october-2009

PHOTO © CARLO VALENTINI
For our full route map visit www.ryanair.com TEXT BY JAMES WILLIAMS
Ryanair Two-Minute Guides
ITALY
NUMBER CRUNCHER
12.1
The record breaking price in millions of dollars (€8.5 million) paid
for a 1957 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa, sold at auction earlier this year.
Florence
EAT: NERBONE
Nestled among the bountiful food stalls at
the Mercato Centrale, Nerbone has been
serving up its juicy tripe sandwiches and
boiled beef buns since opening day back in
the 19th century. Grab one of the few tables
or just eat standing up with the locals.
STAND 292, MERCATO CENTRALE
STAY: RIVA LOFTS
Formerly a set of artisans’ workshops,
these luxury studio suites (pictured)
occupy a leafy spot on the River Arno just
outside the city centre. Kitted out with
modernist furniture, they also feature
kitchenettes, Jacuzzis, private terraces
and a stylish white sandstone pool.
98 VIA BACCIO BANDINELLI,
TEL: +39 055 713 0272, WWW.RIVALOFTS.COM
SEE: SALVATORE FERRAGAMO
MUSEUM
Explore the creations of iconic Florentine
shoe designer Salvatore Ferragamo.
Housed in one of the city’s grandest
palazzos, this museum shows off the
footwear that has attracted such stars as
Sofi a Loren and Audrey Hepburn.
5R PIAZZA SANTA TRINITA, TEL: +39 055
336 0456, WWW.SALVATOREFERRAGAMO.IT
SHOP: PAPERBACK EXCHANGE
This store behind the Duomo is packed
full of new and second hand titles.
Stocking only English works and offering
a generous trade in system, it’s a hit with
students and bargain hunters alike.
4R VIA DELLE OCHE, TEL: +39 055 293 460,
WWW.PAPEX.IT
FLY TO PISA (FLORENCE) FROM 40
DESTINATIONS, INCLUDING MARRAKESH
Modena
EAT: ANTICA PASTICCERIA S BIAGIO
In business since the 19th century, this
small, family run shop sells all manner of
confections, from the local Barozzi cake,
to chocolates delicately infused with the
town’s famous aceto balsamico.
77 VIA EMILIA CENTRO, TEL: +39 059 217 284
STAY: HOTEL REAL FINI BAIA DEL RE
Located in countryside on the outskirts of
Modena, this stylish four star is renowned
for its food and comfortable rooms.
Sample some Modenese specialities over
dinner, or just unwind in the spa, complete
with Finnish sauna and Turkish bath.
1684 VIA VIGNOLESE, TEL: +39 059 479
2111, WWW.HOTELBAIADELRE.COM
DO: GALLERIA FERRARI
Drive your (not worthy) hire car down to
the offi cial Ferrari museum (pictured)
in Maranello, where 40 of the gleaming
motors are on display. Browse models like
the 750 Monza right up to today’s Formula
1 beasts, then splurge on all manner of
red and white merchandise.
43 VIA DINO FERRARI, TEL: +39 053 694
3204, WWW.GALLERIAFERRARI.COM
SEE: GALLERIA ESTENSE
Roam the grand hallways of the Galleria
Estense, which houses centuries of
paintings owned by Modena’s Este family.
Also check out the biblioteca, home to
some of Italy’s most valuable books,
including the Bible of Borso d’Este, the
most decorated bible in the world.
337 PIAZZALE SANT’AGOSTINO,
TEL: +39 059 222 248
FLY TO BOLOGNA FROM 23 DESTINATIONS,
INCLUDING BARI AND VALENCIA
Rome
DRINK: CINECAFFE
Perfect for those who know their Fellini
from their Bertolucci, this stylish café is set
inside a popular cinema. Sip on a coffee
as you look out onto the Villa Borghese
gardens and fi ght the urge to dive into the
Trevi Fountain to re enact La Dolce Vita.
1 LARGO MARCELLO MASTROIANNI,
TEL: +39 064 201 6224, WWW.CINECAFFE.IT
STAY: CROSSING CONDOTTI
Just 50m from the Spanish steps and
with only fi ve rooms, attention to detail is
everything at this exclusive hotel. Rooms
boast a refi ned style (pictured) and come
with free wi fi , soft drinks and a set of fi ne
china should you need to drink like royalty.
28 VIA MARIO DE’FIORI, TEL: +39 066 992
0633, WWW.CROSSINGCONDOTTI.COM
SEE: MAXXI
It may not be opening offi cially until
next year, but the Zaha Hadid designed
national museum of architecture and
contemporary art is worth visiting not
only for its warm up events but also its
exterior. Running until 21 November is a
retrospective of architect Carlo Scarpa.
2F VIA GUIDO RENI, TEL: +39 06 321
9089, WWW.MAXXI.DARC.BENICULTURALI.IT
CLIMB: VITTORIANO
Arguably one of the capital’s biggest
eyesores, “The Typewriter” building is a
monument to Italian unifi cation and was
completed in 1911. As well as hosting
exhibitions on art and Italian history, it
offers a fantastic view of the city.
PIAZZA VENEZIA, TEL: +39 066 780 664
FLY TO ROME (CIAMPINO) FROM 29
DESTINATIONS, INCLUDING CAGLIARI
CURRENCY EURO
POPULATION 59 MILLION
LANGUAGE ITALIAN
Sei nel
mio
cuore!
YOU ARE IN MY
HEART!
Sei nel
mio
culto!
YOU ARE IN MY
CULT!
Say this… not this.
RYANAIRMAGAZINE
111