Modena

Modena, terroir, tradition and balsamic vinegar🍷🍝

In Modena, everything often starts with what's on the plate. People come to eat, but they stay for everything that surrounds this culture of taste: the markets, the neighborhood trattorias, the producers on the outskirts, the recipes passed down like family secrets. The city isn't large, but it's home to some of Italy's greatest culinary pride.

This is where you'll find authentic aceto balsamico tradizionale di Modena , a grape must vinegar aged for 12, 25, or even 50 years in small wooden barrels. It's nothing like the industrial versions: this product is dense, sweet, complex, and used in small drops, sometimes even on a simple piece of Parmesan. Many acetaie around the city open their doors for guided tastings, often led by the families who keep this craft alive.

Modena is also the city of tortellini , served in a clear broth, homemade in traditional osterie. You can also eat zampone , cotechino , or tigella , a small round bread filled with local cured meats, such as mortadella , prosciutto di Modena , or the region's mature cheeses. Not forgetting Lambrusco , a slightly sparkling red wine, dry or fruity, which accompanies meals without ever dominating them.

Even at the table, the city knows how to vary its pleasures. You can eat in a neighborhood trattoria like Hosteria Giusti , a former grocery store hidden in a backyard, or enjoy a more contemporary experience at Francescana , the three-Michelin-starred restaurant of Massimo Bottura, named the best chef in the world several times. Where you have to book several months in advance to get a table. But Modena is not only about prestige: the Albinelli market , covered, lively and local, sums up the spirit of the city. People come here for a coffee, a piece of parmesan, a slice of focaccia or simply to observe.

🌿 Once you've had your fill, you can stroll through the pedestrianized historic center, around the Piazza Grande and the UNESCO-listed Romanesque cathedral . The city can be crossed on foot, without a map. Every street leads to an archway, a bell tower, a sunny square. By venturing a little further, you can reach the hills of Emilia-Romagna , dotted with vineyards and villages, or stop at a balsamic farm.

🚆 Modena is accessible by train with a connecting connection in Milan. It's an ideal destination for exploring Italy through its culinary traditions, exceptional products, and local expertise.