Top 5 Reasons to Visit Emilia-Romagna

Find “amore” when you visit Emilia-Romagna

It’s not a secret that I fell in love with the Emilia-Romagna and Puglia regions of Italy last year. You might recall that I revealed my love for Puglia (the region of Italy located in the “heel of the boot”) and the reasons why in a previous post. As in Puglia, in Emilia-Romagna we met many wonderful people who were friendly, helpful, and very understanding of our extremely limited Italian language skills. Certainly, interacting with locals really adds to our enjoyment of any place. In my previous posts, you met some of them. Now I want to highlight some of the things you can do when you visit Emilia-Romagna to make it special for you, too.

1. Stay in an albergo diffuso

To stay in an albergo diffuso (loosely translated as “scattered lodgings”) is to experience an immersion into the local culture and traditions of the region. Mr. TWS and I felt like part of the family at Al Vecchio Convento in Portico di Romagna and were also just as at home at Le Case Antiche in Verucchio.

Al Vecchio Convento – Portico di Romagna

Al Vecchio Convento albergo diffuso, Portico di Romagna

Le Case Antiche – Verucchio

Il Casale dell’Arte at Le Case Antiche Albergo Diffuso, Verucchio

There are alberghi diffusi (plural form) in many regions of Italy and the number continues to grow. The concept was introduced by Giancarlo Dall’Ara (president of Associazione Internazionale Alberghi Diffusi) in the 1980s to help economically suffering Italian villages where in many cases the younger generations were moving out, leading to the villages becoming stagnant or abandoned. His idea was to renovate existing buildings in these towns to become distributed lodging for visitors offering comfortable accommodations and hotel-like services, while enabling the visitors to essentially live among the locals, often in centuries-old buildings. Visitors also enjoy regionally-sourced food and wine, discover local culture and history, and learn traditional crafts.

2. Try your hand at something new

Make pasta fresca

Our first glimpse of fresh pasta being made was in a restaurant in Modigliana where we stopped for lunch on our way to Tredozio. We were invited back to the kitchen where we watched in fascination as noodles were made from scratch. Since this was our very first day in Emilia-Romagna, it just whet our appetites for more to come during the rest of our trip.

Getting pasta-making instructions from Michele at Pasta Fresca Laura in Santarcangleo

My travel companions and I had an awesome private pasta-making lesson arranged for us at Pasta Fresca Laura in Santarcangelo, but classes can be found in throughout the region.

Bake bread

Working as a team, my companions and I diligently followed every instruction from Matteo at Al Vecchio Convento as we rolled our bundles of dough into loaves of country bread before placing them in an outside wood-fired oven. As we went along, Matteo explained the process, including techniques for each step; information about the ingredients; the restaurant’s devotion to local sourcing and its benefits; and bread-making traditions.

Making bread at Al Vecchio Convento

Learn a craft

Al Vecchio Convento also arranged for a weaving lesson by Giuliana in Portico. Guiliana is a skilled weaver who works on a loom in the old traditions of weaving.  I may not be a natural at this craft, but I persevered and left the shop with my very own handmade necklace and a heightened admiration of the skills and art involved in weaving.

Weaving lessons with Guiliana

My learning experiences were arranged by our guide for these specific locations. Each albergo diffuso will have a range of activities and recommendations that help to immerse you in their culture and traditions.

3. Experience history and culture

Visit a castle or two or three or more

In Verucchio, we had a wonderful tour of the Malatesta Fortress with numerous exhibitions of armor, weapons, and other historical artifacts. Perched on a rocky hilltop above the Marecchio Valley with the Adriatic Sea to the east and the Apennines to the west, it had a strategic location for defense and trade, making it a critically important fortress for the Malatesta family who ruled the area for centuries. Mastin Vecchio, head of the original ruling family, was born in Verucchio (although there is some debate) and the family’s reign of power began here, which is why Verucchio is known as the “cradle of the Malatesta”. From our Le Case Antiche patio, we had a stunning view of the castle above us (shown below).

Inside the Malatesta Fortress in Verucchio and a view of the fortress from the valley

Inside La Rocca Malatestiana in Cesena, another of the medieval fortresses built by the ruling Malatesta family in Emilia-Romagna, our guide took us down the old stone corridors with loopholes (openings for light, air or shooting) and into several chambers including the museums with well-preserved artifacts, such as the armor shown in the photo below.

La Rocca Malatestiana, Cesena

In Ferrara, the Castello Estense is a place of amazing history that holds stories of Medieval and Renaissance passion, treason, power, and torture. Built in 1385 as a fortress  to protect the ruling Este family from uprisings of the people, Castello Estense later became the royal residence. Its architectural details span Medieval and Renaisance periods as enhancements were made through the centuries. The water-filled moat still surrounds the castle. In the photo below, we’re looking across the moat into the old town center of Ferrara through a loophole in the castle wall .   The interior of Castello Estense has many ornate halls and rooms in the noble living quarters on the first floor.

Castello Estense — from inside and out

From the fortress in San Leo there are fantastic views of the beautiful countryside and towns below contrast with the evils that took place inside the fortress. It’s fascinating as well as disturbing to walk inside the torture chamber which still includes actual torture devices dating back to the Inquisition. The fortress at San Leo has played an important role in historical and military events of the region, and continued to be used as a prison until 1906.

Fortress of San Leo overlooking the town center

Art, both ancient and new, abounds in the region in galleries, museums, churches, castles, and festivals. We were fortunate to attend the first annual Portico in Arte Festival created by Massimiliano Cameli in Portico di Romagna. During the festival, artists from all over Europe exhibit their works inspired by the area’s beauty, history and culture.

Portico in Arte Festival 2013

Near San Leo high above the Valmarecchia, enjoy the vista that many believe (and there is much to support this belief) inspired Leonardo da Vinci when he painted the Mona Lisa. Next time you see this famous painting, look closely at the background. These may be the hills you see in the photo below. There’s research that shows that the background is a combination of landscapes of the Marche and Emilia-Romagna regions of Italy.

Overlooking the Valmarecchia near San Leo

The 15th century Biblioteca Malatestiana was the first public library in Italy and is listed in UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register. It is a truly beautiful place with history and exhibits that compel you to stop, think and imagine. The main reading room where the Franciscan monks studied is remarkable in its simple, yet stunning design with 11 arches over 58 desks and windows that provide hat allow for natural lighting. In the Piana Library across the hall from the main reading room there are many ancient books and letters as well as portraits of three popes (two who were born in Cesena and one who was bishop here). I was taken by the case where very small books were displayed, including the world’s smallest book that can be read without a microscope (shown below, bottom center).

Biblioteca Malatestiana main reading room and the Piana Library

4. Indulge in Epicurean delights

Discover wines of Emilia-Romagna

Until the first of my visits to Emilia-Romagna, I had never tasted Sangiovese — although I unknowingly would have tasted it in Chianti. But here one can enjoy 100% Sangiovese made from the luscious grapes grown in the region’s vineyards.

In the vineyards of Alta Vita Winery, Cesena

Alta Vita where I got to experience picking grapes right off the vines.

Sangiovese grapes

Tenuta Masselina where we walked through the vineyards in an early autumn mist.

Collina dei Poeti vineyard

Collina dei Poeti where we were served dishes made with pasta we made from scratch at Pasta Fresca Laura.

Hunt for truffles or just eat them

Truffle hunting in the woods

We really loved this activity provided by Al Vecchio Convento. Matteo and his dogs Otto and Rex can take you on a truffle-hunting excursion in the nearby woods that are officially registered for this purpose. Of course, the dogs do the work of finding these hidden treasures, but walking and running along with them as they sniff out the white or black (depending on the season) is a lot of fun and you’ll feel like you participated in the find. To make the experience even better, you’ll get a chance to taste the truffles as the restaurant uses them in many dishes. We had them shaved on our eggs the next morning at breakfast.

If you visit in October when the white truffles are in season, be sure to check out the festival in Sant’Agata Feltria. You’ll find porcini and truffles in many dishes prepared in many different ways.

Taste the nuances of olive oil

The olive groves of Brisighella are famous for the delectable oils they produce. They are beautiful to view on the hillsides as you pass them or walk among the trees themselves. We were guests of Gianluca of Tenuta Pennita who took us on a tour of his groves followed by a tasting of different olive oils. There is a specific technique to properly tasting and comparing the oils and would take much more practice for me to become proficient.

Olive groves of Brisighella

To a novice like myself, tasting several oils straight from the cup (no bread or other food to accompany it) can be a little overpowering the first time, but it’s a learning experience not to miss.

Savor the cuisine

Be prepared to over-indulge on scrumptious dishes served in ristorantes and trattorias. Memories of these dining experiences particularly make my mouth water.

In a small village like Portico di Romagna, you might be surprised to learn of the gourmet restaurant at Al Vecchio Convento prepared by master chef Giovanni Cameli and his sons, Massimiliano and Matteo (yes, the same Matteo who truffle hunts, bakes bread, leads hikes, and much more). They abide by the “slow food” principles of preserving traditional and regional cuisine prepared with locally-sourced meats, dairy, fruits and vegetables.

Crepes with ricotta, zucchini flowers and saffron

For sublime Italian comfort food, I really enjoyed Trattoria Montepaolo in Dovadola. Chef Franco Gamberini had been attracted by the beauty of this location on Monte Paolo where since 2001 he is serve creative culinary specialties of the Romagna and Tuscany regions, including homemade pasta and bread.

Lunch at Montepaolo in Dovadola, Italy

A short drive into the hills from Sant’Agata Feltria at Trattoria Ciccioni in Pereto, we were served course after course of homemade dishes. Many were prepared with local porcini mushrooms as a main ingredient, but each recipe was a creative variation. The Pasta stuffed with cheese and porcini, and lentil and porcini soup were probably my favorites.

Cheese and porcini pasta, lentil and porcini soup, pudding, and of course, red wine

Finally, in Verucchio, we had a hearty meal featuring T-Bone steak and grilled vegetables with a view at La Rocca in Verucchio (at the fortress). Here a big treat was their signature special liqueur, Infuso di Marghertia, named for the owners’ grandmother. It is similar to Limoncello and absolutely delicious.

Infuso di Margherita

5. Hike, Bike, Walk, and Spa

All of those activities are good for the body and you’ll have ample opportunities for each.

Take a hike at National Forest a hike at Foreste Casentinesi, Monte Falterona, Campigna National Park (Casentinesi Forest National Park). With Matteo of Al Vecchio Convento as our guide, we took the Acquacheta Falls trail, which includes the famous falls mentioned by Dante. There are several hiking and nature trails to suit most ability levels.

A hike in Parco Nazionale delle Foreste Casentinesi

Bike through the streets and around the ancient walls of the city of Ferrara where bike culture is evident as residents and tourists alike pedal through the streets, squares and even around the 9k distance of the old city walls. There are a number of bike rental locations in the city center.

Riding bikes around Ferrara, Italy

Walk through the winding, narrow streets of the villages like Bertinoro shown in the photos below. Don’t worry about a map in small villages — just wander, admire, imagine, and get lost. You’ll find your way and come out with a feeling of having stepped back in time.

Bertinoro, Italy

It’s not often that I get a chance to soak and relax at a spa, so when I do, I relish the experience as I did in the thermal waters at Grand Hotel Fratta Terme in Bertinoro. No, that’s not Mr. TWS and me, but I was in that very spot. Photos were not allowed to be taken in the spa.

Photo courtesy of Grand Hotel Terme della Fratta

Bonus reason: Be surprised

As you walk through the villages, drive along highways, tour historic places and sample the region’s food and wine, you will find surprises. Here’s just one of those.

Stand next to a volcano at Monte Busca

Do you know where the smallest volcano in the world is located? Well, “volcano” may seem like an exaggeration for such a small pile of rocks and flames, but the Monte Busca Volcano, in the hills near Portico di Romagna, Italy is constantly emitting flames due to a natural gas vent there. An interesting bit of history is that during WWII, troops used the flames for heat and cooking.

Monte Busca, the smallest “volcano” in Italy

Perhaps you’ll find “amore”, too.

Have you had a chance to visit Emilia-Romagna? What have I missed?

Related posts:

11-Day Sicily Itinerary at a Glance Intrigued by Palermo, Sicily’s Cultural Capital Going Baroque — Things to Do in Ragusa