27-05-2025
EasyJet launches new holidays to 'charming' but underrated Italian destination
With its seafood, arancini and abundance of archaeological sites, the south of Italy tends to take the country's limelight.
But there's one sun-soaked seaside destination in the north of the Bel Paese that doesn't get nearly as much love it deserves – and EasyJet has just launched new holidays helping travellers discover it.
Known as the jewel in the crown of the northern Emilia-Romagna region, the so-called 'Rimini Riviera' is home to 40 kilometres (24.8 miles) of coastline.
If you're looking for a beach holiday that's also got plenty of cultural and foodie options, it's ideal — a trip to Rimini won't break the bank either, with prices for EasyJet's new packages starting at £756 per person, including flights and accommodation.
Alongside twice-weekly flights from London Gatwick, the budget airline is offering a variety of places to stay, including the Hotel St Gregory Park in San Giuliano a Mare, Milano Marittima's Grand Hotel Gallia, and Cesenatico's five-star Grand Hotel Da Vinci.
'With sunshine and one of Italy's largest beaches, vibrant nightlife for couples and rich in history and culture, we're confident that Rimini will be popular with holidaymakers,' commented Paul Bixby, EasyJet's chief commercial officer.
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Holidaymakers seem to agree too, with TikToker @laurenntes describing the destination as completely 'charming,' while @gabbyelisa hailing it as her 'favourite beach town' on the Adriatic Coast. Ready to explore?
If food is your thing, Rimini should be one of the first places on your Italian bucket list. The Emilia-Romagna region is famously foodie – but it's not at all pretentious.
It's largely famed for simple dishes executed really well, making the most of the wealth of resources available thanks to its proximity to both the sea and hills.
Though the north is a fairly wealthy part of Italy nowadays, it hasn't always been this way – and so much of the population had to develop new, innovative methods of getting food on the table with what they had access to.
Take, for example, one of the region's most beloved dishes, Strozzapreti (which literally translates to 'priest stranglers'). In Emilia-Romagna, this type of pasta – made by twisting fresh dough between the palms – is traditionally made from durum wheat, semolina flour, and water, although some more modern recipes incorporate egg whites and parmesan, breaking from the working-class roots.
Interested in trying out this local delicacy? You'll find it in virtually every restaurant serving pasta in Rimini, alongside dishes like piadina and fritto misto (fried seafood platters), alongside local favourites including Osteria de Börg, La Mi Mama, and Ristorante Sabbioni.
But if you prefer things a little more dolce, you'll find gelato aplenty at Gelateria La Romana, as well as Gelaterias 3 Bis and il Castello.
Food aside, Rimini is largely known for its seaside location, nestled along the Adriatic Sea, close to the likes of Lido di Classe, Milano Marittima, and Cervia.
The area is home to some of the most stunning – and arguably underrated – beaches in the entirety of Italy. And having spent nearly every summer there growing up, I can safely say that a day spent here beneath a parasol will stay with you as a cherished experience long after the holiday is over.
For families, then theme park Fiabilandia is the ultimate day out. Ride on the log flumes, scream on the family-friendly Red Mountain rollercoaster, or enjoy a trip down the vibrantly coloured water slides that would give Center Parcs a run for its money.
Or, to take in the area's rich culture, head to Ravenna, just under an hour away from Rimini.
There are eight UNESCO World Heritage monuments dotted across the city, many of them dating back to the fifth century AD, and a wealth of beautiful mosaics on display at the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia and The Basilica of San Vitale.
Not all of them are hidden inside buildings either: mosaics are so entrenched in Ravenna's culture that they line the streets and piazzas, with modern versions visible at Parco della Pace, Via di Roma, and the Speyer Gardens. More Trending
And don't forget to visit the tomb of Italian poet and philosopher Dante Alighieri while you're there. Credited for writing the Divine Comedy entirely in Tuscan dialect, he's often referred to as the 'father' of the Italian language itself. A pretty large title, sì?
Thinking about topping up your vitamin D levels? It's easiest to do that in the spring and summer in Rimini, as the winters can get rather chilly.
In May, temperatures reach highs of 22 ° C, while in August, you're looking at a toasty 29 ° C. Either way, you'll need to pack sun cream.
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