Journey through the treasures of Emilia from the land of taste to the land of motors

The landscape is that of the foothills of the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines, among expanses of olive groves and vineyards, hills, valleys, small clusters of rural houses, and medieval villages that seem to have been crystallised in time. We are in a piece of Emilia far from the hubbub, south of Bologna. Just 23 kilometres from the historic centre of the regional capital, you will sink into a silence broken only by the sounds of nature. And it is here that you will find Palazzo di Varignana, much more than a luxury resort (five stars), built around a country castle dating back to 1705 (Palazzo Bentivoglio) and extending over thirty hectares of land, with low stone buildings harmoniously integrated into the environment. This accommodation facility is also a farm (Agrivar) with 650 hectares of land - of which 265 are olive groves - and has won several awards for its own brand of olive oil production. A destination still little known to Italians and loved instead by tourists from the United States, England and Germany. Not only for its beauty, framed as it is by the greenery of woods and crops (it also has an ornamental garden that has been included in the Great Italian Gardens network). In fact, it is an excellent base from which to discover some of Emilia's treasures. From the excellent PDO foodstuffs, such as Parmigiano Reggiano, produced in an area that embraces the Parma area, the Reggiano region, the province of Modena and part of that of Bologna. Then there is the 'land of motors', in the Modena and Bologna areas, with legendary brands such as Ferrari, Pagani and Lamborghini. In the Ferrari and Pagani museums, you can see models that have made car history, Formula 1 and international rallying.

Palazzo di Varignana is named after the village of the same name overlooking the valley. Its surroundings blend history, art and modernity. Just over 18 kilometres away stands Dozza, one of the most beautiful medieval villages in Italy. A town, on the crest of a hill, where art is the fil rouge that links squares, streets and building façades, with works and murals (over one hundred) created over the years by various exponents of the contemporary art scene. It all stems from an event that has been held in September since the 1960s, the Biennial of the Painted Wall. An event that attracts artists from all over the country, to paint on the walls of the houses surrounding the mighty Rocca Sforzesca, built at the end of the 15th century by Caterina Sforza, with the rebuilding on the previous ruins of Bolognese fortresses in 1250. Dozza is worth a visit of at least half a day, which is also useful for visiting the flats of the Rocca, including the salon, the parlours and bedrooms, the kitchen, the prisons, the torture chambers and the walkways on the towers.

The 150-room resort offers various excursions. For lovers of good food, a visit to one of the many dairies located in the Apennines is a must. Like the Rosola, in Zocca, in the Modenese mountains, where you can watch the production cycle of Parmigiano Reggiano, one of the most famous cheeses in the world. Here you can discover how the aromas change depending on the territory - differences mainly given by the fodder on which the cows are fed - and the strictness of the production regulations, always under the strict control of the consortium. The cheese dairy allows you, by appointment, to observe the various stages of production, up to 24, 36 or 60 months of maturing.

If you love Formula 1 and rallying, do not miss a visit to the Ferrari Museum and the Horacio Pagani Museum in the nearby province of Modena, between Maranello and San Cesario sul Panaro. The former will allow you to enter into the heart of the legendary history of the car manufacturer founded in 1939 by Enzo Ferrari and which has become one of the most prestigious brands, worldwide, of made in Italy. A glorious story told by unforgettable models, protagonists of hard-fought races, historic victories and sometimes defeats. The museum is visited by tourists and enthusiasts from all over the world. Just like the one that in San Cesario, Horacio Pagani wanted to dedicate to his supercars, luxury cars with very high performance in demand in the United States, Europe and the Gulf countries. In both cases, you will be immersed in a world of innovation, cutting-edge technology, top-level design and visionary spirit.

After a day dedicated to discovering the surrounding area, you can always regenerate in the SPA of Palazzo di Varignana (4,000 square metres), in its rooms or in one of the six surrounding villas created from the renovation of old farmhouses. Or let yourself be tempted by the Health & Wellness Retreats inspired by the method developed by nutritionist Anna Maria Acquaviva, the resort's scientific director. A method based on a functional diet for psychophysical well-being. The resort also has tennis courts and swimming pools. There are five restaurants, where you can taste the wines produced by the farm, from Albana to Sangiovese.