The 10 Best Hidden Gems Things to do in Emilia-Romagna, Italy

Production of Traditional Balsamic Vinegar of Modena and Balsamic Condiment. The Villa of Vinegar in Modena On March 14th 1910 the project of the Villa was submitted on behalf of Lieutenant Claudio San Donnino. It was later to become an exquisite example of Emilia Romagna "liberty". Frescoes and decorations by Aroldo Bonzaghi (1887-1918) with evocative and voluptuous "dannunzian" allegories generate a magical atmosphere. In that extraordinary place, Davide and Cristina invite you to taste special products of Villa San Donnino.

Cantina il Poggio is a winery located inside Tenuta il Poggiolo, a 28 hectares estate. We produce both still and sparkling wines from our traditional grapes such as Malvasia di Candia Aromatica, Barbera, Bonarda and international varieties like Chardonnay, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. During the the visit we show the vineyards and the winery, explaining our winemaking techniques. Finally is possible to taste all the different wines we produce (from sparkling white to oak aged red)paired with traditional local food like 30 months Parmigiano, our extra-virgin olive oil, Prosciutto crudo di Parma and Culatello di Zibello. The Tasting takes place in our characteristic tasting room, that used to be an helicopter hangar, with a stunning view over the vineyards and our green hills. To fully enjoy the visit is even possible to take a walk through the vineyards and the olive grove to our private lake, and witness the magnificent scenario of our landscape.

Acetaia giusti is the oldest producer of Balsamic Vinegar of Modena, founded in 1605. Nowadays, the company is run by the 17th generation of the Giusti family. A history of more than 400 years full of awards received during the World Exhibitions of the late ‘800s. Among them: the 14 gold medals and the Coat of Arms of the Royal House of Savoia that now characterize the labels of our bottles. The Giusti Balsamic Vinegar collections are available in the most exclusive restaurants and shops in Italy and worldwide.

Cheese factory producing handcrafted Parmesan cheese since 1965. Opportunity to visit the factory and to attend at milk transformation from the curd to the round of Parmesan cheese. Tasting point.

Explore the private home Pavarotti built in his beloved hometown, transformed by the Pavarotti Foundation into a museum housing his exceptional collection of personal items, unseen memorabilia, costumes and awards gathered throughout his artistic career.

Against the extraordinary backdrop of the 16th-century wall paintings that decorate the building, the Museo di Palazzo Poggi reconstructs the paths of research and education that gave Bologna its sterling scientific reputation in the modern age: the Ulisse Aldrovandi Museum, the Ferdinando Cospi Collection, the collections amassed by Luigi Ferdinando Marsili, and the furnishings and instruments that belonged to the 18th-century Istituto delle Scienze.Based on 18th-century documentation and the scientific production of those who played a leading role during an extraordinary period in Italian culture, the museum brings a substantial part of Bologna’s scientific collections back to its 18th-century venue. It recreates the setting and system of relationships that made these collections an important part of the “scientific mentality” of the era, transforming them into essential documents that now allow us to interpret the modern scientific culture.

The MIC offers a complete vision of the ceramic cultures belonging to any age and place; pieces from the Far and Middle East, from South America and all Europe allow the visitors to have a unique experience. It was founded in 1908 and now it preserves more than 60.000 ceramics, from antiquity to nowadays, all housed in great and suggestive architectural spaces. Ceramic masterpieces from the Renaissance, works by Picasso, Matisse, Chagall, Leger, Burri, Fontana and other innumerable examples of excellence, make the MIC a unique museum in the world.