The northern region of Emilia-Romagna is internationally known for its cuisine, but a quieter, more visually stunning treasure lies hidden in its hills, offering a perfect antidote to the country’s perpetually crowded coastal and metropolitan areas. This is an invitation to engage in “slow travel,” where the journey and the sense of place are the ultimate rewards.
The landscape near the small town of Brisighella is particularly striking. It feels as if a Renaissance master painted the very backdrop: dramatic, jagged rocky outcrops, the solitary elegance of ancient trees, and mysterious medieval towers. The mere approach to the town is an almost dreamlike, ethereal experience, immediately slowing the traveler’s pace.
Brisighella is uniquely structured to be an ideal home base for this kind of unhurried exploration. Its medieval heart consists of a maze of twisting lanes that weave between beautifully preserved stone homes. A highlight is the elevated walkway, which provides secluded vantage points for contemplating the town’s terracotta rooftops and the sweeping valley beyond.
From this base, the options are simple yet enriching: either strike out into the vast, open surrounding hills for a hike or choose to simply sit and absorb the profound layers of history and time etched into the town’s stones. The emphasis here is on being present, not on ticking off sights.
This hidden Italy is a collection of such retreats: there’s an off-grid eco-hotel in the Apennines where the digital noise of phones is silenced by the sheer crowd of stars; the working “little Venice” of Chioggia with its fishing boats; and the ancient Roman theatre of Urbs Salvia standing in solitude. Together, these places offer a profoundly personal and deeper connection to the true Italian spirit.