Those planning a “workation” this year should look no further than Emilia Romagna. The northern Italian region offers the ideal conditions to combine working remotely with a peaceful holiday – including stunning landscapes, villages, castles, beaches, a pleasant weather and, of course, a reliable Wi-Fi network.
Furthermore, 2021 is seeing a number of important events taking place across the region - perfect for weekends or evenings away from laptops. Events include Parma Italian Capital of Culture 2021; Ravenna commemorating 700 years since Dante’s death; and the opening of the Federico Fellini International Museum in the coastal town of Rimini by the end of the summer.
Emilia-Romagna offers the opportunity to experience remote-working in spaces rich in peace, culture and history. Unique places such as castles, stone houses and farms have been equipped to accommodate the so-called “digital nomads” when the time is right. The top 10 places to a “workation” (working whilst vacationing) in Emilia Romagna are:
1. La Casa delle Favole: a stone village among the chestnut groves in Perotti
Among mountains, streams and river beaches is Perotti, a village of stone houses located 50km away from Piacenza. La Casa delle Favole, once the dwellings of charcoal burners and woodcutters, is today a widespread hotel equipped with everything needed to work remotely, including Wi-Fi, printers, but also bicycles, deckchairs and tables placed by the river that runs alongside Perotti. Costs for a double room with breakfast are between €55 and €110 per day.
2. Compiano Castle: a castle in the Parma ApenninesThere are many castles in Emilia Romagna where guests can sleep and work remotely thanks to new powerful Wi-Fi connections - the thickness of the castles’ were an obstacle to get online. One of these castles is the Compiano Castle, in the Parma Apennines. It is located in Compiano, a village with just 50 inhabitants, crossed by stone-paved streets and buildings with slate roofs – often described as one of the most beautiful towns in Italy. As well as a great connection, the castle offers panoramic views of the surrounding areas. Costs for a double room with breakfast starts at €150.
3. La Razza: a farm on the Via Emilia with animals and vineyards
La Razza is a charming farm built in 1700 and surrounded by 150 hectares of vineyards, organic spelled cereal crops, and livestock. Located on the thousand-year-old Roman road Via Emilia, 9km from the city of Reggio Emilia, La Razza also features a Parmigiano Reggiano cheese factory, a vinegar factory, a golf course, a swimming pool and two restaurants. Work is carried out in the rooms, offering view to the outside vineyards. A double room with breakfast starts from €140.
4. Gombola di Polinago: an artistic guesthouse in a seventeenth-century village
One of the last water mills still in operation today can be found in Gombola di Polinago, a seventeenth-century village embraced by an eleventh-century castle in the Apennines, just one hour from Modena. The mill uses canals and locks of the stream to grind cereals and chestnuts. Between woods and mountains, there is the Podesteria di Gombola, an accommodation for artists but also open to the general public. Costs for a house with a kitchen for two people for a week start at €350.
5. Villaggio della Salute Più: a thermal village on the hills of Bologna
Those who need to properly disconnect from remote working can do so at the Villaggio della Salute Più, a spa village on the hills of Bologna, also featuring a summer thermal water park. The hot springs offer accommodation with strong Wi-Fi network and electrical sockets. When work is over, guests can have an organic lunch and go for a walk on one of the 55 itineraries to do on foot, by bike or by e-bike. Costs for a work station, lunch and spa entrance starts at €29, with the option of staying overnight in a farmhouse.
6. Canneviè Rural Hotel: an old fishing lodge in the Po Delta Park
Canneviè Rural Hotel is a true example of remote working in peace. The property is an 18th century fishing house located by the water lagoons of the Po Delta Park, where guests can meet pink flamingos. Guests can take one of the many paths available to discover on foot or by bike. Workwise, Canneviè Rural Hotel features reliable Wi-Fi and printers. Costs for a double room with breakfast starts at €80.
7. Brisighella: one of the most beautiful medieval villages in Italy
Brisighella is considered one of the most beautiful medieval villages in Italy. Overlooking the iconic Clock Tower - the village’s first building - is La Rocca, a hotel that hosted Italian poet, Dante Alighieri, back in 1300. As well as featuring Wi-Fi, printers and tables throughout, the hotel offers a panoramic rooftop, a wellness centre and a restaurant to unwind after a day’s work. Costs for a single room with breakfast starts at €68.
8. Vecchio Convento: an impressive nineteenth-century palace
A noble nineteenth-century building can become both an office and a holiday home in today’s world. That’s exactly what Vecchio Convento has turned into. The three-star property is located in the medieval village of Portico di Romagna, in the Apennines, just 45 minutes from the town of Forlì. Vecchio Convento features a variety of rooms, a restaurant and plenty of activities to keep eberyone entertained after work, including cooking classes and an Italian school for foreigners. Costs for a single room with breakfast start at €95.
9. Romagna Riviera: 110km of beaches (and sun)
The Romagna Riviera features 110km of sandy beaches, bathing establishments and a powerful Wi-Fi network which is free in many of them. A great location for a speedy, free connection is Cesarini Beach, in Villamarina di Cesenatico. Here, people on “workcation” can get their work done at one of the 1930s-style beach tents with parasols – and even use the waves behind as a (non-fake) background for work video calls.
10. La Pescaccia: glamping on the hills of San Clemente
La Pescaccia is a glamping village with luxury tents, panoramic bubbles bungalows and whirlpools on their private garden. The luxury site is located in San Clemente, a stone’s throw from Rimini, and offers a reliable Wi-Fi connection as well as swimming pools, walking paths and a variety of beaches a few minutes away by car. Costs for a luxury tent start at €100.
