Last weekend, we had the opportunity to visit our partners in Cesenatico, Italy, along with representatives from the municipalities of Mošćenička Draga and Battaglia Terme. We are grateful for the warm welcome extended to us during our visit. Our time in Cesenatico allowed us to engage in various project activities that provided insight into the rich maritime heritage of Cesenatico and the Emilia-Romagna region. A highlight of our visit was the Maritime Museum in Cesenatico, which showcased the area's maritime history through captivating exhibits both indoors and outdoors.

During the theoretical portion of the Exchange lab as part of the Adriatic PorTLand project, we gained valuable knowledge on strategies employed by Cesenatico to extend its tourism season. We also had the opportunity to learn about an association dedicated to promoting maritime heritage as a tourist attraction. Additionally, we participated in an engaging discussion featuring the museum director, Davide Gnola, and two young advocates of maritime heritage who utilize documentary filmmaking and social media to bridge the gap between history and modern times.

In the practical segment of our visit, we had the chance to experience the gastronomic heritage of the region by learning to prepare piadina, a traditional local dish. We also witnessed a traditional competition involving a greased pole and a procession of traditional boats as part of a vibrant event honoring Giuseppe Garibaldi. Despite unfavorable weather conditions, we were unable to embark on a sailing excursion. However, our batana Regina and our partner from Mošćenička Draga, the Kvarner guc, briefly joined the fleet of traditional boats in the Cesenatico canal.

One of the highlights of our visit was when the director of the Maritime Museum of Cesenatico, Davide Gnola, commended our twenty-year efforts in establishing the Ecomuseum-Ecomuseo "Batana" as a sustainable method of preserving Rovinj's maritime heritage. He stated that our endeavors served as a model and inspiration for our colleagues in Cesenatico. We are especially proud of this acknowledgment.