Detour Pit Stop #26: Miataland, Italy
Miataland is a boutique B&B with a difference. When you book a room you can also choose from an extensive collection of special edition Mazda MX-5s to drive on the fabulous roads of Perugia.
Andrea Mancini was working in a Ford dealership when a customer brought in an MX-5 for part exchange. He’d been a fan since the car was launched but this was his first chance to drive one. He was smitten.
Later he traded that car for a second-generation model, but always regretted parting with it and from then on vowed never to sell another MX-5. There are now over two dozen cars in the Mancini collection, stored in a barn next to his beautiful B&B. And the best part is, he lets his guests drive them.
I visited to make this short film while the B&B was still under construction, with only the stunning infinity pool complete and the guest annexe just a shell. Now there are six rooms available, all MX-5 themed of course, with bedspreads matching original paint colours, and bed frames mirroring chassis parts.
The cars are all special editions. So whether you fancy the very latest 30th Anniversary Edition, an ultra-rare Japan-only M2 or even a V8 powered Flyin’ Miata then you’re spoilt for choice.
Andrea has even planned a variety of routes so you can explore the beauty of the countryside and the handling of his MX-5s.
