Thursday 11th June 2026. Dozza, Emilia-Romagna, Italy
Thursday morning we packed up and headed inland, changing regions into Emilia-Romagna, an area we haven’t seen much of other than Bologna and Ravenna.
Our destination was another ‘beautiful village of Italy’ called Dozza.
It’s a little hill town with a lovely castle which houses a museum AND a wine bar and store. Old town Dozza is most famous for it’s art, holding a festival every year where famous artists come and paint the walls of the village!
There’s a perfectly placed car park at the foot of the hill, free and electricity for a charge if you need it. Ideal.
As there are only 4 official camper spots we were very happy to grab the last one late afternoon.
Wandering up to this lovely little place, we passed the castle walls with its fab crenelated turrets and immediately arrive in the old town.
We asked at the castle if we could take Meg in but sadly she wasn’t allowed. Oh well, we’ll just enjoy the view from the outside.
At the drawbridge a lady and man were decorating the walkway with organza, net and flowers. Ooh, Gareth said, a wedding, and the lady said yes 
. What an amazing location!
There are only 2 streets around the village, so meandering around, we enjoyed at the beautiful scene. Each has a plaque with the artist and date and the name of the artwork. A few are 3D in plaster and one was of coloured glass.
We had seen something similar last year in Sardinia, a village of murals.
Arriving back at the castle we stopped at the restaurant right outside for a drink. We’d had such a lovely, relaxed mooch, and didn’t want the mood to end so ordered a Limoncello spritz for me, a glass of the local Red for Gareth, plus a board of local meats, soft cheese and piadini. Perfect!
Whilst we sat, we noticed smartly dressed people and a photographer arriving , ooh the wedding was going ahead now!
The guests went into the castle and then a Maserati arrived, delivering the bride and her 2 sons 
. How lovely!
Her boys fussed around her, straightening her train and veil and then her dad took her arm. We all cheered in the bar which bought a great big smile to their faces and a thank you to us all.
We love moments like this, tripping into the lives of ordinary people going about their lives, quietly soaking up a little of their glow.
When they came out there were more cheers and rice was thrown, hugs and kisses all round and then the newly-wedded family took a walk around the village for photographs while the rest of the wedding party took refreshments in the other restaurant facing the castle.
Interestingly, as we were leaving, a van turned up and set up a stand with a big log of wood and a saw. The ladies from the wedding party lined a wheelbarrow with white net. We can only think that this is a wedding tradition like cutting the cake? (it is, we checked on google!)
Back at the carpark, we saw a constant flow of smartly dressed people and could hear the celebrations into the evening.
What a nice memory of Dozza we will take away with us. This is what travelling is all about.
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