Geographically, Emilia-Romagna is where northern Italy begins to turn into central Italy, and we might say that culturally it possesses the best of north and centre – being prosperous and productive but with a relaxed, elegant sensuality. A large, triangular region, Emilia-Romagna sweeps right across the Italian leg, having borders with Piedmont, Lombardy and the Veneto to its north, and Liguria, Tuscany and Le Marche to its south. It includes an extremely wide variety of landscapes and is a thoroughly interesting place to be.
And yet you might never have heard its name. Because happy, affluent Emilia-Romagna has no great need to advertise itself. You’ll have heard of its local foodstuffs, of course. Parmesan, Parma ham, balsamic vinegar, Bolognese sauce. You’ll have heard of its slick engineering. Ferrari, Maserati, Lamborghini. And you’ll have heard of its lovely little cities. Bologna, Ravenna, Rimini, Parma, Modena, Ferrara. But the name ‘Emilia-Romagna’ itself is a big, unwieldy moniker not often recognised by all but the most studious italophiles.
It’s worth knowing that Emilia-Romagna has one of the highest standards of living of all Italy’s regions. The crime rate and unemployment rate here are rock-bottom. But this is no hotbed of stressed,
