Emilia-Romagna

Slightly under-the-radar, Emilia-Romagna, in the hills of Matilde di Canossa between Parma and Reggio Emilia, is a region in northern Italy that runs from the Apennine Mountains down to the Adriatic coastline. With heavyweight tourist towns of Florence and Venice on either side, Emilia-Romagna’s capital Bologna tends to be overlooked. But the curious traveller will find gastronomic treats galore here – Bologna is a veritable foodie paradise and birthplace of ragu, lasagne and tortellini and you’ll find countless osterias serving their own secret family recipes. It’s also a city filled with glorious medieval architecture from the striking towers of La Due Torre, the Basilica di Petronio and the charm-laden 13^th century Piazza Maggiore, one of Italy’s oldest and biggest town squares.

Leaving the big city behind, much of Emilia-Romagna is characterised by productive wine-growing lands, a heritage that dates back as far as the 7th century; its fertile soils today create smooth blends of red, white and of course frizzante. Smaller foodie enclaves can be discovered too, such as Modena famed for its distinctive balsamic vinegar and Parma which produces succulent ham. Epicureans will likely encounter parmesan in abundance too – these regions also make the classic parmigiana Reggiano. Heading towards the coast, Ravenna lures travellers with its 6th century buildings adorned with Byzantine frescoes. Long stretches of wide beach meet the Adriatic Sea here, completing the region’s trio of food, wine and sandy seaside.