Situated between central and northern Italy, Emilia Romagna is a vast territory and borders different regions such as Lombardy, Veneto, Piedmont, Liguria, Tuscany , Le Marche and the Republic of San Marino. Nestled along the Po river, the Apennines and the Adriatic Sea, this region is considered one of the most fertile and productive in the peninsula.
Sea and Mountains
Crossing this area the contrast between sea and mountains is evident and offers breathtaking views: rich plains, gentle hills, large and well-equipped beaches. You can admire the beauty of the Apennines for example visiting the cities of Parma and Piacenza or having tours of the beautiful parks and natural reserves. Of great interest the area of Montefeltro, which includes towns like Sant'Agata Feltria, Novafeltria, Pennabilli, Macerata Feltria and San Leo. Each of these towns still preserves the traces of past history that can be found in the many fortifications and religious buildings that crown the rocky ridges and the green hills characterising the morphology of this place.
If you love the sea, you're definitely in the right place! The Adriatic coast is actually the ideal destination for relaxation and fun in its beaches, which are among the longest ones in Europe. Beach resorts are equipped with swimming pools, restaurants, playground for kids and spaces dedicated to sports and leisure. Sea resorts such as Rimini, Riccione and Cattolica are synonymous with rest and entertainment. Rimini in particular is the most important seaside resort on the Adriatic coast with kilometres of sandy beaches and it can be called the capital of fun.
What to see: the most popular towns
Art, history, architecture: in Emilia Romagna you'll find them all. Starting from Bologna, the regional capital, these aspects are well reflected in the Basilica of San Petronio, one of the most beautiful churches in Italy. The historic centre with its squares and old streets is full of charm; to enjoy a complete view of the city from above, I suggest you to climb the 498 steps of the Asinelli Tower.
The city of Ferrara is a UNESCO heritage site and retains all the splendour of the Renaissance which is expressed through the streets, the façades and the artistic treasures preserved in the Este Castle, an architectural gem. In Modena – the city of engines and singing, as well as home of tortellini and parmesan cheese - you can visit the Palazzo Ducale, the Romanesque cathedral and the bell tower Ghirlandina. Another city counting eight buildings recognised by UNESCO is Ravenna, known as the city of mosaics. During your visit you cannot miss the Basilica of Sant'Apollinare Nuovo, the Mausoleum of Theodoric and the Basilica of St. Apollinare in Classe (few people know that Dante's remains are kept here). Last but not least the city of Faenza, with its remarkable historical and cultural heritage. It enjoys international fame for its ancient ceramics industry, an art dating back to the XIII century that today can be seen in the International Museum of Ceramics.
Sports and fun in Emilia Romagna
It' really easy to find sport fields and facilities to play tennis, basketball, football, soccer and volleyball in Rimini as in all of the coastal resorts of the Emilia Romagna. Any kind of bike lover will be definitely attracted by the beautiful places of the Riviera: from the flat streets of the coast straight to the steep ups and downs of the hill tracks. There's also no shortage of riding stables for horse-riding along the various paths offered. Give yourself a moment of relax and wellness during your holidays and visit the splendid health spas of Rimini Terme and Riccione Terme or choose one of the specialized treatment centres. If you prefer exciting adventures, you can't miss a trip to one of the many theme parks such as Aquafan in Riccione or Sky Park in Perticara. It's guaranteed to be a fun day for all the family!
Engines
Emilia Romagna is also the land of speed, sports and engines. In Maranello and Modena for example, speed lovers can visit the Ferrari Museums and admire the most prestigious cars of this famous car manufacturer, its trophies and symbols that made it famous worldwide. The city of Imola, with its castles and historic squares, is home of the famous Enzo and Dino Ferrari racetrack, which still hosts several cycling and motorsports events.
It's time for shopping
If you're looking for the coolest news-in-season, you absolutely need some shopping in Viale Ceccarini - the most popular street of Riccione - or through the streets of the city centres of Cattolica and Rimini. During summertime these places become the hearth of night life and shops are open till late at night.
Festivals and events
There are so many festivals and events in this region throughout the year and they always attract a great number of tourists. Just to mention a few, the Palio del Daino (Palio of Deer) – an impeccable Medieval historical reconstruction, the Paganello - for fresbee fans, the Notte Rosa (Pink Night) – an amazing event to celebrate the beginning of summer, the Moto GP race, Santarcangelo dei Teatri, Verucchio Festival, the Malatestian Music Fest and the Festival del Mondo Antico (Festival of Ancient Word).
Food
This land offers a a blending of cooking traditions from Emilia Romagna and Le Marche with genuine 'surf and turf' flavours. All it takes is for you to sit in any restaurant on the coast or inland to realise the passion local people have for good food. On the table there will always be some piadina – the symbol of Romagna gastronomy. It is an unleavened thin bread, served piping hot with ham, salami or local soft cheese. First courses of homemade pasta (tagliatelle, strozzapreti, ravioli, gnocchi, cappelletti, just to name some) served with tasty meat or fish sauces are highly appreciated. Roasts and grilled meats are expertly cooked, while on the coast fish is the real star of the table. Match these food dishes with the wines produced in the hills of Rimini: Sangiovese, Trebbiano, Pagadebit; there are plenty of local wineries where you can taste or buy them. There are also several farms in the hinterland where you can buy excellent cheeses including Ambra di Talamello - the renowned formaggio di fossa (cheese of the pit), and PDO extra virgin olive oil. Particularly well-known is the refined White Truffle of Sant'Agata Feltria, to which is dedicated a food festival that takes place in October.
