Emilia Romagna is the warm heart of Italy — a region stretching from the Apennine Mountains to the Adriatic coast that encompasses some of the most famous names in Italian culture: Parma (Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese and Prosciutto di Parma), Modena (balsamic vinegar and Ferrari), Bologna (the oldest university in the Western world and the legendary ragù alla bolognese), and the Riviera Romagnola, a 110-kilometre stretch of sandy Adriatic beaches that has been the summer playground of Italian families for generations. This is perhaps the most underrated region in Italy for food lovers — while Tuscany gets the international glory, Emilia Romagna is where Italians themselves go to eat. Bologna alone is nicknamed “La Grassa” — the fat one — and the markets of the Quadrilatero, the fresh pasta shops, and the trattorias serving tortellini in brodo and tagliatelle al ragù justify the reputation many times over.
Quick Facts: Emilia Romagna, Italy
- Best time to visit: April–June and September–October for the best food and city exploring; July–August for the Riviera Romagnola beaches (Rimini, Riccione, Cervia — very busy with Italian families); autumn is truffle and porcini mushroom season in the Apennines
- How to get there: Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport (BLQ) is the main hub; excellent high-speed rail from Milan (~1h), Florence (~35 min), Rome (~2h), and Venice (~1.5h) to Bologna Centrale; the region is compact and well-connected by regional trains
- Top experiences: A food tour of Bologna (Mercato delle Erbe, the Quadrilatero, and a pasta-making class); the Ferrari Museum in Maranello; the Byzantine mosaics of Ravenna (UNESCO — among the finest in the world); and a drive through the hill towns of the Apennines
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