Why Emilia-Romagna Belongs on Your Italy Family Vacation Itinerary

Emilia-Romagna may be northern Italy‘s best-kept secret, hiding in plain sight between Florence, Venice and Milan. Whether you’ve only ever crossed the region en route to big-ticket destinations or it’s entirely new to you, it pairs beautifully with any of these larger Italy itinerary anchors, thanks to its slower pace, authenticity and distinctly rustic Italian vibe. Devote just two or three days to Emilia-Romagna and you’ll quickly be charmed by its almost embarrassing wealth of riches: medieval towns, the Byzantine mosaics of Ravenna, the landscape that birthed luxury car giants and fashion designers like Giorgio Armani, and foods that all but define Italian cuisine.

Highlights of Emilia-Romagna for Families

A Sense of Place All Its Own

Unlike larger international magnets like Rome and Florence, Emilia-Romagna still feels much like it has for centuries. You are likely to hear Italian being spoken on the streets by families who have lived locally for generations, which imbues the city with pride and makes it feel distinctly different from more touristed spots. What’s more, the area has a laid-back ambiance that gives visitors a true feel for daily Italian life with fewer crowds to boot.

Geographically, the region spans almost the width of the country. Bologna, its capital, has a young and energetic vibe thanks to being a university town (in fact, the University of Bologna is the oldest continually operating university in the world). A handful of small towns nearby make for enchanting day trips, and the countryside holds rolling hills, hilltop castles and agritourism estates to explore. Emilia-Romagna’s Adriatic beaches traditionally have been a coastal getaway for Italian nationals, though that may be poised to change.

Bologna: An Ideal Base

Bologna, very much the center and perhaps the stomach of the region, is known for its beautiful covered porticoes and alluring piazzas, including the central Piazza Maggiore. You can get a solid feel for the city and its charming, relatively uncrowded streets in only a few hours’ time. Consider taking a city tour by bike, centering your stops around local street art if that appeals.

Bologna makes an excellent home base for a night or two as you explore the region. It’s home to several high-caliber hotels (CB Travel Advisors are in the know and can book the right one for you), and has plenty of alluring and locally owned eateries, from casual places to enjoy a glass of wine and some pillowy fried gnocco fritto to elaborate meals.

The Food of Emilia-Romagna

Time in Emilia-Romagna is largely tethered to gastronomic pleasures. From day trips to towns inextricably linked to their famed foods — Modena for its balsamic vinegar; Parma for its wafer-thin slices of prosciutto di Parma ham and prized Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese — you are certain to be plied with tasty morsels at every turn. You could explore one of the towns in the morning and then spend the afternoon at a hands-on cooking class, learning more about local ingredients, how to use them and, of course, enjoying the delicious fruits of your labor. If you really want to splash out, feast on three-Michelin-starred dining in Modena, courtesy of chef Massimo Bottura at Osteria Francescana. No matter how you enjoy them, you’ll never look at the culinary staples of Emilia-Romagna the same way once you return home.

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Of course, no visit is complete without sampling the dishes that make this a foodie mecca. Tortellini in brodo (delicate, hand-folded pasta parcels served in a rich broth) is a Bologna signature, while tagliatelle al ragù is the ancestor of what most of us know as spaghetti bolognese. Many menus also feature lasagne verdi layered with spinach pasta as well as piadina, a beloved flatbread folded around prosciutto and squacquerone (a soft, fresh cheese from the Romagna side of the region).

History and Quaint Towns at Every Turn

Perhaps the most singular day out in Emilia-Romagna is the UNESCO-heritage listed town of Ravenna, home to colorful Byzantine mosaics. You can experience these unbelievably vibrant 5th- and 6th-century tile marvels in a few different churches, from Basilica di San Vitale (don’t miss the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia located behind it) to Basilica di Sant’Apollinare in nearby Classe. Keep your eyes peeled, as you can also find glimpses of them in local alleyways.

If your crew is drawn to the sea, the Roman Riviera facing the Adriatic is a stone’s throw from Ravenna. This enclave’s largest town is Rimini and its sandy beaches regularly draw locals from Bologna when the warm weather sets in. There’s also smaller Riccione located just south of Rimini, which is known for its pedestrian thoroughfare Viale Ceccarini, lined with shops and cafes. Or, head for chic Milano Marittima, affectionately known as MiMa, which has a trendy, energetic vibe and is home to a jazz festival each summer.

Iconic Car Brands

Those with a penchant for speed will want to spend an afternoon at the Museo Ferrari in Maranello, where you can enjoy the thrill of an F1 simulator, absorb the extensive history of the brand at the onsite museum or even test-drive one of their prized driving machines (you will need an international driver’s license to do so). If you’re pressed for time, there is also a smaller Ferrari museum in Modena (in Enzo Ferrari’s childhood home, no less), though it doesn’t afford the test drive option. For true gearheads, Lamborghini also has a museum and factory-anchored showroom experience in Bologna.

Whether you simply want a change of pace in a broader Italy itinerary or are looking for ways to tap into a more authentic Italian experience in an accessible way, Emilia-Romagna is worth a closer look. While days in bigger cities can feel a bit like a sprint between must-see sights, days in Emilia-Romagna have a slower, sometimes less polished but more authentic feel. Who knows? The opportunity to truly take in the region through its sights, sounds and tastes, may forge your strongest Italian holiday memories.

Relevant Links:

Browse all family vacation ideas and accommodations in Italy on Ciao Bambino

52 things to know before traveling to Italy with kids

How to make the most of one day in Bologna, Italy

Off-the-beaten-path Italy: New places to explore with kids

Lake Como or Lake Garda: Which one fits your travel style?

Italy bike tours 101: A family adventure on two wheels

Editor’s note: This post was accurate when published. We advise checking independently for the latest information and updates. Ciao Bambino does not accept responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions in, or for any actions taken based on, the information presented.