Since Rick devotes close to zero pages covering Emilia-Romagna in his books, what are some other resources that you've found that have been great for planning a trip to this region? I'd love to find something similar in style to his book, be it another book, blog, website, etc. Any recs?
Posted by
New York
191 posts
Rick Steves is my go-to source for all my travels, but I also like the Untold Italy app. It includes recommendations for restaurants, places to stay, and sites. It’s just another POV.
Posted by
Bay Area SF & Uppsala Sweden 🇸🇪
1963 posts
I've put together a lot of information just using the Forum, search bar on main page. Also check out Rough Guide Bologna & Bradt guide to Emilia Romagna.
Posted by
155 posts
I planned our trip mostly using the Forum, as travelers have written very detailed advice regarding stays in and around Parma, Modena, and Ferrara as well extensively on Bologna. I would start by using the search bar, and it won’t take long to find what might interest you! (You can look at recent forum posts as well as trip reports.) Once you have the rough outline of a plan, come back to the forum if you need help with making final decisions. Hope this helps!
Posted by
Washington, DC USA
1014 posts
I used the Rough Guide to Bologna and the Bradt guide to Emilia-Romagna. I also used the Rick Steves chapter on Ravenna (found in the RS Venice book if not in the Italy book).
Posted by
Saint Paul, Minnesota
2251 posts
The Cadogan guides are all at least 20 years out of date, and must be bought used or found at a library, but I love them for things that don't change much like art and architecture and the history of a place. There is one for Bologna and Emilia-Romagna. Cadogan writing has a strong point of view and is often amusing. Good for providing interesting little stories and details that you won't find elsewhere.
Searching the forum, I think you will do better to search on the names of towns and cities in Emilia-Romagna rather than on "Emilia-Romagna." Try Ferrara, for example, 2 years and newer.
Posted by
Idaho, USA
9931 posts
Hi Cooper, the Emilia-Romagna region is wonderful for sites & their food! Bologna gets the hype for the best food, but I have had fantastic memorable meals in Parma & Ferrara, too! I’ve stayed in Parma, Ferrara, Bologna & Ravenna multiple times and added Modena last year. I bought the Bradt Emilia-Romagna guidebook in 2022 - probably when I was planning for Ferrara the first time.
I like to go to lots of Italian cities that aren’t in guidebooks, and it’s fairly easy to find what you might want to know. These can get you started; there’s much now on a YouTube search of each city of interest.
https://www.travelemiliaromagna.it/en
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=4wyVHSRu_PQ&pp=ygUHRmVycmFyYQ%3D%3D&ra=m
This trip report from 2024 has Modena, Bologna & Ferrara in it:
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/trip-report-solo-mother-daughter-in-north-italy
I had planned to attend the Buskers Festival in Ferrara 2021 but had to cancel that trip. Check & see if there’s any festivals during your date range. It’s always fun to attend something local!