16 Jun 2023
Travellers to Emilia Romagna will not only find one of the greenest regions in Italy but a plethora of sustainable projects that aim to protect the planet and be kinder to the environment.
Emilia Romagna offers a more natural and slow-travel experience for those 59% of people looking at holidays to destinations with sustainability credentials. The region is leading the way in sustainable projects – from ecological protection or zero-impact electric cars, to environmentally-friendly accommodation for visitors to reside in.
Here are our top 10 picks of sustainable and green experiences in Emilia Romagna.
INITIATIVES
CESTHA (Experimental Centre for Habitat Protection)
CESTHA is a non-profit private research centre based in Ravenna whose purpose is environmental protection – they deal with the rehabilitation of turtles, rays and other marine species as well as promoting sustainable management activities. One of CESTHA's recent projects include the creation of a 3D-printed shell for Ash, a turtle who lost her shell because of a propeller, and was found by the coast of Cervia. So far, CESTHA has recovered 116 species from incidental capture; saved 95 sharks; released 550,000 cuttlefish; and rescued 184 sea turtles.
Romagna Toscana Cycling Route
Cycling helps tackle congestion and local air pollution, as well as the emissions that cause climate change, and Emilia Romagna has a plethora of routes available for all abilities. The Romagna Toscana Cycling Route is a good start – a 126 km long path that connects the towns of Bagno di Romagna and Castrocaro Terme/Terra del Sole, renowned for their thermal hot springs. The route winds through low traffic asphalt roads and gravel paths, woodlands and hills. The Romagna Toscana Cycling Route is also linked to other cycling routes and walking paths that reach different parts of Italy and Europe.
https://emiliaromagnaturismo.it/en/sport/cycling/romagna-toscana-cycling-route
Tazzari EV – creators of the first completely zero-impact electric car
Celebrated names such as Ferrari, Maserati, Lamborghini and Ducati are closely associated with Emilia Romagna. Tazzari EV cars, also from the Motor Valley region, launched the first completely zero-impact electric car model in 2006, called Tazzari ZERO. This was an electric city car with technical features never seen before, including the use of LFP lithium batteries to achieve extraordinary performance and range, and an ultralight modular frame technique that uses aluminium castings assembled with aerospace structural glues. 17 years on, Tazzari EV has grown to offer a wide variety of 100% electric vehicles with practically no expenses for drivers.
https://emiliaromagnaturismo.it/en/motor-valley/car-manufacturers/car-motorbike-manufacturers
DESTINATIONS
Experience the Po Delta Park (Ferrara)
Po Delta Park is one of the most sustainable oases in Italy and the second largest wetland in Europe, hosting hundreds of animal and plant species. The vast UNESCO-listed area holds several lagoons, dunes, woodlands, pinewoods, submerged forests and small islands – as well as being home to over 300 species of birds; making it a real paradise for naturalists, biologists and birdwatchers.
www.emiliaromagnaturismo.it/en/nature-outdoor/natural-parks/po-delta-park
'Little Venice', Comacchio (Ferrara)
The small village of Comacchio rises in the middle of a lagoon of the same name and was formed by 13 small islands at the mouth of the Po River. 'Little Venice' is today characterised by a historical centre crossed by a dense network of canals – hence the nickname of 'the floating city'. Comacchio hosts the International Birdwatching Fair in May every two years and an eel festival every October.
www.emiliaromagnaturismo.it/en/towns/comacchio
Roads of Dante – Pilgrimage route
There are 20 ancient pilgrimage routes that cross through Emilia Romagna, characterised by strong spiritual, historic and natural value. They can be experienced on marked pedestrian and bike paths that are emblematic of Emilia Romagna's reputation as a religious and cultural tourism destination. Roads of Dante (“Vie di Dante”) follows in the footsteps of Italian poet, Dante Alighieri, who wrote his famous epic poem, The Divine Comedy, in the mountain valleys where the path goes through, and has also been recognised for its sustainability credentials.
https://camminiemiliaromagna.it/en
Riccione Avventura (Rimini)
Riccione Avventura is an adventure park that combines nature, sustainability and fun. The 6.6-acre park is located just outside the seaside town of Rimini and offers a wide variety of adventures to enjoy between trees, such as lianas, ropes, Tibetan bridges, walkways and wooden bridges. Riccione Avventura features 21 routes suspended on trees up to 15 meters high; a botanic garden; a large playground area; and three eco tree houses (so-called Tarzan Tree Village) that provide accommodation for those who would like to rediscover the scents and sounds of nature.
https://emiliaromagnaturismo.it/en/nature-outdoor/adventure-parks/riccione-adventure-park
ACCOMMODATION
SassoErminia (Rimini)
Living in a healthy and natural environment is key – this is the ethos behind SassoErmini, the first 100% eco-sustainable B&B in the hills of the Marecchia valley in Rimini. The accommodation was built by renovating an old country house abandoned for more than 30 years using wood and straw materials. The straw construction favours the establishment of an ideal balance between air temperature and humidity that contributes to the creation of the perfect habitat as it does not require heating in winter or cooling in summer. The local community was also involved in the construction of part of SassoErmini. The property has three cosy rooms and a natural hot tub heated by wood fire.
http://www.sassoerminia.it/?lang=en
Valle dei Cavalieri Farmhouse (Reggio Emilia)
Valle dei Cavalieri offers a true “agritourism” experience, this farmhouse is located in the small town of Succiso, about 1,000 metres above sea level in the stunning National Park of the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines. Valle dei Cavalieri features 41 beds, a small spa, a shop selling local products, a sports field and a farm-to-table restaurant offering a variety of local and fresh dishes using ingredients including lamb and mushrooms. Located in a separate building is the farm, home to about 250 sheep that produce the famous Pecorino dell'Appennino Reggiano, ewes' milk cheese which is produced in spring and summer.
https://valledeicavalieri.it/wp/english/
Palazzo di Varignana (Bologna)
On the hills of Varignana, near Bologna, lies the iconic Palazzo di Varignana, a country castle with four traditional towers which was built in 1705 by Francesco Angiolini, one of the most famous architects of the 18th-century in Bologna. As well as having 155 rooms and six luxury villas, Palazzo di Varignana features a 500-hectare Agricultural Estate that produces ground-to-table products such as jams, teas, saffron, wine and the award-winning extra virgin olive oil (EVOO). As well as joining an EVOO tasting session, visitors can plant an olive tree as part of an agronomic land redevelopment project with the aim to plant more than 160,000 olive trees on over 200 hectares of land in the next seven years.
https://www.palazzodivarignana.com/en/
