The Best of Romagna presented by TotemTourism and TourismVision
LOTS MORE NEWS & VIEWS
  • Home
  • Agent FAM visits
  • Gallery
  • News
  • Free Downloads
  • Who we are
  • Our team
  • HOW TO ENJOY ROMAGNA

Your invitation to hidden Italy - for a sneak preview of an amazing 2019 travel opportunity

7/6/2018

0 Comments

 
Picture
FAM participants will enjoy an unspoiled secret corner of Italian paradise - festivals, food, wine, fairytale castles, fun cooking course– AND a preview of a ground breaking unbelievable value 2019 program .
 
After 5 years of hard work we’re ready and our 2019 program will be unveiled this Labor Day – September 3rd 2018 - and you’ll have a chance to inspect it yourself this fall. Here is a look at what it will offer:
  • GROUPS & FITs - Special arrangements for individuals and groups
  • GORGEOUS ACCOMMODATION: Authentic stylish Italian country house accommodation and 5star luxury boutique and grand hotels
  • SPECIAL INTEREST: Culinary experiences, seaside experiences, mountain arrangements, music, theater and food festivals
  • CULTURE & HISTORY: Cultural visits to Italy's amazing unknown art cities - Ravenna, Faenza, Rimini, Bologna, Cesena and more
  • SHOPPING OPPORTUNITIES: Designer shopping trips to artisan workshops where they make exquisite fashions for posh Italian brands
  • FAB WEDDINGS: Truly romantic classical Italian vineyard weddings
  • PRICES FROM $950 for 7 nights
Prices are from as low as $950 including return train from Rome or Milan, 7 nights lovely accommodation, 2 wonderful wine tastings in picturesque organic vineyards, orientation excursion, designer shopping excursion, two Michelin-grade dinners with wine/soft drinks.
Picture
SEEING IS BELIEVING – FIND OUT YOURSELF - COME ON A FAM/INSPECTION TRIP:
Romagna destination FAM inspection experiences are now open for applications from travel agents, operators, and group organizers. You could join for an wonderful experience.
 
The 6-day (5 night) FAM/Inspection trips to Romagna "Food: Wine: Castles: Culture" will cost a nominal $795 per person (participants and spouses subject to space) There will be up to 100% post-FAM refund depending on your marketing results.
 
Just get yourself to Bologna and we’ll look after you from there!  Departures from Bologna this fall are: 28 September/ 5,12,19,26 October / 2,9,16 November 2018
Picture
Participating agents will...See and experience fabulous 2019 offers for their clients PLUS: Join in a great joyous FESTA  Take part in an early morning foodie & culture tour in Bologna; Meet the people that make little Romagna one of the world's greatest opportunities for travel agents; Learn to cook a local speciality in "Italy's Best Cookery School"; Taste the region's great olive oils in a 500-year old olive grove; Try some of Italy's best wines in the extraordinarily beautiful surroundings of two superb organic vineyards; Taste delicious local prosciuttos, salamis, breads, cheeses and more; Experience the glistening 1500-year old basilicas and mosaics in ravishing Ravenna; Visit the fabulous mountaintop UNESCO World Heritage Republic of San Marino; Walk in Leonardo da Vinci's port - Cesenatico; See stunning fairytale hilltop castles and extraordinary views throughout Romagna; Visit Romagna's lovely art-cities and villages. See what an exceptional opportunity this is for you and your clients.
 
Picture
Further information: http://www.totemtourism.com/agent-fam-visits.html
Picture
Read about the experiences that US travel agents had on 2018 Spring FAM trips HERE: http://www.totemtourism.com/news/travel-agents-discover-a-paradise-beyond-tourism-in-italy-something-really-special-which-warmed-their-hearts
 
Email expressions of interest as soon as possible to valere@bestofromagna.com
AS SOON AS POSSIBLE PLEASE!
 
MORE ABOUT ROMAGNA:
Romagna has one of the most astonishing unknown, unspoiled treasure chests of heritage, culture, superb mountain and sea sights. food, wine and hospitality in the world.
 
The World Heritage city of Ravenna itself, world famous for its mosaics, was three times capital of the Roman Empire and has no less than 8 UNESCO sites all around 1500 years old.
 
Within the borders of Romagna there is the ancient ceramic art city of Faenza, the historic salt-city seaside resort of Cervia, the delightful olive-oil hillside town of Brisighella, the lovely Venetian-influenced resort and fishing port of Cesenatico (surveyed by Leonardo da Vinci) and historic hillside vineyards including in wine-centres such as Bertinoro.
 
Major art cities include Roman Rimini (now also a glitzy resort) serene Cesena (where there is the oldest library in the world), Forli with incredibly eclectic architecture from the middle ages to Mussolini's brutalist Art Deco, festival-city Santarcangelo, and the Sforza city of Imola  where Leonardo da Vinci worked for the Borgias.
 
The world's oldest republic - San Marino, at the top of mount Titano - towers over the area - this extraordinary world heritage site, and fiercely independent state is walkable history.
 
Romagna has an incredible legacy of atmospheric medieval hill and mountaintop castles, and citadels - it is said over 300 - built by the Montefeltro, Sforza, Este and the Malatesta families - and by various Popes.
 
Romagna is arguably also the birthplace of Italian cuisine. It has arguably the best cookery school in Italy as part of an unique foundation started by a Romagnolo man - Pellegrino Artusi . Artusi is known to Italians all over the world as the father of Italian cookery.

Download a free copy of Best of Romagna magazine HERE

We're all looking forward to greeting you in Romagna. You will be more than impressed!
Picture
0 Comments

SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT  A wonderful taste of the real ‘Heart of Italy’ at Harvest time from $1500

5/10/2018

0 Comments

 
Picture
SPECIAL DEPARTURE 28 SEPTEMBER EX BOLOGNA
IN ASSOCIATION WITH BREVARD TRAVEL and Anita Scannell

Delicious food, glorious wine, warm, hearty hospitality and fairytale sights in undiscovered, un-touristy, hassle-free Romagna.

9 day holiday- from just $1500

Experience the Best of Romagna scenery, food and wine, culture and warm hospitality, see glorious Ravenna, Venetian Cesenatico lovely Santarcangelo take a scenic train trip through the hills to Florence.
Plus… on option: learn to cook Italian in a great cookery school and take an adventure to “La Serenissima” Venice.

Land at in Rome or Milan or Venice, we can arrange your travel to Bologna to begin your experience in the beautiful, legendary land safely nestling between the Apennine mountains and the Adriatic sea.

Included Highlights
  • A day to RENAISSANCE FLORENCE by scenic train
  • Exploring BOLOGNA
  • Fabulous Harvest Festival in ancient SANTARCANGELO DI ROMAGNA
  • Back in time with miraculous mosaics in BYZANTINE RAVENNA
  • Stroll the cobbled streets of UNESCO republic SAN MARINO
  • Learn to cook Italian in a TOP COOKERY CLASS (Optional extra)
  • Taste: VINEYARD WINE TASTINGS/OLIVE OIL/SUPERB LOCAL FOODS
  • Warm friendly ITALIAN COUNTRY HOUSE – YOUR HOME FOR A WEEK
  • Comfortable personal travel in a SMALL GROUP
  • Every meal a delicious culinary experience GREAT MEALS WITH WINE
Price includes:
  • 1 night’s lovely city center accommodation in Bologna
  • 7 nights accommodation with breakfasts in a lovely Italian Country house
  • 7 superb Dinners or lunches including wine or soft drinks in specially-selected restaurants
  • 2 fabulous vineyard wine tastings
  • Tastings of local breads, prosciuttos, salamis, cheeses and olive oils
  • Guided visits to Foodie capital of Italy Bologna, World Heritage Ravenna, Venetian Cesenatico, ancient Santarcangelo and lovely Longiano.
  • Hosted by knowledgeable, lovely locals throughout
  • Small group comfortable vehicle transport throughout
  • All designed as a natural life-enhancing experience.
  • Plus: 'Introduction to the Best of Romagna' Pre-tour information, Welcome pack
  • On option: Full day cookery course in "Italy's best cookery school" including  historic vineyard and wine tasting - and visit to Venice

COST $1500.00 per person (single room supplement $300)
Picture
Romagna is just as lovely as famous, expensive Tuscany, its near neighbour, and in our view the food and wine and scenery are all BETTER! Plus, of course, there are no tourist hordes in Romagna and prices are lower so your holiday $ goes much, much further and you get a more personal experience.

If you are looking for great local and authentic Italian food, wine, art, culture and hospitality - at a reasonable price, undiscovered, unspoiled Romagna is the place to be. Here people are pleased to open their doors for you and give you a truly heartfelt warm welcome!

Experience the best of the very best food and wine, art and culture. Above all revel in the immense and heartfelt hospitality of glorious Romagna – a beautiful, legendary land safely nestling between the Apennine mountains and the Adriatic sea and as yet unspoiled by tourism.

Our team of specially-selected local co-operators include not only professional hoteliers, but great restaurateurs, hands-on vineyard owners, master cheese makers, musicians, videographers, artists, thermal spa owners, even cookery teachers.
 
Together, we have created a special inclusive 9 day program to offer you a taste of Romagna which incorporates accommodation, meals, wine, olive oil and specialty food tastings, daily programmes of activities and visits designed to enable you to enjoy Romagna at its sensational best from just $1500.

As ‘temporary citizens’ rather than detached tourists, Best of Romagna guests enjoy a treasure-chest of fascinating opportunities. You will be able to experience UNESCO World Heritage Byzantine Ravenna and Venetian Cesenatico, You will also be able to experience Romagna’s legacy of stunningly beautiful hills and valleys, medieval castles and some of its fabulous vistas.

And you'll experience amazing food and wine … cheeses like Squacquerone and Fossa, local wines such as Sangiovese DOC and Albana DOCG and olive oils, rare-breed prosciuttos, pickles, preserves and honeys…and fabulous fresh pasta made daily, of course. You will surely get passionate about these seasonal, fresh, treasured handcrafted products – and recipes you’ll certainly take with you and want to prepare at home.
Picture
Our Harvest-time Itinerary in the ‘Heart of Italy’

Day 1 Friday 28 September – Welcome to Bologna
Arrival Bologna  . Depending on arrival time there will be an opportunity for an early evening walking tour of this colorful medieval city. One of Italy's richest cities, Bologna is famous for its 3,000 year history, its world's oldest university, its miles of covered arcades and lovely squares, fabulous art and architecture - but above all, its FOOD and FUN.

We’ll stay overnight in a specially-selected 3 or 4 star city-center hotel such as the family-run Touring Hotel  with its warm atmosphere, lovely breakfast and sensational rooftop terrace with panoramic view of Bologna.  If time allows why not make a visit to Bologna’s new attraction: FICO – The Food Megapark 
Picture
Day 2 Saturday 29 September  - Welcome to the Feast
Bologna is a food city that awakes early so we’ll start the day with a breakfast-time tour and avoid the crowds of day trippers! It’s not for nothing that Bologna is known as ‘Fat City’ It is the food capital of Italy (and therefore the world?!) The ancient Mercato di Mezzo and the food shops, café’s and restaurants around it, all in the medieval quarter, are astonishing homes to intoxicating taste, scent and aroma which pervades the whole area and heightens appetites. Naturally our full-on guided visit will include many tastes!

Next our eyes will feast on the best of this rich, fabulous city including the Piazza Maggiore, the, Podestà Palace, Neptune’s Fountain, King Enzo’s Palace. We’ll admire the enormous Basilica of Saint Petronio. We’ll see Bologna’s gothic Merchants’ Palace, the Seven Churches complex of Saint Steven’s Basilica, and meet Asinelli and Garisenda, Bologna’s famous leaning Towers. After a very full morning, around midday we'll leave Bologna towards the country on the historic Via Emilia to Romagna.

First stop is a visit to the superb, internationally-rated organic Zuffa Vineyard  and take a wine tasting in the open air, between vines. After this delightful visit, we will see the painted city of Dozza with its fabulous castle and wine heritage. Then, we'll take the short journey to the hilltop castle-town of Longiano for dinner and overnight at Alloggio San Girolamo   (or a similar high grade country-house style accommodation) and enjoy the atmosphere and stunning views. Then another taste of great Romagnolo food and wine - a special welcome dinner at the Ristorante Dei Cantoni. ​

Picture
Day 3 Sunday 30 September – Enjoy the Tastes of Romagna
After a relaxed home-cooked breakfast, we'll take a short tour of lovely Longiano, seeing the fabulous medieval castle with its extraordinary views and great modern art collection, then enjoying the fabulous jewel-box theatre Petrella with its museum of masks. After, we'll cross the valley to the stunning Villa Venti  where we'll taste the unique Mora Romagnola prosciuttos and salamis, plus the sensational cheeses of Renato Brancaleoni . With these delicacies we'll savor the superb organic wines Mauro and his family create in this wonderful vineyard.

Now it’s off to the fabulous festa. Santarcangelo di Romagna is a beautiful hilltop town with a massive Malatesta castle and a colourful history. The town loves its festivals no more so than the 1,000-year old ‘Bird Festival’ a massive harvest festival which takes over the whole town at the end of September. It is a real colourful delight. We’ll spend our afternoon enjoying it all.

Back to Longiano for dinner and overnight.
Picture
Day 4 Monday 1 October- Mosaics and da Vinci's Seaside Day
After breakfast we'll visit Cesenatico for a stroll in its delightful Venetian-style port, designed by Leonardo da Vinci for his patron Cesare Borgia. We'll take a fabulous lunch at La Casina followed by a visit (including entrances) to glorious Ravenna   with Cinzia   . This world heritage city, three times capital (of the Western Roman Empire, of Theodoric King of the Goths, and of the Byzantine Empire) is full of marvelous mosaics and stunning 1500 year old basilicas Return to Longiano for dinner and overnight.
Picture

Day 5 Tuesday 2 October - Renaissance Day – Florence by scenic train
Today we’ll start with a glorious scenic experience. We’ll leave very early and drive to Faenza to take the little train to the heart of Florence. The train starts from Faenza and climbs up the hills, crossing little medieval towns such as Brisighella (famous for its superb olive oil), Marradi (famous or its ancient sweet chestnut trees, being of the highest quality), Borgo San Lorenzo (with its age-old vineyards and olive groves, thousand-year-old churches, ancient farmhouses and geometrically laid out vegetable gardens) and goes along wild landscapes with stunning forests, streams and rivers - the best experience you can get travelling to Florence.

In the birthplace of the Medicis and the Renaissance, after this scenic journey, there will be the possibility to get a brunch or lunch at the foodie Central Market and take a stroll through this beautiful city of art. We’ll have time to see the Pitti Palace, the Piazza della Signoria, the Uffizzi, the Ponte Vecchio, the lovely Boboli Gardens, and the panoramic Belvedere amongst much, much more.

We’ll leave Florence in the early evening for our return journey to Faenza. A special dinner will be arranged at the fabulous new Spadoni  restaurant – a homage to the best in Romagna food and drink and thence to Longiano for overnight.
Picture
Day 6 Wednesday 3 October– Well Being Day
All the week, we have enjoyed truly natural, local, fresh food, wine and sights. Today is the day to take care of your whole body and mind - our special relaxation and wellness day. Subject to availability, our own preferences, and, of course the weather, we’ll have the option to take an extra experience (surcharge) to follow a guided walk in the glorious hills, take a mountain bike or horse ride, take a yoga class in a stunning location, join in an olive or grape harvest OR take an afternoon tour to visit an artisan ceramicist in the lovely historic art and ceramic city of Faenza and a drive in Faenza’s gypsum hills to the ancient olive oil, wine and honey hilltown of Brisighella.
Dinner and overnight in Longiano.
Picture
Day 7 Thursday 4 October – La Serenissima – Venice (or rest) Day*
On our (optional extra*) day excursion, we'll have the chance to experience this incredible place of history and romance. St Marks Square, Rialto Bridge, the Grand Canal, gondolas, shops and much much more.
 We’ll leave very early and travel via the ancient via Popilia to the outskirts of Venice – and an extraordinary way to arrive in the city. We’ll start at the ancient seaport of Chioggia  from where we’ll take the boat across the lagoon to the island of Pellestrina , here we’ll take a coach across the island and another boat to the island of Venice Lido  .
 
From here we’ll make our glorious entrance by Vaporetto water bus across the main lagoon to the Grand Canal and past Venice’s main sights, churches, palaces, glorious colorful sights. At the Rialto Bridge we’ll commence our walking tour of discovery all the way to St Mark’s Square where a fish feast lunch is included  with Adriatic specialties  and a special optional gondola ride will be organized. Plenty of time explore in the afternoon after which we'll return  to Longiano for overnight.
Picture
Day 8 Friday 5 October- Authentic Italian Cooking Day**
Either rest and relax in lovely Longiano or… Depart after breakfast for a really special (optional extra) full day event!

Ever wanted to learn to cook REAL Italian? Casa Artusi   "The Best Cookery School in Italy" is the place. In this foundation created to honor Pellegrino Artusi, the father of Italian Cookery - you will learn to make at least seven different sorts of pasta (including local specialties). In the fully-equipped cookery school, each participant will have the services of an assistant and their own work-station. After this life-enhancing experience we will enjoy a superb lunch of local specialties – plus the pasta that we have created. At the end of the session, we’ll have presented to us, our hand-made Casa Artusi apron together with our certificate for concluding the cookery course.

 We’ll then travel up to the lovely wine-village of Bertinoro and visit the historic vineyard of at Fattoria Paradiso - the most historic vineyard in Romagna. Dinner and overnight in Longiano.

Here we’ll tour the fabulous hillside estate, the medieval merchant’s house and the vineyard, after we’ll enjoy some local cheese, local olive oils and bread, plus of course we’ll taste over six of Fattoria Paradiso’s superb wines including those created for various Popes and presidents.

Without any doubt, this will be the highlight of your trip! Return to Longiano for dinner and overnight.

Day 9 Saturday 6 October - Homeward Bound or?
Return to Bologna OR why not stay a little longer in Paradise?

*Venice day excursion includes: Guide/tour manager, return transportation to Chioggia, boat and coach transport around Venice Lagoon to Venice Lido, vaporetto water boat journey along the Grand Canal, lunch in Venice, short walking tour of Venice, Venice pack. Cost $200 per person if booked and paid prior to arrival Excursion operates subject to minimum numbers.
** Cooking day excursion includes: Transportation, guide/tour manager, hands-on cookery class learning to create at least seven different sorts of pasta from scratch – all with a great chef and personal assistance, lunch of local specialties plus the pasta made on the course, hand made Casa Artusi apron to take home, personal certificate, visit to Bertinoro and tour of Fattoria Paradiso vineyard, wine tasting of at least 5 wines. Cost $200 per person if booked and paid prior to arrival. Excursion operates subject to minimum numbers.

Departure date from Bologna 2018: Friday 28 September

For further information and bookings  contact:
Anita Scannell

Please note: Deposit required $200 per person to reserve arrangement. Balance payable 10 weeks prior to arrival. Cancellation terms: Initial deposit only up to 8 weeks prior to departure. 90% from 8 weeks prior to departure. Important: ALL GROUP QUOTES ARE MADE ON THE BASIS OF A MINIMUM 10 PASSENGERS - REVISIONS TO PRICES UP TO 50% WILL BE EFFECTED IF GROUPS FALL BELOW THIS FIGURE.

About the Best of Romagna - read our story HERE

IMPORTANT NOTE: Romagna away from the coast is a very un-touristy place. Unlike its near neighbors Tuscany and the Veneto, in Romagna foreign (particularly English-speaking) visitors are unusual. Here you will be treated as a guest - not a tourist!

So that you may enjoy your visit to the full, we run your experience not as a package tour but more like a group of friends having an adventure on a visit to a new and very special place. In this way we believe you will have a glorious, very different and natural experience. The fact is that Romagna’s wonderful hinterland has not become jaded by mass tourism – and we aim to keep it that way,

Everybody you will meet here is passionate about their homeland, its beauty and its enormous larder of local, seasonal food and wine. Everybody you will meet here is enormously proud of their history, culture and above all their diligent and heartfelt hospitality.

We sincerely believe that you will find treasure here in Romagna - treasure that can only come from open hearts with the willingness to share an unbelievably enormous heritage.

By the time you leave our aim is to help you, like us and all f our other guests to be passionate about Romagna and count the days ‘til you return!
 
W: http://www.bestofromagna.com
F: http://www.facebook.com/bestofromagna

0 Comments

Travel agents discover a paradise beyond tourism in Italy - something really special which warmed their hearts

5/10/2018

0 Comments

 

Bologna is brilliant - it’s full of amazing food and wine, lovely buildings, rich sculptures, dozens of kilometres of atmospheric collonades and, by the time we leave - herds and herds of tourists!
 
To miss the crowds we’ve taken an early morning tour to see the yummy glisteningly fresh food in the market; the sensational St Petronius gothic cathedral; the ancient seven church complex; the towers, the shops and the food (again!).
 
By now the city is filling up and although it’s been a fab experience, we’re tired and a bit jaded and ready to leave.
 
Just an hour later we are warmly greeted by the whole young family at Zuffa vineyard - including Valentina and her beautiful 6 month old daughter Sylvia. The mood and our energy levels change immediately. Now we are in Romagna with real friends and the magic truly begins.
 
We walk around the vineyard with Augusto Zuffa, whose delicious health-giving wines have been attested to by the Italian government - they showcased them at EXPO2015. Now we have a big appetite for lunch and we are certainly not disappointed! First an enormous platter of antipasta delicacies is brought to the table with a big smile by Augusto’s sister Michela. And this is just the start, it’s followed by two types of delicious pastas hand made that morning, then a totally delicious semi-freddo dessert, yummy!
 
Naturally as this is a great vineyard there are wines to accompany the many delicacies. Twelve of them! The delicious organic wines include three sorts of sparkling wines, three dry whites, three rich reds and even dessert wines. Naturally we taste Augusto’s amazing Sangiovese honored at the expo and the ambrosia-like Albana late harvest loved by the Empress Galla Placidia.
 
It’s time for a walk and no better place than the close by lovely old hilltop walled city of Dozza with its massive castle created by Caterina Sforza over 600 years ago. Dozza has another attribute - every two years it is used as artist’s canvasses as invited painters turn up from all over Italy to paint murals on its house’s walls. It’s a fabulous art walk for everybody before we drive on to the next welcome.
 
In an hour or so we arrive at the Alloggio San Girolamo - a 18th century country house with an amazing view. Here Filippo welcomes us in perfect English and introduces us to the main man - his 2 year old son Diego, followed by Otto the dog two miscellaneous friendly cats and thence to the supremely comfortable bedrooms. A good sleep is on the way but not just yet! Time for an aperitif on the terrace before a stroll up to Longiano’s castle and the Dei Cantoni restaurant.
 
Food and wine again? Yes, naturally, but just a light welcome dinner tonight!
Danilo and Teresa who run the restaurant greet us with their daughter Sabrina. They are proud of their reputation as a Michelin awarded establishment and have put on a light but delicious dinner. It includes lots of tasty finger-food, tarts made with soft cheeses, piquant warm salads with mushrooms and fresh vegetables, their famous warm Piedina flatbreads, a few grilled meats and plenty of their own wines. Naturally we enjoy an array of delicate desserts. Home to bed for sweet dreams scented with country herbs.
 
You have to get up early to make the most of Ottavia’s breakfast. Philippo’s mum makes all the cakes from a fruity applecake to a delicious chocolate cake made of ground almonds to a superb marscapone cheesecake. She also makes a mean yoghurt. Everything is organic. Naturally there are eggs and fruit and the rest plus great coffee and tea. Time for a walk.
 
Well, more precisely a tour of Longiano. We start with the tiny ornate jewel box theatre. With just 400 seats, it’s big enough to fulfil the village’s needs and the unique raising floor is used to make the theatre into a dance hall cum local festival venue. Now its known as one of the best in Italy for acoustics and many big tours start here. When the Jazz Club is held seats get taken out and are replaced by tables and chairs.
 
We find out that Longiano has many claims to fame including once as a pilgrimage site with over seventeen churches. Now it’s just a lovely place to live with a sensational castle cum modern art center which we’ll visit later.
 
But first something quite special - the museum of the territory. More precisely the housing place for attics full of local people’s treasures since 1945. Can you imagine? Farm machinery, Vespas and Lambrettas, pictures and films, household items, games, old furniture - everything! It’s difficult to drag ourselves away but the soaring historic medieval castle beckons. Beautiful castle, magnificent artworks astonishing views. Time for wine.
 
On the other side of the valley Mauro, his wife Manuela and their daughter Beatrice have been preparing for us! When we arrive in their biodynamic, organic vineyard with amazing views of the castle Mauro gives us a tour of his pride and joy - the vineyard the family together created from scratch. Mauro’s enthusiasm shines through his enthusiastic English so daughter Beatrice and our own Tamara (from another vineyard family) translate.
 
Now to Manuela’s pride and joy - her kitchen. Here she has created something very special for us to eat with the family’s wines. To start she has made Piadina with Squaquerone and Savor. Her Piadina flatbread has been made with her own special wheat, hand ground. Her Squaquerone fresh cream cheese has come this morning from a local farm but her Savor has taken her much longer to create - for days Manuela works with quarts of the vineyard’s grape must, stirring in apples, quinces, walnuts, figs, almonds and many other delicious fruits of the vineyard boiling it all down to make a sensational condiment - just right for Squaquerone.
 
With this we drink a very special dry white wine - Serenara created from the forgotten local grape - Famoso.
 
This morning Manuela has been in the property’s fields choosing and picking great bunches of the best wild herbs for her purpose. They are perfect and truly health-giving, never having seen chemicals - she reduces them down to be an amazingly tasty  filling for a Piadina sandwich, which is on a platter with other delicacies. We try Mora Romagnolo local rare breed prosciutto, ditto salami, and a range of cheeses from Renato Brancaleoni the cheese affinateur just down the beautiful road. Renato has provided a tasty pit-aged cheese, a sharp local cheese aged in raspberry and a great goat’s cheese.
 
With this we drink a sensational Primo Segno - the family’s great Sangiovese wine with four Sangiovese type of grapes in it. Awe-inspiring.
 
Of course we can’t go without tasting Manuela’s light airy and eggy Ciambella cake with our espresso.
 
Another little walk is called for, so off we drive over the pretty hills to Santarcangelo di Romagna, a lovely country city with its own cathedral and a massive history.
 
Since pre Etruscan times Santarcangelo has graced the summit of Mount Jovis a rabbit-warren of catacombs now used for storing wine - very apt for a Slow Food city that dotes on great cooking, eating and drinking. And its cobbled streets and terraces provide a lovely relaxing stroll all the way to the gelateria. One can imagine how good this is - just think almond gelato with a thick layer of velvety pistacchio cream. And that’s only one flavour of the dozens of flavours on offer.
 
Culture shock is the order for the rest of the afternoon - compliments of the Mutoid Waste Company. On the banks of the Marecchia river the Mutoids have set up their camp. Complete with sculptures made out of cars and planes Mutonia is sensational.
 
Danilo and lovely efficient Susanna are waiting for us for a bigger dinner tonight at Dei Cantoni. We start with just a few bruschetta with lovely tasty toppings mushrooms tomatoes anchovies. Then we try an important local pasta - Passatelli. This very local delicacy is made of breadcrumbs mixed with parmesan nutmeg and lemon bound with an egg and then squeezed in strips into a wonderful rich broth. Adorable! The main course is a selection of roast and stuffed guinea fowl, pork and rabbit with a freshly picked salad and roast potatoes. Naturally there is a selection of desserts with coffee - and we have enjoyed the house Sangiovese throughout.
 
And so to bed.
After the usual superb breakfast created by Ottavia and the enjoyment of being in a warm active family setting we’re off to see a really ancient activity.
 
Pascucci moved into their new premises in 1826 and carried on their ancient craft of coloring and printing adorable textiles by hand just like they always have. The best designers and artists vye with each other to create the ultimate in hand-printed materials. We were lucky to see the whole process at work. Whimsical designs abound - this is the ultimate in soft furnishing!
 
To prepare ourselves for the two big events of the day we take a walk along the fishing port. Not your usual fishing port but one assayed by Leonardo da Vinci no less. With its Venetian architecture, ancient ships and sails and mirror-glass harbour Cesenatico is resplendant. The duo of Cesare (Borgia) and Leonardo have come up with a masterpiece again.
 
And a masterpiece of a different kind is our lunch. We are eating at La Casina agriturismo restaurant where Valentina Valentini greets us. All the surrounding land is owned by the Valentini family and it is these fertile acres that provide our enormous lunch.
 
First a great platter is brought to the table - wonderful cuts of different dried meats from their own herds, delicious bruschettas and sublime cheeses - all Valentini produce.
 
Naturally by now the table is laden with Valentini produced wines.
 
And then three types of their own hand created pastas were brought to the table - Tagliatelli with their own special meat sauce, Capelletti stuffed with cream cheese and covered with thyme and crispy prosciutto and Strozzapreti with spinach and a nutty vegetable sauce. Yummy!
 
We make a good impression on the pastas but there is more to come. The main course is the family speciality - their own perfectly grilled meats, a massive plate of them with sensationally delicious roast potatoes and an array of grilled vegetables.
 
Nearly over... just a selection of desserts to come followed by coffee and the family-produced ‘Digestivos’ Limoncello, Liquirizia and Banane!
 
It’s time for a walk so we’re off to meet Cinzia in Ravenna. Cinzia’s speciality is time-travelling and no sooner have we joined her in Theodoric’s imperial complex than she’s taken us back over 1500 years. We see staggeringly old but new-looking mosaics in the basilica of Sant Apolinare Nuovo. Then in the equally old Saint Francis complex we see more stunning mosaics and meet Dante the father of Italian literature in a more modern era (his bones were buried here in 1321).
 
Back in time again as we visit the church built to emulate Istanbul’s Aghia Sofia - this is imperial Rome’s San Vitale basilica built by Emperor Justinian in his western capital - Ravenna. It is truly sensational - particularly the amazingly lifelike mosaics.
 
Now for the place that inspired great human beings from Carl Jung to Lord Byron to Gianni Versacce - the unbelievably tear-jerkingly beautiful mausoleum of Empress Galla Placidia. It even inspired Cole Porter to write Night and Day.
 
It’s not possible to describe the mosaics here or their effect. It is simply momentous. No wonder it is a world heritage treasure.
 
Time for a gelato before we make our way back to our Italian country house and Filippo, Lisa and the family.
Our last day was a hard work with plenty of laughs and hugs day. We visited the home town foundation of the father of Italian cooking Pellegrino Artusi.
 
Here a former convent with a stunning chapel have been made into a real cathedral to good food and drink. And it is here that we are to learn to make pasta from its basic raw materials - flour and eggs. To assist us we have a very big rolling pin, a knife and a Mariette (a local mother well-versed in pasta making and trained by Artusi).
 
In the end we are all successes - we’ve made 17 different types of pasta each and have got a certificate to prove it. Plus we’ve had a massive amount of fun and we’ve learnt a new skill.
 
But how to celebrate? Why not a double celebration? First a lunch in Casa Artusi’s celebrated restaurant, followed by a wine tasting at another wonderful vineyard.
 
The lunch started with a red cabbage soup of a glorious red, followed by a duo of delicious pastas, followed by a plate of the most beautifully cooked local seasonal vegetables. All, of course paired with great wines from a local vineyard and followed by astonishing desserts.
 
And our second treat - a great winetasting in the beautiful historic vineyard where our lunch wines came from. Fattoria Paradiso was created around a medieval gentleman’s estate and is truly beautiful -all a vineyard should be. We take a walk among the peacocks, a visit to the fabulous wine collection in the cellar and then taste a dozen wines. The wines are very very good. Here wines are created for presidents, popes and movie stars. Notable clients include Danny Kaye, Ronald Reagan and Pope John - and, of course, us!
 
Naturally we have a celebratory dinner and the next day after a lovely sleep - we say our goodbyes - particularly to Diego and Otto!
 
Many thanks to our lovely travel agents who joined us on days of exploration - we ran three small trips this spring with a maximum of four travel agents on each. So thanks to Nancy Moody and Melanie Loomis, Carolyn Penny and Dixie McCoulsky; Lesa and Darryl Whited and Verena and Ken Wilson; Dale Strong, Joanne and Michael Shaw.
 
Did we all enjoy amazing sights and scenes and meals? Yes!
Did we all see many groups of tourists? No! Did we stand in line? No
Did we all have an experience that was kindly and warm hearted? Yes!
Would we all do it all again? DEFINITELY!
 
You could come on a FAM trip like this too! Find out more HERE
0 Comments

FOLLOW THE CHRISTMAS STAR for traditional festive fun, food and wine in Romagna and Florence

4/20/2018

0 Comments

 
Picture
Book with these professional US travel agents that have been there, seen it, tasted it LOVED IT! CLICK HERE TO SEE WHERE THEY ARE AND HOW YOU CAN CONNECT WITH THEM
Picture
Checking it out!
Make 2018 a truly, truly magical Festive Season – in the Heart of Italy!
PUT CHRISTMAS BACK INTO CHRISTMAS - FOLLOW THE CHRISTMAS STAR TO ROMAGNA

Experience Romagna’s Advent - a massive, glorious, joyous festive feast
9 day holiday from just $2,500
Starts Bologna 30 November; 7 and 14 December 2018

All along the Romagna coast, and up in the hills, historic townships vie with each other to create the most outstanding traditional (and non-traditional) Nativity scenes and Christmas Markets. It’s a Christmas experience of a lifetime.

Duty-free mountain top shopping, wonderful Christmas entertainment and nativity scenes everywhere make a heart-warming festive feast to see, to hear, to taste, to savour and to save!

Land at in Rome or Milan or Venice, we can arrange your travel to Bologna to begin your experience in the beautiful, legendary land safely nestling between the Apennine mountains and the Adriatic sea

Included Highlights
  • Real Christmas food & wine, culture and wellbeing holiday in undiscovered, untouristy, hassle-free Romagna.
  • A day to Christmassy RENAISSANCE FLORENCE by scenic train
  • Exploring Christmassy BOLOGNA
  • Fabulous Christmas Festival in ancient UNESCO republic SAN MARINO
  • Back in time with miraculous mosaics in BYZANTINE RAVENNA
  • Learn to cook Christmas Italian in a TOP COOKERY CLASS
  • Taste: VINEYARD WINE TASTINGS/OLIVE OIL/SUPERB LOCAL FOODS
  • Warm friendly ITALIAN COUNTRY HOUSE – YOUR HOME FOR A WEEK
  • Comfortable personal travel in a SMALL GROUP
  • Every meal a delicious festive culinary experience GREAT MEALS WITH WINE
  • The 12 Tastes of Christmas and more!
Price Includes:
  • 1 night lovely city center hotel Bologna
  • 7 nights accommodation with breakfasts in a lovely Italian Country house
  • 7 superb festive dinners or lunches with wine/soft drinks
  • 3 fabulous vineyard wine tastings
  • Tastings of local breads, prosciuttos, salamis, cheeses and olive oils
  • Top cookery class with festive specialties
  • Visits to Florence, Bologna, San Marino, Ravenna, Rimini, Santarcangelo
  • Amazing authentic local Christmas markets and artisan outlet shopping
  • Hosted by knowledgeable, lovely locals throughout
  • All designed as a natural life-enhancing festive experience.
  • Plus: 'Introduction to the Best of Romagna' Pre-tour information, Welcome pack
  • JUST $2,500 per person (single room supplement $500)

And... on the top of Mount Titano, soaring above the Adriatic coast, are the ramparts of an unique World Heritage Site - the tiny, atmospheric Republic of San Marino. And a truly amazing array of Christmas treats.
Called "The Christmas of Marvels"  - San Marino creates possibly the most magical Christmastime event in the world. Naturally there is an ice-skating rink; naturally Santa Claus sets up his village (with lots of Elf helpers) to help lots of kiddies - of all ages - make Christmas delicacies and wrap presents; naturally there is a beautiful Nativity scene, naturally there are traditional carol concerts in the atmospheric churches, naturally there is a vast array of duty-free and branded outlet shopping in the pretty boutiques; naturally there are Christmas shops with a vast array of Christmas goods from decorations to cuckoo clocks to electronic Santas - everything… and naturally there is a fabulous local Christmas Market.
Christmas music, Christmas lights, stalls selling hot Christmas drinks and sweet Christmas confections, plus the aromas and sounds of Christmastime everywhere... And when guests are happily tired of soaking up Christmas and shopping up bargains and return to the plain, there are yet more traditional treats in store.

Here in Romagna you'll see the Holy Family up on hilltops, inside castle cloisters, on beaches and in harbours - made of simply every material you can imagine - and often animated, both acted and mechanical. Here in Romagna Christmas is not Christmas without a Nativity Scene and pretty much every Nativity Scene has its own little Christmas Market, where you can buy Christmas presents and stock up on Christmas delicacies, decorations and other delights!

So, in the historic Leonardo da Vinci - designed sea harbour of Cesenatico, you'll see ancient ships with Nativity Scenes on each; in the historic Pope's salt-port of Cervia, you'll see harbour-side and beachside Nativity Scenes; in the hilltop vine-coated wine and olive oil townships of Bertinoro, Brisighella and Longiano you have hilltop and castle court Nativity Scenes. And in the important cities such as Cesena and Forli, Rimini and Ravenna you'll see massive acted Nativities in the historic centers.

For a wall-to-wall total immersion traditional, authentic Christmas feast - Romagna has got it all!

Why not enjoy it to the full and treat yourself to a warm Italian festive event of a lifetime...
PictureCHECKING IT OUT
Book with these professional US travel agents that have been there, seen it, tasted it LOVED IT! CLICK HERE TO SEE WHERE THEY ARE AND HOW YOU CAN CONNECT WITH THEM
Day 1 Friday - Chrismassy, Foodie, Bologna
Chill out, rest, relax and enjoy fabulous Bologna
Arrival Christmassy Bologna  . Depending on arrival time there will be an opportunity for an early evening walking tour of the lights in this colorful medieval city. One of Italy's richest cities, Bologna is famous for its 3,000 year history, its world's oldest university, its miles of covered arcades and lovely squares, fabulous art and architecture - but above all, its FOOD and FUN. We’ll stay overnight in a specially-selected 3 or 4 star city-center hotel such as the family-run Touring Hotel  with its warm atmosphere, lovely breakfast and sensational rooftop terrace with panoramic view of Bologna.  If time allows why not make a visit to Bologna’s new attraction: FICO – The Food Megapark
Day 2 Saturday - Welcome to the Christmas Feast
Taste exquisite food and tour Bologna, taste great wine in a super organic vineyard, see the 'Painted City', stay in your country house, eat welcome dinner in a superb Michelin restaurant

Bologna is a food city that awakes early so we’ll start the day with a breakfast-time tour and avoid the crowds of day trippers! It’s not for nothing that Bologna is known as ‘Fat City’ It is the food capital of Italy (and therefore the world?!) The ancient Mercato di Mezzo and the food shops, café’s and restaurants around it, all in the medieval quarter, are astonishing homes to intoxicating taste, scent and aroma which pervades the whole area and heightens appetites. Naturally our full-on guided visit will include many tastes!

Next our eyes will feast on the best of this rich, fabulous city including the Piazza Maggiore, the, Podestà Palace, Neptune’s Fountain, King Enzo’s Palace. We’ll admire the enormous Basilica of Saint Petronio. We’ll see Bologna’s gothic Merchants’ Palace, the Seven Churches complex of Saint Steven’s Basilica, and meet Asinelli and Garisenda, Bologna’s famous leaning Towers. After a very full morning, around midday we'll leave Bologna towards the country on the historic Via Emilia to Romagna.
Picture
Picture
First stop is a visit to the superb, internationally-rated organic Zuffa Vineyard   and take a wine tasting in the open air, between vines. After this delightful visit, we will see the painted city of Dozza with its fabulous castle and wine heritage. Then, we'll take the short journey to the hilltop castle-town of Longiano for dinner and overnight at Alloggio San Girolamo  (or a similar high grade country-house style accommodation) and enjoy the atmosphere and stunning views. Then another taste of great Romagnolo food and wine - a special festive welcome dinner at the Ristorante Dei Cantoni.  ​
Day 3 Sunday - Enjoying the Christmas Tastes of Romagna
Tour beautiful, Nativity-strewn Longiano, taste superb wines and local produce in a stunning biodynamic boutique vineyard, experience glorious mountaintop Christmas Republic!

After a relaxed home-cooked breakfast, we'll take a short tour of lovely Longiano,  to put us in the Christmas spirit we’ll tour the amazing nativity scenes seeing the fabulous medieval castle with its extraordinary views, then enjoying the fabulous jewel-box theatre Petrella with its museum of masks. Next a fabulous wine and food tasting at the beautiful Villa Venti where we'll also taste some superb cheeses of Renato Brancaleoni..

Off then to San Marino for a truly fabulous Christmas celebration - The "Christmas of Marvels"  - San Marino creates possibly the most magical Christmastime event in the world. Naturally there is an ice-skating rink; naturally Santa Claus sets up his village (with lots of Elf helpers) to help lots of kiddies - of all ages - make Christmas delicacies and wrap presents; naturally there is a beautiful Nativity scene, naturally there are traditional carol concerts in the atmospheric churches, naturally there is a vast array of duty-free and branded outlet shopping in the pretty boutiques; naturally there are Christmas shops with a vast array of Christmas goods from decorations to cuckoo clocks to electronic Santas - everything… and naturally there is a fabulous local Christmas Market.
Return to Longiano late at night.
Day 4 Monday - Mosaics and da Vinci's seaside
Walk in da Vinci's Cesenatico seaport all set up for Christmas, enjoy an enormous robust country lunch, tour 3 times capital World Heritage Ravenna with its 1500 year old basilicas and mosaics.

After breakfast we'll visit glorious Ravenna with Cinzia  . . All dressed up in its Christmas best - this world heritage city, three times capital (of the Western Roman Empire, of Theodoric King of the Goths, and of the Byzantine Empire) is full of marvelous mosaics and stunning 1500 year old basilicas. Then we’ll have a great country Christmas lunch at a glorious Agriturismo. After we’re off to Christmas by the sea  - Cesenatico for a stroll in its delightful Venetian-style port, designed by Leonardo da Vinci for his patron Cesare Borgia. With its amazing lights all over the port – Christmas in Cesenatico is something really, really memorable.
Day 5 Tuesday – 11 December Cooking Day – learn to cook Italian Christmas
Learn to cook Italian Christmas in the 'Best Cookery School in Italy' enjoy superb wines in an ancient vineyard taste olive oil in a 500 year old Olive Grove

Depart after breakfast for a really special event! Ever wanted to learn to cook REAL Italian Christmas? Casa Artusi  "The Best Cookery School in Italy" is the place. In this foundation created to honor Pellegrino Artusi, the father of Italian Cookery - you will learn to make at least seven different sorts of pasta (including local specialties). In the fully-equipped cookery school, each participant will have the services of an assistant and their own work-station. After this life-enhancing experience we will enjoy a superb lunch of local Christmas specialties – plus the pasta that we have created. At the end of the session, we’ll have presented to us, our hand-made Casa Artusi apron together with our certificate for concluding the cookery course. Without any doubt, this will be the highlight of our trip!

After lunch, we’ll visit the close-by historic vineyard – Fattoria Paradiso – in an even more historic setting vineyard hillside Bertinoro.

On our way back to Longiano we'll visit the 500 year old Olive Grove at Locanda della Luna and enjoy a taste of olives and olive oil presented by the 17th generation of the owning Turchi family. Return to Longiano for dinner and overnight.
Day 6 Wednesday  - Romagna’s historic Christmas settings
See a great Roman 'New City' and one of Italy's most beautiful squares - all done up for Christmas. Enjoy another superb dinner.

The morning is free to relax and enjoy our surroundings. In the afternoon, we’ll take a tour to see two fabulous art cities with their historic Christmasses on the via Emilia. We’ll visit Roman Rimini, built in classical Roman style 2,000 years ago – and with an enormous Christmas market, we’ll enjoy serene Cesena  with its 600 year old library and lovely square and castle with its lovely lights and Christmas specialties.
Dinner and overnight in Longiano.
Day 7 Thursday - Florence’s Renaissance Christmas
Enjoy fab Florence, a spectacular train ride and an extraordinarily good dinner.

Today we’ll start with a glorious scenic experience. We’ll leave very early and drive to Faenza to take the little train to the heart of Florence. Starting  from Faenza the little train climbs up the hills, crossing little medieval towns such as Brisighella (famous for its superb olive oil), Marradi (famous or its ancient sweet chestnut trees, being of the highest quality), Borgo San Lorenzo (with its age-old vineyards and olive groves, thousand-year-old churches, ancient farmhouses and geometrically laid out vegetable gardens) and goes along wild landscapes with stunning forests, streams and rivers - the best experience you can get travelling to Florence.

Christmas in the glittering capital of Tuscany is a real experience. Amazing lights, markets, food and wine – superb aromas are everywhere. In the birthplace of the Medicis and the Renaissance, after this scenic journey, there will be the possibility to get a brunch or lunch at the Christmas decorated foodie Central Market and take a stroll through this beautiful city of art. We’ll have time to see the Pitti Palace, the Piazza della Signoria, the Uffizzi, the Ponte Vecchio, the lovely Boboli Gardens, and the panoramic Belvedere all in their Christmas best, amongst much, much more.

We’ll leave Florence in the early evening for our return journey to Faenza. A special festive dinner will be arranged at the fabulous new Spadoni  restaurant – a homage to the best in Romagna food and drink and thence to Longiano for overnight.
Day 8 Friday  - Shopping, Hills and Castles,
Christmas shopping for some truly amazing artisan presents that will amaze and delight your friends and family. And a truly wonderful dinner-with-a-view.

First stop today is the ancient artisan print works of Pascucci where they still create Christmas designs, make wooden blocks and their traditional dyes, and have printed wonderful materials since 1826. Here we'll take a tour of the works and have an opportunity to purchase at outlet prices. Then we’re off to the hills visiting fairytale Sant Agata Feltria   and stunning San Leo  with its fortress and cathedral. Tonight we’ll take a superb festive dinner with a scenic view in Verucchio at the Rocca restaurant then return to Longiano for a restful overnight. 

Day 9 Saturday - Homeward Bound or?
Return to Bologna OR why not stay a little longer in Paradise?

COST PER PERSON $2500 (SEE WHAT'S INCLUDED ABOVE)
SINGLE ROOM SUPPLEMENT $500
Picture
Book with these professional US travel agents that have been there, seen it, tasted it LOVED IT! CLICK HERE TO SEE WHERE THEY ARE AND HOW YOU CAN CONNECT WITH THEM



See a little more about Romagna with our video about Longiano, our video about wine tastings, our video about Ravenna and Cesenatico and our video about Casa Artusi and Fattoria Paradiso

Want to know more contact us:
M: +44 7710 173005 Skype: valeretjolle Whatsapp: +44 7710 173005
E: welcome@bestofromagna.com W: http://www.bestofromagna.com F: http://www.facebook.com/bestofromagna

Please note: Deposit required $200 per person to reserve arrangement. Balance payable 10 weeks prior to arrival. Cancellation terms: Initial deposit only up to 8 weeks prior to departure. 90% from 8 weeks prior to departure. Important: ALL GROUP QUOTES ARE MADE ON THE BASIS OF A MINIMUM 10 PASSENGERS - REVISIONS TO PRICES UP TO 50% WILL BE EFFECTED IF GROUPS FALL BELOW THIS FIGURE.
Departures of the above itinerary are available on November 30th, December 7th, December 14th

About the Best of Romagna - read our story HERE

Book with a professional USA travel agent who has been to Romagna seen it, checked it out and will help you get the very best experience HERE

NOTE: Romagna away from the coast is a very un-touristy place. Unlike its near neighbors Tuscany and the Veneto, in Romagna foreign (particularly English-speaking) visitors are unusual. Here you will be treated as a guest - not a tourist!

So that you may enjoy your visit to the full, we run your experience not as a package tour but more like a group of friends having an adventure on a visit to a new and very special place. In this way we believe you will have a glorious, very different and natural experience. The fact is that Romagna’s wonderful hinterland has not become jaded by mass tourism – and we aim to keep it that way,

Everybody you will meet here is passionate about their homeland, its beauty and its enormous larder of local, seasonal food and wine. Everybody you will meet here is enormously proud of their history, culture and above all their diligent and heartfelt hospitality.

We sincerely believe that you will find treasure here in Romagna - treasure that can only come from open hearts with the willingness to share an unbelievably enormous heritage.

By the time you leave our aim is to help you, like us and all f our other guests to be passionate about Romagna and count the days ‘til you return!
 
W: http://www.bestofromagna.com
F: http://www.facebook.com/bestofromagna
0 Comments

Twelve delightful Romagna Christmas and Year-Round Delicacies

4/11/2018

0 Comments

 
To enjoy the very Best of Romagna - don't miss these typical local delights:
Picture
WINES: Sangiovese DOC is the wonderful Romagna red wine that is adored by locals and visitors alike. The name’s literal meaning – ‘Blood of Jove’ – attests to its strength and beauty. It is said that the original Sangiovese vineyard was sited on Mons Jovis the hill on which Santargangelo di Romagna now stands and where its wine is kept carefully in the city’s catacombs – always at the right temperature summer or winter. Good vintage Sangiovese is extraordinary good value.
   
Albana DOCG was the first white wine to gain this important Italian appellation – because not only is it very good but it has also been grown and been revered in Romagna for thousands of years. The Empress Galla Placidia is said to have been given a drink of Albana in an earthenware beaker. She said “This wine is so good it should be drunk in gold!” thus giving the name to one of Romagna’s most important vineyard cities ‘Bert in Oro’. It comes as a delicious dry wine and a sublime sweet dessert wine – ideal for dipping your biscuit in!
 
Pagadebit (‘Pays the Bills’) is another local wine, always good value, that comes in sparkling and flat always dry always fruity, spicy and delicious.
Picture
MEAT AND MORE: Mora Romagnola is very important. It is the local rare-breed pig who usually lives a pampered life. Here is the difference – mass-produced pigs on the supermarket rarely get to 10 months old before they get to be slaughtered. Mora Romagnola pigs take a couple of years or so and give birth to smaller litters. So smaller pig families have a high time eating acorns in the woods before they become delicious Prosciutto, Salami and other wonderful deliciously tasty morsels.
 
Picture
CHEESE: Squaquerone DOP is difficult to pronounce but very, very easy to eat! But you’ll have to eat it in Romagna because it is so amazingly fresh and piquant it simply doesn’t travel but it does provide the perfect companion to Savor – more later – and prosciutto. On the other hand Formaggio di Fossa is specially bred to last! This tart sheep, cow, goat or mixture cheese spends months in a hay-filled pit before it is properly matured. In Romagna it is described as ‘Amber’.
 



Picture
PASTA: In Romagna pasta is always fresh – that means that it is made the morning you eat it and with a rolling pin, not a machine. Passatelli is the exception – it is not made with a rolling pin because it’s not made with flour. Breadcrumbs, old parmesan, eggs, nutmeg and lemon zest are combined to make this deliciousness, which is then usually squeezed into an amazing broth. Other speciality local pasta is tagliatelli (for ragu) and Cappelletti (cheese stuffed little hats for broth).
 








Picture
ITALIAN HOME CHRISTMAS COOKING: You can learn while you are here to make fabulous Christmas Cappelletti, Christmas sweets and lots of other special dishes to make your Christmas meal a really memorable FEAST.
   









Picture
THE UBIQUITOUS PIADINA: It’s the flatbread that goes with everything. Easy to make, incredibly difficult to make to a great standard, it always comes hot and nearly fluffy to the table. Ingredients simply good flour, water, a little salt and either olive oil or strutto (very special lard). It is always cooked on a ‘Telia’ from mountaintop Montetiffi. And it’s delicious. Simply every Romagnolo person adores it!
 










Picture
DELICIOUS CHUTNEYS AND JAMS: Savor is sensational and particularly so in a combo with Piadina and Squaquerone – it’s made over a few days with grape must, almonds, walnuts, quinces, apples and other secret ingredients – every grandmother has a recipe! And of course as Romagna is full of fruit and veg in the winter it’s full of preserved fruit and veg and jams – caramelised figs, apricot compote, pomegranate gelatine, Persimmon and Quince jams and all the rest!




Picture
BAKING: The queen of the Romagna kitchen is Ciambella, a wonderfully light cake made sometimes with ricotta, sometimes with almonds and dried fruit, sometimes with marzipan but much more often plain because plain it’s so good to dip in your glass of Albana wine! Of course at Christmas there is Panettone (don’t ask before December 8th when they are baked!) and at Easter there is Colomba (Easter Dove). And there are always seasonal spiced Pagnotto.






Picture
GIVE YOURSELF A GIFT OF BEAUTY: Nowhere in the world will you see so many glorious 5th, 6th and 7th century Basilicas – it is the East in the West. Plus they are stuffed full of totally amazing colourful mosaics glistening as though there were laid yesterday. Ravenna is packed full of ancient characters too and stories that you will find it difficult to believe – they are so true!
   







Picture
CASTLES: Do you like medieval castles? There are probably more of them in Romagna per square kilometre than anywhere else in the world. Mainly soaring on mountains but also great citadels on the plain. And each one has a colourful history, was created by a colourful family and has stories galore! Creepy stories like that of Azzurina the beautiful little girl, romantic stories like that of Francesca and Paolo (on which Rodin’s sculpture ‘The Kiss’ was based on) and horror stories like that of Torriana with its dozens of pit prisons and San Leo with its torture chamber.
 
Picture
CHRISTMAS CITIES: The run-up to Christmas as truly passionate in Romagna and amazing. There are at least two cities (and one country!) that give themselves over to all the music and fun and celebrations from the end of November to Epiphany in January.
 
Sant Agata Feltria becomes Christmas Village - There is an enchanting atmosphere as the streets of the mediaeval village are filled with the traditional sounds of (Romagnolo) bagpipes and there are handcrafted cribs on display on the ancient street. Father Christmas and his elves have games for old and young kids on the market square. And there are reindeers and naturally great Christmas food and naturally an enormous Christmas market and naturally a beautiful 1000-year old fairytale castle.
 
Cesenatico is the historic Leonardo da Vinci - designed sea harbour of Cesenatico, you’ll see ancient ships with Nativity Scenes on each with a background of Christmas music and lovely lights, naturally there is a Christmas market and a wonderful stroll by the port past the ships each with its nativity scene is something really different.

San Marino’s Christmas of Marvels: The Republic of San Marino creates possibly the most magical Christmastime event in the world. Naturally there is an ice-skating rink; naturally Santa Claus sets up his village (with lots of Elf helpers) to help lots of kiddies - of all ages - make Christmas delicacies and wrap presents; naturally there is a beautiful Nativity scene, naturally there are traditional carol concerts in the atmospheric churches, naturally there is a vast array of duty-free and branded outlet shopping in the pretty boutiques; naturally there are Christmas shops with a vast array of Christmas goods from decorations to cuckoo clocks to electronic Santas - everything… and naturally there is a fabulous local Christmas Market.
Picture
BEAUTIFUL HAND PRINTED MATERIALS Stamperia Pascucci moved into new premises in 1826! Still now they design and print specially-made materials all by hand. The designs are a mixture of ancient and modern and  visitors can buy aprons, cushions, door stops, table cloths and napkins – in fact everything you need for a modern home – but created carefully by hand.

DOWNLOAD MORE ROMAGNA FAQs HERE:
   

0 Comments

Top 10 sustainable Destinations unveiled in a glitzy ITB ceremony

3/14/2018

0 Comments

 
Top 10 destinations and other awards celebrate sustainability at ITB's new award venue

At a relaxed and informative, colourful 90 minute event on ITB's Palais stage  the world's top sustainable destinations were revealed. Happy destination managers showed off their destinations in front of a big and knowledgeable crowd. There was even an interview with Albert Salman, Green Destinations President which highlighted overtourism and other destination problems and their solution. Randy Durband, CEO of Global Sustainable Tourism Council made a presentation about the future of sustainable tourism.

The 'Best of the Best" of the Planet sustainable destinations were unveiled as:
Azores (Portugal),  Bali Barat National Park (Indonesia),  Clonakilty (Ireland),  Gozo (Malta), Grootbos Private Nature Reserve (South Africa), High Pamirs Mountain Region (Tajikistan), Jackson Hole & Yellowstone (USA), Lake Tota (Colombia), Ljubljana (Slovenia), Mali Lošinj (Croatia), Podcetrtek (Slovenia), Santa Cruz, Galapagos (Ecuador), Slovenia Green, Destinations (Slovenia), Vail, Colorado (USA), Volcanoes National Park (Rwanda)

Other Best of Award winners and Finalists are:

Best of Cities, Communities & Culture Award
Best Top 100 Destination showing global leadership in protecting its local culture and tradition, social fabric and sense of place, in involving its local community in tourism, and in avoiding human exploitation, human rights violation, and disruptive mass tourism (over-tourism).
First: Quality Coast Western Portugal destinations
-  Cascais, Oeste Region, Sintra and Torres Vedras
Second: Zuid Limburg Netherlands
Third: Tung Dap Village Thailand

Best of Nature Award
Best Top 100 Destination showing global leadership in actively protecting its scenic views, natural habitats and wildlife, and showing respect for animals, a basis for its sustainable tourism development.
First: Chobe, Makgadikgadi and Okavango Delta (Botswana) and Selinda Reserve (Botswana)
Second: Bison Land (Romania)

Best of Seaside Award
Best Top 100 Destination showing global leadership in offering water related leisure opportunities in agreement with the principles of sustainable tourism.
First: Dutch Quality Coast Destinations: Goeree-Overflakke, Schouwen Duiveland, Veere, Westvoorne
Second: Noja (Spain)
Third: Skyros (Greece)

The Earth Award
The world is dying - What are we doing? Best Top 100 Destination showing global leadership in combatting climate change and environmental degradation.
First: Kingdom of Bhutan
Second: Torroella de Montgrí-L'Estartit (Spain)
Third: Reykjanes (Iceland)

Best of the Planet
Destinations showing international leadership and innovation in responsible and sustainable tourism in different parts of the world:

Best of Africa Award:
First: Volcanoes National Park (Rwanda).
Second: Grootbos Private Nature Reserve (South Africa)

Best of Asia Pacific Award:
First: High Pamirs Mountain Region (Tajikistan)
Second: Bali Barat National Park (Indonesia)

Best of Americas Award:
First: Vail, Colorado (USA)
Second: Santa Cruz, Galapagos (Ecuador) & Jackson Hole & Yellowstone (USA)
Third: Lake Tota (Colombia)

Best of Europe Award
First: Slovenia's 23 Green Destinations including Ljubljana and Podcetrtek

Best of the Atlantic Award
First: Autonomous Region of the Azores (Portugal)
Second: Clonakilty (Ireland

Best of the Mediterranean Award
First: Gozo (Malta)
Second: Mali Lošinj (Croatia)

More information: http://greendestinations.org/best-of-top100-award
/greendestinations.org/2018-top100
More pictures: http://www.facebook.com/pg/GreenDestinations/photos/

A bit more on a few Top100 Sustainable Destinations: http://www.travelmole.com/news_feature.php?news_id=2031360
Valere Tjolle
0 Comments

The Planet is dying - what are we doing? Top100 sustainable destinations awards to be presented at ITB

2/28/2018

0 Comments

 
Picture
The World's Best Sustainable Destinations will be unveiled in a special Ceremony in the Awards Hall of ITB Berlin, at the end of its Opening day, March 7.





From 100 top-sustainable destinations, 32 finalists have been selected by a Jury representing 12 international organisations. The Jury will announce the Best of Cities, Communities & Culture, the Best of Nature, the Best of Seaside, the Earth Award (for environment & climate), and also the best of each part of the world, e.g. Best of Europe.

7 March 2018 - 16:00-17:30 - Palais am Funkturm, ITB Berlin

At the end of the Awards ceremony, the organisers will unveil the World's Top 10 Sustainable Destinations: the world's ten Best-of-the Best destinations leading the way towards quality, attractiveness and sustainability in tourism. The Award Winners and the World's Top 10 provide the best practice experience for destination managers to involve their local communities in tourism, and to avoid overtourism problems as we have seen in Barcelona, Venice, and many other iconic places.

Local governments and protected areas have everything on the line to ensure tourism sustainability, but they were hardly visible in the larger tourism award schemes so far. This has now changed thanks to ITB Berlin, the world's leading Travel Trade Show. ITB provides its prime auditorium (Palais am Funkturm) to a new mainstream award scheme exclusively dedicated to destinations: the Sustainable Destinations Top 100 Awards. This is the most prestigious opportunity to showcase "green destinations" to the world and the media.

In addition to the Jury Awards, the audience will be asked to vote for the ITB Audience Prize. This poll will be done online, but it is restricted to those who attend the event.

Place and Time
Palais am Funkturm, ITB Berlin, 7 March 2018, 16:00-17:30h.

For the Finalists see: http://greendestinations.org/best-of-top100-awards/.

The Awards event is organized by ITB Berlin, Green Destinations, TravelMole's Vision on Sustainable Tourism, with the support of BookDifferent.com, and all other Top 100 Organising partners.

More about the Top100 Sustainable Destinations:

http://greendestinations.org/best-of-top100-awards

http://greendestinations.org/2018-top100
0 Comments

Book with a professional USA travel agent that has been to Romagna, seen it, tasted it... LOVED IT!

2/23/2018

0 Comments

 
These professional US travel agents have inspected Romagna and can help you get the best of the Best of Romagna! Click on the image to hear their views.
PictureAGENTS CHECKING IT OUT
New York State & Nationwide
Syracuse: Sally Fedrizzi (315) 471-1305
sally@vagabondtourandtravel.com
Vagabond Tour and Travel
www.vagabondtourandtravel.com
 
Connecticut
Avon: Mary Moretti 860-678-1407
hhtvl@yahoo.com
Huntington Hay Travel
 
Florida
Vero Beach: Diane Catenaci – 772-321-7378
diane.catenaci@frosch.com
Indian River Travel
http://www.froschvacations.com
 
Indiana
Indianapolis: Paula Ramo  317.894.4428
abetterwaytotravel@gmail.com
A Better Way to Travel, LLC
 
Maine
Portland: Evan McElligott – 207- 221- 5413
Longer Vacations
www.longervacations.com

Massachussets
Boston: Anita Scannell – 321-459-1990
anitascannell2@lycos.com
Brevard Travel
 
Nebraska
Omaha: Karen and Jack Pritchard 402-390-0909
Vacation Superstore
eTravelOmaha.com
 
New York State
Loudonville: Maria Crodelle & Maribeth Maloney (518)221-1559
Loudon Travel
www.loudontravel.com/
 
Oregon
Bend: Joanne Dalass – 541-388-0345
joanned@bendbroadband.com
Getaways Travel
 
Texas
San Antonio: Jo Anne Tuck (832) 721-6875
riverwoodtravel@gmail.com
Riverwood Travel
www.Riverwoodtravel.com
 
Washington DC
Stuart Carroll 202-543-8118
Carroll Travel
www.travelroom.com

0 Comments

Harvest-time FAM trips to the heart of Italy unveiled

2/14/2018

0 Comments

 
Picture
CLICK THE IMAGE TO SEE VIDEOS OF TRAVEL AGENTS ONSITE
Food, wine, culture & fun! Limited numbers of Travel Agents will experience the unspoiled Heart of Italy at fabulous fall festa time

Guests will visit the heart of Italy in fall and enjoy festivals, food, wine, fairytale castles, fun cooking course and great wine tastings. They will explore a secret corner of paradise between Venice and Florence, the Apennines and the Adriatic.
The FAM program has been repeated for 2018 following the incredible experiences of both agents and the first 2017 groups of clients.

Read the story so far of the extraordinary success of Best of Romagna - one of the world's top 100 green destinations HERE

Participating agents will... Join in a great joyous FESTA; Take part in an early morning foodie & culture tour in Bologna; Meet the people that make little Romagna one of the world's greatest opportunities for travel agents; Learn to cook a local speciality in "Italy's Best Cookery School"; Taste the region's great olive oils in a 500-year old olive grove; Try some of Italy's best wines in the extraordinarily beautiful surroundings of three superb vineyards; Taste delicious local prosciuttos, salamis, breads, cheeses and more; Experience the glistening 1500-year old basilicas and mosaics in ravishing Ravenna; Visit the fabulous mountaintop UNESCO World Heritage Republic of San Marino; Walk in Leonardo da Vinci's port - Venetian Cesenatico; See stunning fairytale hilltop castles and extraordinary views throughout Romagna; Visit Romagna's lovely art-cities and villages
Departures: 28 September , 5,12,19,26 October, 3 November, 2,9,16 November ex Bologna

Cost: $795 per travel agent (partners and spouses welcome - cost $895 subject to space). Single room supplement $300 - all 100% refundable on post-FAM business.

This is what 2016 FAM participants said: "My clients they deserve to see this part of Italy that's not really known and its beautiful" "Breathtaking mosaics - something you just can't imagine" "On every corner of the street there's a story and someone wanting to tell it to you" "After Rome it was so nice to be here without that craziness" "You see smiles, graciousness and you see fun - you want to be a part of it and its so easy"

Includes: Guided tour from Bologna, 1 night city centre Bologna hotel accommodation, 4 nights country house accommodation in Romagna. All meals, guided excursions specially-arranged tastings of local produce including food, wine, olive oils, a hands-on cookery class to make fabulous pasta and an informal workshop to understand the area - and its sales opportunities.

Eligible participants: Travel agents, tour operators, group organizers, and spouses/partners.

Space is strictly limited so please contact travelagents@bestofromagna.com as soon as possible.

Further information on Romagna FAMs HERE
Picture
0 Comments

The Planet is dying - what are we doing? Top100 sustainable destinations awards to be presented at ITB

2/14/2018

0 Comments

 
Picture
Sustainable destinations awards event will include Earth Award - the Planet is dying - what are we doing? - to be presented at the world's biggest travel trade fair.

Building on the 2017 Top100 Sustainable Destinations list, the Top 100 Jury will present 'Best of the Best' Awards in seven categories to selected destinations.

Special categories will include nature; culture; adventure; cities and communities; the seaside and, naturally, best for the planet. There will be a special award - "The Earth Award - the Planet is dying - what are we doing?"  

The event will be held on 7th March at 4pm in the Palais am Funkturm at ITB.

The Sustainable Destinations latest Top 100 was unveiled for the third year on World Tourism Day 2017. The listings celebrate the efforts of tourism destinations' responsible and sustainable tourism initiatives.

Top100 Sustainable Destinations is supported by 20 international sustainable tourism organizations.

The 2018 'Best of' the Best' awards will include;

  1. Best of Nature - for the Top100 destination showing global leadership in actively protecting its scenic views, natural habitats and wildlife, and showing respect for animals,
  2. Best of Culture- for Top100 destination showing global leadership in supporting the authentic celebration of local culture and tradition,.
  3. Best of Adventure - for the Top100 destination showing global leadership in offering sports & adventure opportunities.
  4. Best of Communities - for the Top100 destination showing global leadership in protecting its social fabric and sense of place, in involving its local community in tourism, and in avoiding human exploitation, human rights violation, and disruptive mass tourism (over-tourism).
  5. Best of Seaside - for the Top100 Destination showing global leadership in offering beach and water related leisure opportunities.
  6. The Earth Award - the Planet is dying - what are we doing? - for the Top100 destination doing the most to focus tourism on environmental sustainability and minimizing global transport emissions
  7. Best of  Planet- for the Top100 destinations showing international leadership and innovation in responsible and sustainable tourism.


    Further information on the Top100 Sustainable Destinations HERE:
0 Comments
<<Previous
Forward>>
Picture
Picture
© COPYRIGHT 2015. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.