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