Day 1 – Arrival in Parma

Afternoon – Arrival in Parma and check-in at the selected hotel.
To follow – Meet our qualified guide and enjoy a 2-hour ½ slow-paced sightseeing walking tour of the town among the most iconic deli boutiques, pieces of general information, descriptions of the locals’ lifestyle, anecdotes about Parma’s legendary personalities and precious suggestions for shopping in the arts and crafts district.
And yes – you will also hear about the historical and artistic heritage of the petite Capitale: with its 1.000-year-old ensemble of Cathedral and Baptistery, its gracious Renaissance frescoes on the cupolas, the stunning wooden architecture of Teatro Farnese and the neoclassic Teatro Regio wrapped in the unmistakable yellow nuance called Giallo Parma, the town is a miniature summary of all the epochs and styles that have made Italy the fundamental stop of the European Grand Tour.
Dinner – Welcome dinner with typical 3-course menu (wine included, walking distance).
Night – Overnight in Parma.
 

Day 2 – Parmigiano Reggiano, Parma ham & Culatello di Zibello PDO

08.30 am – Meet our guide in Parma and head on to visit an authentic producer of Parmigiano-Reggiano PDO: you’ll discover how the King of all cheeses has been literally made by hand in the same way since the Benedictine monks invented it 10 centuries ago! From the curdling into the typical copper heaters to the salting and the final ageing in the so-called wheel cathedrals, you will be a privileged witness of almost all the steps of production of this out-and-out food icon. Tasting at the end.
On the way – Take a look at the stunning castle of Torrechiara, one of the 40 manors of the area!
11:00 am – Guided visit with final tasting at one of the local family-run ham factories producing the mythical Prosciutto di Parma PDO: you will get to know why this ultra-famous cured meat can only be made in the hills of Parma, where the sea breeze blows from the Tirrenian all along this very specific river valley.
12:30/45 pm – Full lunch based on the typical products of the area: from season appetizers to one pasta course among the most iconic of Emilia to end with home-made cakes. All paired up with local wine such as Lambrusco and/or Malvasia!
02:30 pm – End of morning activities and back to Parma.
Afternoon – Free time for independent visits or shopping.
Dinner – You will be welcomed at Antica Corte Pallavicina, a country-chic Relais housed in the only castle of Italy able to survive the disastrous floods of the mighty river Po and boasting a long list of charming added values: a Michelin restaurant, an own farming estate with its outlet as well as a deli shop, a black pig breeding activity and therefore a glorious production & ageing of top-notch cured meats, a food museum, a small osteria for the most genuine farm-to-table tastings in full Italian style.
The river flows nearby, the peacocks run free in the courtyard, life is slow-paced and tranquility prevails: it’s like going back in time, immersed in the true Emilian countryside.
To follow – Guided visit to the picturesque medieval cellars where Culatello di Zibello PDO, the King of all artisanal cured meats, rests for years before landing to the most renowned Michelin restaurants and the best deli shops of Europe.
Dinner – Farm-to-table dinner at the annexed Hosteria del Maiale.
Night – Overnight in Parma.
 

Day 3 – Modena, Traditional Balsamic Vinegar & Ferrari

Morning – Checkout and head on to Bologna with a quintessential stop in the province of Modena, the heart of the Italian motor valley, which is rich both in engineering and gastronomic heritage at the same time.
To follow – Visit the Ferrari Museum in Maranello (on own) to dive into the past, present and future of the glorious Prancing Horse.
Lunch – Guided visit and tasting lunch at a traditional Acetaia to catch the secrets of PDO Traditional Balsamic Vinegar: in particular, you will get to know why the balsamico made upon the traditional method is the one and only “black gold”, not to be confused with the imitations available in most of the delis and stores around the world.
04:30 pm – Check-in at the selected hotel in Bologna.
Free time – Free time for a stroll downtown.
Dinner – Welcome dinner with typical 3-course menu and wine included (walking distance).
Night – Overnight l in Bologna.
 

Day 4 – Bologna

Tba – 3-hour guided food walking tour of Bologna, searching for its two souls – the Fat and The Learned in all art&food details of this quintessential town.
After a quick look at the sfogline rolling out pasta stripes in their shops, our Bologna expert guide will take you to the locals’ favorite spots in the Quadrilatero, the historical food market district full of irresistible temptations: formaggio bianco, tortellinis, lasagne, parmesan, mortadella… all of which ready to land in your mouth together with nice and long sips of local wine!
And to make it a real treat and an all-round experience, you’ll also get an insider-view of the most iconic corners and monuments of the town, from Piazza Maggiore, to the Neptune Statue and the world-famous UNESCO-Porticoes.
Dinner – On own.
Night – Overnight in Bologna.
 

Day 5 – Bologna hills wine tour

10:00 am – Visit Dozza (on own), a charming little village that looks like the perfect fusion between Middle Ages and Pop Art: a real open-air museum with more than 100 graffiti by several prestigious contemporary artists painted on walls, vaults and arcades.
And if you decide to step into the Fortress of Dozza (on own), you’ll have the chance to sip a last wine glass in the ancient cellars that host Enoteca Regionale dell’Emilia Romagna (at your charge).
11:30 am –  Head back to Bologna with a stop by Castel San Pietro Terme for a top-notch wine tasting.
12:00 pm – At this incredibly competitive family-run company, long established in the area and  known for combining a traditional and innovative method at the same time, you will get stunned at how noticeable the level of the Bologna hills wines can be: 3 individual and distinctive interpretations of Sangiovese di Romagna, revealed through a guided tour of the winery, will be paired to top quality, locally-produced gourmet foods such as mortadella, salame, caciotta (soft cheese) and/or pecorino, thus making an unforgettable tasting lunch!
02:30 pm – End of activities and head on your next destination.