Emilia Romagna Overview
Centrally located between the popular cities of Milan, Florence and Venice, the region of Emilia-Romagna is arguably off-the-beaten-track in an Italy tour. That said, this beautiful region in northern Italy is certainly one we’d recommend visiting. Often nicknamed the ‘belly of Italy’, Emilia-Romagna is a delicious hub of Italian cuisine. It’s the birthplace of the Bolognese pasta dish, a heart of cheeses like Parmesan, and the rightful home of Michelin-star restaurants – dubbed the best in the world.
The jewel in the Emilia-Romagna region is the city of Bologna. The Bologna university is a big part of the city, and fuels a young, professional and vibrant feel throughout the year. The university, founded in 1088, is considered one of the oldest in the world. With around 70,000 students enrolled, Bologna university is also one of the largest in Italy, attracting both national and international students.
A visit to Bologna would not be done right without sampling the Bolognese pasta. While many have adopted a western version of the spaghetti bolognese, the original tomato-based pasta sauce is not done with minced meat. Instead, sample the authentic dish in any restaurant across Bologna or Emilia-Romagna and you’ll taste sensational flavors that complement the meat – usually beef or veal – served with tagliatelle.
Although there is strong competition when it comes to Italy’s gastronomic crown, Emilia-Romagna certainly puts up a good competition. Among the freshly-cooked pasta and delicious sauces, during your stay, you must also try prosciutto, mortadella and tigelle – ham, Italian sausage and a type of flatbread respectively.
Another elegant city in this region is Modena. Here, you’ll find headquarters and manufacturers of luxury car brands like Ferrari and Maserati, as well as three Michelin-star award-winning restaurant, Osteria Francescana. The architecture and art of Modena also exudes elegance – with a delicate blend of both tradition, history and contemporary design. Modena and Parma are cities we’d highly recommend visiting during your stay in this region, and we can organize day trips here from Bologna.
