Real tourism – somewhere new, different, undiscovered, glorious, affordable

New project launched in (shhhhh the next Tuscany?)

Romagna really has so much to attract visitors, possibly too much. So when the coastal areas including Rimini, Riccione, Cattolica and Cesenatico opened their doors to mass tourism in the 1960’s their success was so great that the future of the area seemed totally secure.

As it happened within a decade foreign visitors discovered new (and cheaper) places – Turkey, Kenya, Egypt, Thailand, so the Romagna Riviera settled down to a domestic Italian business with the occasional foreign visitor. Forays were made into the Russian market but that has now nearly disappeared and the regional seaside airport has all but closed down.

Beach tourism is extremely seasonal and Italian family holidays tend to concentrate on just July and August.

Of course the seaside is wonderful, safe and beautiful and with all the glitz and glamour and fashion that is associated with Italy.

But actually, the area’s golden opportunities are in the hills and in the countryside. Just like its neighbor Tuscany, the Romagna hills are romantic and gorgeous.

All the way from Florence to the Adriatic coast there is heart-stoppingly beautiful scenery. Mountaintop castles abound, soaring hills rise from verdant valleys and rivers idle their way to the sea. Moreover Romagna is an area that more than anywhere in Italy is chock-full of food and drink.

So the few foreign visitors that now arrive in Romagna also quickly discover its glorious wine, extraordinarily good food, amazing variety of festivals, authentic and stylish accommodation and heartfelt hospitality that comes from being untouched by commercial mass tourism.

The fact is that, at the moment, Romagna is better than Tuscany – more authentic, better food, much more affordable prices, even more castles. And now Tuscany (and particularly Florence) is ram crammed full of low-benefit visitors – adjacent Romagna provides a breath of fresh air away from hordes of mass tourists.

And a new project has been unveiled to introduce a limited number of visitors to really authentic world class local Romagna experiences without diminishing the quality and the kindness of the welcome – or reduce the value that the guests take home.

A team of 24 locals (and adopted locals!) including people running vineyards hotels, spas and tourist attractions plus bakers, poets, musicians, artists and guides – even a film director – have got together to offer something really special.

Their common characteristic is that they are passionate about what they do, they truly love their homeland and they really want to share some really special experiences with visitors.

They want to offer visitors an experience of the Best of Romagna this autumn and next spring.

Through bona fide travel agents, naturally .

Now, Best of Romagna are looking for the 25th team member – you could become a temporary Romagna citizen. Why not be a part of it! HERE

Meet the team HERE

See their new website HERE

Download free agents suggestions (10% minimum agents commission) HERE

And of course there are FAM trips – see article HERE

A little taste of Romagna HERE

Valere Tjolle

@ValereTjolle [email protected]