Holiday in Emilia-Romagna

What makes Emilia-Romagna special as a destination?

Emilia-Romagna is Italy's culinary epicenter — a region that has gifted the world Parmigiano Reggiano, Prosciutto di Parma, balsamic vinegar from Modena, and fresh pasta in a hundred varieties. Those who travel here journey through the paradise of Italian cuisine. Bologna, the capital, is aptly nicknamed La Grassa (the Fat): Among the nearly 40 kilometers of porticoes, which are a UNESCO World Heritage site, delicatessens, trattorias, and pastifici line the streets. The university founded in 1088 — the oldest in the Western world — ensures a young, vibrant nightlife, and from the Asinelli Tower, there is a panoramic view over the city's red rooftops. Parma combines culinary excellence with cultural sophistication: The ham production in Langhirano, the Parmigiano aging cellars, and the Teatro Regio, one of Italy's most important opera houses, create a unique blend. Modena is home to the world's oldest balsamic vinegar — some barrels have been aging for over 100 years in attics — as well as the Ferrari Museum in Maranello and the Romanesque cathedral with the Ghirlandina Tower (UNESCO). Ravenna surprises with the most magnificent early Christian mosaics in the world: In the Basilica di San Vitale and the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, Byzantine gold mosaics from the 5th and 6th centuries sparkle with a brilliance that still takes your breath away after 1,500 years. Dante's tomb serves as a reminder that Italy's greatest poet spent his last years here. The Adriatic coast around Rimini and Riccione offers endless sandy beaches and a vibrant nightlife, while the hilly region of Romagna surprises with Sangiovese wines and medieval castles.