Modena

Slow-aged balsamic vinegar and fast-paced supercars

When you think of Italy, all kinds of foods spring to mind. Classical music fills the air. You picture sporting brilliance and artistic mastery too. But, surely, you haven’t forgotten about supercars? This is Ferrari country, and Maserati revs its engine here too. Visit Modena’s Ferrari museum and tour the Maserati factory, if that’s your thing.

Speaking of music, there isn’t a pair of ears on this earth that hasn’t felt the vibration of Pavarotti’s tenor. Modena was his hometown, and the Modenese know every pulsing vibrato and crescendo from his work. A museum to the great singer greets you on the outskirts of town. Even if you don’t like opera, you’ll still enjoy it.

The dry tang of balsamic vinegar dresses many a dish, as do tufts of grated parmigiano. Modena claims them both. There’s scarcely a dish in all of Italy in which they don’t have a say. A tight cluster of restaurants in the old centre could tempt you to a bite. Local plates, like tortellini in brodo, warm you on cold day.

Modena’s historic centre is studded with UNESCO World Heritage. The Piazza Grande is where you want to go to see civic life in action. Its cobbles bear the to-and-fro of the locals and let travellers take in the surroundings at their own pace.

The solid, reassuring old cathedral sits on the square, watched over by the free-standing belltower, “la Ghirlandina”. Climb its 200 steps for panoramic views of the city. You’re going to want to – after all, the clang of the mighty bell is the only thing that can dislodge “Volare” from your head.