26 The Essentials: Emilia-Romagna, Italy

The EssentialsEuropeItaly
Written By Whitney Shindelar

Emilia-Romagna is one of Italy’s most rewarding yet overlooked regions, where world-famous culinary traditions, historic cities, and cultural depth create a destination Travel Advisors can confidently position for curious, food-loving clients. In this episode, Marilena Barberi, founder of Italy with Class, shares an insider perspective on how Travel Advisors can bring this region to life for their clients. The conversation explores the region’s defining experiences, from Parmesan and balsamic vinegar tastings to cooking classes, historic walking tours in Bologna, and the supercar culture of Motor Valley. Along the way, Marilena highlights lesser-known gems such as Ravenna’s Byzantine mosaics, San Marino’s hilltop republic, and Italy’s beloved Adriatic beach resorts. Travel Advisors will leave this episode with a clearer framework for designing multi-day itineraries that balance food, culture, and unique regional experiences.

Key Takeaways

  • How to structure a 4–7 night Emilia-Romagna itinerary around Food Valley, Motor Valley, and Bologna’s historic center

  • Which culinary experiences to prioritize, from Parmigiano Reggiano dairies to traditional balsamic vinegar producers

  • When to include cooking classes, market visits, and food tours to deepen clients’ understanding of regional cuisine

  • How to position Ravenna, San Marino, and Rimini as compelling add-ons for art, history, or coastal relaxation

  • Why Emilia-Romagna works best for repeat Italy travelers seeking authentic, less-touristed cultural experiences

About the guest: 

Marilena Barberi is the founder of Italy with Class, a boutique destination management company specializing in tailor-made luxury travel across Italy. Based in Italy, she works closely with Travel Advisors to design deeply immersive itineraries that highlight authentic culture, gastronomy, and local expertise. Through her work, Marilena helps advisors introduce clients to regions beyond the classic Italian circuit while maintaining seamless logistics and insider access.

Links and Resources:

Learn more about Italy with Class
Follow Italy with Class in Instagram

Whitney Shindelar

Undiscovered Sunsets was a long time in the making, even if I myself didn’t realize it. During my time at the University of Northern Iowa, I studied abroad in New Zealand. Upon graduating, I bought a one-way ticket to France, lived with a French family and studied with classmates from Turkey, China, Russia, Germany, Italy, and everywhere in between. In 2010 I began teaching English as a foreign language. This job quickly took me to China, where English teachers were in high demand and within three years, I began working in a 5-star hotel, speaking Mandarin throughout most of my day. In total, I lived abroad for 7 years.

I consider Undiscovered Sunsets to be the perfect mélange of my personal experience traveling the world and my professional experience working in the hospitality industry.

I look forward to designing your next adventure!

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