Visit and Tour the Ferruccio Lamborghini Museum in Bologna

The Ferruccio Lamborghini Museum is one of the most popular museums for cars in the world. Here’s some information about it.

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General Overview
The center was designed by Feruruccio’s son, who was named Tonino Lamborghini, in honor of his father who started the car company. Originally, the site was located across from the Lamborghini Calor factory. The facility was built in something of an Avant guarde structure which was quite tall. The building was also originally a conference center.

Visitors to the site can see many of the cars designed by the Lamborghini came. This includes the Miura, for example. This also include some of the first cars that Ferruccio designed going all the way back to 1948.

There’s also a lot in terms of photographs in this museum as well. There are thousands of pictures actually, so you can see how the cars chanted throughout the ages. The museum is also full of newspaper reports and other documents that help visitors understand how the company first started developing.
The museum also gives plenty of biographic information about Ferruccio, who was born in in Renazzo di Cento. There are even a lot of unique things available at the site such as a helicopter that Lamborginini was thinking about making. They actually hang this prototype from the ceiling so you can get a good look at it.

Relocation and New museum.

The site has moved recently to Via Galliera N. 317 40050 Funo Di Argelato Bologna. It’s important to note this relocation if you plan on going, since many older references and articles online may tip you in the wrong direction.

The new location has even more to look at relating to Lamborghini such as a number of tractors made by the company throughout the years. There are even some Lamborghini boats that you can look at up close too if that’s something that you would want to do.
The museum is full of prototypes that show you the different directions that the company has thought about going in the past, and the different ways the company has approached design. The new museum is in the heart of Motor Valley and its full of multimedia that people can peruse in relation to the company.

The size of the new building makes it much easier to show everything all together, and it also makes it easier for people to see the different larger vehicles like the boat and helicopter more up close.

Overall, visiting the museum is going to be an intensely positive experience for anyone who loves Lamborghini cars and history in general since the history of Lamborghini has a lot in common with the history of Italy and really, the history of cars, industry and the world in general.

It helps to set aside plenty of time to look around this cavernous museum because there is so much to see here and it will appeal to people interested in just about every type of practical vehicle that you can think of in general.

It’s been noted that the museum is a great way for an entire family to experience a vacation since they can visit the museum together and then have a lot to talk about as a family later on.

Visit the Motor Valley in Emilia Romagna Italy

According to a CNN article, there are interesting things happening in Italy’s Motor Valley involving a super car.

The phrase “Motor Valley” refers to an area that runs through towns like Modena, Maranello and Bologna. Recently, a CNN correspondent drove with an instructor on a red Ferrari F430 through this area.

The area is actually a highway with four lanes. It starts near the headquarters for Ferrari in Maranello. During the correspondents drive, they passed police cars several times and had to slow down. The Motor Valley highway actually runs right by several supercar museums and factories.
These include names like Lamborghini, Maserati, Pagani and even Ducati which is for motorcycles and is the same sort of thing. Anyone who loves some of the most high performing cars in the world is likely going to like driving through Motor Valley since you get to see so many of these attractions for super car manufacturers.

Ferrari Test drives in Emilia Romagna.

It’s also possible to spend a little over a hundred dollars to get 20 minutes in a high performing car like the F430. And, of course, you can also drive in one of the other cars as well. The prices vary based on which car and how long you want. It goes up to as high as around two thousand dollars or so if you want to drive around for two hours in an F12.

But the truth is, many people do in fact take this opportunity to experience what driving one of these cars is like, even despite the high cost and the small time you get, and this little highway is precisely where they tend to do it.

One of the main places that people visit is the Casa Museo Enzo Ferrari which has a lot of red cars in the brand going from the 50s all the way up through the 70s. The museum shows off a lot of unique models, including some that are available right up into the present day like the FF model.

The museum will also have a 100 year Maserati exhibit as well through January of next year showing off a lot of classic vehicles over the years such at the Zagato from 1932. They actually have the house where the founder, Enzo Ferrari, was born as well, which is right next door the museum.

Apparently it’s not only cars that are at the museum though, there’s also Parmigiano Reggiano cheese available here as well.

Lamborghini

The Museum Lamborghini is also available along this route as well. This area is between Bologna and Modena. There’s also a Lamborghini museum in Funo which is north of Bologna as well. The factory museum for Lamborghini also shows impressive cars such as the 350 GT, including the first production of it. There are also cars that have anti-radar material on them just like Apache helicopters and jet fighters.

The Ferruccio museum has replica cars for 1963 GTV prototypes. As well as a number of boats for racing from Lamborghini as well.

Pagani and Other Museums

Another interesting place to visit along this route is the Pagani factory, though you have to arrange to make this possible ahead of time. In addition, you can check Brescia which has the Migla Museum And you can also visit Turin. But before leaving Modena check out the Panini museum.

The Turin museum has 160 different models from 80 different car companies. These cars are arranged based on things like what they achieved in sports, what sorts of technology they have, what their covers are like, and so on.

The museum actually has cars that go as far back 1892, including the Peugeot Type 3 which predates many famous cars in the United States like the Model T. Additionally, the museum has a lot of unique offerings like a 1952 Alfa Romeo car called the “Flying Saucer,” or “Disco Volante” in English.
Overall, there are a lot of amazing cars to see.

What to do in Parma in 48 hours

Written by Marcelo Pinto June 4th 2012

Most tourists who visit Italy are captivated by Rome and the Vatican, and don’t realize there is a whole world of discovery in this beautiful European country if one cares to look for it. Parma, located in northern Italy, is fast becoming a tourist destination, and has been known for years to be a center for art, renaissance architecture, and delectable cheese and ham. Come with me as we explore the various sections of this beautiful city in terms of restaurants, and what to see and do in 48 hours.

To begin with, let’s have a look at the various attractions worth visiting.

1. Duomo di Parma

This gorgeous church is a marvel and stands proud as a testament to Romanesque architecture. It was built in the 12th century, and has a stunning collection of frescoes in its interior. Guarded by pink marble stone lions as you walk past its huge doors, you will experience a sense of being taken back into time. Putting a couple of Euros in the offering will cause the ceiling to light up, which in itself is a magnificent spectacle. This is a great way of spending your afternoon in this charming Italian gem of a city.

2. Galleria Nazionale

One of Italy’s most prized museums, the Galleria Nazionale hosts a variety of artwork that will delight any art enthusiast. Examples of artists whose works are featured here include Coreggio, Leonardo da Vinci, Parmigianino and Van Dyck.

Places to Eat

1. Ai due Platani

Known for its delicious proscuitto and tortelli alle erbette, this restaurant is popular with locals and tourists alike. It has a laid-back ambience that is sure to put you at ease as you savor their delicious dishes. While here, be sure to try out the wide homemade pasta with rosemary-infused duck sauce; it is to die for.

2. 12 Monaci

This restaurant will leave you breathless and wanting more. Located in Via Rome, its specialty is the veal and homemade pasta, and due to the fact that it is a family-run establishment, it has a homey feel to it. The restaurant was originally a monastery, as is evidenced by the interior. This adds to the restaurant’s ambience, giving it a romantic look and feel.

Things to Do

1. Teatro Farnese

Built entirely of wood in the 16th century, this theater is a great way of spending the early evening hours admiring the intricate architecture and being bathed in a one-of-a-kind atmosphere.

2. Teatro Regio

Touted as one of the top venues in Italy, the Teatro Regio hosts various operas, and you might be lucky to catch a performance of Verdi’s Opera. Ensure to book your tickets in advance so that you can have a true appreciation of what this opera house has to offer.

So there you have it; a list of places to see and things to do. Spend your evenings at some of Parma’s restaurants and get to experience the authentic heart of Italy. The city can be easily accessed from both Bologna and Milan, and is a great destination for those who want something different from the beaten tourist path.

Images from wikipedia

Parmesan dot com Launches in the U.S.

Consorzio Del Formaggio Parmigiano-Reggiano Launches Parmesan.Com

by Marcelo Pinto Tuesday, May 22nd, 2012

The Consorzio del Formaggio Parmigiano-Reggiano today launched its new US website, Parmesan.com in New York. This website is now the most comprehensive online resource for recipes and information on Parmigiano Reggiano cheese.

Parmigiano Reggiano cheese is a protected product and is one of the DOP cheese recognised in Italy. The website was created in partnership between Good Food Creative, Inc, 2nd Nature and Digital Brand Expressions, and New Jersey. It is designed to help Americans and the world in general understand and appreciate the history and uses of parmesan cheese better. Rather than just provide recipes, it is going to encourage users to interact and share so that they can learn more.

Parmesan cheese comes from Parma in northern Italy, and it is the original cheese that many American associate with cheeses from Italy that are hard, and have a strong savoury flavour. Parmesan cheese is considered a delicacy, in fact, it is the privilege of the true gourmand . Parmigiano Regiano is a brand that represents status and prestige in the world of cheeses as well, and eating it is a delightful experience.

A typical Parmesan cheese is made through a unique process of heating half fat milk, adding whey and rennet. The curds are then broken to obtain the grainy textures. Each vat has 1000 kilos of milk in it, and they will produce 2 wheels each. The cheese is aged for minimum 12 months before being labelled Parmigiano Reggiano by an expert from the consortium. For few centuries ago and till now, the waste whey from the process was fed to pigs which were then slaughtered for making Parma ham.

Visitors to the launch were treated to a taste of Parmigiano Reggiano as part of a 3 course meal that was prepared by Chef Michael White of Wisconsin who discovered and fell in love with Parmesan cheese in the course of his cooking career.

Parmesan.com will provide cooking inspiration through plenty of recipes, ranging from simple salads to main dishes. Chefs and other Parmesan.com community members are free to share the recipes with visitors, as well as rate recipes from around the world. The site also allows both visitors and members to contribute newly discovered meal ideas, build a recipe box of favorite recipes, test their knowledge of Parmesan cheese and learn how Parmigiano Regianno cheese is made. To get started, register at parmesan.com you can do so and log in using your Facebook account.

Earthquake in Emilia Romagna shakes 30,000 wheels of Parmesan

Tremors and damages in the area around Ferrara.

by Marcelo Pinto Sunday, May 20th, 2012

In the early hours of the Morning of 20th May 2012 an earthquake of magnitude 5.9 struck the area around Ferrara. Many people felt the bang in the middle of the night and they were awaken by the shaking. There have been instanced of severely damaged building in the area and 4 people seems to have died due to the shaking. Ferrara is a town in the region of Emilia Romagna about 70 km from Modena and 50 km from Bologna. Despite the epicenter being between Modena and Bologna and the damage here in Modena and Bologna was minimal only a major scare for everyone. The train line was suspended for several hours however the authorities managed to restarted the service.

The strangest thing that happened here it is that about 30 thousand wheels of parmesan cheese were knocked down from their ageing shelves causing considerable damage to the producers.

Bologna

It was very scary a resident reports, but there are no damages to the buildings.

Modena

In Modena city centre there have been no damages however in the town of Finale Emilia a bell tower was damaged, 35 hospital patients have been evacuated.

Reggio Emilia.

People in Reggio Emilia felt the vigorous shaking but no damages to the infrastructure were reported.

Parma.

Just the shaking were felt without any damage.

Emilia Delizia notice to our clients.

Emilia Delizia would like to reassure that despite the scary moments Bologna, Modena and Parma areas are perfectly safe. Our gourmet tours will be running as normal and planned for the coming days. Therefore do not cancel your foodie holidays as all services have restarted as normal in just hours after the quake.

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News about the earthquake from the BBC – Video transcript.

When a magnitude six earthquake struck northern Italy, 10% of the world’s supply of Parmigiano came crashing the ground. Cheese makers are not just facing ruined Parmesan, but potentially financial ruin. One of these rounds sells for $800. When the shelves holding the Parmesan fell, the oldest rounds fell last.

It’s these cheeses, the ones that have been maturing for up to two years that the owners are now desperately trying to sell.

“We’re trying to push the cheese into the market immediately so the Parmigiano is eaten and we avoid dumping it.”

In the city of Modena, the farmers are selling the Parmesan at a 40% discount.

They don’t appear to be having any trouble attracting buyers.

“I chose to come here in solidarity with my people and also because the price is lower.”

If you want to get a sense of what’s financially at stake for these farmers you need to look no further than the local bank. In the vault, thousands of rounds of Parmesan are held as collateral for the loans given to cheese makers.

Recently, farmers here have been struggling to survive with a hundred going out of business in the last five years. Of course, it’s not just about the money, but tradition. They’ve been making Parmesan and in the Emilia-Romagna region for 9 centuries. Zoe Conway, BBC News.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twFgs0hXIS0