Fodor's Travel Talk Forums - Emilia Romagna Region

Fodor's Travel Talk Forums (https://www.fodors.com/community/)

- Europe (https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/)

- - Emilia Romagna Region (https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/emilia-romagna-region-1035178/)

Emilia Romagna Region

In the initial planning stages for a visit to the Emilia Romagna Region. Primary focus: art, music, museums, walking/short hikes, photo ops, food & wine, bike riding, local markets. Not a big shopper, but like to bring back a few interesting finds representative of my trip. All travel will be via train. Time period is late Apr/early May. Looking for feedback on overall time allocation, and recommendations on restaurants, and essential sights/activities.

Day 1: Bologna
Day 2: Bologna
Day 3: Day trip to Modena and Parma
Day 4: Day trip Ferrara
Day 5: Day trip to Ravanna

Appreciate your help

You might like to hire a bike to get around Ferrara and its environs on the Po. You could even try to get from Ferrara to Modena

If your travel dates include April 25 and May 1, be aware that April 25 is a big holiday for Bologna, and you might find the piazza Maggiore occupied with rallies and/or festivities, and some things closed. Ditto for May 1. Trains should all be running on schedule, but local buses will be running on holiday schedules.

Many shops in Emilia-Romagna close on Thursday afternoons, so plan accordingly.

If you are interested in classical music and music history, Bologna has a wonderful music museum in a beautiful frescoed palace on the via Farini. Also, Bologna has the lovely small oratorio of St Cecelia to visit. Parma has its beautiful historic theatre, but it is only open in the mornings, so plan accordingly. Modena is of course the birthplace and burial place of Luciano Pavarotti, and there is a foundation in Modena that sometimes arranges events at his house or concerts elsewhere.

If your interest in music is more contemporary, Bologna has a great many clubs because of its student population.

The main art museum of Bologna is excellent for painting, and the medieval museum in Bologna has exceptional stone carving and sculpture. The terra-cotta statues in Santa Maria della Vita (only open in the mornings) are one of the artistic highlights of Bologna, as is the architectural complex of the church of Santo Stefano, including the piazza outside of it.

Both Ferrara and Modena have significant bike rental programs. Ferrara in particular is a popular bike destination for tourists.

The food markets of Bologna and Modena are legendary (Modena's needs to be visiting in the morning).

All the places you are going have "one-of-a-kind" sights. It is worth spending time with each town's online website to figure out what you most want to do. Some sights seldom mentioned in guidebooks which are fascinating if you have time:

Bologna: the anatomical theatre
Bologna: The wooden choir stalls and Michaelangelo's small angel in the church San Domenico
Ferrara: The Casa Romei
Ravenna: The flooded crypt beneath the altar of the church of San Francesco

Finally as for food: It is easy to overeat in the Emilia-Romagna. It is also easy to feel you "must-try" some popular tourist dishes at the expense of missing out on some delicious lesser known dishes. . At that time of year I would definitely be looking for asparagus in Ferrara, strawberries, spinach pastas, seafood soups in Ravenna (possibly young crabs), artichokes, small spring mushrooms... If you are touring the markets, you can get a very good sense of what is seasonal. Emilia Romagna is one of the few regions that lists its Slow Food restaurants online, and that is often the best guide to eating in restaurants.

http://www.emiliaromagna.slowfood.it/le-osterie

Parma is also a biker's haven - was shocked at how many bikes in the city - looked like Holland!

I loved Parma - trek down south of town to a nice park. Really a nice surprise from what I expected.

1. In 25 or so trips to Italy, the best apartment ever is Petronio residence in Bologna centro. Through Booking.com.

2. Do not miss Osteria Giusti in Modena. Lunch only. Reservations required.

Thanks for all the great feedback

On Day 3 I suggest picking Parma or Modena. Trying to squeeze both would be a fool's mission. From my experience both towns shut down for the afternoon and shops open again around 5. The food market in Modena is fun. For overall charm I'd do Parma over Modena.

The Colombano is a beautiful place to visit for its musical collection and architecture. Also, go down to the basement to visit its ancient origins. They often schedule conerts over there, one of which I attended last April. It was a great experience. It's very central, as well, just minutes from Piazza Maggiore and the medieval museum (which I also think is well worth a visit). This is from the town's tourist office site:
http://tinyurl.com/nvp6fq8

I absolutely loved my meals at Trattoria Battibecco, Trattoria dal Biassanot and Scacco Matto.

Thanks for all the additional info. On day three, I will just go Parma.

Parma's centro storico is lovely (and car-free so very quiet) and has lots to see. You can eat well at Gallo d'Oro, Borgo della Salina, 3, it's pretty central, I remember managing to find it pretty easily. It was such a fantastic lunch! and staff speaks English.