If you are in Italy in summer, you have not to miss to come in Modena, my beautiful city 🙂
Modena is a lovely city in Emilia Romagna. You can find more details about it on my blog, so I suggest you to follow me 😉

As many Italian cities,  Modena in summer can be very warm and enjoy the visit in the urban area can be difficult. Therefore, sometimes, it could be a good idea to explore different alternatives in order to discover new places nearby. Modena has lovely neighborhoods to go to see.

In this article, I tell you 3 great ideas to enjoy your summer in Italy if you are near Modena!

Summer in Italy: some valid alternatives in Modena

1) Summer in Italy: a day spent in a charming country resort on the hills of Modena

Recently, I’ve got this new thing with country resorts… I’ve discovered that on the hills around Modena there are many resorts and I really want to try them all! Usually, apart from having some rooms to stay overnight, they have great restaurants and beautiful swimming pools, often with views 🙂 What a perfect idea to enjoy a full day of complete relax!

Among them there is Opera 02 , in Levizzano of Castelvetro. Here you can have a good meal with an incredible view on Levizzano’s hills and, if you are guest, you can enjoy some relaxing moments in the swimming pool. The resort is part of the estate of Cà Montanari, which produces Lambrusco, Balsamic Vinegar and other regional specialties.
In Savignano sul Panaro, there is, instead, Gelso Bianco, another place that I’m curious to visit.
The last place, that I suggest you is the Antica Corte Casa Marini, in Polinago, a beautiful court, recently renew that dominates the valley. If you happen to go there you can also take a look at some nearby wonderful villages, such as Gombola or Brandola. 

Brandola, Polinago.

In Polinago there is also a lovely B&B managed by my Australian friends Winnie and David, The Cherry House. If you want to spend some days together with two enthusiast and smiling people, they are the right company: they will bring you to discover all the beauties of the area. Tell them that that’s me I’m sending you! 🙂

2) Summer in Italy: a day trip to the mountains to discover the wonderful Modena Apennines

Lago della Ninfa, Sestola.

I have already written about the beauty of our Apennines. In particular, I dedicated an article to a lovely excursion to Scaffaiolo Lake. That idea remains great and I suggest you to go! But, fortunately Modena’s Apennines are full of wonderful places to discover! I recently did a bit of research and I found out other destinations to visit.

A great classic remains the Ninfa Lake, just above Sestola. I remember that when I was a little girl I came here with my friends. We spend hours lying on the shores chatting and relaxing. Still today, I like to take a walk, enjoy the nature, eat some specialties at the huts and then go back to the village for a walk in the animated center and stop in the evening to eat typical mountain foods in some restaurant famous for their mushroom specialities.

Sestola.

Recently, I’ve been to Zita’s, in Vesale, and it was super 🙂

Mushrooms at Zita’s restaurant, Vesale.

Also “Lago Santo” with the nearby “Lago Baccio”, just above Pievepelago, could be two beautiful destinations. Here, you can find huts where you can taste authentic mountain food specialities or relax in the nature.

Another interesting idea, not far from the city (only 30 minutes by car), are the Bucamante Waterfalls, in Serramazzoni. A place where you can enjoy the fresh of the water and of the shadow of the vegetations.

3) Summer in Italy: a dinner under the stars admiring Modena from the top of the hills

View from Puianello, Modena.

Looking for some scenic spots to watch the stars, I came across this idea that I think is a very romantic one… our hills are full of nice little restaurants with beautiful views over the city, where you can eat very well (of course typical food) and can relax enjoying the beautiful night-time panorama.

One of these is La Cicala, in Maranello, famous for their wonderful “gnocco fritto” in “torn” version (the dough is literally “ripped” and fried without being rolled). The view from the terrace is, then, really unique.

Another place where you can enjoy Modena from the above is Puianello. I’ve been recently there and I’ve falled in love with it. Here, a few meters from the Sanctuary of Puianello, there is another a restaurant that many suggest. It’s called Trattoria del Colle. I have not been there yet, but I adored the scenery and would love to spend an evening here very soon!

These are my ideas to enjoy the countryside near Modena in summertime. I hope that they could be helpful for you to discover some new places in the area. If you come, tell me something about your experience in the comments 🙂