A small town with a giant square, Carpi is defined by the humongous Piazza dei Martiri, which is fringed by 50 porticoes and big enough to mark out an aeroplane landing strip. It's only 15 minutes by train from Modena and is well worth an afternoon detour.
Often written off as an emergency pit stop on the Via Emilia, Reggio Emilia states its case as the birthplace of the Italian flag – the famous red, white and green tricolour – and a convenient base for sorties south into the region's best natural attraction, the Parco Nazionale dell'Appennino Tosco-Emiliano. Those savvy enough to get out of their train, car or bus will find a cyclist-friendly city with attractive squares, grand public buildings and a leafy park.
These are the top experiences and sights in Carpi and Reggio Emilia, according to Lonely Planet.
