Travel agents and journalists say Romagna we adore

Treated to astonishing hospitality, great sights and tastes – noted US food and wine journalist said "Romagna sure kicks Tuscany’s ass!"

US travel agents and journalists put their enthusiastic stamp of approval on the scenery, history, hospitality and food and wine of Romagna.

The ancient little region known as the ‘Heart of Italy’ between Venice and Florence, the Apennine mountains and the Adriatic sea certainly worked its magic on them.

On a whistle-stop tour of Romagna’s hilltop and seaside highlights the group of travel agents and journalists from all over the US tasted the delights of this cornucopia of food, wine and hospitality.

Hosted by Best of Romagna, US travel trade personalities from as far apart as Arizona and New York,  Seattle and San Francisco were delighted by Romagna’s enormous tourism offer in a region less than the size of Rhode Island!

The group tasted Brisighella’s distinctive DOC olive oil, Bertinoro’s ancient wines and Cervia’s sea salt amongst a vast variety of other delicacies.

In the space of just 5 days the happy participants, learned how mosaics were created to last 2,000 years, surveyed the views from no less that three mountaintops, experienced fabulous wine in three great wineries, and experienced for themselves the fabulous Romagna tourism offer.

But more importantly they were welcomed and greeted by mayors, councilmen and women, vineyard owners, hoteliers and chefs in communities all over Romagna and treated to a quality of hospitality that has almost been forgotten, even in Europe.

In the fabulous World Heritage site of Ravenna   they experienced glorious 1500-year old mosaics and jewel-box basilicas – and learnt how these ever-young mosaics are still made from a great mosaicist . And they were treated to a personal visit to the home of a local flour miller – a full-blown city palazzo complete with art collection, classic cars and gorgeous garden.

At ancient hilltop Brisighella, they enjoyed an exclusive visit to the latest culinary initiative – a cutting-edge rare-breed pig-rearing farm set in beautiful countryside.  And, in the historic centre of Brisighella,  they tasted the unique Brisighella Olive Oils

Bertinoro is an exceptional wine-growing village on a citadel-topped mountain, host to an unique museum of Christian, Muslim and Jewish life. The group enjoyed a splendid lunch as guests of ‘The roads of Wine and Taste of the Cesena and Forli Hills’ with glorious views at Bertinoro’s signature restaurant and wine museum Ca de Be. Naturally after lunch wine was tasted at a brand new vineyard – Tenuta Diavoletto and a historic vineyard Fattoria Paradiso

And on the final action-packed day the participants visited the historic salt-port of Cervia   followed by stunning hill-town of Longiano , where some enjoyed a superb alfresco lunch at Ca Guidi – specially prepared by chef-owner Guilberto   whilst others enjoyed a splendid lunch at the Michelin-rated Dei Cantoni prepared by chef-owner Danilo. After lunch a walking tour included the extraordinary views from the castle and a guided tour of its amazing art collection.

A visit to the stunning mountaintop Republic of San Marino   and a tasting of its superb wines at the Local Wine Consortium  rounded off the day.

Except for a light local fish meal and a sensational gelato in the beautiful port of Cesenatico where Leonardo da Vinci surveyed the colourful, historic port-canal in much the same way as happy visitors do now.

The visit was summed up in colourful fashion by noted food and wine journalist Janice Nieder. "Romagna sure kicks Tuscany’s ass!

Accommodation and amazing hospitality was at the Green Tourism  4 star country Relais Villa Roncuzzi.

Valere Tjolle

@ValereTjolle

Further details about Romagna at http://www.BestofRomagna.com and at http://www.Facebook.com/BestofRomagna

And another opportunity for journalists, bloggers, travel agents and tour operators to visit Romagna at festival-time HERE

And how you can use TravelMole Vision on Sustainable Tourism to make YOUR green destination visible HERE

And there’s more about this fabulous destination: Put the Christmas back into Christmas.  Follow the Christmas star…   Discover the Heart of Italy   – Fireflies, Cherries and Soaring Hills – Tourism attraction from scrap  Romagna – Very Hot Metal   – Dancing in the Piazza  – Meet Romagna’s Cast    – Mayday Mayday – Romagna’s got it covered  – Kite festival   – Green and very pleasant land gets even greener