A delicious taste of Northern Italy

Emilia-Romagna is a region in northern Italy, stretching from the jagged peaks of the Apennine Mountains to the sandy beaches of the Adriatic Sea, and the region's rich agricultural heritage has meant it’s become Italy’s gastronomic heartland, as well as being a key province in the country's fascinating history. Sarah, Senior Travel Consultant at our Ipswich shop, enjoyed a whirlwind 3-night tour of some of the regions highlights courtesy of Typically Holidays, experts in authentic tailor-made travel, and she literally could not wait to get her teeth sunk into all that this area has to offer:

“Coming from a half-Italian family, I already knew and loved Italy as a destination, but I had never been to the Emilia Romagna region before, so I was really looking forward to exploring. This region is famous as a gourmet destination, being the origin of so many beloved Italian classics like balsamic vinegar, parmesan cheese, pasta bolognese and parma ham, so as a real foodie myself, I was excited!  

We flew with Ryanair, a basic no-frills airline, but you don’t need anything fancy for a 2-hour flight! Flying with priority boarding, including a 10kg overhead locker bag was useful, as you are the first on the plane, and fast track through security is great for peak times, as we weren’t standing around long to have our bags checked.

We were to stay in two locations during our flying 3-night visit, and the first was Ravenna, located on the east coast. Here our hotel was Exclusive Aparthotel La Reunion, Ravenna, which was lovely. My room had a view to the front of the property, overlooking the street where the restaurant and bars were. The room was very spacious, clean and typically Italian, with all the facilities you need, including a lovely welcome hamper that they top up daily for you. Situated within a 5-minute walk to the main square and historical attractions, it was in a really good location.

Our second base was the Grand Hotel Da Vinci in Cesenatico, slightly further south along the coast towards Rimini. The hotel was very luxurious and as you walked through the lobby area to the outside there was a beautiful seating area where we enjoyed our breakfasts in the sunshine. There was a large pool area with plenty of space and heading across a walkway full of flowers and plants, you come to the sweeping private beach with gorgeous soft sand. Everything was very modern and bright here, and there is an indoor spa for an extra treat. My room was on the top floor with a side sea view. It was large and modern with plenty of space and a balcony for relaxing in the morning, or drinks before getting ready in the evening. This is a great hotel for relaxation and a touch of luxury. They made a delicious mocktail consisting of coconut syrup, ginger aid, lime juice, mint and sugar which was so refreshing, and one of those drinks that makes you think of a holiday and sunshine!

The Cesenatico canal was a couple of minutes’ walk away, which was a beautiful, peaceful place to walk. There were also bars, restaurants, shops and supermarkets nearby and a small square that hosts a local market for fresh fruit and vegetables. (Do bear in mind that Italians love their afternoon siestas, so lots of shops close in the afternoon and don’t open again until the evening.) I really loved Cesenatico, it reminded me of traditional Italy and was so peaceful, yet with plenty to do outside of the hotel.

We managed to pack a lot into our stay, experiencing the heart and soul of Emilia-Romagna:

Ravenna was once the final capital of the Roman Empire and is renowned for its UNESCO World Heritage sites displaying stunning Byzantine mosaics. Here we enjoyed an informative guided tour - wonderful for anyone who loves their history. The highlight for me though, was a Piadina cooking class, where we learned to create this thin traditional flatbread. It was so much fun, and I would do it again if I ever returned. Piadina is delicious, especially filled with cheese, salad leaves and parma ham!

Bologna is the region’s capital, famous for its medieval red-brick arcades, the site of the oldest university of the western world, and of course, with a delicious culinary scene. We enjoyed a guided tour here amongst the towers and archways, learning about all the city has to offer from our informative guide, and also enjoyed a Tagliatelle cooking class with our excellent teacher Elena - again I thoroughly enjoyed this!  

Rimini we again explored with a guided tour, before a delicious seafood lunch at a local restaurant just by Rimini bridge. Here I tried Cuttlefish with Artichoke, and it was delicious, I would definitely have it again. Rimini blends beach culture with Roman history, and is a good base for exploring neighbouring San Marino.

As well as the places we visited, the train network is excellent in Italy, and so it’s possible to visit other nearby cities such as Venice, Florence, even Pisa and Rome from most locations. For motor sport fans, this region is a mecca, with Ferrari museums in Modena and Maranello, Lamborghini in Sant'Agata Bolognese and Ducati in Bologna.

I loved exploring this region of Italy, its perfect for anyone who is a foodie or enjoys history and heritage. As well as having an actual holiday here, I’d also say that for anyone embarking on a cruise from Ravenna port, I’d recommend staying a couple of nights beforehand to explore the area, or you’re missing out on a real treat.

The trip made me realise just how much Italy means to me. It has a special place in my heart, and I definitely want to go back to explore the other areas of the country that I haven’t yet made it to. And as for gorgeous Emilia-Romagna, I’ve already booked to return to Rimini with my family this summer!”