Emilia Romagna has some of the most incredible landscapes in Italy. Stretching from the Apennines to the fertile Po Valley, it is synonymous with food. In fact, its food heritage is rich even by Italian standards. It’s home to Parmigiano Reggiano, Proscuitto di Parma and traditional Balsamic Vinegar of Modena amongst other things! That’s not all it’s home to though. The majority of Italy’s top car manufacturers are also based here. These include Ferrari, Maserati, Ducati and Lamborghini. There are plenty of opportunities to learn more about these brands in the motor museums that Emilia Romagna boasts. Its capital city, Bologna, is a lively city, home to the world’s oldest university. It certainly offers the perfect city break in Italy. What is more, it is a region that has a really authentic feel to it.
Quite simply, a holiday in one of our Emilia Romagna villas is the perfect destination in Italy for foodies and nature lovers. It goes without saying that Bookings For You are delighted to launch a range of villas in Emilia Romagna for the first time this year!
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Emilia Romagna is one of Italy’s wealthiest regions. In fact, its one of the most developed and wealthy in Europe, not just in Italy. Situated in the north of Italy, the region stretches from the Apennines to the fertile Po valley. Even amongst native Italians, its famous for its rich food heritage. It’s also home to some of Italy’s most exclusive brands, among them Ferrari, Maserati and Lamborghini.
Emilia Romagna’s capital is Bologna but it’s also home to eight other cities – Parma, Modena, Reggio Emilia, Ravenna, Rimini, Ferrara, Forlì and Piacenza. In addition, there are countless smaller historic villages and towns. These include 15 villages which are included in the list of Italy’s borghi piu belli. These include Bagnara di Romagna, Bobbio, Brisighella, Montefiore Conca, Montegridolfo, San Leo, Verucchio, Vigoleno and others.
Head to Bologna to admire its two leaning towers – the Due Torri. Yes, you read that right! Pisa isn’t the only city to boast a leaning tower! In fact, standing at 97.2 metres tall, the Torre degli Asinelli is the highest leaning Medieval tower in the world. Also make sure you enjoy time in the central Piazza Maggiore, visit the world’s oldest university and walk the 4km path from the city under the 666 arches of the Portico San Luca (the longest portico in the world) to the San Luca monastery. From here, you can enjoy wonderful views over the city of Bologna below.
Discover more about the towns and cities of the region in our A to Z of Emilia Romagna.
There is plenty more to see and do besides exploring Emilia Romagna’s towns and cities. You can easily eat your way around the region. Visit a balsamic vinegar acetaia in Modena, sample Parmigiano Reggiano cheese in the Parma-Reggio region or get a taste for Parma ham in the hills around Parma. Not only that. Emilia Romagna is also the birthplace of some of Italy’s most popular pasta dishes including tortellini and tagliatelle. And then wash all this down with a glass or two of the sparking Lambrusco wines that Emilia Romagna is also famous for.
The region is steeped in history. This is perfectly demonstrated than in the fifty castles scattered around the region. These were once home to the Farnese, Visconti, Malatesta, Este and Gonzaga families and can be visited today. And it is also easily evident in the Early Christian Monuments of Ravenna, Ferrara and the Po Delta. These sites are one of 60 sites in Italy awarded UNESCO World Heritage status.
Emilia Romagna is also bordered by the Adriatic sea to the east so there are plenty of opportunities to spend the day at one of the region’s many beaches. These long, sandy beaches stretch for 130 km from the Goro Po mouth to the Gabicce headland.
Or, in the winter, opt instead for a few days skiing. Monte Cimone is the highest mountain in the northern Apennines. A relaxed and uncrowded ski resort, it can boast 50 km of linked slopes accessible with a single ski pass. And, of course, in the warmer months of the year, this same area is perfect hiking country too as are the five regional parks in Emilia Romagna.
In fact, Emilia Romagna has swathes of beautiful countryside waiting to be explored. It is also where you will discover the Ancient Beech Forests in the Casentinesi forests. This is yet another of the many UNESCO sites in this region.
For more inspiration on what to see and do in the region, enjoy reading our bucket list of the top 40 things to do in Emilia Romagna.
The many things to see and do, along with the warm hospitality you will enjoy, means that Emilia Romagna is the perfect all year round destination. There are so many reasons to visit Emilia Romagna that no time is a bad time to visit!