10 Incredible Things to Do in Emilia-Romagna

Museo Ferrari Maranello (Ferrari Maranello Museum) is an unmissable destination for motorsports enthusiasts. In the vicinity of the Cittadella Ferrari, the production facilities for the legendary automobiles, the manufacturer's museum gives you the opportunity to have an amazing day out.

You can visit the exhibition of race cars that have made Formula 1 history, experience the thrill of driving a single-seater with the professional simulator, or book a tour to discover the different departments of the factory and the Fiorano Circuit, the track where new automobiles are tested. Before leaving, don't miss your chance to load up on gadgets and souvenirs at the Ferrari Store.

The scenery in the Alta Val Parma (Upper Parma Valley) has an unusual beauty. With its lakes and peat bogs, flowery grasslands and wild moors, it is reminiscent of Scottish or Irish landscapes. In the Parco Regionale delle Valli del Cedra e del Parma (Cedra and Parma Valleys Regional Park), also known as the Parco dei Cento Laghi (Park of a Hundred Lakes), you'll be able to follow one of the many hiking paths that crisscross this natural area and immerse yourself in boundless nature.

There are simple walks for less expert hikers, such as the Anelli Di Rigoso e Aneta (Rigoso and Aneta Loops), as well as more difficult routes, such as the one going up to the glacial lakes. Don't know which excursion to choose? Visit the Corniglio or Monchio delle Corti Field Offices, or go to the Info Point in Boschetto di Tizzano Val Parma. You'll find all the information you need to make the perfect plan for your hike.

Along the Sentiero degli Gnomi (Path of the Gnomes), fables turn into reality. The Path of the Gnomes in Bagno di Romagna is an attraction that will delight your little ones. The path starts at the public gardens and leads into the forest that follows the Armina stream.

The fantasy creatures are made of wood and await visitors under the leafy trees, together with the animal sculptures. For an unforgettable experience, your kids can follow the sensory paths walking barefoot, have a tasty picnic in the dense forest together with the gnomes – with dishes from Gnomogoloso and Paolo Teverini's PicNic Gourmet – and take part in the Printing in the Woods workshop where they'll learn how to print on fabric using natural colors and materials.

Palazzo Ducale di Sassuolo (Ducal Palace of Sassuolo) is home to amazing stuccowork and frescoes that welcome visitors who come through the imposing entrance. Originally a fortified castle, in the 17th century this palace became the summer residence of Duke Francesco I d'Este, who transformed it into a sumptuous residence. The walls and ceilings inside are decorated with mythological themes, allegorical scenes and events that marked the history of the duchy.

A huge park once stretched around the Ducal Palace, although it has since been made smaller and today, only the part that belongs to the city council can be used. It's worth visiting before you leave, to take a relaxing walk among the statues and fountains, tree-lined paths and Italian gardens.

The Po Delta is one of a kind, with a stunning landscape of dunes and pine forests, freshwater ponds, salt water expanses and biodiverse flora and fauna. If you're not already familiar with this area between the land and sea, plan a day out to visit the Parco Regionale del Delta del Po dell'Emilia-Romagna (Po Delta Regional Park of Emilia-Romagna).

Besides hiking, you can also do birdwatching and admire hundreds of migratory and sedentary species that inhabit the park. Some that you're likely to see include purple herons and western marsh harriers, while there are also rarer species such as flamingos. You can also get active with eco-friendly water sports such as canoeing and kayaking.

The Po Delta Regional Park of Emilia-Romagna also includes the Valli di Comacchio (Comacchio Valleys), a salt water area that was once fully given over to fishing. From the Foce Fishing Station, you can board one of the authorized boats and cruise through the waters of the park discovering the traditional casoni.

Never heard of them? They were the homes of the vallanti, the fishermen from the valleys, built from stone with roofs thatched with straw or reeds from the lagoons. Over time, they nearly disappeared completely, except for some that have been restored with the original furnishings to provide an authentic look at the life of the vallanti. When you get back to Comacchio, don't miss the Museo Delta Antico (Ancient Delta Museum).

Ravenna is known the world over for the beauty and colors of the mosaics that decorate and embellish its Byzantine churches. Mosaics are an ancient art that was learned in workshops, just like painting.

Fancy becoming an artist for a day? The historical workshop Annafietta, near the Basilica of San Vitale, has gotten you covered. All you need to do is book your experience: the expert artisans will explain the tricks and secrets of mosaic art and provide you with all the materials you need to make a little masterpiece you can take home with you as a souvenir. The technique goes back to the Byzantine tradition, allowing you to create beautifully bright works.

Parco Avventura Val Trebbia (Val Trebbia Adventure Park) is the perfect destination for thrill-seekers. At this park, near Bobbio in the province of Piacenza, you can experience high-up thrills among the branches of tall trees. With rope bridges, pulleys and suspended platforms, the routes are at different heights and divided into two categories, for children and adults, and based on the level of difficulty.

After so much exciting activity, take a break in the picnic and barbecue neighborhoods. Val Trebbia Adventure Park also offers activities for companies and hen and stag parties, kayak excursions along the River Trebbia and even canyoning to get your adreline pumping on your trip.

Did you know that the cheese factories in Parma are open to visitors, offering guided tours that end with a tasting? Another symbol of Italy with its roots in the region of Emilia is Parmigiano Reggiano DOP – the authentic Parmesan cheese. You'll discover the history of the world's best-loved cheese, along with the secrets of the art of cheesemaking, and get to see all the stages of production.

There are just three simple ingredients: milk, rennet and salt. You'll also get access to the aging rooms where the Parmigiano Reggiano DOP wheels are left to mature for one year or more. It will be a one-of-a-kind sensory experience of aromas, colors and, most of all, flavors: at the end of the visit, you'll get to try different types of Parmesan and see the differences between the aged cheeses.

In Emilia-Romagna, you can participate in sophisticated sensory experiences based around this product. Acetaia di Canossa, a vinegar factory founded in the 11th century, allows you to discover the origins of the region's Aceto Balsamico Tradizionale di Reggio Emilia DOP (Reggio Emilia Traditional Balsamic Vinegar Protected Designation of Origin).

Tours of the historical factory, with its centuries-old wooden barrels, and the tastings of vinegars and other condiments are available by booking. Acetaia di Canossa is managed by the Venturini Baldini agricultural company, which has made tradition its defining characteristic.