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Bologna lies in the lee of the Apennines, whose verdant foothills creep up to the south of the city, concealing rustic villages and extravagant villas in their undulations. Atop one such hill stands Bologna's guardian, the sanctuary of the Madonna di San Luca, connected to the city by a colonnade of 666 arches. Energetic pilgrims are rewarded with magnificent views of the red city below. Emilia-Romagna holds many treasures, from historic and cultural centres such as Ferrara, seat of the famous Este dynasty and the Byzantine ruins of Ravenna to gastronomic wonders in the cheese-making factories of Parma and national parks in the Apennines where you can trek, wildlife-watch or ski. Automotive past and present can be seen at the famous Ferrari testing track and museum at Maranello near Modena or at the grand prix circuit at Imola. Or if you just want to chill out, why not head east and dip your toes in the Adriatic or take part in the national sport of phototropism at one of the beaches around Rimini?
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