Wandio

Set your alarm early to beat the August heat and begin together at the foot of the Portico di San Luca, stepping under the rhythm of 666 arches and feeling the city fall away behind you as you climb. Walk hand-in-hand along the shaded, continuous corridor that pilgrims have used for centuries, watch the light shift through the arcades, and let the gentle gradient warm your legs without stealing the pleasure of conversation; pace yourselves, sip water from a refillable bottle, and pause at the belvederes to photograph Bologna’s red roofs and the distant Apennines. The portico culminates at the Santuario della Madonna di San Luca, where the basilica’s frescoed interior and the terrace view make for a private ceremonial moment — this is the kind of summit where couples linger, trading quiet reflections and planning the rest of the week while the late-morning sun washes the valley. Practical tip: start around 7:30–8:00 to avoid the strongest heat of an August afternoon, wear light breathable layers and bring sun protection; the climb is steep but steady and profoundly rewarding. After descending, make your way into Piazza Maggiore, where the medieval palaces and the broad face of San Petronio invite a slower, shaded exploration on foot before you take the short climb up Torre degli Asinelli to finish the day with a bird’s-eye view of the city as the late light softens the terracotta rooftops.

Head straight to the Parco Regionale dei Gessi Bolognesi e Calanchi and begin on one of the marked ridgeline trails that trace the gypsum escarpments, feeling August’s dry heat offset by shade pockets where juniper and rosemary perfume the air; as an adventurous couple, pick a route that takes you to Monte Adone so you can stand above the Po valley and mark the day with a quiet high-point together. Move at a steady pace, stop to inspect the karst cavities and watch swifts wheel over the cliffs, and bring a lightweight guidebook or download the regional trail map—routes here can switch from broad tracks to narrower scrambles so sturdy shoes matter. After the hike, switch adrenaline for speed by renting e-bikes back near Villa Ghigi or Sasso Marconi and follow quiet country lanes and dirt farm tracks down through vineyards and sunflower fields, where the electric assist lets you explore further without tiring; late afternoon is the best time for golden light and cooler temperatures. Practical tip: pick guided options or marked routes if you’re unfamiliar with karst terrain, carry plenty of water in August (temperatures typically range 25–33°C), and start early to avoid the hottest hours; budget-conscious couples can use regional buses to reach trailheads and reserve e-bikes in advance to save on last-minute rates.

Begin in Modena at the Museo Enzo Ferrari where glass, light and polished metal combine to tell the story of Enzo’s obsession and the machines that changed motorsport; move slowly through the display halls together, linger by the curatorial details of chassis numbers and the stories behind the racing liveries, and take time to read the plaques that reveal how Modena’s workshops and families created a global myth. From there, transfer to Maranello to visit the Museo Ferrari where the focus narrows to the Prancing Horse’s competition history; plan your visit around the timed entry slots in August to avoid midday heat and book any special check-in experiences at least a week in advance. The afternoon is the payoff: an authorized driving experience or a passenger ride at the Pista di Fiorano or Autodromo di Modena, where couples can share the thrill of a high-speed lap or alternate behind the wheel under instructor supervision—this is about technical driving, ear-splitting acceleration and the unforgettable grin of shared adrenaline. Practical tips: pre-book any driving or ride-along through the museums’ official partners (availability can be limited in busy August), wear closed shoes for track activities, and factor in a midday rest if you’re sensitive to heat because racing experiences are best enjoyed fresh and focused.

Set out from Sestola in the cool of early morning for the ascent of Monte Cimone, carrying suncream, plenty of water and layered clothing because even in August the summit breeze feels alpine; take a steady, purposeful pace up one of the established trails, crossing larch and pine stands into open meadows where wildflowers and low stone walls mark old grazing routes. As you climb, watch the landscape broaden: small mountain villages become toy-like in the valley and the distant Po plain glitters; pause at ridge viewpoints for panoramic photos and to share quiet moments together — this is the kind of summit where couples breathe the same mountain air and feel simultaneously small and infinite. If you prefer two-wheel adrenaline, arrange a mountain-bike descent on marked tracks from near the top back to Sestola for fast singletrack and technical turns that demand trust and teamwork; local hire shops in Sestola will fit you and brief the routes. Practical tip: start no later than 8:00 in August, carry a basic first-aid kit, and check local trail updates at the tourist office in Sestola—if you’re booking guided climbs or bike hire, reserve in advance during August’s peak.

Drive into the heart of the Parco Nazionale dell'Appennino Tosco-Emiliano and set off toward Lago Santo Modenese along a classic mountain trail, where the rhythmic crush of your boots and the scent of mountain thyme set a different tempo from the lowland days; the lake’s glassy surface is a photographer’s dream in August and, for adventurous couples, an icy dip is a bracing ritual that feels celebratory after a long approach. After a shore-side picnic and a slow hour of listening to alpine quiet, decide whether to push for Monte Cusna’s shoulder—the ascent is more demanding but rewards you with expansive ridgeline perspectives that cross inland to the Tuscan-Emilian divide. For couples who want a lighter day, linger at the lake, walk lesser circuits and explore the mosaic of high pastures and rocky outcrops; for the ambitious, summit plans should be paced conservatively and begun early in the day to avoid late-afternoon heat and to maximize clear views. Practical tip: August brings long, hot days but mountain weather can be changeable—bring layered clothing, reserve any refugio bunks in advance if you plan overnighting, and leave no trace by packing out all waste.

Start in the honey-colored lanes of Brisighella and take the footpath that climbs through olive terraces toward the Vena del Gesso Romagnola; the trail alternates between exposed gypsum ribs and shaded groves, delivering sudden crags and long views that are perfect for quiet moments shared at the ridge edge. Pause at the Ponte del Diavolo for photos and then continue up to the Rocca Manfrediana, where the fortress walls make an atmospheric backdrop for sunset-like light even in the full heat of August—this is an intimate place for couples to linger, watching smoke-blue hills roll away toward Ravenna. In the afternoon transfer to a completely different world at the Grotte di Onferno, where your guided tour moves you through cool, echoing chambers and reveals curious speleothems; the cave’s subterranean calm offers a refreshing contrast to the sunbaked ridges and feels almost cinematic when you emerge back into daylight. Practical tip: bring a light jacket for the caves (they stay cool even in August), book the guided grotto tour in advance because summer slots fill, and combine the day’s ridge hike and cave visit to experience both extremes of Romagna’s landscape.

Start before the heat of the day with a guided kayak or small-boat tour into the Valli di Comacchio—the lagoon’s narrow channels and reed beds feel impossibly private in the early August light, and you’ll glide past traditional fishermen’s huts and curious birds with only the soft lap of water for company; the guides are local fishermen who know the tides and the best silent lanes for wildlife, and their stories about eel fishing and lagoon life bring the landscape alive. After the paddle, wander the maze of Comacchio’s canals to Trepponti, the photogenic five-arched bridge, and visit the Museo Delta Antico to learn the human history of the delta—architectural fragments and displays explain how people adapted to living between river and sea. In the afternoon drive down the coast to Rimini where you’ll switch to saltwater sport with a private SUP or sea-kayak sunset session along the Riviera Romagnola, paddling slowly while the sky softens and city noises fade; this is a tender way for couples to share a final adrenaline-fresh experience then dry out and stroll over the Tiberius Bridge as the lamps come on. Practical tip: book lagoon and sea activities with licensed local operators (Comacchio and Rimini both have certified guides) and favour early-morning or late-afternoon slots in August to avoid the peak sun; combining guided lagoon and coastal sessions gives you two very different aquatic worlds in a single day.