I first visited both the Lombardy and Emilia-Romagna regions of Italy in December 2012. My partner and I spent the week before Christmas in Milan, taking a few day trips out of town to explore the regions and much of what they have to offer. It was a brief trip but a memorable one and a fierce love of these two Italian regions quickly developed. It’s hard to believe that nearly two years have passed since that remarkable trip, and once again I find myself packing up ready to explore this more “traditional” part of Italy.
The Regions
Like many countries, Italy is comprised of a series of smaller authorities – 20 regions to be exact. One of these regions, Lombardy, is perhaps best known for its capital city Milan. It’s also an important economic base for the country as well as a cultural one; there are more UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Lombardy than in any other Italian region. From Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper in Milan to the tradition of violin-making in Cremona and everything in between; Lombardy is a richly diverse region. Next door is Emilia-Romagna, another economic powerhouse but also the unofficial stomach of the country. The culinary accomplishments found in the kitchens and farms of Emilia-Romagna are astounding and include: gelato, tortellini, lasagne, meat ragu sauce, balsamic vinegar, Parmesan Cheese, Parma ham and much more. There’s more to the region and its capital city Bologna than just food of course, from famous motors (Lamborghini, Ferrari, Bugatti) to amazing natural escapes, there is a ton to see and do.
What I’ll Be Doing
Since I did a lot on my first visit, I plan on using this stay to expand my knowledge of the two regions and to get closer to them, learning from locals and exploring on my own. Amongst the many experiences I hope to enjoy are:
- Seeing more of Milan, including the famous canals I missed on my first visit
- Visit ancient cities like Bergamo and Franciacorta
- Exploring as many UNESCO World Heritage Sites as I can (there are a lot)
- Eat ALL THE FOOD in Bologna
- Hit the Cheese Trail – I’m coming for you Gorgonzola!
- Visit the picturesque towns of Rimini and Ravenna
- If I have time, stop by the teeny tiny country of San Marino
Follow Along
As with all of my journeys, I’ll be sharing everything in real time via social media and my web site. Just search for the #Blogville hashtag on all platforms to see what I’m doing (and eating) while in Lombardy and Emilia-Romagna. Also please be sure to check out the #inLombardia and #inEmiliaRomagna hashtags for even more in-depth coverage.
Have you been to either of these two regions? What are some “not-to-miss” activities I should know about?
This post was brought to you as a result of the #Blogville campaign, created and managed by iambassador in partnership with Lombardy Tourism and Emilia Romagna Tourism. LandLopers retains all editorial control of what is published and as you know, I never shy away from honest commentary.
