The itinerary starts from the heart of Modena, Piazza Grande, declared a Unesco World Heritage Site in 1997: here it is easy to get caught up in the wonder of the Cathedral, designed in 1099 by the architect Lanfranco, with its architecture that was a model for all subsequent Romanesque art, and with its decorations by the famous sculptor Wiligelmo.

Plant motifs, fantastic and mythological creatures, heavenly or monstrous figures: a summary of the spiritual world of medieval man, permeated by faith but also by fear.
Among the most expressive stonework are the Genesis Reliefs – with the events of Adam and Eve, Cain and Abel, Noah’s Ark – and those on the Porta della Pescheria (Fish Market Gate), which depict the Cycle of the Months, according to the work of man, and the Cycle telling the story of King Arthur (which, according to some historians, was created by Wiligelmus before 1130, i.e. before the written version of these legends in the Historia Regum Britanniae).

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  Modena, Cathedral, Wiligelmo, Adam and Eve Ph. Zvonimir Atletic via shutterstock editorial use only

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  Modena, Cathedral, Wiligelmo, Adam and Eve Ph. Zvonimir Atletic via shutterstock editorial use only

Part of the Cathedral is also the Civic Tower, better known as the Ghirlandina Tower, the true symbol of the city: we recommend you visit it (reservation required – click here for details), especially to enjoy the wonderful view that opens up from its top after climbing its 200 steps.

Piazza Grande is also overlooked by the Municipal Palace, inside which we recommend a visit to the Acetaia Comunale, the Municipal Vinegar Factory (reservation required – click here for details), located in the attic in accordance with tradition, to discover how Modena’s black gold is made, using a process that has remained unchanged for centuries.

Now that it is lunchtime, we suggest a stop at one of the restaurants in the city center or, for a quick lunch, a stop at the central Albinelli Market, where the most famous and tasty local products can be found and consumed.

The itinerary continues with the Enzo Ferrari Museum in Modena, a pilgrimage destination for many fans of the Prancing Horse, but also an interesting place for people who are not motoring enthusiasts.

The museum complex is divided into two buildings: one is the house where Enzo Ferrari was born in 1898 and where today you can retrace the history of this automotive myth; the other is the now famous yellow ‘bonnet’, designed by architect Jan Kaplicky, which today houses an exhibition gallery that hosts fascinating themed temporary exhibitions.

Here it is also possible (by reservation – click here for details) to experience driving simulations on a semi-professional simulator.

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  Modena, Enzo Ferrari Museum Ph. Stefano Carnevali via shutterstock editorial use only

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  Modena, Enzo Ferrari Museum Ph. D-VISIONS via shutterstock editorial use only

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  Modena, Enzo Ferrari Museum Ph. D-VISIONS via shutterstock editorial use only

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  Modena, Enzo Ferrari Museum Ph. S.Candide via shutterstock editorial use only

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  Modena, Enzo Ferrari Museum Ph. S.Candide via shutterstock editorial use only

We now move on to the province of Modena to visit the pretty village of Vignola, famous for its PGI cherries, but with so much more to discover.

In fact, Vignola, immersed in the green of orchards and vineyards, is a place where life flows slowly, and where you can spend a few pleasant hours discovering its symbolic places and strolling through the alleys of the center.

Don’t miss the imposing medieval Fortress, which houses evocative frescoed rooms inside, and the scenic Vignola Staircase in Palazzo Contrari-Boncompagni, a 16th-century spiral staircase created by the famous local architect Jacopo Barozzi, known as the Vignola.

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  Vignola, Palazzo Contrari-Boncompagni, spiral staircase by Jacopo Barozzi Ph. FVPhotography via shutterstock editorial use only

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  Vignola (MO), Palazzo Barozzi, spiral staircase Ph. fabioventuroli.it via Pinterest, CC_BY_NC_SA 3.0

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  Vignola (MO), Palazzo Contrari-Boncompagni, spiral staircase Ph. Toni Fabio, terredicastelli.it, CC-BY-NC-SA,3.0

Finally, to end on a sweet note, let yourself be tempted by a slice of Torta Barozzi, a typical local cake whose original recipe is a secret.

Continuing the tour in a mouth-watering way, we move on to the province of Bologna, in Anzola dell’Emilia, where the Gelato Museum Carpigiani is located in the former factory of this famous brand of artisan ice-cream making machines.

The museum allows visitors to retrace the history of gelato, from its origins to the present day, but also to discover the evolution of production technology and methods of consuming it.

At the end of the guided tour (there are various options, including hands-on workshops), you should not miss a tasting at the adjacent Gelateria, where you can watch gelato being made in the transparent glass laboratory.

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  Bologna, Gelato Museum Carpigiani Ph. Mark Green via shutterstock editorial use only

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The itinerary ends in the amusement park dedicated to the rural world: FICO!
The park is open from Thursday to Sunday and offers different types of admission tickets.

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  Bologna, FICO Ph. Vivida Photo PC via shutterstock editorial use only

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  Bologna, FICO Ph. Vivida Photo PC via shutterstock editorial use only

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  Bologna, FICO Ph. Vivida Photo PC via shutterstock editorial use only

At FICO you can:

• discover lots of interesting facts about the world we live in through the 5 themed multimedia rides and see first-hand how some of the foods we consume are produced in the 6 factories that can be visited;
• put your hands to pasta and learn how to make fresh pasta under the guidance of expert sfogline (pasta makers) by taking part in one of the courses organized on the premises;
• eat the most delicious Italian specialities in the restaurants and kiosks present;
• purchase many typical Italian products of excellence;
• have fun in the Luna Farm, the farm-themed funfair (accessible with a specific ticket).