We step away from the crowds without foregoing the pleasures of excellent wines, delicious local cuisine and fascinating history.

The region of Emilia Romagna stretches from coast to coast, across fertile soils where some of the best produce is cultivated. Foodies will delight here as this is where we find the best—meet with artisans of cured meat like mortadella and proscuitto. And of course, the cheese present on tables across the globe—parmesan. When not eating, touring the cities opens eyes to Italian history. Here, we discover opulent Renaissance palaces, medieval churches odorned with frescoes and rare Byzantine works.

We then venture to the smallest and oldest republic in the world—San Marino. Despite it being completely surrounded by Italian territory, it is a country in itself. The gem, although often overlooked by travellers, is a beautiful city sitting atop a mountain with a wealth of beauty to discover. Most of the city is made for walking, with cobblestone streets and quaint tree-lined roads. We come here to break away from the crowds of the summer season, but also to see the towering city fortress, the grand gothic-style palace and beautiful basilicas.