Fly into Bologna or Milan to take an epic street journey alongside the traditional Via Emilia that hosts a string of gorgeous Italian cities. In the center of Emilia Romagna lies Italy’s Food Valley. Make positive that you simply cease alongside the way in which for dishes and wines which have obtained worldwide acclaim.
Hot, scorching summers and chilly winters, with moisture trapped by the Apennine mountains, coalesce for good rising situations for meals that has grow to be legendary: globally.
Michelin-starred eating places
Such is Emilia Romagna’s prominence in Italy’s gastronomic scene that Modena not too long ago hosted the Michelin Guide 2025 Awards: basically Italy’s foodie Oscars. In addition, Emilia Romagna will even host the awards for 2026 and 2027.
Amongst the culinary rock stars on the awards, Massimo Bottura is a God of the business. The success of his 3 Michelin star Osteria Francescana in Modena, typically lauded because the World’s Best Restaurant, provides Massimo a platform to talk for Emilia Romagna and for the restaurant business as an entire.
A spectacular panorama
Create your individual gourmand path by means of Emilia Romagna which runs from Piacenza within the west, alongside the traditional route of the Via Emilia by means of Bologna, Modena, Parma and thru to Rimini sat on the Adriatic.
Essentially, the route of the River Po, backed by the Apennine mountains to the north, is a mild panorama the place cows are milked to create huge wheels of Parmigiana Reggiano cheese. This is Italy’s bread basket, packing the markets with vibrant recent produce. A land of gradual meals, these wheels of cheese mature for years, and quick automobiles. Modena is the house of Ferrari and the Ferrari Museum.
Pavarotti’s home and restaurant
Emilia Romagna calls for an operatic sound observe. Call in on the previous residence of Luciano Pavarotti, close to Modena, to make these long-held tenor notes a actuality. A mural, emblazoned on the mansion’s wall, even bigger than the good man’s persona, indicators that you’ve got arrived.
Now a shrine to the good tenor, the museum shows letters of admiration from Sinatra, Bono, Sting, Hillary Clinton, Springsteen and Princess Diana, testifying to Pavarotti’s common enchantment.
Pavarotti labored arduous for his fame, saving his voice for performances, all the time scouring phases for a bent nail that introduced good luck and dropping three kilograms each time he carried out. Beyond music, Pavarotti loved portray and his cookbook exhibits his love of meals. Book a desk within the neighbouring restaurant for the whole Pavarotti expertise.
Everything you have to plan your journey in 2024
Mercato Albinelli, Modena
Call in on the wrought iron Liberty fashion market in Modena for an artisan introduction to the meals and produce of Emilia Romagna. Stalls overflow with the produce of Italy’s bounteous bread basket.
Artisan eating places across the fringes of the market, with humble trestle desk seating supply a chalked-up intro to regional specialities.
As effectively as dishes which have now grow to be international favourites, for example bolognaise and lasagne, that is the place to strive native dishes akin to tortellini in broth.
Parma
Allegedly, Bologna is the gastronomic capital of the world or so the locals say as they sit with an intense expresso explosion of espresso. Or look into one another’s eyes as they provide a toast with a knock of their glass on the desk, echoing “Chin-chin” earlier than sipping one in all Emilia Romagna’s 24 DOC wines.
Yet, it’s Parma that UNESCO has given the award of a gastronomic capital: in all probability for the gastronomic virtuosity of its manufacturing of Parma ham, Parmigiana Reggiano cheese, plump tomatoes and a few of these DOC wines.
Verdi Corale
You can’t escape from opera in Emilia Romagna, the Verdi Corale is an opera faculty for Verdi aficionados. Lunch to arpeggios and ascending scales of Verdi lovers from all around the world loosening their vocal cords for his or her favorite arias.
Amongst the darkish wooden and eating tables of the restaurant a grand piano sits on the stage for extra tributes to the good opera composer born in Parma.
Trattoria Amerigo 1934
Unless you’re a licensed truffle hunter, with a keen-nosed Lagotta Romagna canine, appreciable expertise and a slice of fine luck, you might be unlikely to search out your individual truffles. The subsequent best choice within the truffle nation round Savigno, within the foothills of the Apennine mountains, for tasting truffles, is to dine on the Trattoria Amerigo.
Since 1934, the Bettini household has run this rustic-styled trattoria, the place the decor nonetheless pays homage to the Nineteen Thirties, with adverts from the period extolling Campari and Cinzano existence.
The trattoria has simply been awarded a Michelin star for the twenty eighth consecutive 12 months. Those within the know ebook into one of many adjoining inn’s rooms, notably when Savigno’s annual truffle competition comes round in late autumn.
Disclosure: Our keep was sponsored by Emilia Romagna Turismo.
Michael Edwards
Michael Edwards is a journey author from Oxfordshire, UK. Although Michael had his first journey items revealed practically 4 a long time in the past, he’s nonetheless discovering new luxurious locations to go to and write on.
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