Why visit Emilia-Romagna | Trip Planning | Activities | Food and Drinks
WHY VISIT EMILIA-ROMAGNA?
If you’re looking for an off-the-beaten-path destination in Italy that is filled with mouth-watering food, stunning medieval cities, and fairytale castles, then Emilia-Romagna is the place for you. I’ve lived here most of my life and I wanted my boyfriend, and now you, to love it as much as I do. So here is what I showed him.
Emilia-Romagna is a hidden gem that many tourists haven’t discovered yet. But trust me when I say here you’ll get to experience the best Italy has to offer:
A lot of history and art
Italy is one of the best places to be for people interested in history. Emilia-Romagna is no exception, as it has Etruscan and Ancient Roman origins, on top of being home to Medieval castles and Renaissance cities.
Beautiful scenery
Being one of the largest regions in Italy, it offers a vast variety of beautiful landscapes. From green flatlands around the Po River to hills and beautiful beaches, you won’t be disappointed in the panorama.
Some of the best food
Emilia-Romagna is also known as the food valley. It is home to well-known products like Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, balsamic vinegar, or prosciutto crudo, as well as lesser-known specialties you will surely fall in love with at first taste.
PLANNING A TRIP TO EMILIA-ROMAGNA
Planning a trip can be very stressful, so let’s start with some practical tips first.
WHEN TO GO TO EMILIA-ROMAGNA
It’s not easy to say what the best season to visit Emilia-Romagna is, as this is a great destination all year round. Based on your interests, expectations, and budget, here are my tips.
Summers are very hot and humid. As a result, cities will be cheaper and less crowded. If you want to sightsee, bring sunscreen, a lot of water and light, comfortable clothes. Coast towns may be a little pricier and more crowded. It’s the perfect time to relax by the beach in Romagna and try the famous gelato to cool down on hot days. There will also be plenty of food or art festivals throughout the region.
Winters are cold, wet, and foggy, but it rarely snows in most places. The cities will be a little cold, but not as crowded for most of the winter season. At the end of the day, you can warm yourself with all the earthy, delicious meals typical of Emilia-Romagna. Christmas is also a beautiful time to visit. Imagine Christmas lights everywhere, presepe tours, and Christmas markets, including Italy’s biggest indoor Christmas markets.
A really popular time to visit is during spring and fall. The temperature is mild, rarely going under 0 degrees Celcius (32 degrees Fahrenheit) or over 30 degrees Celcius (86 degrees Fahrenheit). Enjoy the good weather by visiting the main towns or cities. Visit some of the many festivals, or try out some of the nature and adventure parks. You can even take a boat trip along the Po River, the longest in Italy. Use the rainy days to visit castles or museums you can find throughout the region.
WHERE TO STAY IN EMILIA-ROMAGNA
While hostels are not as common in this region you can find a range of accommodations from bed&breakfasts, hotels, or apartments pretty easily around the region.
HOW TO GET AROUND EMILIA-ROMAGNA
Another important detail to think about when planning a trip is transportation. There are two main options: public transport and car rentals. So let’s look at the pros and cons for both.
Public Transport
This is one of the best options as Emilia-Romagna has an extensive public transportation system that includes buses, trains, and metros. You can use it to travel between cities and towns in the region, without having to worry about parking.
You can purchase tickets for public transportation at ticket vending machines located at stations, ticket offices, or online. To plan your train journey, you can visit Trenitalia. The website allows you to search for train schedules, routes, and ticket prices. Although my personal favorite is Trainline, as it lets you combine multiple train companies or compare the price with bus tickets and get the best fare possible.
The main downsides are two. First of all, when you’re using public transportation as your only mean of transport, you have to plan your day according to their schedule. Remember also that in most places buses don’t run from 10 pm to 6 am. Another essential thing to note is that buses and trains can often be late.
Renting a Car
Renting a car is perfect if you want to explore rural areas or smaller, lesser-known towns, or if you want the freedom of being able to go everywhere at whatever time of the day. The only disadvantage is that it’s not always easy to find parking, especially in bigger cities, or if you do find it you will probably have to pay for it.
BEST THINGS TO DO
Now that all the practical details are sorted, here are some things you can do and see in Emilia-Romagna.
Visit Historic Cities
Emilia-Romagna offers a number of historic cities, including but certainly not limited to Bologna, Parma, Modena, and Ferrara. Here you will find beautiful architecture, historic landmarks, museums, and art galleries.
Explore UNESCO World Heritage Sites
With its history and nature, Emilia-Romagna is home to some UNESCO World Heritage Sites that I think are worth exploring. The Portici in Bologna, the early Christian monuments in Ravenna, the historic center of Ferrara, and the Po River Delta are a few examples.
Enjoy Outdoors Activities
Spend the day surrounded by nature in one of the many nature parks. Rent a bike in Emilia-Romagna, and take advantage of the many cycling routes throughout the region. If you prefer walking, try out one of the hiking trails. Whether you’re in the mountains, on the flatland, near the beach, or along the river, you won’t regret a day spent in Emilia-Romagna’s beautiful nature. I would also recommend going on a boat tour on the Po River.
Relax at the Beach
While the beaches in Emilia-Romagna may not be the most famous among Italian seaside destinations, I think they are still worth visiting. Here you can relax by the sea and take nightly strolls on the main street looking at the street artists, markets and shops.
Spend the Day Visiting a Castle
If like me, you grew up watching Disney movies and reading historical fiction, I’m sure you will love visiting one of the many castles throughout Emilia-Romagna and learning about their story.
Attend Festivals and Events
Get ready to immerse yourself in the Italian culture with some of the most vibrant and exciting festivals and events in Emilia-Romagna. From food to art festivals, and traditional celebrations to modern events, this region has something to offer everyone.
Try Local Food and Wine
Emilia-Romagna is known for its delicious food and wine, that’s why people refer to it as the food valley. To try the cuisine, I recommend visiting local wineries, food markets or festivals, and trattorie, small local restaurants where you can find cheap traditional dishes.
WHAT TO EAT OR DRINK IN EMILIA-ROMAGNA
I might be biased, considering this is the food I grew up eating but I think Emilia-Romagna has some of the best dishes in Italy. These are some of my favorites.
Parmigiano Reggiano: Best known and commonly used cheese in Italy, Parmigiano Reggiano is a staple in Emilia-Romagna cuisine, as it’s used in many dishes but also as an appetizer.
Prosciutto: This dry-cured ham is a specialty of Parma and can be enjoyed throughout the region as an appetizer or in sandwiches or on pizza.
Torta Fritta, Crescentine, or Gnocco Fritto: thin fried dough served with cold cuts, it has many names throughout the region.
Balsamic Vinegar: Originated in Modena, balsamic vinegar is a rich and flavorful dressing that you can enjoy on salads, cheese, and much more thanks to its combination of sweet and sour.
Tortellini and Tortelli: Emilia-Romagna offers many different kinds of “stuffed” pasta often filled with cheese, meat, or vegetables and enjoyed in a warm broth or a particular sauce.
Lasagne alla Bolognese: Thin sheets of pasta, ragù, a rich, meaty sauce made with beef, pork and tomato, a cheesy besciamella sauce, and lots of Parmigiano. I’m sure you have tried or heard of lasagna many times before but what’s better than eating it where it was created?
Lambrusco: This sparkling red wine is made in Emilia-Romagna and pairs well with many local dishes.
Piadina: Piadina is a popular street food in Emilia-Romagna, especially on the coast. It’s a sort of soft tortilla folded in two and filled with meats, cheese, and vegetables.
Cotechino and Zampone: Traditionally served with lentils on New Year’s Eve, you can enjoy these cured pork sausages all winter season in Italy.
Make sure to explore the local markets, trattorie, and wineries to discover even more regional specialties.