Green Romagna riviera – land of blue, gold, green and now silver

True family hospitality offered to guests like it was – once upon a time

The Romagna Riviera stretches its sunbleached sands for over 50 kilometres of the blue Adriatic Sea. From the enormous Po Valley Nature Reserve all the way to Rimini, the golden sands are backed by a green carpet of gloriously shady pine woods. And now in pretty resorts the colours are turning to silver too as many superb hotels are gaining Green Tourism Silver awards for their excellence in green hospitality.

Why is this such an area of green tourism distinction? To find out we visited a few of these superb tourism businesses and each one had a fascinating, unusual and very hospitable story…

We found that it is not just energy-saving, renewable energy systems, waste management, local food and business linkages, environmental experiences for kids, local excursions and free bicycles although all these and more initiatives are practiced by each of these establishments. But each also adds a real dedication to warm hospitality, going the extra mile and an exceptionally unique holiday experience that you will truly find nowhere else.

At these tourism businesses, prepare for the unexpected, because it will delight you!

Villa Gaia is set on the beach in the lovely little resort of San Mauro Mare. During the First World War, the grandfather of the current host – Sandro Campana – was taken prisoner and sent to Germany. Coming back to Italy after the war, he let the family home to a new breed of tourists – German holidaymakers. He brought back his captors to warm Italy – whilst the family lived in makeshift accommodation. Constant improvements have made this small boutique hotel one of the most delightful – and one of the oldest – in the resort. Each room is different and unique and each benefits from personal touches, which are apparent all over the hotel, in décor, the ambiance, in food and drink and in warm, hospitable service.

Sandro’s brother was an internationally-famous artist and architect and Stefano’s works now adorn the hotel’s public areas. After his untimely death the community honoured him by dedicating a local park to his memory.

The small hotel oozes charm and warmth and Sandro’s dream – to be full of happy guests from many countries sharing great holiday experiences – is well on the way to being achieved. Every summer Sandro takes families for adventures on the sea in his own hand-made wooden boat – so that they can all be kids again.

It’s difficult to categorise the Hotel Missouri in the lovely little resort of Bellaria. Dad Magnani is a well-known local bassist who has been strumming away with top local and international pop stars for years, his mum had a local milk round combined with a passion for lovely materials, which she traded. So a well-known local family with a passion for entertainment, beauty and top ingredients who set up a superb hotel by the sea. And now the next generation – in the form of Leonardo and Delia are running the hotel that their family created. Their passion? Simply hospitality. There is almost nothing that this pair will not do to make their guests comfortable, whoever they are and wherever they come from. Born and brought up in the hotel, they see it as their work and art to leave no stone unturned ensuring their guests happiness.

It’s a classic seaside hotel with lots and lots of extras, heated indoor swimming pool, gym and solarium, wifi, great restaurant with regional cuisine, but more important than all that – a quality of hospitality, care and concern for their guests well being that is quite remarkable

Two week’s menus proudly displayed by chef Andrea of the Anastasi Hotel

Right in the heart of Cervia is a superb new white hotel – spotlessly clean and delightfully sparkling. Here, close to the beach, the Anastasi family offer what could be described as the ultimate in hospitality perfection – the Hotel Anastasi. Of course the three star hotel has three star facilities but what it lacks in stars it certainly makes up in the love that has been lavished by each one of the family in each and every aspect of the hotel – décor, reception, style and commitment.

As it happens father Anastasi has done much of the work himself with his own hands – using local wood for floors and walls using delightful design quirks such as starry bedroom ceilings. It all makes happy guests smile.

But the commitment to excellence is no better displayed at the Anastasi than in the kitchen where Andrea (the husband of daughter-of-the-house Giorgia Anastasi) reigns supreme. Planning a complex fortnight of 3 daily meals, all highlighting the extraordinary range of land and sea harvests and Andrea’s amazing skills, is a massive task. And one he succeeds in with great aplomb – having won many local, regional and national awards. It is true to say that Andrea’s cuisine from his cake and tart breakfast bakes through his innovative light-touch fish cookery to his extraordinary dinners would be notable in a five-star restaurant.

Combined with a pretty 3 star hotel and three star prices, it would be unbelievable in any other situation. And the ability to deal with all kinds of diets – simply sensational. And it’s not just food – ecovacations for kids, walks in the pine forests that surround Cervia, baby-changing facilities, lights that go off with the sun – here at the Anastasi there is thoughtful hospitable innovation everywhere.

Just down the road from historic Cervia is the up-to-the-minute resort of Milano Marittima with its swish boutiques, posh restaurants and colourful nightlife. Created as a garden city by the sea by wealthy Milanese families just a century ago, MiMa, as it’s locally known certainly lives up to its fashionable image. It’s as stylish and chic as anywhere in the Med. And it has designer hotels to match.

Such an hotel is the truly delightful 3 star Hotel Luxor. As soon as it comes into sight, you can’t avoid smiling – it’s like a lovely flower – not surprising as its owner has a prize-winning flower and plant growing business in MiMa.

Most guests enter with a smile, are greeted with a smile, and as they explore their surroundings their smiles usually widen. There is, of course, a sensationally-beautiful garden (which won the coveted local gold award) the rooms, corridors and public spaces are lovely, and of course, the rooms are delightful.

Then, of course there is the food – no more beautiful (or smiley!) breakfast could be dreamed of – unless of course you enjoyed the hotel Luxor’s brunch – a true work of art.

To create all these smiles of course requires dedication and time, elements that the whole Brunelli family have to excess. Just 4 minutes to the beach, all rooms with private balconies, free bikes (naturally), water aerobics, yoga and massages – what’s more to smile about?

From the swimming pool on the rooftop of the Hotel Sorriso, you can see the unique situation of lovely Lido di Classe. The sea stretches out towards the east and Slovenia. To the north, you can see the woods of the fabulous Classe pine forests, the ancient port of Classe and byzantine Ravenna. To the south the wide golden beach is visible almost all the way to Rimini. And in the west, you can see the green, green fertile plain that stretches to the foothills of the Apennines and the mountains beyond. What a place for a swim, or a drink or just a gaze!

Clearly Lido di Classe’s situation was what attracted the whole family here from Rimini, and their first hotel, aptly named ‘Smile’ which they have made their own – and which exudes the warmth and comfort of their own hospitable smiles. Take one of their complimentary bikes to explore the forests, view Ravenna, or Classe’s world heritage sites or a visit to the fascinating and enormous natural park.  But come back for dinner- you can be sure of a treat each and every night.

And if you want something just a little different, why not try the family’s new boutique-hotel offer – the Hotel Krone – just a few metres away on the beach, the Krone has a superb setting. A walk through the pines brings you to their own private beach where you can spend the day relaxing and sunning yourself – between pinewood walks, of course and bicycle trips to a cornucopia of local attractions. But don’t forget to come back for dinner or you’ll be missing a treat. The chef at the Krone is not only superb, but the hotel prides itself in knowing all of its guest’s preferences and making sure that they are fulfilled. That’s REALLY old-style family service showcasing the 0kilometre home-made food that they are so rightly proud of at both the Krone and the Sorriso.

If you’ve never tried a Piadina, then your missing something special. It embodies Romagnolo history, culture, society, economy and environment in a flatbread which has risen to the summit of cuisine with a protected DOP label. It’s simply the cherry on Romagna’s enormous culinary heritage. The fact is, in Romagna, you don’t argue with Piadina – you argue about it – thicker thinner, harder saltier, everyone has their preference. And to get the best, the most organic, the most delicious, the best-filled Piadina – you go to Luana’s Piadineria,

When we visited we chose a nettle Piadina from a list of dozens of organic, freshly cooked interesting others. Sounds simple? That day, Luana has painstakingly hand-picked the best, the freshest, terderest, greenest nettles. Luana has carefully cleaned and washed them and swiftly cooked in just a finger of water, she’s added them to her own organically-hand-made freshly cooked Piadina – and you have a simple succulent treat. No messing about, just the freshest, local-est ingredients for Luana’s perfect Piadina. It’s no wonder she has a Green Tourism Award – nothing could be more sustainable. Read interestring news about Piadina HERE 

US Travel agents say Romagna 2016 we adore:, awesome and very, very green was the verdict of a group of US travel agents after an amazing FAM visit – read more HERE

Valere Tjolle

@ValereTjolle [email protected]

See also:

Another $multimillion tourism destination opportunity

Key green tourism destination & branding seminar for autumn Italy

2017 green trade opportunity unveiled