Information for those visiting Macfrut (Cesena

First-time visitors to Macfrut - the Italian produce fair (24th-26th September 2014) - will be pleasantly impressed. It is a big international fair, yet very people-friendly, just like the city that hosts it, Cesena, a city with 95,000 inhabitants close to the Riviera Romagnola with Rimini and Milano Marittima and 100 km away from Florence, 150 from Venice and 300 from Rome.

The easiest way to reach Cesena from abroad and from the other Italian regions is to take the plane to Bologna. From there, it’s a 50-minute drive to the fair - shuttles leave every hour from 9am to 5 pm. Macfrut’s info-point is in the Arrival Terminal. Alternatively, you can land in Rimini (30 km from Cesena) and reach the fair by train or shuttle.

You can also arrive directly in Cesena by train. A shuttle leaves from the station every 30 minutes and takes only 10 minutes to reach the fair. The first shuttle leaves at 8.30 am.

If you arrive by car, take exit Cesena Nord from the A14 or E45. The fair is one km away (via Dismano 3845, Cesena).

Parking lots are well-indicated and are free. Due to the high number of visitors, you may have to park along the large roads that run alongside the fair at peak times, but it’s only a 5-10 minute walk to the entrance.

Entrance is free and reserved to specialised operators. It is compulsory to fill in a ticket upon entering, as a third body certifies the total number of visitors.

The fair is divided into 5 pavilions (A,B,C,D,G) and a congress area. There are four bars/refreshment stands (in pavilions A,B,C,G) as well as a fresh-fruit salad and yoghurt stand (Frutteria Bio, entrance of pavilion B). The self-service restaurant is in pavilion G. Any other detail can be found at: www.macfrut.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Piantina-Generale-Macfrut-2014.pdf

In addition to visiting the exhibitors (260 stands representing over 900 companies), it will also be possible to attend to the over 30 scientific/technical-promotional conferences organised. In addition, meetings between delegations from various Countries and private company meetings have also been set-up. Conferences will take place mainly in three rooms (Sala Europa, Sala Verde and Sala Agricoltura), which are located right of the main entrance. The Italian Ministry of Agriculture Maurizio Martina will cut the ribbon.

Shuttles back to the hotel, Bologna airport and Cesena station start at 6pm from the main entrance.

After a long day at the fair, you can spend the evening in one of the many clubs of the Riviera Romagnola in Milano Marittima, Rimini, Cervia or Cesenatico.

All restaurants along the coast serve typical local or the most refined fish dishes. One of the most famous local products is the piadina romagnola, a thin flatbread that accompanies every dish.

If you fancy a bit of culture, Cesena is home to a UNESCO World Heritage Site - the Biblioteca Malatestiana is still exactly as it was when it was built in 1450 (structure, furniture, codes), so it is truly a unique place. In addition, San Marino, the most ancient Republic of the world, is only 50 km away.

All further info at www.macfrut.com