Romagna reveals its truest essence through the new regional marketing project Authentic Romagna, an initiative involving 25 municipalities and 8 valleys spanning the province of Forlì-Cesena and the Faenza area. A region that offers visitors an immersive experience amongst history, nature and food and wine, offering a genuine alternative to the traditional holiday on the Adriatic Riviera.
A region steeped in history and culture
Just a few kilometres from the beaches of the Riviera, ‘Authentic Romagna’ invites visitors to discover medieval villages and castles, places where time seems to have stood still. Eight valleys through which rivers flow, such as Lamone, Rabbi, Senio, Montone, Bidente, Tramazzo, Savio and Rubicone They form the backdrop to a landscape that alternates between rolling hills, vineyards, ancient forests, lakes and waterfalls. Here, historic routes such as the Dante’s Way, the Way of Saint Vicinio, the Via Romea Germanica and the Alta Via dei Parchi, itineraries that allow you to delve into the region’s deep-rooted history.
The Romagna Food Valley: a feast of flavours
The beating heart of Authentic Romagna is undoubtedly its culinary tradition. The Emilia-Romagna’s Food Valley boasts 44 products with PDO and PGI certification, including the iconic Piadina Romagnola PGI, the renowned Squacquerone di Romagna PDO e Formaggio di Fossa PDO, fresh, handmade pasta such as tagliatelle, cappelletti and tortelli.
But Romagna is also a wine-producing region, with wine production of the very highest standard: the Sangiovese, l'Albanathe Trebbiano and the rare Famous These are just some of the native grape varieties that make this region unique. Places such as Mercato Saraceno, Predappio, Modigliana, Castrocaro and Brisighella These are the very cradles of wine-growing in Romagna, where Sangiovese expresses itself with elegance and power, whilst Albana and Trebbiano offer freshness and versatility.
Authentic experiences all year round
With over 50 food and wine experiences and around thirty itineraries, the ‘Romagna Autentica’ project aims to showcase the true spirit of this region through unique experiences, including:
- Cookery class to learn how to make piadina and tortelli alla lastra at a farmhouse;
- Truffle hunting, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with guided tastings;
- Hiking along streams in summer and along autumn trails through vineyards and woods;
- Craft Brewery Tour to discover the beer-making tradition of Romagna;
- Cycling or motorbike rides along dedicated routes such as the Via Romagna (456 km through villages and hills) and the routes of Romagna Motorcycle;
- Tours of the cheese maturing cellars to discover the secrets behind the maturing process of Formaggio di Fossa PDO;
- Experiences of gathering wild herbs and then use them to prepare traditional dishes.
A project to promote the local area
The project Authentic Romagna It is the result of a collaboration between Visit Romagna, the L’Altra Romagna Local Action Group (LAG) and the Rural Development Programme (RDP). Presented by Chiara Astolfi, director of Visit Romagna, aims to bring together the efforts of the public and private sectors to create a tourism offering centred on authenticity and local excellence.
A a few kilometres from the Adriatic Riviera – explains Astolfi – there lies a green, unspoilt heartland, an unexpected array of natural landscapes spread across eight valleys carved out by rivers.
Medieval villages, forests, historic trails and food and wine come together to create a single immersive experience, perfect both for those seeking a ‘slow tourism’ experience and for those who love adventure and discovery.
A range of tourist attractions for everyone
Thanks to careful planning and an extensive network of partnerships, Romagna Autentica presents itself as the ideal destination for a variety of travellers:
- Couples looking for a romantic getaway amongst villages and vineyards;
- Families with children, thanks to educational trails and interactive experiences;
- Outdoor enthusiasts, with trails for walking, cycling and canoeing;
- Food lovers and wine enthusiasts, keen to discover the region’s authentic flavours.
The digital platform www.romagnautentica.it It brings together all the experiences and itineraries on offer, featuring inspiring content and promotional material to guide visitors as they discover the most authentic side of Romagna.
The Heart of Romagna
The aim of Romagna Autentica is to to showcase the ‘inner’ side of Romagna, not just as a region, but as a tapestry of emotions and traditions. A journey that takes in the the senses, flavours and culture, allowing every visitor to get in tune with the true essence of this extraordinary land.
Whether it’s a stroll through the vineyards, a taste of freshly made piadina, a cycle ride along the Via Romagna or a hike through the woods of the Vena del Gesso, Authentic Romagna is just waiting to be discovered.
