5 Days
Arrive in Bologna and meet with your English speaking assistant. Hotel check in, dinner and overnight.
Hotel breakfast. Morning guided tour of Modena. The city is home of the Balsamic Vinegar, a locally produced vinegar boasting unique characteristics and preciousness. Dating back to the Middle Ages, the production is mentioned in a document dated 1046. During the Renaissance it was appreciated in the House of Este and today is highly valued by chefs and gourmet food lovers from all over the world. The name “Aceto Balsamico di Modena” (Traditional Balsamic Vinegar of Modena) and “Aceto Balsamico di Reggio Emilia” (Traditional Balsamic Vinegar of Reggio Emilia) are protected by the European Union’s Protected Designation of Origin. The tour of the producing company will include a tasting. Typical lunch in Modena. Back to Bologna and walking guided tour. The city, the first settlements of which date back to at least 1000 BC, has always been an important urban centre, first under the Etruscans and the Celts, then under the Romans, then again in the Middle Ages, as a free municipality (for one century it was the fifth largest European city based on population). Home to the oldest University in the world, founded in 1088, Bologna hosts thousands of students who enrich the social and cultural life of the city. Famous for its towers and lengthy porticoes, it has a well-preserved historical centre (one of the largest in Italy) thanks to a careful restoration and conservation policy. During the walking tour, we will stop by and visit some of the most traditional culinary shops in town, which take pride in a very long tradition going back many generations, selling cheese, charcuterie, sweets and cakes (Tamburini, Atti, Vecchia Malga, Enoteca Italiana, Pescherie Vecchie Marlet, etc). Back to the hotel for dinner and overnight.
Hotel breakfast and then start with the visit of FICO EATALY WORLD, an outdoor area of 20.000 sqm, to learn more about Italian crops and the most representative local animal breeds. Visit with a Biodiversity Ambassador who will take you to the heart of the park: the 40 farming factories, where you can meet and speak with artisans to learn about the process of making iconic Italian food products. Lunch in one of the restaurants of the park, and continue to Ravenna, the capital city of the Western Roman Empire from 402 until that empire collapsed in 476. Once the capital of Rome’s Western Empire, Ravenna’s early importance as a center of Byzantine art and culture still shines through today. Although an inland city, Ravenna is connected to the Adriatic Sea by the Candiano Canal. It is the location of eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites, mostly basilicas, enrichened by the world famous mosaics the city is known for. Dinner in typical restaurant to enjoy the excellent local cuisine characterized by see food. Back to Bologna. Hotel overnight.
Hotel breakfast. Short guided tour of Parma’s historical center: the Dome, the Baptistery, Chiesa della Steccata, National Gallery. Then head to the Rosa Dell’Angelo ham producing bio diversity farm, well known for its “prosciutti” like the Culatello, Pancetta, Parma Ham and many more. The specialized guide will walk you through some of the food excellences of our time, with great passion and technical know-how, before you taste the specialties in the Prosciutto Bar. Lunch in local restaurant. In the afternoon you will get the chance to visit a Parmesan maker, to find out more about what’s called “the King of Cheese”. You will get the chance to see all the production phases and you will also be offered the possibility to buy Parmigiano Reggiano directly from the cheese maker. Back to hotel in Bologna, dinner and overnight.
Hotel breakfast. Transfer to the airport in time for your flight back. End of services.
