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