Exploring Forlì's hinterland: a motorhome trip between Art, Nature and Taste

Start your journey in Forlì.

Forlì offers visitors a multisensory experience that encompasses history, culture, art, and culinary delights. Its charming historic center captivates visitors with its wide open spaces, elegant streets, and monuments that tell the story of centuries of history.

Here are the main highlights:

• Piazza Aurelio Saffi is a prime example: located in the heart of the city, it is one of Italy’s largest squares and home to some true treasures that tell the story of Forlì’s past, such as the statue of Aurelio Saffi, the 12th-century Abbey of San Mercuriale, and the majestic Palazzo delle Poste, built in the Rationalist style.
• The Civic Museum of San Domenico, a short distance from Piazza Saffi, houses the Major Exhibitions, the Civic Art Gallery, the Verzocchi Collection, and the Major Donors section.

To do
For lovers of nature getaways and good food, we recommend parking your RV and hopping on a bike to try one of the themed routes offered by Forlì Bike Food, designed for cycling foodies. A well-balanced mix of scenic bike rides, discoveries of picturesque spots, and tastings of local products between Forlì and the lands of Pellegrino Artusi.

Travel Tips
For those looking to relax, the Franco Agosto Urban Park is directly accessible from the Argine parking lot. This 26-hectare green space, along the banks of the Montone River, offers moments of leisure and refreshment for those who wish to immerse themselves in nature even within the city.

Parking Area
The Argine parking lot is the ideal choice for those wishing to explore the city by RV, as it is located in the immediate vicinity of the historic center, specifically on Via delle Donne della Costituente. The RV parking area is equipped with a free RV service station for filling up with and emptying water, as well as a chemical waste disposal station for toilet tanks and non-potable water for flushing them.

Once you’ve finished your tour of the city of Forlì and left the parking lot, take the road heading northwest (toward Castrocaro Terme), to set off for Terra del Sole, a little gem nestled among the hills—an ideal village, an urban utopia founded way back in 1564 at the behest of Cosimo I de’ Medici to become the capital of Medici elegance and culture in the Tuscan Romagna.

Terra del Sole, about 10 km from Forlì, is also home to unspoiled nature. The trees, cultivated fields, gentle hills sloping down toward the plain, and the lush rows of olive trees that surround it on all sides make it a true oasis of serenity.

To visit

The Museum of Man and Environment: located inside Palazzo Pretorio, it houses precious historical artifacts.

About 1 km away lies Castrocaro Terme, a renowned destination for relaxation and wellness, famous for its thermal waters and picturesque landscape.

Must-see
In the center of the village stands the majestic castle, dating back to the 10th century, which dominates the entire area and offers a breathtaking view of the surrounding valley. The fortress, now restored, hosts cultural events, exhibitions, and performances that enrich its atmosphere, offering visitors an unforgettable experience.

To taste
While strolling through the village, be sure to stop by one of the local bakeries, where you can sample the famous Castrocarino—or Pane di Castrocaro—baked fresh daily according to an ancient recipe made with Castrocaro water, local wheat flour, salt, and yeast.

Parking Area
Free rest areas for RV travelers are located in the parking lot at Via Biondina, 86. Here, you can take advantage of street lighting and free wastewater disposal, and use water and electricity for a fee via a token-operated service.

Leaving Castrocaro Terme and traveling south on State Road 67 for about 8 km, you’ll arrive in Dovadola, a charming village nestled in the quiet and relaxing atmosphere of the Romagna Apennines. Here, the narrow, picturesque streets of the town center, lined with ancient stone houses and historic buildings, take visitors on a journey back in time.
Dovadola is an ideal destination for travelers seeking an experience off the beaten path, nestled in lush natural surroundings that offer hiking and trekking enthusiasts the opportunity to explore trails winding through the green hills of the surrounding countryside.

Among the treasures waiting to be discovered are:

• the Abbey of Sant’Andrea, rich in works of art of inestimable artistic value and home to the tomb of Benedetta Bianchi Porro.
• the Hermitage of Montepaolo, the region’s most important Antonian shrine, where a relic of Saint Anthony of Padua is preserved. Two picturesque trails begin here: the Path of Hope and the Avenue of Mosaics.

Event

Every October, the Romagna Fine White Truffle Festival is held.

Parking Area

You can stop at the rest area on Via Nadiani, where water is available.

Continuing south along State Road 67, after about 9 km you’ll reach Rocca San Casciano, known for its narrow cobblestone streets, stone houses, and historic buildings. Its historic center is dotted with small squares, ancient churches, and picturesque corners—perfect for a pleasant stroll.

Places to See

• Piazza Garibaldi, home to the Civic Tower, the Palazzo Pretorio, and the Church of the Suffragio.
• The Church of San Cassiano, a point of interest for those wishing to explore the area’s religious art and architecture
• “Castellaccio”: an 11th-century fortification located about 500 meters from the town center.

Don’t miss

• the picturesque 17th-century Ponte Vecchio with its two arches, offering a breathtaking view of the Montone River
• the Abbey of San Donnino in Soglio, 3 km from the town center.

Rocca San Casciano is also the ideal starting point for exploring the surrounding Apennines, with hiking trails that allow you to immerse yourself in unspoiled nature and enjoy breathtaking views.

Event

Don’t miss the traditional Festa dei Falò (Bonfire Festival), held between March and April along the banks of the Montone River. During this event, the rival districts, Borgo and Mercato, set alight two large haystacks, creating spectacular bonfires and an unforgettable atmosphere.

Parking Area

A camper-friendly area with four sites, electricity, restrooms, and dishwashing sinks is available on Viale Dante, inside Gramsci Park.

After leaving Rocca San Casciano, continue south on State Road 67. In just a few minutes, you’ll reach the town of Portico and San Benedetto, 7 km away.

To see

• The Ponte della Maestà, crossed by pilgrims heading to Assisi
• The Ponte della Brusìa, characterized by three humpback arches.
  Both bridges span the Montone River and offer views of the splendor of the surrounding landscape.

To know 

The historic center has retained its medieval layout on three levels:

• the upper area with the castle and the parish church;
• the middle section with stately palaces from the 13th and 14th centuries, such as Palazzo Portinari, Palazzo Traversari, and Palazzo Mazzoni;
• the lower area with the homes of artisans and ordinary citizens.

Travel tips
Outdoor enthusiasts can immerse themselves in nature by continuing along State Road 67 toward San Benedetto in Alpe, the starting point of the Nature Trail within the Foreste Casentinesi National Park. Here, hikers can admire the famous Acquacheta Waterfalls, described by Dante Alighieri in Canto XVI of *Inferno*, where the spectacular 70-meter plunge of the crystal-clear waters leaves everyone breathless.

Parking Area
There are numerous rest areas for RVs in this area:

• in the lower parking lot of the former sports field;
• at Piazzale Olmo, to the right of State Road 67 when coming from Forlì;
• in the village of Bocconi, along Via Chiusure, in the Brusìa area;
• in San Benedetto, in the elevated parking lot to the left of State Route 67 when coming from Forlì.