When it comes to sports cars and supercars, Ferraris are some of the most desirable. Ever since watching Ferris Buellers Day Off and Miami Vice in the 1980s, I’ve wanted to drive an exotic sports car from the iconic prancing horse brand.
But because they are some of the most expensive vehicles, it might not be the most achievable goal. Not everyone can afford to buy a $250,000 car(myself included), so I began looking for alternatives.
There are many exotic car rental services but I wanted something even more special. Not only did I want to drive a Ferrari but I also wanted something unique by driving it in its home country of Italy. This is how to drive a Ferrari in Italy: My review of I Love Maranello Ferrari Test Drive Experience.
I Love Maranello Test Drive Experience
A few years back, Helena and I planned a trip to Italy after the Pandemic canceled our Caribbean Cruise on the Norweigan Encore. We had a credit so we rescheduled our trip as a Mediterranean cruise instead.
Related: Our Incredible Trip To Italy And Spain
This led to us finding a Tour company called I Love Maranello. I Love Maranello is a tour operator that offers a variety of activities and tours in Maranello, Italy, the home of Ferrari.
One of their most popular tours is the Ferrari Driving Tour, which specifically lets you test drive a Ferrari right next to the Ferrari factory in Maranello, Italy.
The tour starts with a briefing from an experienced driving instructor. In this case, it was a man named Hugo “Gas”. More on why his name is “Gas” in a bit (it’s not flatulence-related…)
Initially, I was supposed to drive a Ferrari F430. For those unfamiliar, this is the entry-level mid-engine Ferrari built from 2005-2010.
However, they have since upgraded that to a much newer Ferrari 458 Italia. Believe me, I wasn’t upset by this in the slightest. The 458 Italia has about 60 more horsepower than the F430.
After some basic instructions, we headed out to the road. After getting through some smaller back roads in Maranello, I got the go-ahead from Hugo.
I floored the accelerator in 2nd gear and I think I broke the space-time continuum. 0-60 in 3 seconds flat. The fastest car I’ve ever experienced. I was speechless. The acceleration was incredible.
I then found out why Hugo’s name was “Gas”. He started saying “Gas! Gas! Gas!”, wanting me to push the car even harder.
While I get his intentions, I wasn’t comfortable pushing a $200,000 supercar on Italian roads. I also didn’t want to end up in an Italian Jail.
Ferrari 458 Italia Test Drive Through I Love Maranello
We ended the test drive and I got to use the F1 simulator in the lobby. It was fun but a video game is never as much fun as the real deal. I should have done this first. We picked up some souvenirs and then headed to the Ferrari Museum and Factory tour.
Exploring The Ferrari Museum
What more can I say about this? It is a gearhead’s dream come true. The Ferrari Museum showcases some of the most iconic prancing horse models in the brand’s history. I highly recommend it to anyone who is a fan of Ferrari.
Ferrari Bus Tour Inside Factory
Unfortunately, we weren’t allowed to take photos inside the factory. However, I can appreciate the behind-the-scenes approach and recommend it highly. After the tour, we were taken to a nice Italian cafe for lunch.
My wife Helena had a carbonara and I had a bolognese. Just like not every restaurant is great in the U.S., the same is true there.
It was okay but a little too greasy. However, the Pizza we ate for dinner in Modena was amazing! It was the best pizza I’ve ever had.
Overall, I was very impressed with the entire I Love Maranello Tour. Driving the Ferrari was the highlight of course.
The Ferrari Museum showed me the rich history of the brand. Getting to see so many Ferrari models in person is something that any gearhead should experience at least once in their lives.
My only criticism is that I wasn’t comfortable pushing the Ferrari so hard on Italian roads. Next time, I will do a Ferrari track experience so I can safely push the supercar without fear of ending up in an Italian prison.
What To Expect In The I Love Maranello Experience
The road tour takes you past some of the most famous landmarks in Maranello, including the Ferrari factory, the Ferrari Museum, and the Fiorano racetrack. You will also have the opportunity to drive through some of the winding roads of the Modena countryside.
The tour lasts for approximately 2 hours and costs €140 per person. It is available for drivers over the age of 21 with a valid driver’s license.
Here are some of the things you can expect on the tour:
- Drive a Ferrari California or 458 Italia, or 488 GTB
- Accompanied by an experienced driving instructor
- A short test drive through the Modena countryside
- Bus tour around Maranello and inside the Ferrari factory
- Visit to the Ferrari Museum
- Duration: 2 hours
- Cost: €140 per person (about $150 at current exchange rate)
If you are a fan of Ferrari, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to drive one of their iconic cars on the roads of Maranello. The tour is well-organized and the driving instructors are friendly and professional. I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to experience the thrill of driving a Ferrari in Italy.
Check Out I Love Maranello On Viator to set up your amazing Ferrari driving experience in Ferrari’s hometown, Maranello, Italy.
Frequently Asked Questions About Driving A Ferrari In Italy (FAQs)
How much does it cost to drive a Ferrari in Italy?
For this particular tour with I Love Maranello, prices start at 100 Euros (about $107) for a 10-minute test drive. However, prices go up from there depending on the model and duration. Please check with I Love Maranello for current pricing and availability.
Can I drive a Ferrari on a track in Italy?
Absolutely. I Love Maranello offers a Ferrari track experience starting at 759 Euros ($816). The track experience they offer is at the Circuit of Modena race track (Autodromo di Modena). Book this experience on Viator
Can a foreigner drive a car in Italy?
Definitely. I am a foreigner and was able to drive in Italy with I Love Maranello with a valid U.S. driver’s license. Please check with I Love Maranello for more details.
Thanks for reading,
Nick Hazleton