Bologna

Capital of the Emilia-Romagna region, Bologna is situated 54 m. above sea level, in a pleasant position at the foot of the outlying Apennine ramifications, at the mouth of the plain of the Reno and Savena valleys.

Founded in the 6th century BC. by the Etruscans, with the name Felsina, on a previous Italic settlement, two centuries later it became a settlement of the Boii Gauls; subsequently (191 BC.), already known by the name of Bononia, it became fully romanized. After the fall of the Empire, it was under Byzantine, Lombard and Frankish rule until it became a free municipality (11th century).The foundation of the famous university one of the oldest in the world, transformed the city into the cultural capital of Europe: at the same time, Bologna assumed the precise urban and architectural character still evident today, expanding within successive sets of city walls. In 1513, after being the object of struggles, between the various Signorie and the Papacy, it became part of the Papal State to which it remained loyal, except during the Napoleonic period, until 1859 when, following the Second War of Independence and the Plebiscites, it became a part of the Kingdom of Italy. The history of the University of Bologna, the Alma Mater Studiorum, weaves in and out of the richly textured tapestry of Bologna's history, a significant thread since the early 11th century. Via Zamboni, the present center of the venerable institution, where I had begun my search, has been part of the university's history since about 1803, when Napoleon designated those palazzi the university's home. At the same time he changed it from a church governed organization to the state one it remains today.

The city is rich in monuments and works of art, notably: Piazza Maggiore, the heart of Bologna, San Petronio (Gothic, 14th-17th century), the Palazzo dei Notai (14th century), the Palazzo Comunale (13th-16th century), the Palazzo del Podest? (15th century), the Palazzo di Re Enzo (13th century) and the Fontana del Nettuno (Renaissance fountain, by Giambologna). The Cappella Bentivoglio (Renaissance, works of art by Veneziano and Ludovico Carracci), San Giacomo Maggiore (13th-14th century, Gothic), San Domenico (13th century, with works of art by N. Pisano, Michelangelo and Filippino Lippi), San Francesco (12th century), the Archiginnasio (16th century), Santa Maria dei Servi (14th-15th century), the Palazzo della Mercanzia (14th century) and the `torri pendenti' (12th century leaning towers: degli Asinelli, 98 m., view of the city, and della Garisenda, 48 m.), are all worth a visit.

The economy of Bologna is based on an active industrial sector which, traditionally strong in the transformation of agricultural products and in animal husbandry, also includes the footwear, textile, engineering, chemical printing and publishing industries, as well as on flourishing commercial activity.

What to taste:

• Egg Pasta figures predominantly in this area. Stuffed pasta such as tortelini stuffed with meat, mortadella and ham served in a traditional chicken broth. In some regions in the area the tortelini are stuffed with ricotta cheese and spinach.
• This region cooks with gaming meat such as pheasant, duck, wild boar and rabbit. The meats are mostly roasted or boiled.
• A traditional dessert is the certosino Bolognese, a Christmas cake prepared with flour, honey, candied fruits, almonds, dark chocolate, raisins, pine kernels, butter, aniseed and cinnamon.
• The local wines are Bianco Pignoletto, Pinot Bianco, Riesling Italico, Sauvignon. Among the red wines: Barbera, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot.  

Cities & Towns:

Coming soon

What to do:

• For those who love mountains you have come to right place. Mount Bibele, a massif composed of three main peaks: Mount Bibele, the Tamburino and the Mount Savino which takes its name from the multitude of spring waters. Another itinerary includes the overhanging rocky spur which towers the valleys below, the Sanctuary of Santa Maria di Zena, best known as Mount of the Ants from which you will be delighted by a marvellous sight onto the valleys of Idice and Zena.
• Bird-watching in Bora di San Giovanni, an area in which many bird species can be found.
• Skiing and snowboarding in the territory of Corno alle Scale in the Bolognese Apennines where you will find high quality skiing stations and sport activities to practise all year round surrounded by nature, with horse-riding excursions for discovering the countryside.
• You can also find a variety of thermal resorts such as in Porretta Terme and Castel san Pietro.

Places to visit: Churches, Museums, Ruins, Piazzas, Fountains,

•Etruscan centre first and then Gallic, Bologna was also a Roman colony and town. Inside its walls, of which remain today only few ruins, the first University of the world was established in the 11th century. A main characteristic of the city are its porticoes, which in the centre reach a total length of about 37 kilometres. They represent the ribbon joining streets, towers and palaces, so that Bologna is considered the city with most arcades in the world. Another characteristic mark of the city are the towers, which in the Middle Ages were as numerous as two-hundred. The tour in the Emilian capital starts from Piazza Maggiore, a huge square, once a market, which has always been the meeting point of the city, with its municipal, religious and fun events. On one side stands the impressive Basilica of San Petronio, with its uncompleted façade and which, in spite of its majesty, has never played the role of cathedral, assigned to the nearby Cathedral of San Pietro. All around S. Petronio, it is possible to admire the Palazzo del Podestà, the Palazzo dei Notai and the Palazzo dei Banchi. Piazza del Nettuno, nearby, shows the Neptune Fountain, with the bronze statue of the Neptune god by Giambologna. Famous among the many raised in the medieval period are the two towers, Asinelli and Garisenda, which offer an excellent sight of the city. Not far away from here is Piazza Cavour with its arcades and the galley in which the colours of splendid frescoes come out. In the area behind S. Petronio, you cannot miss to visit the Church of S. Domenico on the homonymous square, one of the most important monumental complexes of the city, with paintings and sculptures of great suggestion. The Santo Stefano Complex is, on the contrary, a place of exceptional historical and religious interest and is divided into seven holy buildings with churches, chapels and a monastery on the splendid square with a pebble floor.
• The Church of San Giacomo Maggiore
• The National Art Gallery where it is possible to find works by Giotto and his school, Guido Reni, Guercino and the famous Ecstasy of S. Cecilia by Raffaello.
• Not so far away is Just out of the walls, on the hills, there is the Sanctuary of the Madonna of San Luca, the most important sanctuary in the history of the city and which is connected to the city by a long arcade which starts from Piazza di Porta Saragozza.
• The Complex of San Michele in Bosco, always in the neighbourhood of the city, is of great interest. Walking along the streets which border the river Reno, it is possible to reach Casalecchio di Reno, neighbouring the city of Bologna and crossed by the homonymous river, from which it is possible to see the Reno lock, made in about 1100 and later strengthened, which served to channel the river waters, necessary to move the factories in Bologna. Sasso Marconi is a town which has been lived both in the Etruscan period of which remain a few tombs, and in the Roman period of which remains the impressive aqueduct.
• To be visited are the Museum of the Ocarina and of Terracotta Musical Instruments and the Puppet Museum, the Domenico Inzaghi Municipal Art Gallery and the Archaeological and Palaeoecological Museum.
• Out of the walls of the city, in Bagnarola, it is possible to visit the complex of the Bagnarola Villas also called "the Bologna Versailles"; among these villas stands out the Floriano, for its dimensions and the architectural beauty. Finally one may walk in the villages of Pieve di Cento, Castello d'Argile, in Imola with its historical centre, San Giovanni in Persiceto, San Giorgio di Piano, the village of Bentivoglio with the impressive fortress, and Medicina.  
• Also Marzabotto, which is remembered in archaeology for the ruins of the suggestive discovered Etruscan city, is also remembered for the massacre of 1830 persons by the Germans during the second world war as a consequence of this a Memorial to the Dead was raised.

Events:

• In Bologna, in the week-end before Ascension Day, the Procession of the Arcate takes place while in Casalecchio di Reno takes place the Festival of San Martino, in honour of the patron, with music, shows, street artists, gastronomical stands and a trade-fair.
• Iin Casalecchio di Reno is the Festival of Kites and the Festival of the Storytellers.
• In Imola the event Lumi di Marzo, is a traditional festival of late winter, with bonfires, propitiatory ceremonies of peasant heritage, which welcome the arrival of the March month.
• In Medicina there's the Barbarossa festival with the Palio della Serpe, in Monteveglio the Festival of the Saracca, in Castel del Rio takes place the Renaissance Festivals, a blast from the atmospheres of the 16th XVI century with historical parades, renaissance dinners, horses and knights, and with the Palio of Biroccio. Also the funny carnival of San Giovanni in Persiceto and Borgo Tossignano are amazing, with carnival floats and masks marching along the streets of the town through music and colours.
• A point of reference for truffle buffs is Savigno, which gained the title of "Regional Capital of the Truffle" for the particular attention in promoting the truffle culture. The Festival of the Rare White Truffle of the Colli Bolognesi is the perfect place in which to learn how to know, taste and buy this product.
• The province of Bologna is also the perfect capital for those who love motors. Besides events such as the Motor Show, every year the Imola Racetrack holds important motor and motorcycle races.  

Tours avaiable in the region:

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Ferrara

Ferrara’s origins date back to the 7th-8th century. During the High Middle Ages it was under the lordship of a number of powerful Earls, of whom little though is known. As time passed, it was able to set itself up as a self-governing municipality or “Comune”, strenuously defending its hard-won independence by joining the League of Italian Cities, which had formed an alliance against the Emperor Frederick Barbarossa.

Its main source of wealth was trade along the Po River, which at the time flowed south of the town. Like many other Italian cities, it was soon a prey of internal sectarian strife between the pro-Emperor party, the so-called Ghibellines, headed by the Torelli-Salinguerra family, and the pro-Pope party, initially led by the Adelardi-Marchesella family and later by the Este family. After a struggle lasting well over a century, this latter family prevailed and established a lordship over the city that was to be one of the longest in Italy. Marquis followed marquis and then duke followed duke. In this long line of successors to the throne, there were many different characters, but all were great lovers of the arts and sciences. The court was the hub of an intense cultural life, indeed one of the most intense in Europe. Its renown attracted artists from all over. There were painters such as Pisanello, Piero della Francesca, Cosmè Tura, Ercole de’ Roberti, Francesco del Cossa, Titian. Men of letters included Petrarch, Guarino Veronese, Ariosto, Tasso. Then there were the great intellectuals of the time, such as Leon Battista Alberti, Biagio Rossetti, Girolamo da Carpi , not to mention famed musicians from across Europe, including Josquin Desprez, Jakob Willaert, Cipriano De Rore, Carlo Gesualdo da Venosa, and Luzzasco Luzzaschi. Amidst such bountiful intellectual life, the University was founded in 1391. In 1597 the last Duke, Alfonso II, died without male issue and the city, considered a Papal fiefdom, was absorbed into the State of the Church. When the city was annexed to the Kingdom of Italy, it was given provincial-capital status.

What to taste:

• A traditional dish well known in the area is macaroni pie, cappellacci with pumpkin, risotto with bald-coot and with eel. stewed escargot alla ferrarese, dried salt-cured cod soused with apple vinegar, eel cooked in many different ways but above all, soused eels raised in the Comacchio valleys.
• The "salama" for sauce is a particular kind of salami for cooking made of pork meet and red wine, among other ingredients.
• As a dessert, try the panpepato, mandorlini del ponte, cookies made of almonds and the topolino of Comacchio, which we can usually taste during All Soul's Day, and the tenerina cake. Another speciality you cannot miss to taste is the bread typical of Ferrara better known as the couple, to be tasted together with the renowned salami of Ferrara.
•Local wines are the the Fortana, Bosco Eliceo Merlot and Sauvignon.

Cities & Towns:

Coming soon

What to do:

• Known for their parks you can bike the region and admire nature at its best. You can also use guides in the area to make your journey a safe one.
• There are also thermal resorts in the region.

Places to visit: Churches, Museums, Ruins, Piazzas, Fountains,

• The city of Ferrara is a refined journey in the elegance of its architecture and of its works of art, a great expression of the medieval and renaissance period.
• From the centre of Piazza della Repubblica, one may to walk in the direction of the Estense Castle built in 1385, surrounded by the water of the moats, a clear symbol of the power of this family who left permanent signs everywhere in the city.
• The City Hall, connected to the castle through a covered path, is dated back to about 1200 and has been the ducal residence of the Estensi. The palace overlooks on the Cathedral Square built from the twelfth century with an outstanding façade begun in Romanesque style whose upper part has been later built in a Gothic style; the result is a superb synthesis of styles. In the Cathedral Museum it is possible to admire finds and sculptures mostly coming from the Cathedral, such as the ancient panels of the Organo, and the thirteenth century panels from the Porta dei Mesi of the Cathedral together with tapestries and paintings which complete the museum itinerary. Beside, we can visit the Loggia dei Mercanti, with all the ancient workshops which have been here since the Middle Ages. Several are the palaces which enrich the urban street, such as for example Palazzo Schifanoia, wanted by Alberto V d'Este in 1385 and later enlarged, which now holds the Museum of Ancient Art, in which you can admire collections of different kinds. Palazzo Costabili, which legend ascribes to Ludovico il Moro, is now the centre of the National Archeological Museum. It exhibits, among other things, finds from the Etruscan city of Spina. Its façade rusticated with white and pink marble, Palazzo dei Diamanti, commissioned by Sigismondo d'Este, holds the National Art Gallery.
• Not so far from the city there is a necropolis with more than 4000 tombs, whose finds are exhibited in the Archeological Museum of Ferrara.
• Changing landscape again, you cannot miss to visit Argenta, a medieval town located along the Reno left bank, now an active agricultural and commercial centre. On the Ferrara Mountains, you can visit the Stellata village with the Fortress of Stellata and the town of Cento, separated by Pieve di Cento through the river Reno. This town is called in this way perhaps because of the one hundred fishermen's cabins or more probably after of an ancient land repartition.

Events:

• The Ferrara Buskers Festival, is an international festival of street musicians, which combines the charm of the city to the intention of enhancing the role of street musicians.
• The Palio of San Giorgio, a competition between city districts is considered the most ancient Palio of Italy, having been made official in 1297. In Cento, during the famous historical Carnival carnival floats parade, considered real works of art. A characteristic of this carnival is, among the other, the "gettito" that is the throwing from the floats of objects and gadgets to the public, a real joy for adults and children.  
• In Comacchio is organized the International Po Delta Bird-watching Fair, an important European event for nature tourism lovers.

Tours avaiable in the region:

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Forlì

Forlì , city (1991 pop. 109,541), capital of Forlì prov., Emilia-Romagna, N central Italy. It is a prosperous agricultural and industrial center. Manufactures include silk, rayon, clothing, machinery, metals, and household appliances.

A Roman trade center (Forum Livii) on the Aemilian Way, Forlì became a free commune in the 11th cent. After much strife between rival families, the Ordelaffi held power there for nearly two centuries. In 1504, Forlì became part of the Papal States. Of note are the citadel (14th-15th cent.), the clock tower (12th cent.), and the Basilica di San Mercuriale.

What to taste:

• Pasta figures predominantly in this region including stuffed cappelletti, passatelli, pasticcio alla romagnola and tagliatelle.
• Fish is also very popular including sardoncini, anchovies, paganelli, mackerels, mazzola and canocchie
• Pizzas also comes in many varieties especially with seafood. canocchie
•The local wines include Albana, Sangiovese, Trebbiano, Pagadebit and the Cagnina.

Cities & Towns:

Coming soon

What to do:

• Both with the coastal and mountainous areas there are many activities offered in tha area such as horse-back riding, mountain biking and traditional cycling. There is also downhill skiing and cross-country skiing available on the Monte Fumaiolo, one of the highest mountains of the Tosco-Romagnolo Apennine.
• The most important thermal centres, pearls of the Province of Forlì and Cesena, are without any doubt Castrocaro Terme,Terra del Sole, Bagno di Romagna and Bertinoro. Their modern and well-equipped spas and the green of the surrounding lands give a delightful boost to personal care and wellness.
• For sea lovers, between Rimini and Ravenna is to be found the important seaside resort of Cesenatico.

Bird-watching in Four Towns Coastal Oasis is a fast growing tourist attraction. Downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, alpine skiing and hiking are practised on the Monte Fumaiolo An occasion to spend unforgettable days in the hospitality of the mountain people.

Places to visit: Churches, Museums, Ruins, Piazzas, Fountains,

• Piazza Aurelio Saffi
• The Abbey of San Mercuriale
• The Palazzo Comunale, built around the year 1000 over a pre-existing tower. In 1412, enlarged, it became the residence of the Ordelaffi family. The current façade was redesigned in the 19th century. It contains frescoes by Francesco Menzocchi, Felice Giani, Girolamo Reggiani and Paolo Agelli.
• Palazzo del Podestà
• Palazzo Albertini
• Palazzo Paolucci-Piazza (17th century)
• Monte di Pietà (16th century)
• Palazzo Gaddi, with fine frescoes by Felice Giani and the adjoining Palazzo Sangiorgi
• The Castle of Ravaldino, built by Ordelaffis and famous for the fighting between Caterina Sforza, as defender, and Cesare Borgia, attacking.
• Palazzo Hercolani
• The Dominican Church of San Giacomo Apostolo better known as Church of San Domenico

Events:

• The 'Suoni del Tempo' is an internationally renowned festival of concerts which takes place during the summer time in Cesena.
• In Cesenatico, the International Sail Regatta during the Easter time welcomes in the spring while the Garibaldi Carnival recalls the passage of the Hero of the Two Worlds in these lands.
• Forlì is where the Festival of the Madonna sul Fuoco takes place. It features music and gastronomical stands and the typical aniseed Piadina. Forlimpopoli with the Festival of the Segavecchia introduces the arrival of spring through a show of many colours.
• In Castrocaro Terme takes place an event called 'From the Middle Ages to the Renaissance', based on historical recollections. Terra del Sole hosts instead the Palio of S. Reparata, where two districts of the town compete in a tug-of-war and with crossbows

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• Wine and dine through the Forlì and Cesena Hills around different towns. The flavours and colours of the local wine and traditional food are accompanied by displays of local crafts, festivals, folk traditions and sport activities in a land dedicated to tourist attractions.  
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Modena

An ancient town, it is the seat of an archbishop, but is now best known as "the capital of engines", since the factories of the famous Italian sports car makers Ferrari, De Tomaso, Lamborghini, Pagani and Maserati are, or were, located here and all, except Lamborghini, have headquarters in the city or nearby. Lamborghini is headquartered not far away in Sant'Agata Bolognese, in the adjacent Province of Bologna.

The University of Modena, founded in 1175 and expanded by Francesco II d'Este in 1686, has traditional strengths in Economics, Medicine and Law and is the second oldest Atheneum in Italy, sixth in the whole world. Italian officers are trained at the Italian Military Academy, located in Modena, and partly housed in the Baroque ducal palace. The Biblioteca Estense houses historical volumes and 3,000 manuscripts. Modena is well known in culinary circles for its production of balsamic vinegar.

Famous Modenesi include Mary of Modena, the Queen consort of England; operatic tenor Luciano Pavarotti (1935-2007) and soprano Mirella Freni, born in Modena itself; Enzo Ferrari (1898 – 1988) eponymous founder of the Ferrari motor company; the Catholic Priest and Senior Exorcist of Vatican Gabriele Amorth; and the rock singer Vasco Rossi who was born in Zocca, one of the 47 comuni in the Province of Modena. Situated at the center of the pianura padana region, Modena is a city easily reached from any location and by any means of transportation.

The antique via Emilia has left space for the most comfortable and rapid highways such as the A1 and the A22 in the direction of Brennero. Between Modena and Miland there are approximately 170 km and from Rome around 400 km. The vicinity to Bologna (just 35 km) allows for a rapid connection to the modern "Guglielmo Marconi" airport and with the most important Italian and European cities. Important railway junction, you can reach Modena also in comfortable trains that arrive a few steps from the historic center.

What to taste:

• Most of the vegetable and meats come from the area and even the traditional balsamic Modena vinigar is popular all over the world with its sweet taste. There is also the ever popular parmigiano reggiano cheese.
• Other renowned products are Vignola cherries and Modena pears.
• Typical of this country are the legendary tortellini, made of pork meat, ham and parmigiano cheese, or the tigella, a flat bread cooked in a wood oven and served with the famous salami and a mix of cheeses, better if joined with a lambrusco wine. Among the other specialties, the borlenghi, the "rice bomb", a rice mould stuffed with stewed pigeon meat and the bocconcini alla modenese.
• Typical desserts to be tasted are the macaroons of San Geminiano, the bensone, and the Barozzi cake. Among the wines, the famous lambrusco grasparossa of Castelvetro, the lambrusco of Sorbara and the lambrusco Salamino of Santa Croce.

Cities & Towns:

Coming soon

What to do:

• Surrounded by mountains, hills, valleys and rivers through the natural parks and reserves makes this region the ideal place for nature lovers
• Among the lakes, waterfalls and mountains of the High Apennines of the Modena Regional Park, the landscape appears in its full charme. Along the valleys and in the woods it is possible to choose among walkig paths, horseback tracks or mountain bike routes.
• Mount Cimone and the surrounding land offer lovers of the downhill, alpine and cross-country skiing or snowboarding large pistes and modern ski lifts. There is also a snow-park for holidays spent with sports activities, nature and amusement.
• A great number of animal species, such as peregrine falcons and buzzards, live here. In the quietness of the vineyards near Sassuolo, the Thermal Baths of Salvarola are in a place already known by the Romans which offers to those interested in the world of wellness the properties of its sulphur waters.

Places to visit: Churches, Museums, Ruins, Piazzas, Fountains,

• The Romanesque Cathedral, completely made of white marble and located in the heart of Modena, in the Piazza Grand
• The Ghirlandina is the bell tower which rises majestically over the roofs of the houses, its name deriving from its marble balustrades, light as garlands around the spire.
• Located in the same square, one finds the ancient City Hall, a complex of medieval buildings remodelled during the 17th-18th centuries, and the Civic Tower. Nearby, there are the Boarding School and the Church of S. Carlo, historic heart of the inhabitants of Modena, with the wide colonnade of the Boarding School, the entrance and the grand staircase, frescoes and rooms of unseen beauty.
• Walking along the Via Emilia you will reach the Museums Palace, which houses the most important cultural institutes of the city, such as the Epigraphy Museum and the Estensi Gallery, which keeps many masterpieces and works of art, the Civic Museums, the Municipal Historic Archive and the Estensi Library, with important illuminated codices and the famus Bible of Borso d'Este illuminated by Taddeo Crivelli.
• The Corso Canal Grande, one of the most characteristic streets, crossed by the Via Emilia, with its residential buildings. In the first stretch of this street there is the Church of S. Vincenzo and the Municipal Theatre, then the Ducal Palace, an impressive princely building built in the 17th century which arose partially on an ancient castle founded by the d'Este Family and is now seat of to the prestigious Military Academy of Modena. Moving from the centre of Modena to the province, one shouldn't miss to visit some of the numerous towns in the surrounding district, with their many outstanding marvels.
• Fortresses and castles cover the country as a mark of its considerable past. Among the most beautiful manors stands that of Vignola, a medieval fortress turned into a well-preserved aristocratic residence, with towers, drawbridges and moats. Finale Emilia shows the 15th century d'Este Fortress; Carpi the impressive castle, best known as Palazzo dei Pio; Monte Cucco the early medieval castle, the village and the Parish of Renno. Finally, one may visit Sassuolo and the Ducal Palace, holiday resort of Francesco I d'Este, with its splendid rooms and frescoes. Concerning museums, each city or town has its own. Among the great number covering the country, one in particular strikes motors lovers.
• In Maranello, the Ferrari Gallery exhibits the legendary cars, pictures and trophies which have made the brand renowned all over the world.  

Events:

• Among the interesting folk events, it is important to remember the Week of the Estensi, which takes place in Modena. It's a historical evocation with period costumes of the 16th century, jousts, musical shows, banquets and feasts.
• A great number of festivals take place all year round, such as the Festival of San Nicola (festival of the Tortellino) in Castelfranco Emilia or the Festival of the biggest zampone in the world, taking place in Castelnuovo Rangone.  

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Parma

Parma is a city in the Italian region of Emilia-Romagna famous for its architecture and the fine countryside around it. It is the home of the University of Parma, one of the oldest universities in the world. Parma is divided into two parts by the little stream with the same name. Parma takes its name from the roman round shield called Parma.

The Italian poet Attilio Bertolucci (born in a hamlet in the countryside) wrote: "As a capital city it had to have a river. As a little capital it received a stream, which is often dry".

What to taste:

• Specialties of the region is mushrooms of Albereto and Borgotaro. There is also the mountain bread, the herbs and potato cakes or those dishes based on chestnuts and soft fruits to imagine the wide panorama of what this province can offer.
• Most popular is the Parma's ham and salamis, the parmigiano-reggiano cheese, the culatello of Zibello and the cooked shoulder ham of San Secondo.
• The main dishes are cappelletti or anolini with beef and capon soup, and the "rice bomb". Among typical second courses are braised meat with polenta, boiled meats with tasty sauces, tripe and stuffed breast of veal or picàja.
• Some of the desserts that deserve mentioning are the almond cake, the "spongata", pastries stuffed with honey, walnuts and candies, sugar sweet violets.
• The local wines are the white Malvasia and Sauvignon and the red Colli di Parma 

Cities & Towns:

Coming soon

What to do:

• A visit to the Po River is an experience not to be missed.
• The National Park of the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines offers corners of pristine nature and the possibility of going on excursions, either historical or cultural, discovering medieval villages and fortresses, or that of full-blown trekking, with the Sillara mountain, its network of paths and the Santo Parmense Lake.
• Nature lovers should visit the regional Park of the Carrega Woods and the Regional Park of the Cedra and Parma Valleys, better known as the One Hundred Lakes Park, as well as all the resting parks and natural reserves in the territory, another treasure of this land which can seen by mountain bike, horseback rides or simple walking excursions.
• Since Roman times, the Province of Parma has been offering the benefits of its thermal spas. The choice in thermal treatment centres is very ample thanks to the abundance in mineral-rich water. The most famous spas resorts are without any doubt those of Salsomaggiore, for their Art Nouveau style buildings and the quality of their offer, as well as those of Tabiano, Sant'Andrea Bagni and Monticelli, all surrounded by nature and places of relaxation and silence.

Places to visit: Churches, Museums, Ruins, Piazzas, Fountains,

• The Romanesque Cathedral houses both 12th century sculpture by Benedetto Antelami and a 16th century fresco masterpiece by Antonio da Correggio.
• The Baptistery, adjacent to the cathedral was begun in 1196 by Antelami.
• The abbey church of Saint John the Evangelist (San Giovanni Evangelista), was originally constructed in the 10th century behind the Cathedral's apse, but had to be rebuilt in 1498 and 1510 after a fire. It has Baroque facade and belltower (most likely designed by Giovanni Battista Magnani), with a Latin cross plan, a nave and two aisles. In 1520–1522, Correggio frescoed the dome with the Vision of St. John the Evangelist, a highly influential fresco which heralded illustionistic perspective in the decoration of church ceilings. Bernardo Falconi designed a putto in the high altar. Also the cloisters and the ancient Benedictine grocery are noteworthy. The library has books from the 15th and 16th centuries.
• Sanctuary of Santa Maria della Steccata.
• The Benedictine Monastery of San Paolo, founded in the 11th century. It houses precious frescoes by Correggio, in the so-called Camera di San Paolo (1519-1520), and Alessandro Araldi.
• The Gothic church of San Francesco del Prato (13th century). From Napoleonic era to 1990s it was the city's jail, for which the 16 windows in the facade were opened. The original rose windows (1461) has 16 rays, which, in the medieval tradition, represented the house of God. The Oratory of the Concezione houses frescoes by Michelangelo Anselmi and Francesco Rondani. The altarpiece by Girolamo Mazzola Bedoli is now in the National Gallery of Parma.
• Church of Santa Croce, dating to the early 12th century. The original edifice, in Romanesque style, had a nave and two aisles with a semicircular apse. This was renovated first in 1415 and again in 1635-1666, with the heightening of the aisles and nave, the addition of a bresbytery, a dome and of the chapel of St. Joseph. The frescoes in the nave (by Giovanni Maria Conti della Camera, Francesco Reti and Antonio Lombardi) date to this period.
• Church of San Sepolcro, built in 1275 over a pre-existing religious edifice. The church was largely renovated in 1506, 1603 and 1701, when the side on the Via Emilia was remade in Neoclassicist style. The church has a nave with side chapels. The Baroque bell tower was built in 1616, the cups being finished in 1753. Annexed is the former monastery of the Rrgular Canons of the Lateran, dating to 1493-1495.
• Church of Santa Maria del Quartiere (1604-1619), characterized by a usual hexagonal plan. The cupola is decorated with frescoes by Pier Antonio Bernabei and his pupils.
• The Palazzo della Pilotta (1583). It houses the Academy of Fine Arts with artists of the School of Parma, the Palatine Library, the National Gallery, the Archaeological Museum, the Bodoni Museum and the Farnese Theatre.
• The Ducal Palace, built from 1561 for Duke Ottavio Farnese on a design by Jacopo Barozzi da Vignola. Built on the former Sforza castle area, it was enlarged in the 17th-18th centuries. It includes the Palazzo Eucherio Sanvitale, with interesting decorations dating from the 16th centuries and attributed to Gianfrancesco d'Agrate, and a fresco by Parmigianino. Annexed is the Ducal Park also by Vignola. It was turned into a French-style garden in 1749.
• The Palazzo del Comune, built in 1627.
• The Palazzo del Governatore ("Governor's Palace"), dating from the 13th century.
• The Bishop's Palace (1055).
• Ospedale Vecchio ("Old Hospital"), created in 1250 and later renovated in Renaissance times. It is now home to the State Archives and to the Communal Library.
• The Teatro Farnese was constructed in 1618–1619 by Giovan Battista Aleotti, totally in wood. It was commissioned by Duke Ranuccio I for the visit of Cosimo I de' Medici.
• The Cittadella, a large fortress erected in the 16th century by order of Duke Alessandro Farnese, close to the old walls.
• The Pons Lapidis (also known as Roman Bridge or Theoderic's Bridge), a Roman structure in stone dating from Augustus reign.
• The Orto Botanico di Parma is a botanical garden maintained by the University of Parma.
• The Teatro Regio ("Royal Theatre"), built in 1821–1829 by Nicola Bettoli. It has a Neo-Classical facade and a porch with double window order. It is the city's opera house.
• The Auditorium Niccolò Paganini, designed by Renzo Piano.
• The Museum House of Arturo Toscanini, where the famous musician was born.
• Museo Lombardi. It exhibits a prestigious collection of art and historical items regarding Maria Luigia of Habsburg and her first husband Napoleon Bonaparte; important works and documents concerning the Duchy of Parma in the 18th and 19th centuries are also kept by the Museum.

Events:

• The festivals and events to remember are the Carnival of Busseto, established in the 19th century, with masks, dances and music; and the Tenzone combat held in the Bardi Castle, a medieval tourney with archers, knights, dancers, nobles and minstrels.
• The connection of Parma with gastronomy is so strong that it has become the seat of the European Food Safety Authority and of ALMA, the International School of Italian Cuisine, with seat in Colorno. In respect of this strong tradition, three hypothetical itineraries of tastes and flavours have been created. The first one is the route of the culatello of Zibello, in the plains of Parma, the land of origin of the culatello ham and the cooked shoulder ham of San Secondo. The second is the route of Ham and Wines, in the hilly area, offering the possibility of tasting parmigiano-reggiano cheese, Felino salami, Parma ham and the wines of the hills. The third route is dedicated to the porcino mushroom.

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Piacenza

Piacenza (Placentia in Latin and scholarly English, Piasëinsa in the local dialect of Emiliano-Romagnolo) is a city in the Emilia-Romagna region of northern Italy. It is the capital of the province of Piacenza. Modern forms of the name descend from Latin Placentia.

The etymology is long-standing, tracing an origin from the Latin verb, placēre, "to please." It is thus a "pleasant abode" or as James Boswell reported some of the etymologists of his time to have translated, "comely."This was a name "of good omen."

Strategically the city is at a major crossroads at the intersection of Route E35/A1 between Bologna, gateway to eastern Italy, and Milano, gateway to the Alps, and Route E70/A21 between Brescia at the foot of the Alps and Tortona, where branches lead to Torino in the north, a major industrial city, and Genova, a major coastal port. Piacenza is also at the confluence of the Trebbia, draining the northern Apennines, and the Po, the major waterway of northern Italy, draining to the east. Piacenza right from its foundation has been of vital interest to political powers who would control northern Italy, more than any other city there. In peace it is a cultural center; in war, a focus of conflict.

What to taste:

• What you you typically see in this region is the "tortelli with the tail", the anolini, the pisarei e faso, gnocchetti made of the soft part of the bread with pinto beans and tomato sauce and the "Rice Pudding", a rice mould stuffed with pigeon meat and mushrooms.
• The meat that prevails is the "piccula" of the hourse, "la piccula 'd caval", stewed minced horse meat.
• The fish specialities are also very penetrated, e.g.: smoked eel, "stricc' in carpion" (sauced dace), ambolina fries (Alborella), catfishes and frogs.
• The region produces coppa, salami and pork underbelly.
• The most common desserts are ciambella, almond cake, castagnaccio and turtlitt (filled doughnut).
• The local wines include Monterosso and Vin Santo of Vignoleto and the red wines of the Val Tidone and Valle del Clero; the white Malvasia wines.  Gutturnio, the ancestor of red wines of Piacenza made from Croatina and Barbera grapes, Ortrugo, a white wine whose DOC production is only allowed in the province of Piacenza

Cities & Towns:

Coming soon

What to do:

• A natures paradise with the beautiful countryside and the skiing resorts of Passo Penice and Ceci (Bobbio). Along the river Po among the poplars and the sweep of plains it is possible to apply to go on fishing, canoe, walks and boat excursions.
• In the countryside you can find different golf courses and riding stables, surrounded by pristine nature.
• For a holiday of entertainment one may choose the Aquatic Park of Rivergaro, equipped with swimming-pools, water games, and a "stream" to be run with a dinghy, and many other attractions. Another amusement park addressed to children is the "Fairy Tale Park" in the Castle of Gropparello.
• The thermal centers of Bobbio and Bacedasco offer baths, waters and treatments for a relaxing stay.

whether on walks to trekking, on amusing itineraries by bicycle or horse. All in the discovery of the different castles. Among the gorges of the Trebbia it is also possible to do go on amusing rafting and kayak courses, while the skiing resorts of Passo Penice and Ceci (Bobbio) have pistes and equipment for downhill and cross-country skiing.

Places to visit: Churches, Museums, Ruins, Piazzas, Fountains,

• Piazza Cavalli is the main square of the town. It is named ("Cavalli" means "horses") for the two bronze equestrian monuments of Alessandro Farnese (Duke of Parma and Piacenza from 1586, nephew and valiant general of Philip II of Spain) and his son Ranuccio, who succeeded him to the dukedom. The statues are masterpieces of Francesco Mochi, a Mannerist sculptor.
• The Duomo di Piacenza is the Catholic cathedral of the diocese of Piacenza-Bobbio. It was built from 1122 to 1233 and is one of the most valuable examples of a Romanesque cathedral in northern Italy. The façade, in Veronese pink marble and gilted stone, is horizontally parted by a gallery that dominates the three gates, decorated with capitals and Romanic statues. The interior has a nave and two aisles, divided by 25 large pillars. It has noteworthy frescoes, made in the 14th-16th centuries by Camillo Procaccini and Ludovico Carracci, while those of the dome are by Morazzone and Guercino. The presbytery as a wooden sculpture from 1479, a wodden choir by Giangiacomo da Genova (1471) and statues of Lombard school from the 15th century. The crypt, on the Greek cross plan, has 108 Romanesque small columns and is home to the relics of Saint Justine, to which the first cathedral (crumbled down in 1117 after an earthquake) was dedicated.
• The church of St. Francis, in Piazza Cavalli, is a 12th century Romanesque/Gothic edifice which, thanks to its central position, assumed the role of civic Sanctuary in the Middle Ages. Part of the ancient cloisters remains. The main gate is enriched by a big lunette of the 15th century representing the Ecstasy of St. Francis. The interior, with nave and two aisles divided by low and strong brick pillars that support high gothic arches, has a Latin Cross scheme. The nave, higher than the aisles, has a pentahedric apse in which the aisle apses meet; decorations include 15th-16th centuries frescoes. In the church was proclaimed the annexion of Piacenza to the Kingdom of Sardinia in 1848.
• The basilica of Sant'Antonino is an example of Romanesque architecture, characterized by a large octagonal tower. It was commissioned by St. Victor, first bihsop of the city, in 350 CE, and completed in 375. It contains the relics of the eponymous saint, martyrized near Travo, in the Val Trebbia. In 1183 the delegates of Frederick Barbarossa and of the Lombard League met here for the premilimaries of peace of Constance. The church was renovated after damage cretaed by the barbarian invasion, and has a 15th century cloister. In the interior, the main artworks are the frescoes by Camillo Gervasetti (1622).
• The basilica of San Savino, dedicated to St. Victor's successor, was begun in 903 but consecrated only in 1107. The façade and the portico are from the 17th-18th centuries. The presbytery and the crypts contain 12th century polychrome mosaics. The interior is in Lombard-Gothic style, with anthropomorphic capitals of the columns. Over the high altar is a 12th century wooden crucifix by an unknown artist.
• San Giovanni in Canale was founded by the Dominicans in 1220, and enlarged in the mid-16th century.
• Santa Maria in Campagna, a Renaissance church, faces Piazzale delle Crociate ("Crusades Square"), so called because Pope Urban II summoned the First Crusade here in 1095. The church was built in 1522–1528 to house a miraculous wooden sculpture of the Madonna. The interior was originally on the Greek cross plan, but was later turned into a Latin cross one. Il Pordenone finished fine frescoes in the dome and in two chapels on the left side.
• St. Sixtus is a Renaissance church with a precious choir, designed by Alessio Tramello. It was begun in the 15th century over a temple edificated in 874 by Empress Angilberga. Also by Tramello is the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
• The most famous relic of the region's pre-Roman civilization is the Bronze Liver of Piacenza, an Etruscan bronze model of a sheep's liver dating from the end of the second century to the beginning of the first century BCE. It was discovered in 1877 in Ciavernasco di Settima, near Gossolengo, near Piacenza, and is housed in Piacenza's Archaeological Museum, part of the Musei Civici di Palazzo Farnese. Containing writing on its surface delineating the various parts of the liver and their significance, it was likely used as an educational tool for students studying haruspicy, or divination.
• Palazzo Landi, built in the Middle Ages but rebuilt in the current form in the 15th century by Lombard craftsmen. It has a Renaissance marble portal. It is now seat of the local Tribunal.
• Ricci Oddi Gallery is an art-gallery dedicated to modern Italian painters.

Events:

• The land is full of ventures and shows such as for examples the carnival of Sant'Antonio in Piacenza, the fair of San Giuseppe in Castell'Arquato, the festival and the fair of San Fiorenzo in Fiorenzuola d'Arda, the decoration with flowers of the Corpus Domini in Chiaravalle della Colomba, the "Carlin di Maggio" in Cortebrugnatella (May).
• The suggestive castles are the frame for a great number of historical evocations such as that which takes place in Castell'Arquato (July) and the Historical Parade in Grazzano Visconti (May). 

Tours avaiable in the region:

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• A variety of tasting itineraries available discovering wine cellars and farms in which it is possible to taste excellent wines and typical specialities.
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Ravenna

Ravenna is a city and comune in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy. The city is inland, but is connected to the Adriatic Sea by a canal. Ravenna once served as the seat of the Western Roman Empire and later the Kingdom of the Ostrogoths and the Exarchate of Ravenna.

It is presently the capital of the Province of Ravenna. At 652.89 km² (252.08 sq mi), Ravenna is the second-largest comune in land area in Italy, although it is only a little more than half the size of the largest, Rome.

What to taste:

• Pasta is the main dish of this region including tortelli, tortelloni stuffed with ricotta cheese and herbs, and cappelletti stuffed with cheese or meat and the tagliatelle, pappardelle, tortellacci, and the tardura, pasta with egg and parsley to serve in broth.
• Fish specialties include the brodetto alla marinara, which uses different kinds of fish and the delicious sea fish-balls, made of fish pulp, scampi and seafood. Frogs are also very appreciated with the well-known soup or you may choose rice with wild duck meat and coot on the grill.
• The typical products of the country, one must remember its extra-virgin olive oil, the Moretto of Brisighella artichoke, the sweet chestnuts, honey, berries, nectarines of Romagna and peaches, white or yellow in pulp.
• The desserts commonly found is the San Michele and the burling or migliaccio, a dessert with must, pork blood, almonds and candied fruits.
• The local wines include the Albana di Romagna, Cagnina di Romagna, Colli di Faenza, Sangiovese and Cabernet among the reds and Pignoletto and Trebbiano representing whites.  

Cities & Towns:

Coming soon

What to do:

• Another nature lover paradise there is the oasis of Punte Alberete, in silent flooded woods, the shelter for rare species of birds and typical marsh plants.
• There are excursions and a visit to the Museum of Natural Sciences of Ravenna, in Sant'Alberto, and in the historical Palazzone in which an ornithological collection is exhibited.
• The famous pine-woods of San Vitale and of Classe, with their particularity as natural monuments, has been included in the reserved areas of the Po Delta Park. This area, of great naturalistic interest, is full of a great number of wildlife species and it is considered most important and one of the best in Europe for Bird-watching.
• On the coast there are also many possibilities for those who choose a holiday full of sport activities, with basketball and beach volley courts, sailing clubs with sailing and water-skiing schools, tennis courts and horse-riding circles.
• There are the Thermal centres in the Spa resorts of Brisighella, Cervia, Punta Marina and Riolo Bagni.

Places to visit: Churches, Museums, Ruins, Piazzas, Fountains,

• The ancient church of the Spirito Santo, which has maintained the original lines from the 5th century. It was originally an Arian temple. The façade has a noteworthy 16th century portico with 5 arcades.
• The church of St. John the Evangelist is also from the 5th century, erected by Galla Placidia after a seastorm. It was restored after the World War II bombings.
• The St. Francis basilica, rebuilt in the 10th-11th centuries over a precedent edifice dedicated to the Apostles and later to St. Peter. Behind the humble brick façade, it has a nave and two aisles. Fragments of mosaics from the primitive church are visible on the floor, which is usually covered by water after heavy rains (together with the crypt). Here the funeral ceremony of Dante Alighieri was held in 1321. The poet is buried in a tomb annexed to the church, the local authorities having resisted for centuries all demands by Florence for return of the remains of its most famous exile.
• The Baroque church of Santa Maria Maggiore (525-532, rebuilt in 1671). It houses a picture by Luca Longhi.
• The church of San Giovanni Battista 1683, also of Baroque style, with a Middle Ages belfry.
• The basilica of Santa Maria in Porto (16th century), with a rich façade from the 18th century. It has a nave and two aisles, with a high cupola. It houses the image of famous Greek Madonna, which was allegedly brought to Ravenna from Constantinople.
• The nearby Communal Gallery has various works from Romagnoli painters.
• The Rocca Brancaleone ("Brancaleone Castle"), built by the Venetians in 1457. Once part of the city walls, it is now a public park. It is divided into two parts: the true Castle and the Citadel, the latter having an extent of 14,000 m².
• The so-called Palace of Theoderic, in fact the entrance to the former church of San Salvatore. It includes mosaics from the true Palace of the Ostrogoth king.
• The church of Santa Eufemia (18th century), gives access to the so-called Stone Carpets Domus (6th-7th century): this houses splendid mosaics from a Byzantine palace.

Events:

• In Ravenna and its province, a land with a strong vocation for tourism, there are several events. Mosaico di Notte is one of the events which open art places to the public even by night, in the suggestion of seeing splendid mosaics take different colours with artificial lights and in the dark of the night.
• Among the typical events, it is important to remember the Spring Festival which takes place in Ravenna where on Saturday night a mask depicting an old woman is taken in parade and then, after the procession, is burned as good omen for the new season. On Sunday the festival goes on with the parade of floats and masks.  
• In Faenza takes place the Palio of the Niballo, in which a Saracen puppet must be hit by the representatives of the five historical districts of the city in order to gain the prize.

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Reggio Emilia

Reggio Emilia (Latin: Regium Lepidi and Regium) is an affluent city of northern Italy, in the Emilia-Romagna region. It has about 167,013 inhabitants and is the main comune (municipality) of the Province of Reggio Emilia.

The town is also referred to by its more official name of Reggio nell'Emilia. The inhabitants of Reggio nell'Emilia (called Reggiani) usually call their town by the simple name of Reggio. In some ancient maps the town is also named Reggio di Lombardia.

The old town has an hexagonal form, which derives from the ancient walls, and the main buildings are from the 16th-17th centuries. The commune's territory is totally on a plain, crossed by the Crostolo stream.

What to taste:

• What you will commonly see in the area is cappelletti stuffed with meat and parmigiano cheese and herb and pumpkin tortelli. Among the second courses, local specialities are turkey meat loaf, rabbit alla reggiana and roasted stuffed pork. Typical of this country is also the fried gnocco served with salami and cheeses, and erbazzone, a cake with spinach and chards.
• The Parmigiano Reggiano is a very well known cheese, also produced in other provinces of the region. Parmigiano Reggiano is a hand-made high quality product, guaranteed since 1996 by a Protected Designation of Origin (DOP). The town of Bibbiano, an important processing centre has been conferred the "cradle of grana" title.
• Another strong flavour of this area is balsamic vinegar, produced in the provinces of Modena and Reggio Emilia. Traditional balsamic vinegar is obtained through a simple fermentation of the cooked must of particular grapes coming from the Reggio Emilia area.
• The desserts are the traditional rice cake and the spongata reggiana of Brescello, with dried fruits, honey and raisins.
• The local wines are Sauvignon, Pinot, Chardonnay and Malvasia grapes. Important red wines are the Cabernet Sauvignon, Marzemino and the gentle Malbo.  

Cities & Towns:

Coming soon

What to do:

• A characteristic geological formation of the Apennine of Reggio is Bismàntova Stone in Castelnovo ne' Monti, a rock of calcareous sandstone with the shape of a ship which stands out the surrounding hills. The shape of the mountain impressed Dante who named it in the Divine Comedy Purgatory. Below the stone different itineraries start. These lead to the peak of the rock from which one can have a delightful and unforgettable sight of the surrounding countryside. For lovers of climbing there are different routes of various difficulty levels.
• Nature lovers can walk on the Matilde Path which crosses the country from the mountains of Modena to the Garfagnana. This is a route which crosses mule tracks, unpaved roads, paths on which to take long walks, bicycle or horse rides, passing castles, villages and ancient parishes.
• Ski enthusiasts can experience Cerreto dei Laghi, an important winter tourist resort.

Places to visit: Churches, Museums, Ruins, Piazzas, Fountains,

• The Baroque Basilica della Ghiara (1597), the most important church of the city.
• The Basilica di San Prospero. Built in the 10th century and dedicated to Prosper of Reggio, a bishop of the city, it was reconstructed by Luca Corti and Matteo Fiorentini between 1514 and 1523. The façade, with eleven statues of saints and patrones, was redesigned by Giovan Battista Cattani in the mid-18th century. It includes a pleasant belfry/tower, begun in 1535 and never quite finished, with an octagonal plant. The interior of the church has a Latin cross plant, with three naves. The apse houses the splendid fresco Last Judgement, by the Bolognese artist Camillo Procaccini. Also noteworthy are the wooden choir from 1546 and the Assumption altarpiece by Tommaso Laureti and Ludovico Carracci (1602).
• The Cathedral (9th-12th century). It was reconstructed in the second half of the 16th century. It has three naves with works by Guercino, Palma the Younger, Prospero Spani and Alessandro Tiarini.
• Saint John the Baptist *The church of St. Augustine. Once dedicated to St. Apollinare, its dedication was changed in 1268 when it was rebuilt, along with the annexed convent, by the Augustinian friars. It was restored in 1452, when the tower was also erected. The current interior dates from 1645–1666, while the façade was added in 1746.
• The small Baroque Christ's Oratory.
• The church of St. Francis.
• The church of St. George.
• The church of San Giovannino (dedicated to Saint John the Evangelist) (c. 1200). It houses Baroque paintings by Sisto Badalocchio, Lorenzo Franchi, Tommaso Sandrini, Paolo Guidotti and Tiarini.
• The church of St. Peter, designed by Giulio della Torre and built in 1625-1629. A belfry tower was added in 1765 and a façade added in 1782, while the cloister was constructed in the 16th century. The interior is in a Latin cross shape with a single nave. It houses notable Baroque paintings by Tiarini, Pietro Desani, Luca da Reggio, Camillo Gavasetti and Paolo Emilio Besenzi.
• The Baroque church of St. Philip.
• The church of St. Stephen, cited in the 11th century as a Templars' church.

Events:

• The most famous takes place in Quattro Castella, where the costume parade comes down from the hill of Bianello together with a sumptuous retinue up to the field in which scenes and entertainment from medieval life are offered.
• In the city of Guastalla the Gnoccata is celebrated and a historical costume parade from the 18th century goes through the streets of the centre. Unquestioned protagonists of the festival are the gnocchi. Along the streets huge boilers cook gnocchi which are given out to all visitors. 
• Finally, there's the Wine Route. The hill ground, poorer and less compact than the plain, is particularly suitable for wine production. In order to promote the vintage wines and other quality food production, the Scandiano and Canossa Route of Wines and Flavours of the Hills was created. It starts from the south of Via Emilia, rising along the gentle hills of Reggio, covering the land made famous by Matilde of Canossa.

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Rimini

Rimini is a city in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy and capital city of the Province of Rimini. It is located on the Adriatic Sea, near the coast between the rivers Marecchia (the ancient Ariminus) and Ausa (Aprusa). Coast navigation and fishing are traditional industries and, together with Riccione, it is probably the most famous seaside resort on the Adriatic Riviera.

What to taste:

• Grilled fish and meat is popular to the area and some dishes include the passatelli with broth, stuffed cappelletti, the garganelli, mainly hand made, as tradition has it. The second courses are mainly the brodetto, for what concerns fish dishes, and excellent mixed meat grills, to be enjoyed with side dishes mainly out of cooked vegetables.
• There is a bead specialty called piadina of Romagna, an unleavened flat bread which can be stuffed with salami or cheeses.
• The local wines are the Red Colli di Rimini DOC, Rebola DOC Colli di Rimini and the Cabernet Sauvignon Colli di Rimini DOC.  

Cities & Towns:

Coming soon

What to do:

• Mainly facing the sea, there are the water sports for the lovers of canoeing, sailing and scuba diving. Full of parks, gardens and tree-lined roads, Riccione offers more than one way to regain one's forces and even enjoy the thermal centres, surrounded by the greenery.
• Viale Ceccarini, the elegant salon of the city, is the perfect destination for those who love shopping, offering the best in the latest fashion.
• A lot of fun in the aquatic parks, cultural events and shows make a holiday in Riccione an unforgettable experience at any age.

Places to visit: Churches, Museums, Ruins, Piazzas, Fountains,

• The 13th century cathedral (San Francesco, best known as Tempio Malatestiano) was originally in Gothic style, but was transformed by order of Sigismondo Pandolfo Malatesta according to the designs of Leon Battista Alberti and never completed. In the cathedral are the tombs of Sigismondo and his wife Isotta.
• The Arch of Augustus. Built in 27 BC, it has a single gate 9.92 m high and 8.45 m wide. The merlons were added in the Middle Ages.
• The church of San Giuliano Martire (1553-1575), housing the great picture of Paul Veronese (1588) representing the martyrdom of that saint. It includes also pictures of Bittino da Faenza (1357) dealing with some episodes of the saint's life (1409).
• The Tiberius Bridge: As the inscription on the internal parapets recalls, the bridge over the Marecchia River, then known as Ariminus, began under the Emperor Augustus in 14 and was completed under Tiberius in 21. The bridge still connects the city centre to Borgo San Giuliano and leads to the consular roads Via Emilia and Via Popilia that lead north. Built in Istria stone, the bridge consists of five arches that rest on massive pillars with breakwater spurs set at an oblique angle with respect to the bridge’s axis in order to follow the current. The bridge’s structure on the other hand, rests on a practical system of wooden poles.
• The amphitheater (2nd century). It was erected alongside the ancient coast line, and had a two orders of porticoes with 60 arcades. It had elliptical shape, with axes of 117,7 x 88 meters. The arena measured 73 x 44 meters, not far from the greatest Roman amphitheatres: the edifice could house up to 15,000 spectators.
• The Castel Sismondo or Rocca Malatestiana of Sigismondo Pandolfo was later used as a prison.
• Palazzo dell'Arengo e del Podestà (1204), seat of the judiciary and civil administrations. On the short side in the 14th century the podestà residence was added. It was modified at the end of the 16th century.
• The church of St. John the Evangelist (also known as St. Augustine)
• The church of San Giovanni Battista, erected in the 12th century. It has a single nave with rich stucco decoration from the 18th century.
• The town hall has a small but valuable gallery (Perin del Vaga, Ghirlandajo, Bellini, Benedetto Coda, Tintoretto, Agostino di Duccio); the Gambalunga Library (1677) has valuable manuscripts.
• Church of San Fortunato (1418). It houses the Adoration of the Magi (1547) by Giorgio Vasari.
• The bell tower of the former Cathedral of Santa Colomba.
• Archeological museum .
• Bronze statue of Paul V.

Events:

• Tradition, culture, festivals and shows are integral part of the hinterland of Rimini, with an agenda which covers the whole year. Events and shows are so numerous that it is impossible to list them all.
• In Cattolica, the Flowers Festival is a trade fair of flowers and plants held along the centre streets. Also, Cattolica hosts the Mystfest, an international celebration of detective and mystery novels.
• In Rimini, the Malatestian wedding feast recalls the wedding between Roberto Malatesta and Elisabetta Montefeltro, with a parade in period costumes, carousels, duels, shows and dances.

Tours avaiable in the region:

Accomodations in close proximity: Hotels, Restorts, Holiday Houses, Condo Rentals, Farm Holidays (Agritourismo),

Flights - Car Rentals - Cruises:

Restaurants in close proximity:

• (Add a restaurant review in the italian blog area of our website).

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