Emilia Romagna

When you consider Emilia Romagna, think food. Bologna, Parma, Modena, and Ferrara, are just some of the fabulous foodie destinations to visit.

In addition, one of the best food festivals of the year is Emilia Romagna’s lesser-known town of Forlimpopoli. Festa Artusiana is a celebration of the life and works of Pellegrino Artusi, the ‘Father of Italian cuisine’. Read more about Artusi here.

In Artusi’s La Scienza in Cucina e l’Arte di Mangier Bene (Cooking Science and the Art of Eating Well, 1891), he considered the scientific role of food in well-being. The Festa Artusiana has a huge programme of workshops, tastings and talks on food culture. It takes place every second-last Saturday of June for nine days.

Festivals

Don’t miss the Parma Ham festival, which takes place in September. Take every opportunity for tasting.

What’s more, from May until December, Parma, and nearby Piacenza, open up 20 of their castles for more food and cultural festivals.

Best Restaurant in Italy… and now the world

Then, a trip to Modena should (if money allows) include lunch or dinner at Massimo Bottura’s Osteria Francescana. It was ranked number two in the World’s 50 Best Restaurants listing.* It has been also voted ‘Best restaurant in Italy’ for seven years in succession. The restaurant holds three Michelin stars and promises a culinary experience never to be forgotten.

*In 2018, Osteria Francescana was voted ‘Best Restaurant in the World‘.

Pink night

And there’s more than just great food and drink to be enjoyed in the region. If you’re visiting in July, don’t miss the summer Notte Rosa (Pink Night), which is celebrated all along the 110-kilometre Adriatic coast.

The coastal towns, including Rimini, turn entirely pink; bars, restaurants and shops, decorated with bright pink lights and balloons, stay open all night. A spectacular fireworks display takes place all along the coast.

Read here, for more to do in Parma, Modena, Rimini, Ferrara and Bologna.

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