TRAVEL: Foodies’ paradise park looks set to be a tasty treat

ONE of the best things about visiting Italy is that no matter where you go, you’re always guaranteed great food.

Not only do the Italians transform simple pasta dishes into mouth-watering feasts for foodies but they also put magic into magnificent desserts like tiramisu.

And if that wasn’t enough, who else can create after-dinner coffee that’s almost as delicious as the meal that came before it?

So it shouldn’t come as much surprise then that the Italians are creating a theme park based around food. 

The cleverly named Eataly World (see what they did there?) is due to open in October, and while this is a theme park without rollercoasters or thrill rides, your taste buds will be in for a real adventure.

FICO Eataly World will be the world’s largest agri-food park and it’s being created to embody the wonder of Italian biodiversity. 

It’ll have two hectares of open-air fields and stables and six hectares occupied by 40 factories, 40 refreshment points, shops and markets.

There’ll be areas dedicated to sports, children and readings as well as six classrooms, six large educational ‘rides’, theatre and cinema facilities, and a conference centre accommodating up to 1,000 people.

The multi-million euro venture has the backing of the Italian National Agency for Tourism, ENIT, and it’s hoped Eataly World will not only attract millions of foodie tourists seeking a complete and authentic Italian food and wine experience, but that it’ll also become a reference point for the knowledge and promotion of Italian agribusiness.

Tiziana Primori, CEO of FICO Eataly World, has high hopes for the venture.

“We are introducing the world to a new top destination,” she says.

“It is unique, filled with flavours and combines the charm of our various territories through their traditional products.

“FICO is going to be a real milestone for any international tourists who wish to live the most complete and authentic Italian food and wine experience.

“Located in the Emilia Romagna region, in Bologna, along the Via Emilia, FICO is going to become the cradle of the Italian agri-food excellence.”

Founder of Eataly, Oscar Farinetti, is excited at the prospects of millions of people from around the world visiting the new agri-park.

“FICO will offer unique experience; the chance to understand our agriculture and food processing, to taste our food and visit our six educational ‘rides’ dedicated to Fire, Earth, Sea, Animal World, Wine and Future.

“Everybody here will be able to have fun and learn at the same time, thanks to an offer of 30 events and 50 courses per day in classrooms, areas dedicated to sport, children, and readings sessions, theatre and cinema.”

President of ENIT, Evelina Christillin, says the national tourism board is happy to promote Eataly World.

“In its three-year plan, ENIT has dedicated a specific cluster to food destinations,” she added.

“We are currently undertaking several promotional activities to foster the agri-food sector because we want to support the development and appreciation of local high-quality products and traditions.

“Our commitment will lead towards enhancing the Italian food and wine heritage, farmers and manufacturers and encouraging the creation of innovative business models to address the needs of today’s international tourism.”

Eataly World Facts

• FICO Eataly World will be the world largest agri-food park

• It will have two hectares of open-air fields and stables housing more than 200 animals and 2000 cultivars.

• A further six hectares will include 40 farming factories, 40 restaurants and refreshment points, a market, a foundation, three universities, six classrooms, six large educational ‘rides’, theatre and cinema facilities.

• Visitors can understand food processing by visiting the farming factories and observing how meat, fish, cheese, pasta, oil, beer, sweets, etc. are processed.

• Visitors can choose from up to 30 events and 50 classes per day held in classrooms, theatres and learning facilities.

• Inside the park, visitors can decide to walk or bike on their own or be guided by FICO’s biodiversity ambassadors.

• Conferences or meetings wcan be booked at a Congress Centre, for between 50 to  1,000 people.