We're looking at traveling to Emilia-Romagna (Bologna, Parma, Ravenna, Modena, etc) this spring for about two weeks. Since Rick doesn't cover the area at all, I'd love to know the resources you've used for trip planning. Any good guidebooks for the region? Any blogs, web sites, or Facebook groups that cover the area well? Heck, if any of you have suggestions of unmissable places, I'll take them!
Posted by
Idaho, USA
7906 posts
Hi Marcus, there’s a Bradt “Northern Italy Emilia-Romagna including Bologna” guidebook that you would probably like to read. I liked that it started out with the history of the region.
Also, Ricky on this forum is a great resource from Modena.
I covered some of the region in June and also stayed in Ferrara when I brought my daughter in September. I’ll attach my trip reports - may be helpful for you. Enjoy your time & the food!
Posted by
North Carolina
2502 posts
I like this site a lot: https://www.ferraraterraeacqua.it/en/
I’ve only been to Ferrara very briefly, but would love to go back. Are you interested in Nature experiences, birdwatching, for instance? If so, the Po Delta would suit very well.
I would certainly not want to miss Ravenna, with its Byzantine mosaics.
Posted by
San Diego, California, USA
1176 posts
Here's a locals blog for Bologna that i really like the tone and spirit of:
https://www.everysteph.com/one-day-in-bologna-itinerary-by-a-local/
Also:
https://www.everysteph.com/bologna-restaurants-where-to-eat-in-bologna/
If you like her content she has a lot of Italy content for what it's worth.
Have a great trip!
=Tod
Posted by
Vignola, Modena, Italy
563 posts
Rick isn't exactly loved in Emilia-Romagna, especially after he the last video about the sandwich at Bologna airport airport.
Anyway: what kind of information do you need?
Have you visited the two official websites?
The one with a lot of details and ideas: https://emiliaromagnaturismo.it/en?utm_source=ERT&utm_medium=menu
The one with blog and articles: https://www.travelemiliaromagna.it/en/
Posted by
Wyckoff, NJ, USA
7965 posts
It may seem like overkill, but I like Lonely Planet [Italy] in this case. You may use only a few pages, but they are of good quality. I feel the print version is better, but you could save money with the online book purchase, maybe.
I used to go to Reggio [nell'] Emilia on business. It's not an "important" town, maybe not even for Parmiggiano manufacture, but I remember the great food and never hearing any English on the street or in restaurants. Particularly good pizza around town. Nice small town-hall art museum, and a famous "replica" baroque theater with public tours, the Teatro Romolo Valli. I think Market Day was Saturday. Easy train ride to Bologna or even Florence.
The town is actually known for a popular style of Elementary Education, and (the NY Times once wrote ... ) European Art Theft rings. No personal knowledge.
Posted by
North Carolina
2502 posts
If you’re interested in ceramics, you could visit Faenza - the International Museum of Ceramics is there, as well as lots of shops.