ITALY - Europe by Eurail 2015: Touring Europe by Train - page 346

after the 11th century. Marvelous Etruscan and Roman examples of history can be
seen at the Civic Archaeology Museum.
An economically strong region, with the nation's highest employment rate,
Emilia-Romagna holds the uncontested title of the “richest gastronomic region in
Italy.” Endless strings of sausages and thousands of cheese varieties adorn the
windows of its delicatessen shops. Restaurants line the city's arcaded streets, filled
with people devouring delicacies to the accompaniment of fine wines. Many of
them are in the luxury class, but you can also dine very well in the less expensive
restaurants. Many maintain an “open kitchen,” which you're welcome to inspect
and where you may chat with the cooks. The famous prosciutto of Parma is abso-
lutely unlike any American prosciutto—and, like most Italian meat products, it can-
not be sold in the United States.
Bologna is an ideal base for exploring the Emilia-Romagna area. Among the
towns to visit are Faenza, for its ceramics; Ferrara, for its fortress; Ravenna, for
its early Christian art; Rimini, for its Adriatic beach; and, of course, Parma, for its
ham and Parmesan cheese. All are about one hour or less by rail from Bologna.
All of these cities may be visited out of Milan, too. Consult the schedules in Milan's
Central Station.
Bologna also has much to offer architecturally. Purchase a ticket (€18 adult) for
the CityTour on the open-deck bus GiroTp for an introduction to Bologna's sights
and attractions. Board at the rail station and hop on and off as you please at any
of the Giro Tp bus stops. You will see an ensemble of rare Italian beauty concen-