The Ciclovia del Sole, a large, traffic-free, pan-European cycleway, has just inaugurated a new section in Emilia-Romagna. Stretching from Mirandola in the province of Modena to Osteria Nuova in the province of Bologna, the 45-kilometer cycleway is entirely flat and mostly paved, making it an easy ride accessible to families, couples or anyone who fancies a bit of touring in the countryside.

I road-tested it on an unusually hot day in late May and found it a pleasant escape from the commotion of the city. In Bologna, the Extrabo office in Piazza Maggiore usually has a couple of bikes to rent, or you can try Travel Hoo (Via Caduti di Cefalonia 4/b) or Sport Lab (Via Santa Margherita 1), both just off the central square.