Emilia-Romagna, located in the northern part of Italy, is a region famous for its delicious food, stunning architecture, and rich history. In this post we will share some tips based on our recent trip to the area, including some things to do and our favorite places to visit and eat.
Parma
Parma is a city located about 1.5 hours south of Milan. If you are driving to Parma, we recommend parking just outside the city center for convenience.
One of the first things we noticed about Parma was how easy it was to walk around the city. The streets are mostly pedestrianized, making it easy to stroll and enjoy the sights. One of the main attractions in Parma is the Cattedrale di Parma, a stunning cathedral with beautiful frescoes and architecture.
But the real highlight of Parma is the food. Parma ham and Parmesan cheese are the two must-try dishes in the city. We recommend visiting La Prosciutteria, a local shop where you can taste and buy different types of ham and cheese. Another must-try dish is gnocco fritto, a fried puffy bread that is traditionally served with Parma ham.
If you are looking for a restaurant that serves these delicacies, we highly recommend Ristorante Gallo d’Oro. They have fantastic gnocco fritto, Parma ham, and other traditional dishes. We also tried their ravioli, which was good but not as memorable as the other menu items we tried.
Modena Area
While we didn’t have time to explore Modena itself, we did visit a few places in the surrounding area.
One of the highlights of our trip was visiting the Museo Ferrari, where you can see and learn about the iconic Italian sports car. If you are a fan of Formula 1, you also HAVE to do the racing simulation. It is a ton of fun and very enlightening into just how challenging it is to drive the car at high speeds along those tracks. You can also book this experience ahead of time to skip the museum’s line.
Another must-visit place in the Modena area is Azienda Agricola Leonardi Giovanni, a family-owned balsamic vinegar producer. We did a tour and visited their shop to taste different agings of balsamic vinegar, learn about the production process, and buy a bottle to take home. The balsamic vinegar from Modena is known for its sweet and tangy taste, and it was definitely worth the visit.
Bologna
Bologna is a vibrant college town located about an hour east of Parma. We visited Bologna on a separate trip a few years ago and fell in love with the city’s friendly people and delicious food. If you are looking for a place to stay, we recommend staying near the Piazza Maggiore, the main square in the city center. We stayed at the AC Hotel just outside the city center to use Marriott points, and it was an easy walk to the main sites and restaurants.
When it comes to food, Bologna is known for its fantastic pasta dishes, pizza, and gelato. One of our favorite restaurants in the city was Ranzani 13, where you can enjoy delicious pizza, caprese salads, and craft beer. For gelato, we loved La Sorbetteria Castiglione, a cute local shop that is bound to be filled with students.
We wish we had more time in Bologna to walk around the city and experience the culture. Relative to the larger Italian cities we’ve visited and those along the coast, it definitely had a more laid back, local vibe.
Other Tips & Tricks
- Getting Around: If you are planning a trip to Emilia-Romagna, we recommend renting a car so you can easily explore the different areas. If you are just visiting the cities in the region, you can also get by taking trains.
- Things We Wish We Did: It would have been great to do a food tour of the region. When we go back to Emilia-Romagna, we very likely will book this type of experience to sample different dishes and learn about their production processes. If not a full food tour, we will definitely be doing at least a cheese tour during our next visit.
Happy traveling!
Kitrina & Jordan
