WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?
Emilia-Romagna and Bologna
April 7 – 16, 2024 with Lisa
Emilia-Romagna is one of the most under appreciated regions of Italy, hidden in plain sight. The quiet fame it has amassed is justifiably due to the incredible wealth of food products made in the region. Wait…Did someone say food? Well, if you know us, you know that food and Italy are two of our great passions, so we are combining them for a fantastic new itinerary.
In this tour, we will explore the region from east to west, starting in the Byzantine capital of Ravenna, then to the food capital of Italy, Bologna, and then finishing in the Parma area, famous for both cheese and ham. We will visit food producers, take a cooking class, marvel at ancient mosaics, and sample some of the fantastic wines of the region.
This tour is being run for the first time in 2023, so we can’t yet promise an exact itinerary, that will be available after the first tour finishes in October 2023. For now, you can expect our usual high quality–great lodgings, excellent food, fantastic guides, and a small group of no more than 18.
This tour will be 10 days and 9 nights, starting in Ravenna and ending in Parma. The closest airports are Florence (FLR) or Bologna (BLQ).
Day One
Overnight: Ravenna
Welcome to Emilia Romanga
Orientation walk of this UNESCO heritage city filled with fabulous early Christian and Byzantine mosaics. Welcome dinner
Next Day
Day Two
Overnight: Ravenna
Mosaic Mecca
Guided walking tour of Ravenna, once the capital of the Western Empire before the Byzantine empire. Everywhere you go there are mosaics: in museums, in the Unesco monuments, along the streets and in artisan workshops. An included pass will get you into all the mosaic sites.
Next Day
Day Three
Overnight: Bologna
Discovering hidden gems on the way to Bologna
We depart Ravenna for Bologna and on the way there we go off the beaten path. Visit the uber-charming medieval town of Brisighella, visit its castle and try some its prized DPO olive oils from the cooperative here.
Late afternoon arrival into Bologna.
Next Day
Day Four
Overnight: Bologna
Touring Bologna
After breakfast a half day walking tour of the city centre to take in its rich historic and cultural sights while not forgetting this is food central for Italy. Expect some tasty dishes and bites along the way.
Next Day
Day Five
Overnight: Bologna
Cooking and eating World Eataly
First half of day at leisure to explore Bologna. Then a visit to FICO World Eataly, a food-centric theme park featuring eateries, pop-stores, demonstrations & hands-on exhibits. Let’s get our hands dirty making tortellini and gelato!
Next Day
Day Six
Overnight: Reggio Emilia countryside
Ferrari cars and Lambrusco wines
Depart Bologna and tour the Ferrari factory. Depending on time and group size, it may be possible to book a test drive around the speedway track.
Arrive into Reggio Emilia and enjoy lunch with a short stroll around this cute town. Visit local winery to dive into wines made from the region’s most renowned grape, Lambrusco, which is also used in the famous balsamic vinegar (visit to see that production on the following day). In between glasses, we’ll get the scoop on how the Medici family helped to revolutionize the production method of Emilia Romagna’s most important grape.
Check into our agriturismo in the countryside and get a tasting and short tour of their local products. Dinner at intimate trattoria.
Next Day
Day Seven
Overnight: Reggio Emilia countryside
PDO food day: Aceto Balsamico and Vacche rosse cheese
Tour a gorgeous villa that is home to an extraordinary producer of balsamic vinegar, run by two sisters whose father owned the fashion firm, Maska. Traditional Balsamic Vinegar of Reggio Emilia PDO is made from just one ingredient: the must of white and red (Trebbiano and Lambrusco) grapes grown in Reggio Emilia.
Tour of the local consorzio which produces Parma cheese from ‘vacche rosse’ (red cows). Only half a percent of all Parma cheese made in ER comes from this type of cow. See the processes of the production of the Red Cows Parmigiano Reggiano, from the milk to the wheel, through the process of breaking of the curd (spinatura).
After a late lunch some afternoon nap time. Dinner back to agriturismo.
Next Day
Day Eight
Overnight: Parma
Parma Ham and organic winemaking
Visit family owned Parma ham business started by 2 brothers in the late 1960’s. We’ll learn the secrets around the processes involved in the making of Prosciutto di Parma and other cured meats.
With a location where vineyards looks on to the stunning sight of the Torrechiara Castle, we’ll meet with an organic winemaker and taste his Malvasia, Bonarda and Sauvignon wines. Later afternoon arrival into our final stop, the city of Parma. It should come as no surprise that Parma is the first Italian city in history to become UNESCO’s heritage site for Gastronomy.
Next Day
Day Nine
Overnight: Parma
Touring Parma
Morning walking tour of Parma. There is more than just gastronomy here. It’s a lively university town and its renowned music and opera academy is home to famous opera composer Giuseppe Verdi and composer Arturo Toscanini. Enjoy the last day of the tour at leisure in the afternoon popping into museums & art galleries, sampling some craft beers, strolling around beautiful Parco Ducale park or perhaps taking in a concert (schedule depending).
Price: $4750 (Air not included). Single Supplement is $900. We welcome singles and if you do not have a travel partner, please sign up for a single spot. In the event that a roommate is found, your booking can be changed to a double before final payment is due.
Tour price includes 5 dinners, 4 lunches, 9 nights lodging at clean, comfortable, and centrally located hotels, tastings per itinerary, transport, tour leader and tips.
Tour begins afternoon of April 7th in Ravenna, (nearest airport Bologna – BLQ airport code). Tour ends in Parma, (nearest airport Milan or Bologna – MXP/BLQ airport code).
Please email questions info@adventureswithsarah.net