Modena is an absolutely charming little town, perfectly situated at the crossroads of Italy. To the south is Tuscany, providing olive oil, delectable cured meats, and Chianti Classico. To the north is Piedmont and the Veneto, offering Prosecco and some of the most complex and delicious wines ever created (Barolo and Barbaresco) and truffles. And for it’s own part, Modena is where the greatest balsamic vinegar is made, as well as prosciutto, and of course, Parmigiano Reggiano. Therefore, Modena is an amazing amalgamation of food and wine, drawing from all the best parts of Italy, this is the place to visit if you are a foodie.
Modena was also a bit of a mystery to me. Sitting at a little table at a coffee “bar” in the main intersection, you notice a constant stream of bicycles (old funky bicycles) rolling by on the cobblestone streets. While I was sure this was a tourist destination, the bicycles led me to believe that this is also a vibrant local community (I also noticed numerous people stop and greet each other at the coffee shop I was sitting at). For the tourists (all Italians), stores like Chanel, Burberry, and H&M have opened up storefronts and people endlessly moved in and out of stores along a sidewalk beautifully displayed with vaulted archways. Modena felt like a Hollywood set except that it was real. Modena, it turns out, is also the headquarters of Ferrari, Maserati, and Lamborghini, perfect for the supercar aficionado. We realized that this town has much more happening than we previously thought. I highly recommend a visit if you are in Italy.