Emilia Romagna suggested itineraries

As the locals will tell you, there is no better way to explore the beautiful Renaissance city of Ferrara, almost entirely closed to traffic, than by bike. We make our first stop at Ferrara's magnificently conserved, moated castle, from where the all-powerful d'Este family once exercised their rule over the city and surrounding territories. North of the castle, Corso Ercole I d'Este, the road named after Ercole I, leads all the way to the Porta degli Angeli and the city's impressive periphery walls, passing by the Palazzo dei Diamanti, named after the 8500 pink and white diamond shaped marble ashlars that stud its facade. The central Piazza Savonarola and the 2km long arched Via delle Volte, in the city's medieval quarter, should not be missed. At the end of May each year, Ferrara hosts a spectacular Palio, considered to be the oldest in the world, complete with costumed parades, flag throwing and horse and donkey races contested between the various contradas.

Tresigallo is a small town with a population of circa 5000 people. An experimental urban project, the town was constructed in 1930 according to rationalist architectural principals, and is often referred to as the City of the 20th century.

Once within the Po Delta Park, an area rich in protected areas, we take time to stop at the Po di Volano Nature Reserve, in which numerous foot and cycle paths have been created so as to allow visitors to best admire the incredible variety of plant and bird species.

Not far away, in the proximity of Codigoro, lies the Abbey of Pomposa. Founded by Benedictine monks around about the year 1000, Pomposa is one of Italy's most impressive monastic complexes, complete with 48 meter high bell tower, in which inserts of ceramic bowls from various parts of the Mediterranean can be seen. The refectory next to the Basilica contains three well conserved frescoes dating back to the 14th century.

From Pomposa, traveling back along the old Romea road, we reach Mesola, town in the province of Ferrara where the d'Este family had their summer residence. On the second floor of the 16th century Mesola Castle, there is a Center of Environmental Education, which serves as one of the Regional Park of the Po Delta visitor centers, where to find purpose built itineraries, libraries, and workshops.

Traveling south, we come to the peaceful lagoon town of Comacchio, fondly known as little Venice for its intricate network of canals and bridges. From Comacchio, visitors can make an excursion by motorboat along the Po Delta or join one of the boat trips through the Comacchio Valleys. The area is still dotted with numerous casoni: large huts traditionally used either as fishing or ambush stations.