines.

What is the Motor Valley Fest?

Calling all motor heads

A festival celebrating Italian automotive excellence, the Motor Valley Festival (or MVF) is a supercharged four-day event that’s free to enter and open to all. Fans can get up close to vintage vehicles and sports cars. There are educational labs, exhibitions, and loads of themed interactive experiences. Live music, food, and entertainment throughout make it a truly all-encompassing experience that’s fun for the whole family. 

Why is it in Emilia-Romagna?

Motor Valley Fest takes place in Modena, within the region of Emilia-Romagna, which is world famous for producing the likes of Ferrari, Maserati, Pagani, Ducati and Lamborghini. In fact, nowhere else in the world will you find a place with such concentration and a rich motor heritage. It’s somewhat of a destination for supercar enthusiasts, with dedicated museums and attractions that draw in fans far and wide. 

How to get to Modena

Modena in Emilia-Romagna is at the core of Motor Valley and an ideal starting point to explore Northern and Central Italy.  It’s just 30 minutes from Bologna, one hour from Florence and Verona, and easily accessible from Milan and Venice too. 

Modena is well connected by train, motorway, and is 30 km from Bologna International Airport, with direct connections to major European and international destinations.

What automotive attractions are in Emilia-Romagna?

Car enthusiasts are spoiled for choice, though you don’t have to be an expert to enjoy the automotive attractions in the area. 

There’s the Dallara Academy in Parma, where you can take a factory tour and participate in a sim racing experience. The Lamborghini Museum and the Pagani Museum and Atelier on the fringes of Modena have some interesting exhibits, historic insights and gift shops. 

However, if you only do one car museum, we really recommend The Ferrari Museum. Entry is more expensive but worth it, as it’s spread across multiple floors and areas and has Formula 1 cars, prototypes, GT models, and iconic road cars. Don’t miss the Hall of Victories, which celebrates Ferrari’s most recent successes with championship-winning F1 cars from 1999 to 2008, over 110 trophies, and original helmets from Ferrari’s nine World Champion drivers. Close by, the Ferrari restaurant, Cavallino, offers a chance to fully immerse oneself in the tongue.

If you’re willing to splurge, you can zoom around in an actual Ferrari, too (remember you can’t sit in them at the museum). The Modena Racetrack lets you do this in safety thanks to a trusted pilot. You can be the driver or the passenger (I was the passenger first, but they cheekily let me have a few seconds behind the wheel myself). This track has high-adrenaline bends, fast straight stretches and ups and downs. At the end, visitors leave with a video of the experience, a certificate, a souvenir cap, and, of course, a camera roll of snaps.

What non-automotive attractions are there in Emilia-Romagna?

The historic centre of Modena is rich with architectural and artistic beauty. We recommend a base at the historic centre, which has UNESCO sites, Ghirlandina Tower and Piazza Grande, among the finest examples of Romanesque art in Italy. 

Modena is also known as the birthplace of Luciano Pavarotti. His legacy lives on throughout, not only in its musical identity but also through dedicated spaces where his life and art are celebrated, such as the Luciano Pavarotti Home Museum.

In neighbouring Parma, we visited Torrechiara Castle, a 15th-century castle near Langhirano situated in a gorgeous medieval town. It was scenic pit stop between all the automobile attractions and when you reach the top the views of the rolling hills are incredible. Great for photography.

How is the food and drink in Emilia-Romagna?

This is the culinary capital of Italy, so it’s stellar. There’s everything here from world-renowned Michelin-starred restaurants like Osteria Francescana, to cosy little trattorias.

Visitors can take a tour of the Parmigiano-Reggiano PDO cheese dairy, tasting different types (ages) of cheese, including a 100-month-old, and wander the lines of thousands of Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese wheels. 

When in Parma, you need to have Parma ham, and close to Torrechiara Castle, we had a whole board of it at Taverna del Castello. Restaurants in the area are very generous with their portions. Alternatively, combine the two on a gourmet pizza at Pizzeria Mibia back in Parma.

With Modena being the home of balsamic vinegar, salad fans will want to stop at Osteria Di Rubbiara restaurant, which is part of a traditional balsamic vinegar farm. But it’s not just about leaves, because there you can try some 25-year-old (plus) vinegar on gelato. It surprisingly works. To wash it down, a suggested sweet bottle of the local Giacobazzi Lambrusco.

Where to stay in Emilia-Romagna?

The city of Modena is small and relatively affordable compared with other cities in Italy. We stayed in the Modena Hotel Milano Palace, a good option in the heart of town. Likewise, in nearby Parma we stayed at Grand Hotel de la Ville, which was decent value and within walking distance of a slew of bars, restaurants, malls and attractions. However, neither is anything to write home about. If you’re looking for a more special stay, an unforgettable one, drive to the mansions of Casa Maria Luigia and stay at one of their rooms or cottages. On site, there’s a Michelin-starred restaurant called Al Gatto Verde, and picturesque Emilia country scenes across the whole property.

Tips for visiting Motor Valley Fest

The event takes place across Modena, so expect to be hopping from event to exhibit for the duration of the four days. Pack good walking shoes, although you may need a smarter outfit for opening night. As the event takes place in June, you’ll need summer attire and sunscreen. Finally, to get around, it’s best to rent a car, especially if you want to tick off the big car museums, but you’re in Motor Valley…you’ll be itching to get behind the wheel anyway.

Find out more about the Motor Valley

Images courtesy Nacchio Brothers, MVF and Emilia Romagna 

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