Sample Itinerary
The Food Cities of Emilia-Romagna
5 days — Bologna, Modena, Parma, Ferrara, and Ravenna for the mosaics.
The route
If you came to eat, this is the trip. Bologna as base, day trips to Modena (balsamic) and Parma (ham and cheese), Ferrara for a cycleable Renaissance city, and Ravenna for the Byzantine mosaics. Flat, train-friendly, and cheaper than Tuscany.
6 stops
Region · Emilia-Romagna
Emilia-Romagna
If food is the point of your trip, Emilia-Romagna is the best region in Italy. Bologna is the eating capital, Parma and Modena give you ham, cheese, and balsamic, Ravenna holds world-class mosaics, and Ferrara is a perfect cycleable Renaissance city. It's flat, train-friendly, cheaper than Tuscany, and less crowded. The art-trip traveler underrates it; the food-trip traveler should not.
Town · Emilia-Romagna
Bologna
Bologna is worth two nights and is the best food city in Italy for travelers who want to eat seriously without the Florence prices or the Venice crowds. It is also the best rail hub in the country.
Town · Emilia-Romagna
Modena
Modena is worth a half-day or a lunch from Bologna. The cathedral and the food market are the essentials. Book ahead if you want Bottura; otherwise eat tortellini in any trattoria.
Town · Emilia-Romagna
Parma
Parma is worth a half-day from Bologna. Eat prosciutto di Parma and Parmigiano-Reggiano at the source, see the cathedral frescoes, and leave satisfied. Pair with Modena.
Town · Emilia-Romagna
Ferrara
Ferrara is worth a half-day from Bologna. It is flat, cyclable, and uncrowded. The Este castle and the Palazzo dei Diamanti are the essentials. Pair with Ravenna.
Town · Emilia-Romagna
Ravenna
Ravenna is worth a full day. The mosaics are the best Byzantine art west of Istanbul, and the city is uncrowded and inexpensive compared to Florence. Pair it with Bologna.
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