Emilia Romagna in a nutshell
Emilia Romagna is a region in the north of Italy, it’s located just below Lombardia (Milan) and it’s limited by Tuscany South Ward. Emilia Romagna is probably not as famous as Tuscany (Florence – Siena) or Sicily but you will be surprised by visiting it. It has an airport in Bologna which is well connected to London by Ryan Air and also Lufthansa and other major companies.
It is also confining with Veneto (Venice) which is 2 hours drive from Bologna, Liguria (north west) and the Marche region (south east).
Things to do in Emilia Romagna
- Thermal baths and Spas in Emilia Romagna
- Museo Ferrari Maranello
- Trekking on the mountains between Emilia Romagna and Tuscany
Villaggio della Salute Spa, Castel San Pietro (Bologna)
When I lived in Bologna this was one of the favourite places of me and my wife. This relax village is set in a green and hilly area 30 minutes drive from Bologna. It has the spa and also a gym, restaurant and overnight stay also available. Link to Villaggio Della Salute official Website >>
The ticket with access to the spa includes the indoor and outdoor thermal pool at 34°C, thermal pool at 38°C, jet spa showers, sauna, hammam, ice fountain, gym, and the relaxation room with herbal tea corner (including pre-admission medical check-up; check the services available and the necessity according to the latest regulations in force) Access is capacity-limited; Green pass required for spa and wellness services. Reservations advised on Saturdays and Sundays.
Leave the A14 motorway at the Castel San Pietro Terme (BO) exit and follow the Strada Provinciale Sillaro towards Sassoleone for about 15 km. You will find ample parking, both free and subject to charging.
Discover all the Ferrari versions at museo Ferrari in Modena
If you are passionate for the red of the Ferrari you’ll have a chance to admire all the Ferrari models that made the history of the house of the rampant horse. Find the link to the official site of the museum here >>
Trekking in the mountains between Emilia Romagna and Tuscany
There are seemingly endless opportunities for mountain bikers and cycle excursionists traveling to the TEA National Park. Bike and e-bike rentals and trails can be found at Cerwood and ForestAvventura adventure parks. Either explore the trails on your own or with one of their qualified guides. You may also find free bike rentals at some of the hotels and refuges in the Park. If biking is something that interests you, be on the lookout for this service in your search for accommodations.
Nightlife in Emilia Romagna
Emilia Romagna is famous for the nightlife on the riviera romagnola (seaside). The name of the area comes from Romagna which is the eastern side of the region. Rimini e Riccione are very popular cities for fun and entertainment from May until end of September.
3 cities to visit in Emilia Romagna
- Bologna, the capital is a must see, for the monuments and it’s also very convenient as it has it’s own airport. Experience the traditional food from Bologna: tigelle, tortellini, crescentine.
- Modena is also beautiful to visit for a day, explore the historical center and experience the food. The passatelli and balsamic vinegar are traditional from this area.
- Rimini is the main city on the riviera. It’s on the coast, it’s a lively city and beautiful to explore on foot. The food is really nice and affordable. Try a fish restaurant or if you like cooking, go to the fish market and buy fresh fish to cook at home. The piadina romagnola is a must have street food.
And there are also some great cities worth a visit:
When is the best time to visit Emilia Romagna?
Spring and Autumn are the best seasons to visit Emilia Romagna because the weather is really nice. In particular the months of May, June and September. It’s quite warm during the day and fresh at night. During summer it’s very hot and during winter is very cold. However if you are looking for fun nights and seaside holidays the best months are July and August. In these two months the Romagna comes alive and it’s fully packed with Italians and foreign tourists who come to the riviera romagnola to party all night.
There are two famous types of wine from Emilia Rogagna: the red Lambrusco and the white Pignoletto. The lambrusco comes in two different kinds: the sweet and the dry. Try them both to decide which one you like the best.
5 things to see in Emilia Romagna
- Bologna – Regional capital; Airport. The center of the city is really characteristic and full of history. You can visit piazza maggiore, see the Tritone sculpure and appreciate the food culture by shopping in the local shops.
- Ferrara > Unesco
- Modena > Is 30 minutes from Bologna and it’s famous for the Aceto balsamico di Modena and because it’s in the middle of the motor valley. Motor valley is the area around Modena and it’s where Ferrari, Lamborghini and Ducati are from.
- Rimini > Emilia Romagna is also famous for the nightlife on the coast and the summer holidays in Rimini, Riccione and Cattolica.
- The hills around Bologna are famous for the Trattorie where you can eat the traditional regional food. The area of Monte San Pietro is one of my favourites. If you go for lunch on a Sunday you should book.
Emilia Romagna’s food culture
Despite all of that the main reason why Emilia Romagna is famous worldwide is most certainly the food culture. Starting from spaghetti bolognese, to Parma ham, from Aceto balsamico di Modena to the tortellini.
The “ragù di carne” or Bolognese sauce was invented in this region.
The most famous food from Emilia Romagna: from Aceto Balsamico di Modena to Parma Ham.
- Crescentine or Gnocco Fritto
- Parma ham
- Spaghetti Bolognese
- Tortellini in brodo “filled pasta in chicken broth”
- Piadina Romagnola
Let’s just start by clarifying an important point: if you wish to try the real spaghetti bolognese, you will have to ask for tagliatelle al ragù. The bolognese sauce is in fact a meat sauce that is made by cooking for a few hours mince meat with a soup made of tomato and other vegetables. The spaghetti that are typically used for this plate are called tagliatelle and they are a kind of pasta made with egg and they look like flat spaghetti.
Emilia’s “motor valley”, Ferrari and Lamborghini home
Emilia Romagna is also the capital region for luxury sport cars, in fact both Ferrari and Lamborghini were born in this region and still they have their headquarters here. The Ferrari’s headquarter and factory is in Maranello in Modena province 50 km (35 )west of Bologna. If you are passionate about motors you can plan a visit to the Ferrari Museum.
