Emilia Romagna

The region of Emilia Romagna occupies the north-central portion of Italy, south of the Po River. Emilia Romagna nearly stretches across the country with its eastern border along the Adriatic Sea and its western area bordering the Liguria. To the north, Emilia Romagna borders the regions of Lombardy and the Veneto while to the south lie Le Marche, Tuscany and the Independent republic of San Marino.

The best place to begin a tour of the region is centrally situated Bologna.  Modena is one of the country’s loveliest Romanesque cathedrals. Parma has a more provincial feel and Ferrara, too, has an easy going air.  Castell’Arquato offers a taste of the smaller villages that dot the hills south of the Po. Other important sight are Ravenna, Piacenza and Rimini.

BOLOGNA is surrounded by hills, the city's centre is still much as it was during the Renaissance: dusky red-colored buildings, wide squares and

covered walkways with floors laid with marble. Piazza Maggiore and Piazza del Nettuno are flanked to the south by the churches of San Petronio and San Domenico. 

The University of Bologna is the oldest in Europe. The skyline is etched by the Asinelli, Garisenda towers, and by the Campanile of Santo Stefano.

MODENA - an ancient town,is the seat of an archbishop, but is now mostly known as "the capital of engines", since the factories of most famous Italian car makers Ferrari, Lamborghini and Maserati are located there. Modena is the birthplace of the operatic tenor Luciano Pavarotti, and is also well known in culinary circles for its production of balsamic vinegar.

PARMA is a very prosperous town, not only for fine food and good living but also a treasure trove of excellent paintings, superlative sculpture and fine medieval buildings. Parma is also very famous for Parma ham and Parmesan cheese.

FERRARA which grew up around a ford over the River Po, became an intellectual and artistic centre that attracted the greatest minds of the Italian Renaissance in the 15th and 16th centuries.

CASTELL’ARQUATO is a town with a number of medieval features. Particular notable are the Palazzo Pretorio, the collegiate church and the remains of the castle.

RAVENNA is most seeing for its superb mosaics from the Byzantine period, but the town itself is a surprisingly pleasant medley of the old streets, fine shops and peaceful squares.

PIACENZA traces its history back to Roman times. Located near the Po, it served as a fortified camp protecting the Emilian plain from invasion. The city has a pleasantly understated old centre full of medieval and Renaissance buildings. 

RIMINI is extremely well-known seaside resort, and comprises a holiday-making playground, which has always been the most significant in Europe from the viewpoint of the number of accommodation, night clubs, beach bars and facilities, as well as the countless special theme parks, places for entertainment and occasions for relaxing.

GETTING AROUND Excellent road and rail links, aided by mostly flat terrain, make this region quick and easy to get around.  Bologna is connected by the A1-E35 to Florence and by the A13 to Ferrara and Venice.  The busy A1-E35 links Bologna to Milan via Piacenza, Fidenza and Parma.  The A15-E31 connects Parma with La Spezia and the A21-E70 joins Piacenza and Cremona.  Fast, frequent train services run along almost parallel routes.