A journey through the Italian flavors along one of the oldest Italian routes built by the Romans in 187 B.C. from Rimini to Piacenza, along the districts of Ravenna, Bologna, Modena and Parma.
A real discovery of the hidden Italy where worldwide famous products such as “Parmigiano-Reggiano”, “Prosciutto di Parma”, “Aceto Balsamico Tradizionale di Modena” and many more come from…
Day 1 – Bologna
Bologna from where your Discovery Tour along the Grand Italian Food Tour on the Emilia Route will begin. Bologna has been for centuries one of the most culturally, artistically and politically influential cities in Italy and Europe. The same can be said about gastronomical traditions which have been carefully and lovingly passed from generation to generation and that’s why Bologna and Emilia-Romagna hold the secrets of some of the best products you will taste during your tour. You will start from the Piazza with Neptune’s Fountain and walk beside the Basilica of San Petronio where you can see the world largest sun dial then onto cobbled streets where your taste buds will be put to the test with the delicious “Mortadella” di Bologna and more. Watch the crafted and expert hands of the master Pasta Makers making the famous “Tagliatelle” and “Tortellini”. In the evening a dinner will be at one of the bespoken Trattorias in Bologna with a traditional Menu Bolognese, “Tagliatelle” and “Tortellini” with Bolognese Sauce. Overnight in a 3*s or 4* Hotel in Bologna.
Day 2 – Modena
Buffet style breakfast. Depart towards Modena, north of Bologna, and capital of what is known as the “Black Gold” the famous “Aceto Balsamico Tradizionale di Modena”, obtained through a long and careful evolution inside different size barrels arranged in decreasing order. For centuries these barrels, called batteries, have traditionally been preserved and placed in the attics of the houses. The production and refinement go hand in hand and only after 12 years the vinegar drawn from the smaller casks can be labelled as “Aceto Balsamico Tradizionale di Modena” and after 25 years becomes “Aceto Balsamico di Modena Extra Vecchio” or “Invecchiato” and the tasting will be a unique and unforgettable experience. You will have lunch in the “Acetaia” with a menu dedicated to the “Balsamico” served with a selection of cold meats and cheeses accompanied with the traditional “Tigelle” (small flat bread similar to pancake). From 2.30 p.m. on the day will be at your leisure. Possibility to visit: producer of the renowned “Lambrusco di Modena” DOC; Ferrari Museum in Maranello with its permanent exhibition of F1 Cars & World Championship.
Winner
– Hombre Cheese Dairy
– Panini Museum with its beautiful collection of 19 vintage Maserati Cars
– Modena City Center is a UNESCO HERITAGE SITE
(Modena has one of Italy’s most beautiful Romanesque style Cathedrals with its Ghirlandina Tower in Piazza Grande dating back to the 11th century. Modena is also the hometown of the late Luciano Pavarotti one of the world greatest Tenors of all time)
. Accommodation at 3*sup / 4* in the area of Modena/Parma/Piacenza. Overnight.
Day 3 – Parma – Zibello
Buffet style breakfast. At 9.30 a.m. depart towards Parma, north of Modena, to discover 3 of the best products produced in what is known as “The Food Valley”. The King of cheeses, Parmigiano Reggiano, made exactly in the same way as the monks who invented the recipe centuries ago. You will see all the different stages in the production line, from the “Salt Pools” to the “Wheel Cathedral” where 20,000 wheels of cheese age and mature for not less than 24 months and up to 36 months and more (The Gran Riserva) and at the end of it, of course, the sublime tasting experience. You will then drive a few miles and discover another of our worldwide recognized Food and Gastronomic excellency, “Prosciutto di Parma” very delicate, sweet flavor and very low calorie content. The recognition as DOP (Denomination of Origin Protected) status makes sure that the 200 producers fully comply with the strict rules, absolutely no chemical additives or preservatives are added and the ageing process lasts not less than 12 months up to 24 months and more. You will taste the Parma Ham as part of a traditional buffet lunch together with Parmigiano Reggiano and other typical products all washed down with two fantastic wines of the area, Lambrusco DOC and Malvasia DOC. Then you will drive to the small village of Zibello where our last but not least delicacy awaits you: “Culatello di Zibello DOP”. Here the designated DOP area is even smaller than the one for the Parma Ham and its production is limited. It is also catalogued in the Emilia-Romagna Slow Food Presidia. Visit the 12th century ageing cellar with a little tasting. Also a possibility to visit the Province of Parma known as the “Terre Verdiane” where the “Maestro of Opera” Giuseppe Verdi lived. The tour will include the house where he was born, the Verdi’s Theatre in Busseto, Barezzi’s House and Hall, Villa Sant’Agata and the new National Museum Giuseppe Verdi housed inside Villa Pallavicino. Accommodation at 3*sup / 4* in the area of Modena/Parma/Piacenza. Overnight.
Day 4 – Piacenza
Buffet style breakfast. Depart towards Piacenza, north of Parma. In Piacenza’s surrounding hills and countryside can be found producers of some other finest and traditional DOP Charcuterie with a very delicate flavor like the “Coppa Piacentina”, the “Pancetta and Salame Piacentini”. You will visit a producer with a light tasting. Lunch will be at a typical restaurant and the menu will focus on local products of course accompanied with some of the great local wines. After lunch you will visit one of the many wineries dotted around this very important wine production district (Colli Piacentini DOC Area) and where fantastic but still relatively unknown wines are produced like the “Gutturnio DOC” made with a selected blend of Barbera and Croatina grapes. Piacenza like the rest of Emilia-Romagna has a wine making tradition that dates back to the roman times hence some very fine wine estates producing great wines which are worth a visit. Other wines which are part of the “Colli Piacentini DOC Area” are the Barbera Colli Piacentini DOC, the Bonarda DOC reds and the Monterosso d’Arda DOC, the Trebbianino Val Trebbia DOC and the Val Nur DOC whites. So this could be a great way to treat yourselves if you are looking for a fantastic wine tasting tour. Accommodation at 3*sup / 4* in the area of Modena/Parma/Piacenza. Overnight.
Day 5 – Faenza – Forlimpopoli
Buffet style breakfast. Depart towards Faenza, south of Bologna. Faenza is widely renowned in the world for its ceramic and pottery production a tradition that dates back to the 12th century. The word “Faience” is also used today to refer to “Majolica” in many different languages. 60 workshops dotted in and around Faenza demonstrate how important ceramic and pottery is for the economy and tourism of this medieval town; visit and watch the experienced craftsman hands mold and make ceramic and pottery pieces with their unique design and hand painting accompanied with a DOC Quality & Limited Number Certificate. Ceramic lovers cannot miss the “International museum of Ceramics” which hosts unique world collections and Faenza pottery from the Renaissance. At about 11.30 a.m. visit a renowned winery near Faenza for a traditional “Aperitivo” and wine tasting… ”His Majesty the Sangiovese”…It is said that the Sangiovese di Romagna embodies its people’s spirit: straightforward, lively, unsophisticated, vigorous and welcoming, but at the same time rugged on the outside but sincere and delicate inside. You’ll taste one of the best Sangiovese di Romagna together with “Piadina” our traditional flat unleavened bread and a selection of charcuterie and cheeses. Lunch will be in the little town of Forlimpopoli a short drive from Faenza, in what is considered the Temple of Italian Cooking, “Casa Artusi” which is located in the old part of the town and it boasts a renowned restaurant, the Artusian Library and the famous cookery school. Pellegrino Artusi is considered the Father of the Italian Traditional Cuisine and his book “Science in the Kitchen and the Art of Eating Well” for the Italians is the Bible of Cooking. It contains 790 home cooking recipes. The lunch will be in the restaurant and you will taste original recipes from the book. In the afternoon you will visit the library and have a stroll in the town center. Accommodation at 3*sup / 4* in the area of Romagna (Countryside of Forlì, Ravenna and Rimini). Overnight.
Day 6 – Ravenna
Buffet style breakfast. Arrival at Ravenna. It is said that the people who see Ravenna fall in love with it. It happened to Boccaccio who set one of his best stories here, Gustav Klimt who clearly drew inspiration from it, to Hermann Hesse who visited and dedicated some verses to it. Ravenna is Roman, Gothic, Byzantine, Medieval, Venetian and finally contemporary. Recommended sites to visit with particular attention to the Byzantine mosaics and other UNESCO World Heritage sites like: Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, Neonian Baptistery, Arian Baptistery -Basilica of Sant’Apollinare Nuovo, Sant’Andrea’s Chapel and the Archiepiscopal Chapel, Theodoric’s Mausoleum -Basilica of San Vitale, Basilica of Sant’Apollinare in Classe. Also a possibility to visit a mosaic studio workshop. Lunch will be at a fish restaurant where particular focus on the menu will be on the sweet salt from Cervia and its properties applied both in cooking and well-being as the purity of the sodium chloride and the absence of other bitter salts normally present in the sea water configure a sweet taste and is particularly healthy. In the afternoon walk amongst the bell towers and monastic cloisters, from the Romanesque to the gothic, from Giotto’s style frescos in the church of Santa Chiara to the baroque apse of the Basilica of Sant’Apollinare Nuovo, from the relics of the last refuge of Dante Alighieri to the places who saw Lord Byron’s loves. Accommodation at 3*sup / 4* in the area of Romagna (countryside of Forlì, Ravenna and Rimini). Overnight.
Day 7 – Mondaino – Montegridolfo – Sant’Agata Feltria
Buffet style breakfast. Your grand food tour journey will end in amazing style as the south part of our Via Emilia will surprise you with its many jewels in the crown: the Piadina IGP, Extra Virgin Olive Oil “Colli di Rimini”, “Colli di Romagna” DOP - Pecorino di Fossa DOP (Sheep milk cheese aged in underground pits), Black & White Truffles. You will start in the morning with a short drive through the hills to Mondaino a picturesque medieval village where the Formaggio di Fossa is still produced following the strict rules dating back to the 14th century. Enjoy the tasting whilst listening to the poetic verses of Dante Alighieri’s “Divine Comedy”. Your journey will then take you to the nearby Montegridolfo whose castle and its historic center has all been elegantly restored and it attracts thousands of tourists from all over Italy. As well as the castle people come to Montegridolfo because of the production of the delicate Extra Virgin Olive Oil “Colli di Romagna” DOP and you will meet the producer and learn all the secrets on how to recognize the difference between a good and a bad olive oil. You will have lunch in a beautiful farmhouse with a fun Piadina Master Chef cooking class. Piadina, made with flour/lard/water/salt and NO YEAST, is certainly the most traditional speciality of Romagna, it was considered the bread of the poor in particular amongst rural communities who couldn’t afford more expensive ingredients. Nowadays it is eaten by everybody from home to snack shops and restaurants. Piadina will be served with other traditional products such as the creamy cheese “Squacquerone di Romagna” DOP and more. In the afternoon a possibility to visit the medieval village of Sant’Agata Feltria famous for the National White Truffle Fair held throughout the month of October each Sunday and where you can taste different dishes with truffles cooked at one of the many food stalls at the fair. Accommodation at 3*sup / 4* in the area of Romagna (countryside of Forlì, Ravenna and Rimini) . Overnight.
Day 8 – Romagna
Buffet style breakfast. End of tour.
Package includes:
- 8 Days Self Drive Car MCMR FIAT 500 (or similar)
- 1 Night in Bologna
- 3 Nights in the area of Modena/Parma/Piacenza
- 3 Nights the area of Romagna (countryside of Forlì, Ravenna and Rimini)
- 1 traditional Dinner in Bologna - Balsamic Vinegar tasting
- 1 Lunch in “Acetaia” in Modena
- Parmigiano Reggiano and Prosciutto di Parma and Culatello tasting
- 1 Lunch at typical restaurant in Parma
- Coppa Piacentina and Wine tasting in Piacenza
- 1 Lunch with typical products around Piacenza
- Sangiovese Wine tasting in Faenza area
- 1 Lunch at Casa Artusi restaurant
- Entrance to 3 Unesco Heritage’s Monuments in Ravenna
- Fish Lunch in Ravenna seaside area
- “Fossa” cheese and Extra Virgin Olive Oil tasting
- “Piadina” cookery class
- 1 Typical Lunch at Farmhouse in the countryside of Rimini
- Truffle tasting in Sant’Agata Feltria - Gift at arrival
- “The Emilia Route” Traveler KIT (guide, maps, information)
Car rental includes:
- Late Model Car
- 4-hour-a-day road assistance
- Free Unlimited Mileage
- CDW (Collision Damage Waiver) € 500 deductible
- THW (Theft Waiver) € 500 deductible
- Third Party Liability (Including Passenger & Things and Animals) Maximum € 25.000.000.
- Domestic One-Way
- Airport/Railway Charges
- Road Taxes
- 22% VAT taxes
Upgrade Car Rental to:
• IDMR – Alfa Rome Giulietta (or similar) +$68. p.p.
• HDAR – Audi A1Automatic (or similar) +$133 p.p.
Tour Cost starting from $1,278 p.p. based on double accommodations.
For more than two people or group rates please contact us at info@helloitalytours.com
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