Regione
Emilia-Romagna
Italy's food capital: Parmigiano, prosciutto, and communal country dinners.
Emilia-Romagna is where Italians go to eat. Parma for prosciutto and Parmigiano Reggiano, Modena for balsamic and tortellini, Bologna for ragù and mortadella, and the Adriatic coast for fritto misto. It's also the birthplace of Ferrari, Ducati, and Maserati — the so-called Motor Valley — and the home of Italy's oldest university. Townlet Italia lists the small family producers who open their dairies, curing rooms and acetaie to visitors, the country trattorias worth driving for, the sagre of the Apennine villages, and the artisan food classes taught by nonne in their own kitchens. If you're planning a food-focused trip to Italy, this is the region to build it around — and the experiences here are all hosted by the makers themselves, not tour operators.
