A Journey to discover Romagna Cuisine

Duration: 3 days

Itinerary: about 80km, from Ravenna to Rimini, with a stop inland

Equipment: a top-case for souvenirs and everything you need for a day at the beach

The sun is shining; there's the sea, people, a lot of fun, and of course the piadina. Romagna is undoubtedly known for its artisan kiosks which prepare this wonderful traditional specialty filling it with the best cold cuts of the region and the unique squacquerone, a fresh and very creamy cheese. But its gastronomic repertoire goes well beyond the piadina, and to discover it, get on the Vespa for three days of culinary exploration.

Start in Ravenna at La Veneziana pastry shop to taste a superb dessert: Torta Teodora, prepared with local pine nuts, as well as ingredients that recall the ties of the city with the East, such as almonds and cinnamon. A coffee to finish and then off for a morning dedicated to art; Ravenna is famous worldwide for its basilicas and museums that host incredible mosaics, under UNESCO World Heritage Patrimony. To visit them, you can buy a combined ticket dispensed by the Opera di Religione della Diocesi di Ravenna, the hospitality agency that manages the preservation of these masterpieces.

Begin with the Mausoleum of Galla Placida, where the charming cobalt blue mosaic tiles blend with a dome of gold stars, leaving you speechless. Continue your visit to the nearby Basilica of San Vitale, built in the fifth century AD, one of the first examples of early Christian art. End your morning at the Neonian Baptistery, an impressive, octagonal plant building and keeper of other wonderful mosaics.

If all this art has made you a bit hungry, sit down at a table in the Trattoria La Rustica, and try some of the excellent local cuisine: bruciatini with balsamic vinegar – a dish of peasant origins, usually prepared with sautéed bacon, balsamic vinegar and radicchio – or passatelli pasta with meat stock, ragù cappelletti or potato tortelli with walnut sauce. As a second course, there’s Romagna-style cooked rabbit. End with a delicious coffee to help you stay awake. In the afternoon, visit the Duomo, the Basilica of Saint Francis and the unmissable tomb of Dante Alighieri – the great poet, among the fathers of the Italian language.

Get on the Vespa and head towards Milano Marittima, where you will spend your first night. The journey will take more or less half an hour and you should leave your backpacks at the Isabella Bed & Breakfast, a charming property where you will find a welcoming atmosphere. Time to chill out, have a shower, and maybe take a little stroll to see the shops in the centre of this popular tourist destination. For dinner, get a table at the Sale Grosso seafood restaurant. Enjoy the fresh fish tartare, then have a drink at one of the nightlife bars in the centre of Milano Marittima.

The next morning, after a hearty breakfast and perhaps a side trip to the beach, continue the journey on your Vespa inland. Head towards Savignano sul Rubicone, where a guided tour of the Spalletti Colonna di Paliano winery awaits you. Here, you will discover all the secrets of the Sangiovese di Romagna production, and charming local wines like the Pagadebit. Visit the vineyards and the cellars of the Ribano Castle, with the opportunity for a wine tasting, but since you will soon get back on the saddle, don’t exaggerate. Stock up on local products such as olive oil and balsamic vinegar.

Next up: Rimini. To treat yourselves, book a room at the Grand Hotel Rimini, the historic luxury resort set in the Parco Federico Fellini. The city is also full of cute little hotels and considerably cheaper B&Bs, thus making it easy to choose. Before diving into the nightlife of the city, grab a bite at Piada & Cassoni da Ciana e Monda – a local institution serving piada and cassoni prepared to perfection.

The next day, discover the Mercato Centrale Coperto. Wander around the stalls and admire the amazing variety of quality products, especially the selection of fresh fish and traditional specialties. This is the right place to buy your souvenirs. Since you are at the seaside, dedicate a day to the beach and a lunch break of Romagna-style fish skewers, with grilled breaded baby squid and shrimp. For dinner, pay a visit to the Tanimodi restaurant in Riccione – a lovely setting, overlooking the sea, where you can relax with fried and barbequed specialties, to end your tour in Romagna in the most pleasant way.