Discovering the Hidden Gem of Emilia-Romagna: A Journey Through Italy’s Culinary Paradise
Tucked away in the northern region of Italy lies Emilia-Romagna, a treasure trove of rich history, stunning landscapes, and mouth-watering cuisine. As I embarked on a week-long road trip through this unsung region, I was eager to uncover its secrets and indulge in its gastronomic delights. My journey began in Rimini, a vibrant coastal city known for its party spirit, ancient history, and connection to the legendary director of the 1960 film La Dolce Vita, Federico Fellini.
As I explored Rimini, I had the pleasure of meeting Patrizia Mauri, a local home cook and runner-up in the recent Tiramisu World Cup. She welcomed me into her home, where I learned the art of making strozzapreti, a hand-rolled rope-like pasta that translates to "priest strangler." According to Mauri, this pasta has a dark past, dating back to the 1600s, and is said to have originated from a curse cast by women against gluttonous clergymen in central Italy. As we prepared lunch together, I was treated to a delicious array of local specialties, including piada, a flatbread filled with three different fillings, and individual portions of tiramisu that left me wanting more.
The Italian slow food community, Cesarine, offers culinary classes with local home cooks like Mauri, providing a unique opportunity to immerse oneself in the region’s rich culinary heritage. As I strolled through Rimini’s modern Fellini Museum and wandered through the chic neighborhood of Borgo San Giuliano, I couldn’t help but feel that Emilia-Romagna was a treasure trove of experiences waiting to be uncovered.
My culinary journey continued in Parma, where I indulged in platefuls of Parmigiano Reggiano, or Parmesan cheese, and prosciutto di Parma, or Parma ham, at local favorite restaurant Trattoria Corrieri. The elegant Roncolo 1888 hotel, set in the organic winery Tenuta Venturini Baldini, provided a luxurious base for exploring the charms of Modena, where the legendary opera singer, Pavarotti, was born in 1935.
Modena is also famous for its balsamic vinegar, which I learned about during a visit to the renowned Acetaia Villa San Donnino. Here, I discovered the art of making this prized condiment, aged for a minimum of 12 years in a batteria, or series of successively smaller ageing barrels. A visit to the Moscattini cheese factory provided another opportunity to sample the region’s rich culinary heritage, with a wide range of souvenirs available.
Emilia-Romagna is also home to Motor Valley, a region along the Via Emilia, an ancient Roman road connecting Piacenza and Rimini, where motor industry legends like Maserati and Ducati were born and raised. I opted to visit the Ferrari Museum in Maranello, home to the world’s largest collection of the famous supercar.
As I continued my journey, I was blown away by the stunning collection of early Christian mosaic artworks found in Ravenna, a Unesco world heritage site and Italy’s most dramatic examples of religious art. A quick detour to the tiny microstate of San Marino and the storybook village of Brisighella in the foothills of the Apennine mountains provided a glimpse into the region’s rich history and natural beauty.
Finally, I arrived in Bologna, Emilia-Romagna’s bohemian capital, where I indulged in more ham, cheese, and bread at the city’s food market. A novel "bring your own food" bar in a 15th-century building in the historic center, Osteria del Sole, provided the perfect setting to wash it all down with a local red wine.
As I concluded my journey, I realized that Emilia-Romagna is a region that has something for everyone. From its rich history and stunning landscapes to its mouth-watering cuisine and world-class motor sports, this hidden gem of Italy is sure to leave a lasting impression.
Getting There
British Airways flies from London Heathrow to Bologna, Emilia-Romagna’s capital city, and to Rimini on the Adriatic coast. easyJet flies from London Gatwick to Rimini, while Ryanair flies from London Stansted, Luton, and Edinburgh to Bologna, and London Stansted to Rimini. Flight time is around 2 hours 15 minutes.
How to Do It
Original Travel offers eight-day trips to Emilia-Romagna starting from £3,130pp, based on two people. The price includes flights, transfer, car rental, guided tour of Modena, private boat tour, food tours in Bologna and Ravenna, and seven nights’ hotel accommodation. For more information or to book, visit originaltravel.co.uk.
This article was originally published by The Independent and is reproduced with permission. The article was written by Ellie Seymour, who was traveling as a guest of Original Travel.
