TRAVEL: Ferrari Land roars into action

WHEN you think Ferrari, there are a few things that jostle for pole position in your mind.

The famous shade of rosso corsa red, F1 legends like Schumacher and Lauda, and – most importantly – speed.

You don’t have to be a Formula 1 fan to know that Ferrari like their cars quick. Even a total novice can see that they’re not exactly designed for a tootle to the shops and back.

And it’s that very passion for pace that currently has rollercoaster regulars rubbing their hands together in anticipation.

Ferrari has taken its rip-roaring reputation for velocity, and turned it into the continent’s newest theme park. Ferrari Land is dressed from top-to-toe in the company’s trademark racing colours, and promises a blend of breathtaking rides and authentic Italian experiences.

Here’s everything you need to know about this thrill-filled venture. Strap yourself in…

WHERE IS IT?

Ferrari Land isn’t just a theme park – it’s a theme park in a tip-top setting. It’s part of PortAventura World, which holds top spot when it comes to Spain’s most-popular theme parks, but you have to pay separately to get in.

The complex is wedged between Tarragona and Salou, on the Costa Dorada, which means sandy beaches are just a stone’s throw away.

And if you’re happy to travel a little further, the shop-filled boulevards of Barcelona are only an hour away by train.

PortAventura itself is just one of Ferrari Land’s neighbours – it’ll also rub shoulders with Caribe Aquatic Park.

WHAT ARE THE RIDES LIKE?

This is the real question on everyone’s lips. It’s fair to say expectations are high, given Ferrari’s blink-and-you’ll miss-it credentials, and the end result doesn’t disappoint.

The piece de resistance is the Vertical Accelerator, a cloud-piercing coaster that reaches a top height of 367 feet. The bold red cars are designed to look like actual Formula 1 vehicles, and Ferrari’s iconic prancing horse logo takes pride of place on the tower-like structure.

The 880-metre route is the equivalent of seven football pitches, and you’ll hit top speeds of 180 kilometres per hour in the space of just five seconds. All of this means that Ferrari World’s main attraction will snatch a couple of European records – for the fastest and tallest coaster on the entire continent.

The rest of the park might be the supporting cast, but it still delivers a bunch of excellent F1-themed attractions.

Sit in a replica Formula 1 chassis to take on a few circuits on the simulator, sign up for a driving experience on the park’s 570-metre racetrack, or visit the pit lane to see if you can cut it as a Ferrari mechanic. And if you’ve got a head for heights, there’s the lofty Bounce-Back Tower – a stomach-churning drop that also uses Ferrari pistons to fire you upwards at full speed.

At the centre of the park you’ll find the Ferrari dome – a futuristic building that contains a gallery of cars through the ages, and virtual track experiences for Formula 1 and GT models.

WHAT ELSE CAN I DO THERE?

Now that we’ve covered the thrill-seeking side of things, it’s time to take a look at what else the park has to offer.

You’ll see little nods to Ferrari’s heritage all around the park, mostly in the form of replica Italian landmarks.

There are versions of Venice’s Campanile di San Marco, Milan’s La Scala Theatre, and Rome’s iconic Colosseum.

You’ll also be able to poke your head into a carbon copy of Enzo Ferrari’s red-shuttered family home.

The restaurants will fall in line with the Mediterranean theme, too. There’ll be an authentic trattoria, which is made to look like the Ferrari drivers’ favourite restaurant in Maranello. You’ll also be able to pick up light bites from pit stop-style snack bars, and fully loaded cones from an ice-cream parlour. One-day tickets for PortAventura Park and Ferrari Land start at €60 for adults and children aged 11+, and €52 for children aged 4-10.

FALCON COSTA DORADA DEALS

Falcon has some great prices for family holidays to Costa Dorada, during which you can check out Ferrari Land and PortAventura World.

Prices include €1,759 for a couple and one child or €2,199 for two adults and two kids staying at the 3* self-catering Sunclub Apartments, departing August 25.

You can call Falcon on 1850-453545 or get an extra €50 off per booking when you apply code SPRING50 when booking for all Summer 2017 holidays at www.falconholidays.ie. Minimum spend of €1,000 per booking.