| If you are hankering for a Europe | | | | with its hot springs. |
| destination, you should really consider | | | | Ravenna, north of the highway, was once |
| the Emilia-Romagna region of northern | | | | the capital of the Roman Empire. Check |
| Italy. Emilia-Romagna may be the only | | | | out the Basilica di San Vitale (Church |
| region of Italy that is named for a | | | | of Saint Vitale) with its famous |
| road, one constructed by the Ancient | | | | mosaics. If you are in the mood you can |
| Romans almost 2200 years ago. This | | | | visit a historic mausoleum and the tomb |
| article describes the Romagna subregion, | | | | of that great Italian poet Dante. For |
| some of its many tourist attractions, | | | | some reason Ravenna has many sites with |
| local food, and local wine. A companion | | | | historic mosaics. |
| article presents Emilia, the inland | | | | Rimini on the Adriatic coast an |
| western "half" of the region that | | | | important European holiday destination |
| borders the Lombardy, Liguria, and | | | | is really crowded during the high |
| Tuscany regions of Italy. | | | | season. Its Grand Hotel was featured in |
| Our Romagna tour follows the highway | | | | Fellini's 1973 movie Amaracord. |
| from east to west, going slightly | | | | Perhaps it is no accident that the |
| southward along the way. Start by | | | | founder of Italian cuisine Pellegrino |
| visiting Rocca Sforzesca (Sforza Castle) | | | | Artusi was born in this region. See our |
| in the village of Dozza whose wine shop, | | | | companion article I Love Touring Italy - |
| Enoteco Regionale, has a great | | | | The Romagna Subregion for a sample menu |
| collection of local wines. Formula One | | | | and more information on Romagna wines as |
| auto racing fans will want to visit the | | | | well as an in-depth examination of |
| town of Imola in mid-April. Other | | | | Romagna's tourist attractions. It is the |
| attractions include shopping for fancy | | | | home of Albana di Romagna DOCG, Italy's |
| ceramics and eating at San Domenico's, a | | | | first white DOCG wine. The G stands for |
| world-class restaurant featuring a three | | | | Garantita. While one can guess what that |
| thousand item wine list. | | | | word is supposed to mean, many feel that |
| Pottery fanciers will enjoy the city of | | | | this honor was quite undeserved. I never |
| Faenza, a center for faience pottery | | | | tasted this particular wine. From my |
| since the Twelfth Century. Guess what's | | | | readings I have no great desire to do |
| on display at the Museo delle Ceramiche. | | | | so, except perhaps to set the matter |
| If you fancy spas make sure to visit the | | | | straight. |
| neighboring city of Bagno di Romagna | | | | |