A Journey to Discover the Seaside Villages of Emilia Romagna: An Adventure for the Whole Family
Are you a sea lover? Are your children crazy about adventures and pirate stories? This itinerary is designed especially for you: a family-friendly trip to discover the maritime tradition of Emilia Romagna and the upper Adriatic Sea. A unique experience in six villages where knowledge of navigation, the sea and fishing has reached its peak: Bellaria-Igea Marina, Borgo San Giuliano, Cattolica, Cervia, Cesenatico and Comacchio.
Bellaria Igea Marina: Between Pirate History and Family Relaxation
Bellaria Igea Marina, an ancient seaside town, boasts the presence of a Watchtower, the Saracen Tower, which in the past served to defend the town from the raids of Saracen pirates. A perfect place to breathe together with your children an atmosphere rich in history and adventure. Today, Bellaria Igea Marina is a modern and charming town, ideal for spending family holidays, thanks to the friendliness of its inhabitants and its strategic position, which allows you to easily reach cities such as Ravenna, Ferrara, Venice, Rimini, Urbino and Florence.
Nature and Fun in Bellaria Igea Marina
- Walk along the Uso River cycle path: A 10 km cycle/pedestrian path that winds along the river, reaching the nearby town of San Mauro Pascoli.
- Mulberry Park: The green lung of the city, composed of 25 hectares of Mediterranean scrub and tall trees.
Borgo San Giuliano (Rimini): A Dive into Fellini's Cinema
Born around the year 1000 near the mouth of the Marecchia River, Borgo San Giuliano is one of the villages that gave birth to the city of Rimini, where you and your children can experience the atmosphere of Federico Fellini's great cinema. The narrow streets and typical houses of seaside villages have become real canvases of art that portray scenes from his most famous films. Every year, Borgo San Giuliano celebrates its ancient tradition with the "Feste de Borg".
Cattolica: Between History, Sea and Hospitality
Founded on August 16, 1271, Cattolica is renowned for its vocation for hospitality and is one of the major seaside tourism centers in Italy. For a visit dedicated to history and love for the sea, we recommend visiting the Museo della Regina, which houses finds from the Roman-Republican era and a section dedicated to the Navy. After a walk along the seafront, head towards La Rocca, a beautiful historic building erected in 1491 with the function of controlling clandestine maritime trade.
Cervia: Between Salt Pans, History and Fun Suspended Between the Trees
Cervia, once located among the marshy areas near the Adriatic Sea, was moved closer to the sea to a healthier place, following the numerous requests of the population. In that period, the Salt Warehouse and the Defense Tower were built, buildings that can still be admired today. The Salt Warehouses host numerous exhibitions and the MUSA (Salt Museum), while the San Michele Tower and the Cathedral represent the symbols of the city.
- Boat trip in the salt pans: An evocative experience, ideal for admiring the landscape, practicing birdwatching and enjoying the tastings and initiatives for children that are organized.
- Cerviavventura Park: Children will be able to experience an extraordinary adventure suspended among the pine trees of the park.
Cesenatico: Between the Leonardesco Port, the Maritime Museum and the Memory of Marco Pantani
Cesenatico, founded in 1303 as a small fortified port, has been destroyed and rebuilt several times over the centuries. In 1502, Leonardo Da Vinci, commissioned by Cesare Borgia, designed improvements that made the port a safe haven also from a strategic point of view. Among the essential stops to visit, we find:
- The Leonardo Canal Port: It still retains its main features today.
- The Pantani Space: The museum dedicated to the memory of cycling champion Marco Pantani.
- The Maritime Museum: Perhaps the only floating naval museum in Italy.
- The Madwoman of Preserves: So called because of the presence of preserves or ice caves, ancient deep wells used for food preservation.
Comacchio: The Little Venice of the Po Delta
Comacchio is located in the middle of the lagoon of the same name, between the Po di Volano and the Po di Comacchio, thanks to the union of 13 small islands formed at the mouth of the Po di Primario with the sea. The town still maintains its architecture and its characteristic canals, which have earned it the nickname "Little Venice". The village is entirely within the Po Delta Park, which gives it an extraordinary naturalistic attraction.
What to Visit in Comacchio
- The Trepponti Complex: The symbol of the town.
- The Capuchin Loggia.
- The Ancient Delta Museum: It illustrates the evolution of the territory.
- The Museum of the Valleys: An open-air museum that combines history and nature.
- The Marinated Manufactory: A museum that tells an important piece of the city's economic and gastronomic history.
