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Last updated 18 February 2020
Where is Emilia Romagna
The Emilia Romagna region is found in northern Italy. The River Po sits on the northern end whilst the magnificent Apennines mountain range borders it to the south. The regions of Liguria and Tuscany are its western borders whilst in the west, Emilia Romagna finds the Adriatic Sea. It also has a border with San Marino, one of the smallest countries in the world. With rolling hills and mountain ranges, rivers and the sea, there is plenty to love about the Emilia Romagna natural landscape. The capital of the Emilia Romagna region is the beautiful and under-rated city of Bologna.
Emilia Romagna cities
The major cities that make up the Emilia Romagna region are: Bologna, Modena, Parma, Ferrara, Ravenna, Forlimpopoli, Bagno di Romagna, Vergato, Castenaso, Forli, San Piero in Bagno, San Piero in Casale, Reggio Emilia, Rimini, Piacenza, Cesena
What to do in Emilia Romagna
The Emilia Romagna region of Italy is one of 20 that divides up the country. Each region is unique especially when it comes to food. Emilia Romagna food is what the area is famous for. Fittingly it is known as the food valley of Italy. Not only is it home to some of the most incredible food in Italy, but it is also where three of the big Italian food types are made: Parma ham, Parmigiano Reggiano cheese and Modena vinegar.
It is also home to some of the biggest names in motorsport; Ducati, Lamborghini, Maserati, Ferrari and Pagani. Museums, test tracks and hot laps are all part of the Emilia Romagna experience.
If you are planning on spending time in Emilia Romagna or in Bologna, these articles will give you heaps of tips, advice and inspiration on some of the best things to do in Bologna and the best things to do in Emilia Romagna. Bologna is the best city to base yourself whilst visiting Emilia Romagna.
Each of the following articles is detailed and will show quite simply why we love this region so very much. If you are looking to spend a day, a week or even longer in this area, these are the perfect guides for you, all found in one easy to find location.
Best things to do in Emilia Romagna Italy
The ultimate guide to spending a week in Bologna Italy
This article has everything you need to know to spend a week in Bologna. The best things to see, the best things to do, where to eat and where to stay. It also has some amazing day trips from Bologna. If you can only read one guide before you travel to Bologna, this is it!
Experience Bologna like a local on a vintage vespa tour
Doing a vespa tour in Bologna is the perfect way to travel like a local and get to explore places outside the city. Get into the hills of Bologna, take a wine tasting, have a picnic and feel the wind in your hair. Vespas can be self-hired or done in a tour situation. This article gives a detailed example of a vespa tour.
A great day trip from Bologna - Experience local food and wine at DonnaLivia Agriturismo
Eat like a local with the locals. Head over to one of the prettiest towns in Italy and wander the cobblestoned streets. Take a tour at an olive oil farm followed by a tasting and then eat lunch cooked by the owners. Read on for one of the best agriturismos near Bologna.
San Marino - Why one of the smallest countries in the world shows that size doesn't matter
Don't miss visiting San Marino, one of the smallest countries in the world. A fairytale village sits atop a mountain in the Italian Appenines. Read on for our list of how to spend a day in San Marino.
Bologna cooking classes: A true Italian experience cooking with a local in their home
Doing a cooking class in Bologna is a must-do when visiting. With so many on offer, it's hard to choose the best one. Our tip is to do a cooking class with a local in Italy. Read our article and watch our video to see how much fun we had cooking with a local in Bologna.
The best food tours in Bologna: Experienced food and travel writers reveal their favourite food tours
Food tours in Bologna and in the Emilia Romagna region are another great way to spend a day. Here some leading Bologna travel experts give you their best food tour in Bologna tips.
Cesenatico: Exploring one of the most popular seaside towns in Italy
A fishing village that was once a very important part of the maritime history of the Italian east coast makes for a wonderful day trip from Bologna. Today, there is still plenty of fishing and a fantastic beach and boat museum.
Things to do in Ferrara: Exploring one of Italy's most beautiful cities
Ferrara is the hidden secret of the Emilia Romagna region. Only a short train ride from Bologna, it boasts an amazing palace and cathedral, a cobblestoned old town square and incredible local food.
A truffle extravaganza: A day of truffle hunting and truffle eating in Italy
Love truffles? Get out into the forest on a truffle hunting tour and fulfil a dream to see how these nuggets of gold are found. Spend the afternoon relaxing and eating truffle inspired food. It's a great day trip from Bologna.
Off the beaten path Italy: Exploring the hills of the Romagna region in Emilia Romagna
The Romagna Hills are within easy reach of Bologna and the whole area is worthy of spending several days here. Here you can visit ancient cheese caves, go truffle hunting and visit beautiful medieval villages. Read on for our full list of things to do in this area of Emilia Romagna.
My top 3 amazing food experiences in Parma Italy
This was our own favourite food tour. A whole day dedicated to eating, tasting and watching the authentic production of making Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, Parma ham and Modena vinegar. Once you learn how they are made, you will never eat anything but the real thing again.
Travel resources
Travelling to Italy? Our favourite travel resources are listed below. We use all of these when planning and booking our travel.
- Skyscanner and Momondo – When searching for flight availability and price, we use these two flight websites and will often make bookings directly from here as well. They give a good comparison of all airlines flying to your preferred destination, prices and timetables. It’s the best way to find cheap airfares too.
- Dollar Fight Club and Airfare Watchdog are great sites for the US, UK and Canada in particular that offer advance notice of amazing deals on airlines. Their premium service is well worth having if you love to travel and are wanting to nab the best deal. If your travel arrangements are flexible, the savings can be excellent.
- I know the Pilot – Similar to the advance service above, this site is very good for Australian-based travellers. Sign up to receive a free newsletter giving you all the latest deals.
- Omio and Trainline are great sites for booking bus and rail tickets in Europe. We use both regularly. They also work well on mobile and you can get etickets straight to your phone.
- Trip Advisor and Booking.com are our go-to websites when comparing hotel prices, checking availability and booking online.
- We don’t leave home without travel insurance. As Australians, we used and recommend Travel Insurance Direct. World Nomads and Safety Wing are recommended for other nationalities here there is a strong coverage across travel all across the globe.
- Rentalcars.com is our preferred provider when we need to have a car overseas and we also recommend France Motorhome Hire for motorhome hire in France and Europe.
Check out our Travel Resources page for further tips and information to help you plan your travel.
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