Via Emilia. The Italian Food Route (7 nights)

Inspiring Experiences

Where:

Emilia-Romagna

Duration:

8 days - 7 nights 

N. attendees:

Min 2 people

Availability:

Monday to Sunday

Via Emilia: the Italian Food Route built by the Romans in 187 B.C. A Full Immersion in the Region in Europe with the highest number of Certified PDO and PGI products such as: Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, Prosciutto di Parma ham, Balsamic Vinegar and many more

  • 3 nights in Parma at Hotel 4**** with B&B (Sina Hotels Palace Maria Luigia or similar)
  • 2 nights in Bologna at Hotel 4**** with B&B (Hotel Commercianti or similar)
  • 2 nights in Romagna at Hotel 4**** with B&B (Hotel Oste del Castello or similar)
  • private transportation for all the tour including arrival and departure from Bologna airport (if the option with transportation is selected);
  • visit and lunch in local winery which produce Gutturnio in the hillside of Piacenza (visit made by the staff on site);
  • welcome dinner in Parma;
  • guided visit to Parmigiano-Reggiano PDO cheese dairy, Prosciutto di Parma PDO ham producer, Colli di Parma CDO winery (visit made by an English-speaking authorized guide);
  • visit to Culatello di Zibello PDO ham producer + Michelin starred hands on cooking class focused on traditional pasta with lunch of what you cooked;
  • entries to the 2 Ferrari Museums (Modena & Maranello);
  • visit to Aceto Balsamico Tradizionale di Modena PDO producer (visit made by the staff on site) and balsamic lunch;
  • welcome dinner in Bologna;
  • walking cultural and gastronomic tour of Bologna with an English-speaking authorized guide + tastings/lunch of typical products;
  • guided visit of Byzantine mosaics made by an English-speaking authorized guide (entrances included);
  • typical lunch in local restaurant in Ravenna;
  • guided visit of Formaggio di Fossa PDO, Extra Vergin Olive Oil Colline di Romagna PDO producers;
  • Piadina Romagnola cooking class;
  • visit of Gradara.
  • Tips;
  • Entries to the monuments not mentioned above;
  • Everything not mentioned in the inclusions;
  • Car&driver service if not requested;
  • Local tour leader for all the tour (can be booked on request)

Day 1 – Piacenza

Departure from Piacenza, the first city of the itinerary along the Via Emilia, the historic road created by the Romans in the year 187 B.C. now considered the “Italian Food Route” for the unbelievable quantity of worldwide typical products that were “born” in this part of Italy. Discovery of the land of Piacenza.
For lunch: Visit to one of the many wineries of this important wine district where a great red wine is produced: the Gutturnio, a PDO wine made only in this territory, obtained by the masterly mix of Barbera and Croatina grapes.
Transfer to Parma. Arrival at the selected accommodation, welcome dinner and overnight (D).

Day 2 – Parma

Early in the morning – Parmigiano-Reggiano PDO doesn’t need any presentation. It’s simply the King of the Cheeses and it’s still made like centuries ago. You’ll have the unforgettable experience to see the full production of it with, of course, a final tasting.
To follow – the other great protagonist of the local and worldwide gastronomy: Prosciutto di Parma PDO, considered unanimously one of the greatest ham of the world.
For lunch – The morning will end with a great tasting at a local producer of CDO Lambrusco and Malvasia wines.
In the afternoon – once back to Parma and after a refresh at the hotel, city centre walking tour to discover the main attractions of this little and elegant city of art.
Enjoy dinner on own and overnight. (B, L)

Day 3 – Parma

In the morning – Begin with a morning drive along Po river (the longest river of Italy) to discover the land where “the little brother” of Parma ham is made: only a few producers in the whole world make Culatello di Zibello PDO. Because only here its unique flavours can be obtained thanks to the noble moulds coming from the humidity of the Po.
Visit to a unique XII century aging cellars where more than 5.000 pieces of Culatello rest.
After that, be ready for an amazing hands-on cooking class about typical pasta helped by a Michelin starred kitchen staff! During the class, you’ll be able to taste the product of your work as appetizer before the final lunch including the whole cold cuts production of the farm.
*not available on Saturdays and Sundays
In the afternoon – on the way back to Parma, picture stop in front of the house where the “Maestro” Giuseppe Verdi was born.
Enjoy dinner on own and overnight. (B, L)

Day 4 – Modena

Breakfast and check-out.
Transfer along the Via Emilia heading south east, stop in Modena area, also called Motor Valley due to the fact that worldwide famous sport cars and motorbikes are made here: Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati, Pagani and Ducati!
In the morning – you will be able to visit the recently opened museum dedicated to Enzo Ferrari, built around and inside the house where he was born, with unique car exhibitions that changes every 6 months.
To follow – visit to an ancient Acetaia where the flavorful Aceto Balsamico Tradizionale di Modena PDO is produced. Tasting/lunch at the end of the visit.
In the afternoon – once in Maranello: visit of the Ferrari Museum with time at disposal at the end for some shopping of Ferrari branded stuff if you wish.
Prosecution to Bologna, arrival late in the afternoon. Check in at your selected accommodation.
Welcome Bolognese style dinner and overnight. (B, L, D)

Day 5 – Bologna 

In the morning –  Discovering walking city centre tour of Bologna focused on the main monuments, the market and on the great historical gourmet stores with different tasting that will allow us to learn about Mortadella and all the other still unknown gastronomical treasures that this city keeps. The multiple tastings will be your lunch today!
Remainder of the day at leisure.
Enjoy dinner on own and overnight. (B, L)

Day 6 – Ravenna 

In the morning – transfer to Ravenna and 3-hours guided tour with entrance to the monuments of the UNESCO situated in the historical center (Basilica of San Vitale, Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, Basilica of Sant’Apollinare nuovo, Neonian Baptistery and St. Andrew’s chapel), visit to a mosaic workshop.
For lunch – typical lunch with specialities from Romagna: mixed starters (cold cuts, cheeses and piadina), two first courses (such as cappelletti with meat sauce and strozzapreti with vegetables), dessert, water, coffee and loca wine.
Transfer to Verucchio and free time.
Check-in at the selected accommodation, enjoy dinner on own and overnight. (B, L )

Day 7 – Rimini 

In the morning – visit of Mondaino, a suggestive ancient town where the pit Cheese (Formaggio di Fossa PDO) is still produced with strict medieval rules.You will enjoy the tasting on the poetic verses of the Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri!
To follow – Montegridolfo, renowned all over Italy for its elegant restored historical centre and also for the production of Extra Vergin Olive Oil Colline di Romagna PDO. About half of the production of extra-virgin olive oil from the entire Emilia-Romagna region is produced around these hills. Meeting with the producer and tasting.
Lunch – in a beautiful farmhouse and Piadina Romagnola cooking class! Piadina is the most traditional speciality of Romagna, it began as a poor food eaten by rural populations, especially popular because it was cheap to make; a simple pastry of flour, lard (or EV Olive Oil), salt and water. Without yeast! You will taste it also with ham and the delicious Squacquerone di Romagna PDO cheese! (Local wines included)
In the afternoon – further transfer to Gradara, lovely medieval castle on the border between Romagna and Le Marche region, selected as the most romantic town of Italy. The reason lies in the romantic and tragic love story between Paolo and Francesca recounted by Dante Alighieri in the divine comedy.
Entrance to the castle included, visit at your disposal. At the end some free time to discover the centre and to do some shopping in the traditional shops.
Late afternoon return to the hotel.  (B,L)

Day 8 – Arrivederci!

Check-out and end of your journey. (B)

Cancellation Policy:

  • No fee up to 8 days before the starting day;
  • From 7 days to 3 days before the tour starting date: 50% penalty;
  • 48 hours’ notice: 70% penalty;
  • 24 hours’ notice: 100% penalty.

Please Note:

Contact us for reservation


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