Emilia-Romagna: The Valleys of Wonders

Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli

Dedicated since 2012 to the great Marco Simoncelli and designed in 1969, the circuit near the lively Romagna coast has been the stage for the Motorcycle World Championship since 1980. The planet’s most famous and coveted motorcycle racing competition has seen MICHELIN as the sole tire supplier since 2016, and besides being the permanent home of the San Marino and Riviera di Rimini Grand Prix and the Superbike World Championship, the circuit organizes exciting track days when gentleman drivers can put their vehicles to the test between the curbs, tackling the iconic Sunset, Oak, and Wagon corners.

In 2024, the circuit’s graphics, designed by Aldo Drudi, who also designed the helmets of Valentino Rossi and many other MotoGP pilots, won the Compasso d’Oro, a prestigious and historic recognition from the Industrial Design Association.

MICHELIN Stops on the Romagnola Riviera

On the gastronomy side and scattered among beaches, historic centers, and hills, the signs of the MICHELIN Guide near Misano include starred restaurants, traditional venues, and inclusive establishments involved in social works. Among these stands out the Vite restaurant in Coriano, awarded a green star, where the menu draws from the crops and livestock of the approximately 280 hectares of San Patrignano land. To try “excellent fish cuisine,” MICHELIN inspectors instead recommend Le Vele on the Misano seafront “where dishes range between classic recipes and more modern ones.”

Another unmissable waterfront address is the historic starred Guido in Rimini, where the “celebration of Adriatic fish cuisine executed at high levels finds its expression in mantis shrimp au gratin, seafaring cuttlefish, mixed fried seafood, and open stuffed squid.”

And how not to mention – finally – Abocar Due Cucine: among the streets of the city center one “approaches” (this is what abocar means in Spanish) Mariano’s cuisine, whose Argentine origins, together with the decidedly globetrotter spirit in him and his partner Camilla, are expressed in a gourmet cuisine with original traits, uniting two different cultures but well harmonized in a unique style.

Stars and Chicanes: All the Charm of Imola

Climbing the eastern side of the peninsula along the A14, you reach the town of Imola, equally famous for its technical circuit open since 1953 and which, since 1988, has been called the Enzo and Dino Ferrari International Racetrack. Imola is one of the few F1 calendar circuits driven in the counterclockwise direction, and as happens in Misano, on certain days of the year the circuit is open to private drivers.

A short distance from the temple of Emilian speed stands San Domenico, a two-star MICHELIN restaurant “with timeless charm where the brilliant cuisine of Massimiliano Mascia proposes a ‘parade of specialties ranging from local to national, executed without upheaval but in reassuring dishes that aim above all to please, without following fashions and trends.’”

In the vicinity of the town and in the heart of the fifteenth-century village of Selva Malvezzi, the gourmet traveler can head to the Bib Gourmand Locanda Pincelli. Again just a few miles away, among the gentle hills of Imola, lies Dozza, a village that for 30 years has hosted the Biennial of Painted Walls and welcomes the Regional Wine Shop of Emilia-Romagna in its imposing Rocca.

Route Toward the Motor Valley

Having passed Bologna, itself home to delightful signs of the Michelin Man (see Al Cambio, I Portici and La Trattoria di Via Serra, to name just a few), it is time to visit the treasures of the Motor Valley distributed between Via Emilia and San Cesario sul Panaro. In Borgo Panigale stands the historic Ducati plant, the beating heart of the famous Italian motorcycle company. Next to the factory is the Ducati Museum, an iconic place where past and present meet to tell the history, innovation, and victories of a legendary brand. Among vintage motorcycles, prototypes, and trophies, the museum offers an emotional journey into the world of two wheels.

Having arrived at Sant’Agata Bolognese, the headquarters of Lamborghini Automobili and its museum present a fascinating retrospective of the past, present, and future of supercars through timeless masterpieces such as the Miura, Countach, Sesto Elemento, and Aventador.

With 3.08 billion euros in revenue in 2024, Lamborghini has confirmed itself as one of Italy’s most thriving and significant companies. High design applied to the art of speed is also the protagonist in the nearby headquarters of Pagani Automobili, an automotive atelier producing vehicles such as the Utopia Roadster and the Huayra Codalunga selling at 7 million euros.

Ferrari Territory

Venturing beyond the Panaro and passing through Spilamberto (epicenter of Modena balsamic vinegar, whose production of 100 million liters annually is 90% exported to 130 countries), you enter the magical land of Ferrari. The factory of dreams with a metaphysical aura is the beating heart of Maranello, and opposite it stands the Il Cavallino restaurant. A short distance from the building that houses the venue recommended by the MICHELIN Guide and led by Massimo Bottura, one hears echoes of V8s and V12s engaged on the Fiorano circuit.

The red epic continues in the Ferrari Museum, while along the ups and downs of the Pre-Apennine hills it is easy to encounter test drivers at the wheel of the coveted sports cars of the Prancing Horse. MICHELIN also contributes to the development of Ferrari road cars, having produced and continuing to produce custom-made tires for many Ferrari masterpieces, including the recent limited-series F80.

Stop in Modena Between Stars and Tridents

It was 1925 when Mario Maserati – a great art enthusiast – designed the Trident logo (emblem of the Roman god Neptune, whose statue can be admired in the piazza of the same name in Bologna), which since that day has adorned the Maserati vehicles. Automotive design enthusiasts and lovers of historic brands can admire specimens of the historic Emilian company at the Showroom & Flagship Store on Viale Ciro Menotti, appropriately positioned next to the historic factory.

Experiences not to be missed continue with cuisine, as Modena and its surroundings ensure many extraordinary tables illuminated by a shower of stars. Cult stops include L’Erba del Re, Al Gatto Verde, Osteria Francescana. The 3 keys assigned by the MICHELIN Guide to Casa Maria Luigia also stand out.

Global Excellences

Modena and surroundings are also the intersection point between the two wonderful valleys (Motor Valley and Food Valley) that within their perimeter incorporate elite sports cars and gastronomic products exported to the four corners of the globe. One of the most widespread in the latter category is Parma Ham recognizable by the Ducal Crown. The consortium numbers 126 companies, and in 2024, 6,700,000 prosciuttos were branded.

The supply chain today employs over 50,000 people, and the product finds an ideal accompaniment when paired with gnocco bread or gnocco fritto. The use of the food as a filling for tigelle, piadinas, and cresce is equally widespread. The most fervent enthusiasts of the product can visit the Parma Ham Museum in Langhirano.

The Great Emilian Cured Meats

In the chapter on Emilian cured meats, we cannot omit the highly prized Culatello di Zibello, considered the prince of Italian cured meats. The area around Parma is moreover the cradle of Felino Salami, the coppa of the same name, and the Cooked Shoulder of San Secondo. Coppa di testa is also produced in Modena and is often served with warm bread, mustard fruits, and a glass of Lambrusco.

To appreciate a carefully selected collection of regional cured meats prepared with artisanal methods, the MICHELIN Guide recommends Hosteria Giusti – a venue with just four tables “with high-quality proposals centered on Emilian traditions” – and La Locanda del Feudo in Castelvetro di Modena. The establishment is located in the “upper and ancient part of the picturesque village” and, according to the inspectors’ notes, “it is a romantic nest of imaginative and colorful cuisine that offers the tasting of the finest local cured meats.”

Record Numbers for the King of Cheeses

Parmigiano Reggiano from the hilly landscapes between Modena, Parma, and Reggio Emilia naturally participates in the review of gastronomic delicacies of the Food Valley. In this case, the consortium dates back to 1934 and, in 2024, the product reached a record turnover of 3.2 billion euros. Exports simultaneously approached 48.7% of market share. Production, which requires approximately 16 liters of milk for 1kg of cheese, amounts to around 4 million wheels annually.

Art and Science of Composite Materials

In San Cesario sul Panaro, in the province of Modena, stands the headquarters of Pagani Automobili, one of the most exclusive automotive companies in the world. Founded by Horacio Pagani, the company is celebrated for its artisanal hypercars, which unite cutting-edge engineering, refined design, and innovative materials such as carbon fiber. Visiting the Pagani plant means entering a world where every detail is cared for with passion and precision, a symbol of Italian excellence in the automotive sector.

Located in the northern extension of the Motor Valley, Dallara Automobili (since 1972) has established itself over the years as one of the most important companies in the field of composite materials. The Varano dè Melegari company (home to the circuit of the same name), which houses the factory, offices, and the interesting exhibition area, is a reference name in the design, development, and production of single-seaters as well as high-performance automobiles. Dallara is the sole supplier for some of the most important motorsport championships such as IndyCar, Indy Lights, Formula 2, Formula 3, EuroFormula, Formula E, and Super Formula. The list should also include vehicles made for WEC rallies and IMSA endurance races. For a tasty epilogue of the itinerary in the vicinity of Dallara Automobili, the MICHELIN Guide recommends the Bib Gourmand La Mariella in Calestano as well as Trattoria Ceriati and Osteria del Castellazzo, both in Salsomaggiore Terme.

Cover: Prosciutto of Parma, Eugenia Lucasenco-iStock

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