Emilia-Romagna

Often forgotten in the headlong rush between Rome, Florence and Venice, the region of Emilia-Romagna stretches across northern Italy just south of Milan, bounded by the Apennine mountain range, the Adriatic Sea, the River Po and the tiny republic of San Marino.
With elegant Bologna as its capital, Emilia-Romagna has several other majestic old towns to discover; there are fine Renaissance palaces to be explored at Ferrara and Modena, a whole host of Byzantine mosaics and Dante’s tomb in Ravenna – once capital of the Roman Empire – and awesome paintings by 16th-century artist Correggio in Parma’s cathedral. And most important of all for petrol-heads, Maranello is the HQ of Ferrari.
Blessed with some of the most fertile farming land in Italy, Emilia-Romagna grows rice, cereals and vegetables on the marshy coastal plains and along the Po; it is home to a world-renowned gastronomy – balsamic vinegar, Parmesan cheese and Parma ham all hail from the region. Thanks to its geology, it is rich in hot springs, whose therapeutic properties can be enjoyed at the spa resorts of Bagno di Romagna and Salsomaggiore. It is also a destination for outdoor lovers, with hiking, cycling and horseback riding trails through the verdant, mountainous Apennine landscape and in the diverse terrains of the nine protected national parks.

Practical Info

Emilia-Romagna is easily accessible by rail or road for day trips from Rome, Milan, Venice or Florence.