The Princess of Wales' first royal overseas visit since her cancer diagnosis has put a 'forgotten' Italian city on tourists' horizons for the summer - and it is surprisingly cheap to get to.
Kate, 44, is currently on a two-day tour of the Emilia-Romagna region in northern Italy and received a regal welcome when she arrived in the small city of Reggio Emilia, in the verdant - but famously foggy - Po valley, yesterday.
Revered for its foodie connections - the region is home to Parmigiano Reggiano, dubbed the 'King of Cheeses', and the popular 80s wine Lambrusco, it is also the birthplace of Italy's famous green, white and red tricolour flag. And, until as recent as the early 90s, the city had strong links to the Mafia.
Yesterday, the princess was given the city's highest honour - the Primo Tricolore flag - by Mayor Marco Massari, likely in part as a big 'grazie' for highlighting an Italian destination that is often overlooked.
Today, Kate is set to learn some authentic Italian cooking skills on the second day of her trip, which is aimed at highlighting the region's pioneering approach to early years education. The Princess, travelling solo, has been sharing stylish photos of her visit to the region including an image of an open door looking out across picturesque countryside, and a collection of bicycles outside a shop.
The Emilia-Romagna region has long played second fiddle to some of Northern Italy's more popular tourist destinations, including the Italian Lakes, Milan, Verona and Venice. However, as the Princess has highlighted, there is much to enjoy, including the soaring Apennine Mountains, striking medieval architecture and some serious gastronomy - and it is much less crowded in peak season than some of its big-hitting neighbours.
Visitors wishing to follow in the royal's footsteps this summer can bag flights to a clutch of nearby airports easily - with Bologna Guglielmo Marconi under an hour away and Verona Villafranca Airport around 90 minutes by car and train. Ryanair has seven direct flights to Bologna daily, with prices from £44 return, with easyJet and BA also jetting in.
Today, the Princess is continuing her visit to Reggio Emilia and will see for herself how youngsters use nature-based learning at the Salvador Allende Scuola dell'infanzia school for under sixes. The school places particular emphasis on outdoor learning and environmental education. Italians following the 'Reggio Emilia Approach' to young education consider the natural environment as 'the third teacher'. Later, Kate is due to visit a creative resource centre to learn how local businesses and the wider community support early childhood education through the Reggio Emilia Approach.
