Sold locally in traditional red and yellow tins, eels have been farmed on the Po Delta and prepared this way in vinegar since the Middle Ages. READ MORE: 6 reasons to visit Brescia in northern ItalyĪn ancient food tradition that still thrives today in Comacchio is that of the marinated eel or anguilla marinata. Pitch up a seat at one of the waterfront cafes, order an espresso, kick back and watch the world go by. The historic centre is crisscrossed by canals and ancient stone bridges, and from time to time, a wooden boat drifts along the water. Arriving at this serene, sleepy spot is like falling into a watercolour painting. Nowadays, there’s a more relaxed pace of life here. In the Western Roman Empire, Comacchio became an important naval port in the Adriatic Sea and one of the main points of trade in North Italy. Located just north of Ravenna, Little Venice, as it’s known, was created by joining 13 islands on the Po River together. Beat the touristsįancy Venice but without the jostling crowds of tourists? Visit the romantic village of Comacchio instead. The barman there is a cocktail wizard – order the Monte Tiki with rum and peach. If you’re after something a little different, pull up a chair on the waterfront at Henua in Cervia and try the chicken and coconut balls, just be careful not to fall into the perilously-close canal. For a traditional offering of salami, prosciutto and mortadella, drop by Casa Spadoni in the centre of Ravenna. Typically taken between 6pm and 8pm, an aperitivo usually consists of salty snacks and drinks – often alcohol – enjoyed before an evening meal. Become an aperitivo afficionadoĪperitivo is serious business in Italy, and Ravenna is no exception. Other notable historic sites within the city include the tomb of beloved poet Dante Alighieri and the Mausoleum of Galla Placidialies, while the 6th-century Basilica di Sant’Apollinare in the small village of Classe on the outskirts of Ravenna is well worth venturing out to as well. This rich ancient tradition still carries on thanks to contemporary mosaic studios like KOKO Mosaico who keep the craft alive through exhibitions, demonstrations and courses. A celebrated UNESCO monument, its spectacular dome and surrounding walls are adorned with frescoes and the city’s signature artform, mosaics – wander through Ravenna and you’ll see mosaic street plaques and even mosaic traffic cones and road signs. Your first port of call has to be the sublime Basilica di San Vitale, which dates all the way back to 525 AD. Once the capital of the Western Roman Empire, Ravenna is a treasure trove of Byzantine artefacts. Take a dip in the warm, glistening water or soak up the sun shoreside and revel in the peace and quiet. A small, stylish resort town to the south of Ravenna, the beachfront runs parallel to the main coastal road of Lungomare Grazia Deledda. READ MORE: La dolce vita – a perfect weekend in Parmaįor a change of scenery, hop a train just down the coast to Cervia – it takes a little over 15 minutes. If you’re staying in the centre of Ravenna, it’s a twenty-minute car journey – alternatively, you can catch the number 70 bus. Find your own piece of paradiseĬradled by the sea, Ravenna enjoys some of the most exquisite beaches in Italy. Marina di Ravenna, the oldest seaside resort on this part of the coast, is your one-stop-shop for glittering stretches of sugar-white sand, flanked by some of the best seafood restaurants in the area. Here's why you should make it top on your travel list. With captivating history, breathtaking landscapes and sumptuous local delicacies in abundance, it’s hard not to fall for this charming region. Stretching from the Po Delta Park in the north to the glittering ocean in the south, Ravenna and the smaller towns along the Adriatic Coast have taken something of a backseat on the tourism itinerary in comparison to the busier hotspots in Emilia-Romagna.īut while the crowds may flock to the likes of Bologna, Parma and Rimini, the idyllic stretch offers a quiet haven away from the large bustling cities. Ancient architecture, exquisite gastronomy and dazzling white-sand beaches await in this enchanting region in northern Italy
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