My most up-to-date go to to Emila Romagna was supported by Go to Cervia, Go to Comacchio and Ravenna Tourism
Stretching for some 90 kilometres alongside the alluring bath-like waters of the Adriatic Sea – from the Reno River to Gabicce Monte – the Emilia Romagna Riviera is awash with leisure for every kind of seaside bums. Wish to social gathering all night time with the sand underneath your toes? No drawback. Fancy a facet journey to see some dazzling Byzantine mosaics? Positive factor. Choose a wild stretch of dune-backed sand to flee all of it? You’re lined. Eager on recognizing some flamingos in a Venice-like fishing city? Stroll proper this fashion.
Sure, the Adriatic coast harbours a status as a vacation spot for chilling out, sampling the freshest seafood, and topping up the tan at fashionable seaside resorts, corresponding to Milano Marittima, the place row-upon-row of rentable parasols have fluttered within the breeze for over a century. Nevertheless it’s additionally a super alternative for mixing seaside days with every part else that makes Italy so particular, and that’s precisely what this one-week Emilia Romagna Riviera itinerary will show you how to do.Â
Usually merely known as the Riviera Romagnola, as nearly all of the coast-touching provinces (Ravenna, Forlì-Cesena and Rimini) sit within the historic Romagna area, whereas the northern province of Ferrara was within the historic Emilia area, it’s a beloved area for Italian locals to take pleasure in a summer time getaway. Much less visited by worldwide vacationers, it additionally gives considerably of a extra ‘native’ perception than the popular seaside locations of international travellers, corresponding to the attractive islands alongside the Amalfi Coast, Puglia or Sicily. And whereas it hasn’t received the dramatic rock-hugging villages of Cinque Terre, it has loads of gentle sand seashores, fascinating museums, and unimaginable regional dishes.
Whether or not you’re in search of one of the best seashores close to Bologna, a pleasant coastal keep, a conventional fishing village or a historic metropolis boasting Byzantine mosaics aplenty, you’ll discover it on this one-week Emilia Romagna Riviera itinerary.
One week Emilia Romagna Riviera itinerary
This Emilia Romagna Riviera itinerary contains three bases: Comacchio, Ravenna and Cervia, with prompt methods to journey between the locations talked about by public transport. Nevertheless, when you have a automotive, you would possibly desire to ebook one base for the week after which go to the totally different locations as day journeys – none are greater than a 75-minute drive from one another.
For those who’re arriving by airplane, then you can both fly into Bologna (round 70 minutes driving, two hours by practice) or Venice (round two hours driving, three hours by practice), after which fly out of both Rimini because the endpoint or Bologna (round two hours driving, or one hour by practice). Alternatively, in case you’re reserving a return flight to a single airport, it doesn’t take lengthy to loop again on the finish of your journey.
Day one and two: Comacchio and The Po Delta
Start your seaside week tour of the Emilia Romagna Riviera within the north of the area, near the border with Veneto. Comacchio sits alongside Italy’s Adriatic Coast and has lengthy been an necessary port for fishing and buying and selling, even way back to the Etruscan instances, when the traditional metropolis of Spina was of the utmost significance.
These days, the sleepy city – also known as ‘Little Venice’ – is a incredible seaside getaway. Right here, you may calm down on the seashores, stroll alongside the canals of the historic centre, and spend a while visiting the encircling Po Delta, an enormous flamingo-frequented wetland on the finish of Italy’s longest river.
Day one:Â Seashores and dolphins
After dropping off your baggage, head straight to the Adriatic to clean away your travels. Le Dune Seaside, Florida Seaside, or the pine forest-backed stretch close to Lido di Spina are nice locations to take pleasure in a lazy afternoon on the water, with some incredible sea-view eating places for lunch. You possibly can additionally contact TAO (Turtles of the Adriatic Organisation) to see if they’re organising any dolphin recognizing journeys throughout your go to, do you have to have an interest. Â
Day two:Â Canals and flamingos
Begin your day searching for flamingos within the wetlands and marshes of the Po Delta, which is moments from the historic centre. You may both go to by foot, bike or boat, and also you’ll have the prospect to identify the normal fishing homes (Trabucchi Comacchiesi) en route. Bike rent could be organized from the IAT Comacchio vacationer workplace, although it’s greatest to try to ebook a Po Delta tour by boat and bike to achieve entry to the salinas, which require a information. Regardless, even in case you simply cycle the Valli di Comacchio by yourself, there’s an opportunity you’ll spot a pink flock within the distance.
After lunch, take a stroll round Comacchio’s historic centre, monitoring the canals. For a bit of tradition, slip into the spectacular Museo Delta Antico archaeological museum. The house covers every part about Comacchio’s historical past as a fishing city and the Etruscan city of Spina. Nevertheless, the standout is the well-preserved Roman service provider ship and its contents, that are offered inside. If you would like a neighborhood speciality for dinner, attempt an eel dish from La Locanda del Delta and take within the sundown terrace views of this little hidden gem in Europe.Â
Getting from Comacchio to The Po Delta: Hiring a bicycle is one of the simplest ways to circle the Po Delta’s lagoons and spot flamingos. On foot, you can go for one of many boat journeys to take you deeper into the park.
Keep at: Villa Cavour B&B has spacious rooms, a quaint backyard to take pleasure in a lazy breakfast, and a few the rooms face a smaller canal – see extra choices within the ‘greatest stays’ part under.
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Issues to do in Comacchio and the Po Delta
Day three and 4: Ravenna
Each an underrated European metropolis and a province, Ravenna is criminally neglected by most guests to Italy – particularly when contemplating its historic significance. The final capital of the Western Roman Empire, the town witnessed its fair proportion of tales, that are chronicled throughout the eight UNESCO-listed monuments and past. Dazzling, well-preserved Byzantine mosaics take centre stage, whereas extra trendy studios supply workshops for these eager to study this age-old artwork.Â
However greater than its monuments, Ravenna is only a actually excellent place to absorb a extra cosmopolitan way of life alongside Italy’s Adriatic Coast. It’s solely a brief hop to the Maritime Park of Ravenna, the place picket walkways, pine forests, and welcoming sands await, permitting you to simply take pleasure in sundown dinners on the seaside after a day of sightseeing.Â
Day three: Mosaics and golden sands
With two days in Ravenna, you’ll simply be capable of see the town’s highlights, and a multi-attraction ticket for the mosaics is an efficient funding. To begin, head to the imposing Basilica of San Vitale and the (extra trendy) Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, constructed to be the burial place of the Roman Empress Galla Placidia. These are two of the town’s most iconic points of interest, with intricate mosaic ceilings and partitions positive to go away you speechless.
Afterwards, enterprise to the Domus of the Stone Carpets, a Sixth-century floor-coating mosaic that’s extra usually Roman, and the Basilica of San Francesco, the place the crypt’s mosaics at the moment are seen underwater. After a neighborhood lunch of piadanas or polenta at Mercato Coperto, you may proceed the Byzantine mosaic tour on the Basilica of Sant’ Apollinare Nuovo and The Arian Baptistry, or head to the seaside for a day of sunshine – Finisterre Seaside is an efficient alternative for a sea-view sundown dinner.
Day 4: Historical past and workshops
Persevering with the mosaic theme of this Emilia Romagna Riviera itinerary, begin your morning in MAR, the trendy mosaic museum. It’s a powerful assortment of inventive tiled items and a incredible distinction to the historic artwork you noticed yesterday. Afterwards, if time and finances enable, you would possibly wish to have an opportunity at creating your individual memento mosaic on the Koko Studio. I took an identical class in Castel Gandolfo, a small city close to Rome, and it was one among my favorite experiences in Italy.
After a late lazy lunch, spend the afternoon strolling across the pastel-coloured streets of the historic centre, or head barely out of city to Classis, the place one other artwork museum awaits. Alternatively, go to Dante’s tomb and study a bit of extra concerning the Italian thinker and author. Most evenings round sundown, there’s a studying of his most well-known work, the Divine Comedy, exterior his tomb. For dinner, go to Ca’ de ven, the place scrumptious Emilia Romagna dishes, such because the native speciality stuffed pasta, Cappelletti, are served in a Fifteenth-century palatial constructing.Â
Getting from Comacchio to Ravenna: It’s round a 40-minute drive, or you may take the 333 bus, which takes 80 minutes.
Keep at: Lodge Sant’andrea gives spacious and central conventional rooms at a good worth – see extra choices within the ‘greatest stays’ part under.
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Information to Ravenna
Day 5 and 6: Milano Marittima and CerviaÂ
Heading additional south, it’s again to the seaside correct to spend a few nights staying in Cervia, a considerably extra offbeat Italian vacation spot for worldwide guests. This historic coastal metropolis has been formed by the encircling salt pans, which have been as soon as owned by the Pope himself. These days, the canals which meander in direction of the golden sands are used extra for fishing vessels servicing the seafood eating places.
A brief stroll south alongside the promenade of Milano Marittima and also you’ll discover much more selections for topping up your tan. This Backyard Metropolis is dotted with barely dilapidated Artwork Nouveau villas, which have been constructed when the resort city began to blossom within the early 1900s. It’s a fairly little seaside city with loads of greenery and flowers, in addition to upscale boutiques for a bit of retail remedy.
Day 5: Seafood and shorelines
After spending the previous couple of days of this Emilia Romagna Riviera itinerary within the metropolis, it’s time to return to the lazy seashores of Milano Marittima. The world round Cala Zingaro could be my choose, as you have got loungers and a seaside bar if you would like it, but additionally a stretch of untamed sand in case you’d desire to not pay up for the parasols. After having fun with the afternoon and a contemporary fish lunch on the seaside, stroll alongside the boulevards of Milano Marittima (L’Ottocento gelateria is nice for a deal with) earlier than heading again to Cervia to take pleasure in dinner at Officine del Sale, a multi-space seafood restaurant housed in an outdated salt storage unit.
Day six: Salt works and sea views
A lot of Cervia’s points of interest are greatest loved later within the day, so the morning could be spent lapping up extra of Italy’s Adriatic Coast. The seashores in entrance of Cervia are lined with concessions and leisure choices, making lunch with the sand beneath your toes a straightforward activity. After lunch, take a bit of tour across the Quadrangolo neighbourhood (there’s an app you may obtain to information you) to study extra about how the city was picked up and re-built from its authentic place within the salt pans – you can even climb to the highest of the Torre San Michele for an aerial view.
In the direction of sundown, head barely out of city to the Salt Pans of Cervia Customer Centre, the place you may take a stroll with a information by means of Cervia’s famed salinas. The marginally candy salt right here – typically known as white gold – is well known, however that’s not the one motive to go to, because the nesting flamingos are one other star. For dinner, I counsel making an attempt Cervia’s incredible mussels at Circolo dei Pescatori, a conventional fisherman’s membership, earlier than taking a late-night peek contained in the MUSA Museum, which can reply any final questions on Cervia’s salt historical past.
Getting from Ravenna to Milano Marittima and Cervia: The joint practice station sits in between the 2 areas and could be reached in lower than an hour (together with strolling time). The drive takes round half-hour. Â
Keep at: Lodge Good Has an awesome location, being near each Cervia’s canals, outdated city and seashores  – see extra choices within the ‘greatest stays’ part under.
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Issues to do in Cervia and Milano Marittima
Day seven: Cesinatico or RiminiÂ
Relying on how a lot time you have got left in your closing day of this Emilia Romagna Riviera Itinerary earlier than your departure, you can tack on a closing cease barely additional south.
Rimini is an efficient alternative (particularly in case you’re flying from the small airport right here) as you may see a few of the area’s Roman historical past or simply stroll alongside the upscale Parco del Mare promenade for a closing seaside dip. Cesinatico is just like Cervia, with its tall ships and canals, and would make for a cute cease for a closing scrumptious lunch earlier than heading residence.Â
Getting from Cervia to Cesinatico or Rimini: It’s only a 20-minute drive to Cesenatico and fewer than 40 minutes to Rimini. By practice, you may attain Cesenatico in lower than 10 minutes (with a brief extra stroll), whereas the regional practice takes round 35 minutes to Rimini.
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Greatest locations to go to in Emilia Romagna
5 incredible coastal stays on Emilia Romagna’s Riviera
You could have loads of choices when deciding the place to remain alongside the Emilia Romagna Riviera, whether or not you wish to hop between a number of totally different inns on a highway journey or choose one central base. From family-friendly resorts like tenting villages and extra budget-friendly tent setups to luxurious resorts in Milano Marittima and laid-back inns in Ravenna, the selection is intensive – simply be mindful August can see costs soar.
Tenting resorts close to Comacchio
Round Comacchio and the Po Delta, there are many tenting choices, that are a far cry from a plot of grass in your tent. A few of them, such because the Spiaggia Romea Membership Village (the place I stayed on my first go to), supply a nature-based resort near the seaside, full with swimming pools and actions alongside totally different types of lodgings. Different respectable selections embody the Vacation Village Florenz, which has each cabins, pitches and glamping tents and its personal seaside membership, and Tenting Tahiti, which is a bit of again from the seaside (it has a complimentary shuttle) however maybe essentially the most family-friendly resort I’ve been to within the space.
Household-run base in Ravenna
On my most up-to-date go to to Ravenna, I stayed within the family-owned Lodge Sant’andrea, which was the proper base to discover the town and even the coast. Just some minutes from Ravenna’s principal thoroughfare, the spacious rooms have a conventional attraction. However the spotlight is the backyard courtyard space, good for having fun with the breakfast buffet. Verify costs.
Upscale resort in Milano MarittimaÂ
MarePineta Resort
The primary lodge ever in-built Milano Marittima, MarePineta Resort, is now a renovated and opulent lodging alternative, only a quick stroll from the ocean. With a beautiful pool, tennis courts, courtyard eating places and plush rooms, this is a superb alternative for a refined Romagna seaside vacation. Verify costs.
Historic Ravenna luxurious keep
If you wish to splash out on a beautiful historic keep within the coronary heart of Ravenna, then the Palazzo Bezzi Lodge is a superb alternative. This magnificently renovated property has spacious designer rooms, a spa house with a sauna, and a roof terrace to calm down on. Verify costs.
Truthful-priced seaview keep
Whilst you gained’t actually discover a finances possibility in Milano Marittima or Cervia on the peak of summer time, Lodge Moderno B&B is nice worth for what you get. With some Seaview trendy rooms at honest costs, it’s an excellent possibility in case you can snag a deal. Verify costs.
5 of one of the best Adriatic seashores in Emilia Romagna (Greatest seashores close to Bologna)
For me, one of the best seaside is often the closest, and wherever you find yourself stopping in your Emilia Romagna Riviera journey, you’re positive to search out some inviting sands to take a dip within the Adriatic Sea. However, in case you simply wish to make a beeline to the most effective stretches of sand or are in search of one of the best seashores close to Bologna, these are a few of my favorite locations to start out.
Simply understand that seashores work a bit of bit in another way in a lot of Italy than in different locations. For those who go to one of many bagno (seaside resorts) with umbrellas and concessions, you should pay a each day reservation payment. Nevertheless, the seashores themselves aren’t personal, so the small strip of empty sand often present in entrance of the lengthy rows of sunbeds are for the taking. Nonetheless, in case you’d desire to be away from these busy and infrequently crammed stretches, it’s greatest to move to one of many public seashores (typically known as wild), the place you’ll discover more room and, doubtless, a extra relaxed advice.
Le Dune Seaside, Comacchio
In entrance of Vacation Villa Florenz, on Comacchio’s shoreline, Le Dune Seaside is much less overrun than a few of the others close by. You may hire Gazebos quite than parasols right here or simply calm down on the gentle, inviting sands. There’s additionally an honest restaurant, Monnalisa, to seize lunch.
Cala Zingaro, Milano Marittima
Moments from the beautiful flower-lined boulevards of Milano Marittima, Cala Zingaro bridges one of the best of each worlds on the Emilia Romagna Riviera. With a beautiful and well-kept seaside membership to at least one facet and blissful sands devoid of umbrellas and sunloungers on the opposite, you may take pleasure in a lazy afternoon on the sands with respectable drinks and snacks a brief stroll away.
La spiaggia libera di Marina di Ravenna, Ravenna
The lengthy expanse of shoreline that belongs to Ravenna has loads of selections on supply. To the north, nearer to the ferry terminal, you’ll discover a vary of respectable seaside golf equipment and eating places (I’ve eaten at each Finisterre Seaside and Singita), that are respectable for lunch, sunlounger rental or a phenomenal sundown typically adopted by a summer time social gathering. Nevertheless, for a much less developed possibility, place your self in the midst of the stretch at Spiaggia Libera di Marina. Backed by dunes and pines, this wilder a part of the seaside is likely one of the few free seashores in Ravenna, and it’s a super alternative if you wish to benefit from the Adriatic Coast with out background music and rows of umbrellas.
Cervia’s Shoreline
In entrance of storied Cervia, the shoreline is full of leisure, seaside golf equipment, and row upon row of umbrellas that coat this huge swathe of sand. It’s not someplace to come back for a peaceable second of reflection, however if you would like loads of selections and competitors for seaside concession offers, music within the background, and to be only a quick stroll from Cervia’s fishing eating places, it’s a strong alternative.
Spiaggia Le Colonie, Rimini
Rimini has loads of paid-for seaside concessions, however there are additionally loads of public seashores close by. I’d counsel heading to the south of the town – additional away from the port – to Spiaggia Le Colonie or close by. This attractive stretch of untamed sand isn’t coated in parasols, and also you’ll often discover a quiet nook for your self.
5 greatest coastal experiences on Emilia Romagna’s Riviera
Past the seashores, the Emilia Romagna Riviera has loads of points of interest to maintain you entertained if you need a break from topping up your tan or bathing within the Adriatic – these are my high picks of locations to go to and issues to do close by.
Marvel at Ravenna’s UNESCO-listed mosaics
Ravenna is arguably one among Europe’s most underrated cities. As soon as the capital of the Western Roman Empire, this metropolis, a brief drive from the Adriatic Sea, is steeped in historical past. Most spectacular are the eight UNESCO-listed monuments (a few of which I discussed above), particularly these embellished with vibrant Byzantine mosaics. For those who do one daytrip as a part of your Emilia Romagna Riviera, this could be the one I like to recommend – it really is one among my favorite cities on the planet.
Discover Commachio’s Canals and Po Delta
Comacchio is one among my favorite locations in Italy and stays a considerably offbeat vacation spot in Europe. I can’t actually let you know why, however I feel it’s as a result of the fishing city was comparatively minimize off from the remainder of the nation till the final century, which has helped it preserve a lot of its conventional attraction and helped protect the character of the Po Delta.
In addition to exploring all the highlights talked about within the above Emilia Romagna Riviera itinerary (flamingos, historic ship museums, and fairly canals), you may spend longer delving into the city’s fishing previous within the eel-focused Manifattura dei Marinati Museum (they even have an eel pageant in September), or heading out deeper into the Po Delta, even perhaps becoming a member of one of many conventional clam fishermen to gather these tasty morsels close to the Sacca di Goro utilizing the normal methodology of a picket rake known as a rasta.
Uncover Cervia’s salt works
Alongside the MUSA Salt Museum and flamingo recognizing salt pan excursions I lined within the Emilia Romagna Riviera itinerary above, there are a few different alternatives to study extra about Cervias’s candy salt. The museum additionally organises ‘experiences’ throughout summer time to see what it’s wish to work the salt pans for the day, whereas visits to the piled-high Camillione salt pans are potential by a guided tour through the summer time afternoons on Thursdays and Sundays.
See the canals and boats of Cesenatico
Cesenatico has plenty of similarities to Cervia and is just barely additional alongside the coast. With vibrant canals just like Comacchio – although these usually tend to have a few the grand conventional crusing ships on them – and a fantastic stretch of sand, it’s probably the most fashionable locations within the area with locals, but stays one thing of a hidden gem in Italy for guests.
Go to the historic metropolis of Rimini
Whereas Cattolica marks the top of Emilia Romagna’s Riviera, Rimini is the furthest I’ve explored, and it’s an awesome metropolis to incorporate if you would like some historical past served up alongside your sunbathing. With over two thousand years of historical past, this port metropolis was a key a part of the Roman Empire and flourished once more through the Center Ages. Key sights embody the Roman arch and Ponte di Tiberio bridge, the Thirteenth-century Malatestiano Temple and a handful of museums, and households will take pleasure in a day on the ‘Italia in Miniatura’ theme park.
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Greatest locations to go to in Emilia Romagna
