The northern Italian region of Emilia Romagna is renowned for being one of the finest in the world for its rich gastronomic tradition, authenticity and iconic food produce – from Parma ham to the traditional balsamic vinegar without forgetting the fizzy Lambrusco. As travel restrictions and testing requirements ease, Emilia Romagna is the perfect choice for a “slow travel” foodie experience this autumn.

Dubbed 'Food Valley' because of its world-known culinary traditions, Emilia Romagna is best explored on a “slow” trip along the Via Emilia. The Via Emilia is a thousand-year-old Roman road covering 165 miles from Piacenza (west) to Rimini (east), on the Adriatic coast, and is described as a 'road less travelled' linking lesser-known Italian destinations.

Following the Via Emilia, any visitor looking for a unique “slow travel” road trip experience in the region must to the following “foodie stops”:

Rimini - the tasty piadina

Start along the region's Riviera coast, in one of Italy's most-loved family-friendly beach resorts, Rimini. Renowned as the birthplace of acclaimed film director, Federico Fellini, and home to the recently-opened Federico Fellini International Museum, Rimini is the perfect pit stop for a popular street food flatbread – piadina. Typically sold at the red-and-white striped kiosks, there are over 2,000 stalls along the coast, where foodies can learn about the differences between the thinner, piadina riminese and the thicker, piadina romagnola.

Forli-Cesena – the classic 'squaquerone di romagna'

Continue exploring one of Emilia Romagna's charming provinces, Forli-Cesena. Known for its stunning scenery from the peaks of the Apennines in Cesena, across wide, sweeping hills within the capital of Forli and down to the coast of Cesenatico. This province is famed for its classic soft cheese with ancient origins, Squaquerone DOP – a perfect spread to accompany the delicious piadina.

Bologna – unbeatable ragù, mortadella and tortellini pasta

Head southwest to Bologna, the vibrant and historical capital of Emilia Romagna. Commonly known as 'La Grassa', or 'The Fat,' thanks to the city's elite gastronomical scene, Bologna not only is famed for its medieval charming centres, cultural activities and rolling hills but home to several foodie festivals and the largest agri-food park in the world, FICO Eataly World. The city has an array of culinary treasures including the birthplace of tortellini pasta, world-famous ragù and the traditional mortadella sausage, in which every visitor must try a 'Bolognese style' meal.

Modena – the traditional balsamic vinegar

Next foodie stop on the Via Emilia has to be Modena, also known as the 'Motor Valley' due to its significant importance to Italy's motor industry, including the birthplace of iconic brands: Ferrari, Maserati and Lamborghini. Along with being renowned for its opera heritage, Modena is home to one of the world's most esteemed vinegars – balsamic vinegar aka 'aceto balsamico tradizionale di Modena'. Here, visitors have the chance to visit the first 'theme' park in Europe dedicated to balsamic vinegar of Modena – 'Balsamic Village', Covering 40,000 square meters with  70 hectares of vineyards, cellars, paths and illustrative panels for guests to discover and learn about the traditional production method of Modena's unique product.

Reggio Emilia – the iconic parmigiano reggiano

A Via Emilia road trip isn't complete without a stop in one of Emilia Romagna's provinces that produces the world-famous, slow-ripened cheese: PDO Parmigiano Reggiano. This is one of Italy's most internationally recognised delicacies and somewhat an institution of the region. Reggio Emilia is also where Parmigiano Reggiano Consortium main office is, allowing guests to visit a dairy factory, such as Caseifici Aperti, to absorb, see and taste the famed cheese wheel.

Parma – the home of prosciutto di parma ham

Currently holding the title of Italian Capital of Culture and Creative City for Food and Wine, the UNESCO-listed city of Parma is known for its rich cultural heritage and remarkable history. Renowned for its music and theatre scenes along with having one of the oldest universities in the world, Parma is a popular destination to stop along the Via Emilia, especially for its culinary credentials such as Parma ham (Prosciutto di Parma).  Parma is home to Alma, the international school of cuisine situated in the magnificent  Palazzo Ducale in Colorno and boasts an array of food museums and ham factories located in the hills of Langhirano, where guests can truly discover the journey of the 'food valley'.

Piacenza – the local 'salumerias'

Along the final part of the ancient Via Emilia lies the quiet but important town of Piacenza, located in the centre of the Padana Valley, where green hills are covered in vineyards and medieval castles. Boasting the biggest amount of PDO cured meats, including the three most famous cold cuts (the Salame Piacentino, the Coppa Piacentina and the Pancetta Piacentina), as well as cheeses and 17 DOC wines in Italy, Piacenza is a must-visit on any visitor's road trip adventure.

Ferrara – the star-shaped coppia ferrarese

To accompany Emilia Romagna's famed cured meats, head cross country along the scenic route to the Renaissance walled city of Ferrara. A superb city of art fused with mediaeval architecture and magnificent walkways. It's not only known for its UNESCO World Heritage status but for its delicious uniquely shaped, Coppia Ferrarese IGP – a type of sourdough bread with a twisted shape. It's a true work of culinary art that boasts innumerable attempts at imitation in a single loaf of bread.

Ravenna – world-class olio di Brisighella

To finish an unforgettable slow travel experience, head to the city of Ravenna, also known as the “city of mosaics” due to its exquisite collection of Byzantine montages. Ravenna is a treasure chest of art, history and culture; with eight UNESCO historic buildings. Not only is it home to one the world's most famous poets, Dante Alighieri, in which the city has been commemorating 700 years since his death this year, but also to the intense and unique flavour of the Extra Virgin Olive Oil DOP 'Brisighella', the first in Italy to obtain the 'protected designation of origin'.

Boasting 44 PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) and PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) products, 24 PDO wines, 23 starred restaurants, according to the Michelin Guide 2021 and 26 food museums dedicated to some of the most well-known treasures in Emilia Romagna, along with the regions unforgettable gastronomical experiences and unbeatable charm and beauty, it's no wonder why the Italian region is an unforgettable food valley exploration for all to enjoy.

For further information on Via Emilia, visit: https://emiliaromagnaturismo.it/en/art-culture/via-emilia

For further information on the Food Valley, visit: https://emiliaromagnaturismo.it/en/food-valley