Historically a much-travelled region lying between Milan and the north and Florence and Tuscany to the south, Emilia Romagna stretches from the Po river and is in fact home to the Po Delta and a haven for wildlife through the cultural cities of Parma, Ferrara and Bologna to the sandy miles of beaches of the Adriatic coast including the well-known resorts of Rimini and Cattolica. The Emilia Romagna region contains gems of architectural brilliance such as the Church of San Vitale in Ravenna, was birthplace to one of Italy’s greatest film makers, Federico Fellini and is renowned throughout the world as being home to some of the best gastronomic specialities Italy exports, including Parma ham and cheese. The coast is busy and bustling but inland the smaller art cities are quieter yet fascinating and just off the main roads you’ll still discover beautiful rolling countryside and hilltop villages for exploring. Emilia Romagna is also easily accessible for your holiday from the airport at Bologna and works well in its own right or perhaps combined with the Veneto or Lakes to the north or Tuscany to the south.
Local highlights
Cultural Highlights
Visit the Tempio Malatestiano in Rimini, one of Italy`s great Renaissance works. The Byzantine mosaics of Ravenna in San Vitale and the Battistero degli Ariani.Dante`s tomb in Ravenna. San Petronio in Bologna. The Galleria Estense in Modena. Opera in Parma, Modena and Bologna.
Festivals
Cherry blossom festival in April in Vignola. Ferragosto at Pievepelago on 15 August. Palio held in Montagnana, Ferrara, Faenza and Forlimpopoli at different times throughout the year.Buskers festival in Ferrara in August. Ravenna cultural festival from mid June to mid July.
Gastronomy
Some of the most famous Italian food exports come from this region including Bolognaise sauce, Parma ham and Parmesan cheese. The pigs used to make Parma ham are fattened on the whey left over from the production of Parmesan cheese. Culatello sausage is also made. Other specialities of the region include balsamic vinegar from Modena, tortelloni (often served with a cream sauce) and Torta di Limone (lemon tart made with lemons and fresh cream). Vignola produces cherries. Bologna is also home to a Torta di riso. Near Modena a liqueur called nocino is made from unripe walnuts picked on 24 June. Lambrusco wine is made in the region around Modena.
Getting out and about
Faenza for ceramics (there is an international museum of ceramics). Modena for the Ferrari factory (about 12 miles south of the city) and the Galleria Ferrari with a small exhibition of memorabilia and vintage cars. The gastronomic city of Bologna with its famous twin towers and porticoed buildings. Rimini with its nine miles of sandy beaches (there is a quieter old quarter with cobbled streets around the Piazza Cavour). The Po Delta contains nature reserves such as the Valli di Comacchio north of Ravenna and the Bosco della Mesola. Grand Prix track at Imola.
Travel arrangements
How to get there
By Air: Airport at Bologna (daily flights with British Airways from London Gatwick). Most of the hotels in this region are no more than a couple of hours' drive from Bologna. Hirecars: We include a hire-car with all our holidays to Emilia Romagna. Roads are good and it is well worth exploring the coast and inland. With your own car Emilia Romagna can be reached easily with two overnight stops from the UK, perhaps in the Champagne region and then the Italian Lakes. We can make hotel reservations for you in France or Switzerland en route as well.