Taking a break from coastal Rimini, the BlogVille crew headed out to three small towns nearby in Emilia-Romagna: Savignano sul Rubicone, San Mauro Pascoli and Santarcangelo di Romagna.

Unlike eternal dictator Julius Caesar, I crossed the Rubicon in Savignano sul Rubicone after I had already invaded Rome. Today, a small bridge and accompanying statue marks the point where Caesar “tossed the dice” and ventured into Rome with his army. What once was a river is now a small stream surrounded by pretty houses and cobblestone streets.

The odd combination of bees and bikes set our itinerary in San Mauro Pascoli, where a visit to the bee farm and honey producer Miele Praconi coincided with the arrival of a large crew of motorcycle enthusiasts. The buzzing of bees was overpowered by the roar of Harley-Davidsons and other shimmering rides. Inside, the friendly staff treated us to samples of their sweet honey and a delicious local red wine called La Cagnoina by Fatteria Mula d’Oro.

The quest for tagliatelle al rag๠led us to Trattoria Renzi, where they specialize in the local dish. Indeed, it seemed to be the only thing anyone was ordering at the restaurant. With a meaty sauce slowly simmered into the freshly made tagliatelle, it was one of the most delicious pasta dishes I’ve ever had (the addition of lard, no doubt, helps). A trip into the kitchen explains why; the cooks are all vibrant Italian moms.

We continued to explore Santarcangelo di Romagna after the satisfying meal. As it was the Festa della Republica, most of the shops were closed; the residents most likely at the beach. It was empty. This made the walk through the (dare I say it) “picturesque” town almost surreal. The well-maintained buildings of bright colors and the large amount of flowers added to the romance of the city, and I don’t think I’ve ever seen a more “perfect” place.