Emilia-Romagna is in central Italy where it borders the Lombardia, Veneto, Piemonte, Liguria, Marches and Toscana regions and the Adriatic Sea. The main cities of this region are Bologna, Parma, Ferrara and Ravenna. The Emilia-Romagna is all about food glorious food…..thankfully the area is also known for its spas and thermal curative waters-in which to take the plunge. When in Italy, you just have to dine and this is one of the best regions to take the plunge! The land here is very fertile and the area and the people are defined by this fact.

Conversely, it’s also an area of industry and you’ll see many factories and headquarters of large companies located here. You have to get off the main thoroughfares to see the charming towns, the gorgeous cathedrals and castles, the treasure-filled hamlets and the pristine seaside villages to truly appreciate this region. Most people make an obligatory stop in Bologna (and rightly so — it’s a fabulously historical town), but tourists and travelers should truly spend more time discovering the treasures of Emilia-Romagna. The majority of the land in this region is made up of plains, yet there are some mountains and hills. You’ll find nice leather goods, ceramics and marble produced in the area.

The food here (as mentioned) is wonderful — the area is known all over the world for its cuisine. The food is fresh and consists of pasta, tomatoes, rice, Parmigiano Reggiano and Grana Padana cheeses, fruits, ham and prosciutto and fine wines like Albana di Romagna, Lambrusco, Colli di Imola and Trebbiano di Romagna. You’ll find several items consistently on the menu like tortellini, lasagne and tagliatelle alla Bolognese……this is foodie heaven.