Why visit Modena? Simply one reason “Restaurant Osteria Francescana by Michelin Star Chef Massimo Bottura”. This is the World’s number 2 restaurant and is simply one of the main reasons visitors flock to Modena. You can read more about the restaurant here. Also Did I mention the Ferrari Museum in town if you are into luxury cars.
Here are my top 10 recommendations planning your trip to Modena :
1. Book your table in advance: Ever since the restaurant was featured in Netflix show “Chefs Table”, reservations have been booming at the restaurant. To book simply go the website on the first of each month and book a lunch or dinner session. The Booking are only available 3 months in advance, so be quick to book a table or two for your weekends. Book for 2-4 people since getting your friends on board will be quite easy. Once you have made your booking you can sort your flights out.
2. Getting there: : I chose to fly into Bologna Airport and simply rent a car from there. You can do the same thing from Milan Airports. The inner city pressure of Milan driving means Bologna is the easier option. Train and Bus options are available as well but in Italy driving is a whole lot of fun and makes it easier to drive around the small towns to see more of everything on offer.
3. Accommodation: Hotel options in Modena is not the greatest so after some serious research I ended up at “Best Western Premier Hotel Milano Palace Modena”, long name but this is the best hotel they have in Modena. Rooms are large and clean, staff were lovely and informative, valet parking available so that’s the car sorted, and breakfast was good. It is a 1.3 km (15 minute) walk to the restaurant from here. The city center is a 10 min walk as well. The streets are small and cozy so makes for a nice romantic walk.
4. When to go: Winter can get a little wet so focus on March to November if you after warmer temperatures and sunshine. If you after the restaurant exclusively then anytime is a good time.
5. How long 1 should stay: : I did 36 hours since I was there for culinary experience. The city can be explored during the morning, visits to places of interest during the day, and with dinner at night. This should all be covered in an overnight stay and late departure.
6. Restaurants and cafes: Important to remember that most places are open till 2pm and then closed till 6pm (Dinner service) so a late lunch is not really an option In Modena. I ended up doing my 3pm late lunch at a local Creperie having Nutella crepes as lunch. Not healthy but was delicious for a starving man.
7. Road Trip:Modena is a one night stay so be sure to explore the surrounding cities. I managed 2 countries and 9 cities in a 4 day trip: San Marino, Italian Cities: Rimini (Beach town), Cesena, Bologna, Modena, La Spezia (Costal Hotspot), Massa, Pisa (the tower), Lucca, and Florence. I stayed in Modena, Remini and Florence for my 3 nights, posts on the other 2 cities to follow shortly.
Things to Do/See Around Modena:
8. Duomo di Modena: This is the local Church and something you will see quite often walking round Modena. Lots of weddings are going down from July to September so lots of action.
9. Parmigiano Reggiano: Sticking to the culinary tour visit the Parmigiano Reggiano factory to see the making of the cheese is quite a treat. There are several of these around Modena and Bologna area so use this link to find the most suitable one.
10. Balsamic vinegar: Villa San Donnino is a traditional balsamic vinegar company and a must to learn more about the food culture of Italy. Try this link here to make a booking.
