Planning a getaway this spring but not sure of where to go? How about a vacation rental in Emilia Romagna?
Not only is Emilia Romagna a stunning green landscape that comes alive in the spring but it is also a land of agricultural plenty and incredible local products. Those, therefore, who come and spend a vacation here can enjoy outdoor pursuits, pleasant strolls, exploring pretty towns, picturesque surroundings, and eating incredibly well.
And, if you want a taste of the hanami experience in Italy and to feast your eyes on an astounding sight, then you should head to the exceptionally pretty town of Vignola for the Festa dei Ciliegi in Fiore. The best place to see cherry blossoms in Italy, this stunning town and its special festival are a must-see!
Across the Panaro Valley, you will find the vast fields of cherry trees where the Vignola PGI cherries are grown. The queens of the agricultural production of the Terre di Castelli, these trees not only deliver a delicious product but that has marked the local economy forever but they have profoundly influenced the landscape of this part of Emilia Romagna.
The sight of the endless powder-pink blooms spreading out through the valley is utterly unforgettable and magical and reason enough to visit the town in the spring alone. However, there is more to the festival that makes the whole experience even more engaging and fun!
In addition to simply admiring the flowering, you can attend the impressive daytime and night-time parades of flowering floats, you can browse among the market stalls that are set up where there are street vendors, florists, antiques, and more, you can visit the car exhibition, and you can enjoy lots of other events and celebrations including food and wine offerings and children’s entertainment. During the festival, on alternating years, the PG Tassi Painting Competition and the International Poetry Competition are also held, adding further to the artistic atmosphere of the whole festival.
Dating back to 1970, this impressive event is a unique experience in Italy and Vignola is, without a doubt, the best spot to take in cherry blossoms while in Italy. But, if you’re instead thinking about booking a villa in Emilia Romagna during the summer months, if you come in June you can also enjoy the sweet cherry heritage of Vignola as the town hosts a second cherry-themed festival each year called the Vignola è tempo di Ciliegie, celebrating the cherries themselves rather than the blooms.
As with the spring event, there are all sorts of offerings on the itinerary but food is even more of a focus at Vignola è tempo di Ciliegie. Expect guided tours, tastings, dinners, walks, and more among the cherry trees as well as special menus dedicated to the cherry being served up by different restaurants and producers, themed windows in shops, exhibitions, exploration of ancient local traditions, more tastings of cherries and other local DOP products in various venues, cooking shows and demonstrations, and more throughout the historic centre of town. Plus, other artistic events, parties, performances, and kids' entertainments will also be held throughout this festival in the summer as well.
So, whether you are coming in the spring or planning a summer getaway, a holiday rental in Emilia Romagna and time enjoying the blooms or the sweet fruit of the utterly gorgeous and totally charming town of Vignola is a definite must!