We are planning a road trip the last two weeks of October in the Emilia Romagna region. But there's few if any guides to this region and its towns. Anyone have any suggestions? We are interested in food (of course) agriturismos, art, wine and good places to stay.
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
16243 posts
There are plenty of Guides to Italy covering Emilia Romagna. Lonely Planet and Let's Go Italy do. Don't limit yourself to Rick Steves.
In the meantime start with the official Tourism Portal of the government of the Region Emilia-Romagna.
http://www.emiliaromagnaturismo.com/en
You can also Google a city's name, for example "Bologna Turismo" and you will get the website of the City Tourism Office.
Posted by
Auburn, California
76 posts
Fodor's and Frommer's also do an excellent job of covering that region.
Posted by
Toledo, Ohio, US
11613 posts
Insight Guides, Michelin Green Guides, Blue Guide.
Posted by
693 posts
The official tourism website for the region is also very good: http://www.emiliaromagnaturismo.com/en
To give you an example, the page on Bologna is as follows: http://www.emiliaromagnaturismo.com/en/locations/bologna-bo/details?ID=1226
There are also sections on art, food, music, events etc...
Posted by
Brisbane, Australia
7175 posts
Two full weeks and strictly in Emilia Romagna could see something like this
Parma 2 nts
Modena 2 nts
Bologna 4 nts
Ferrara 2 nts
Ravenna 2 nts
Rimini 2 nts
A more encompassing journey may be ...
Venice 2 nts
Vicenza 1 nt
Verona 2 nts
Mantua 1 nt
Parma 1 nt
Modena 1 nt
Bologna 2 nts
Ferrara 1 nt
Ravenna 1 nt
Padua 2 nts
Posted by
Portland
3648 posts
David, above, has listed a number of worthwhile places to visit; however, imo, he has way too many moves. There is no reason to keep changing lodgings so often, and it eats up time and energy.
Quite a few years ago - - so the memories are fuzzy - - we did an Emilia Romagna road trip. We stayed at an agriturismo about 40 minutes from Bologna and were easily able to do day trips to Ferrara, Faenza, Parma, and Ravenna, as well as Bologna, itself. Possibly Mantova was also included on that trip. I would actually recommend staying over a night or two in Ravenna, because there is so much to see there. Parma has great food and a stunning duomo and baptistry. Definitely a Do-Not- Miss
I don't remember where we stayed, but it was in the town of Brisighella. If you check on Tripadvisor and booking.com, you should have no trouble finding an agriturismo in a good location for your day tripping.
Posted by
Toledo, Ohio, US
11613 posts
Another good city is Sabbioneta, very near Mantova.
Posted by
Brisbane, Australia
7175 posts
I find a 'road trip' should be just that. Thirty minutes in the morning to checkout of a hotel is sometimes less of an inconvenience than a 60 minute return drive in afternoon traffic.
A balance is perhaps best, and definitely use trains some days.
One and two night stays means you have not had a chance to get settled, so repacking is not such an effort.
Then, I also LOVE walking in to a new hotel room each (or every other) day.
Posted by
Fort Lauderdale, FL
1246 posts
We spent 2 nights in Bologna and loved it. We did not take a tour, but wandered the town ourselves eating and drinking.
Another trip we spent 2 nights in Parma, and did take a tour. It brought us to the Parmigiano cheese factory, a Parma ham factory, a winery for lunch, and a Balsamic vinegar house. It was wonderful!
I do remember that even though both towns are in Emilia Romagna, the food was quite different in each. Enjoy!
Posted by
OP
5 posts
Thank you all who responded. It has been very helpful.