Modena is best known for its industrial prowess, particularly in the Italian motor industry — Ferrari, Maserati, and Lamborghini all have roots here. But the old city in the centre is truly monumental, with one of Italy's finest Romanesque cathedrals and its impressive 88-metre Ghirlandina bell tower, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Modena is also the birthplace of balsamic vinegar and the late tenor Luciano Pavarotti.
This is Emilia-Romagna at its most prosperous and self-confident. The Mercato Albinelli, the city's magnificent covered food market, sells some of the finest produce in Italy. Piazza Grande is the ceremonial heart of the city, flanked by the cathedral and the medieval Palazzo Comunale. The Galleria Estense holds one of the finest Renaissance art collections in northern Italy, while the Museo Enzo Ferrari tells the story of Modena's most famous industrial son.
The local obsession with both cars and cuisine is entirely genuine. Massimo Bottura's Osteria Francescana has held three Michelin stars and topped the World's 50 Best list — and Modena's culinary ambition doesn't stop there. A day here barely scratches the surface.