Trip Details

Highlights:  Bologna - Parma - Modena

Emilia Romagna is a paradise for lovers of good cooking. In this region you will have the opportunity to experience Bologna: the gastronomic capital of Italy, as well as Parma: home of the delicious prosciutto crudo and Parmesan cheese. With its abundance of local products, everything in Emilia Romagna begins with the magical mix of sights and smells from the delicious markets.

A Gourmet Travel Club itinerary program specially designed by Abercrombie & Kent 

Pricing depends on seasonality and number traveling.  Contact Gourmet Travel Club for a quote.  888-493-2010

Itinerary

DAY 1          ARRIVE BOLOGNA

Upon arrival at the Bologna airport you will be welcomed to Italy by Your Abercrombie and Kent local representative and be privately transferred to your hotel in Bologna. Check into our hotel right in the heart of the city’s porticoed arcades before leaving on foot for a tour of the city, the food heart of the city.

Our gastronomic journey begins at the medieval Mercato di Mezzo. This is where you'll find some of the best produce Emilia-Romagna has to offer. The market itself small network of streets behind the Piazza Maggiore were once home to the city's traditional merchants and artisans. Join the locals browsing shop after shop selling everything from vegetables and fresh handmade tortellini to delicious breads, meats and oil. Bologna is known affectionately in Italy as the ‘Fat City’ thanks to its gastronomic delights that can be found in the markets place and hearty local menus. By now you will certainly have worked up an appetite, enjoy lunch in the Mercato district (2 courses, wine, water and coffee).

After lunch, our local guide joins us for a walking tour (2-3 hours) of one of Italy’s best preserved medieval towns. This fine city with its portico-lined medieval streets are two central squares, Piazza Maggiore and Piazza del Nettuno where the famous Neptune fountain resides as well as the symbolic two Towers which hint back to Bologna’s time as residence for wealthy families. The two both lean to such an angle and due to their height appear to lean more than the more famous one in Pisa. Visit to the Basilica of San Petronius. Construction on this cathedral began in the 14th century and work was still in progress on this vast building some 300 years later. It still stands unfinished with the wings of the transept missing and the facade only partially decorated, lacking most of the marble face the architects planned several hundreds of years ago. The famous cultural heritage of this city is underpinned by the university, the oldest in Europe. Then it is time for an espresso or gelato before heading back to the hotel to freshen up. This evening dine a la Bolognese in a local Trattoria for a feast of local specialties, accompanied by local wine (water and coffee).

Meal Plan:  L

DAY 2          PARMA - BOLOGNA

Meet your Abercrombie & Kent Tour expert local guide for the transfer to Parma, a city which for centuries always played an important role due to its geographical position at the heart of Italian gastronomy. On the way to Parma we stop at a personal friend of our Tour Director to visit his artisan Parmesan Cheese production facility. Learn about the processes how the iconic cheese is made, and of course enjoy tastings of this sharp unmistakable cheese. Parma’s other world famous food is of course prosciutto, the raw air dried ham. Today we visit 'Prosciuttifficio' up in the Parma Hills to see how the hams are cured and of course try some of the product. Lunch will be a very rustic affair overlooking the Parma Valley with ham tastings accompanied by a variety of pasta dishes; pasta stuffed with spinach and ricotta, then another type stuffed with pumpkin and the third type stuffed with potato, famous Parmesan cheese drizzled with balsamic vinegar. Finish off with rustic fruit tarts or nutty ‘sbrisolona’. All washed down with the local tasty Lambrusco or Monravia wine.

From here we head into the city of Parma, a fascinating town not on the usual tourist radar where we enjoy a walking tour. Parma is a proud town with historical city centre whose monuments of particular importance date from Roman to Liberty style. The city’s elegant streets are home to lovely buildings such as the Baptistery, Piazza Garibaldi and the Teatro Regio. Returning to Bologna, the evening is free to explore and dine independently

Meal Plan:  B,L

DAY 3          MODENA

Today we travel to the region of Modena, famous of course for its own black gold – Aceto Balsamico. Travel with our Tour Director to a family run Acetaia for a truly unique experience as the owner invites us to his private villa. From the parlour, overlooking the park, we learn about the process of making the vinegar before heading upstairs to sniff the various barrel ages as well as a hands-on experience of filling the barrels. As ever, on this gastronomic tour food is the order of the day as lunch is served in the family dining room. Enjoy a fantastic home cooked meal that may include cold cuts, a risotto, home-made focaccia, cheese, cakes, wine, coffee and liqueurs! Truly well fed we head to the city of Modena where we meet a specialist local guide for a tour of the city. An ancient town, it is the seat of an archbishop, but is now best known as "the capital of engines", since the factories of the famous Italian sports car makers Ferrari, Maserati, are located here. A thriving city since Roman times, the medieval heart of the city is a warren of narrow cobbled streets and piazza where you will see the Duomo.

Meal Plan:  B,L

DAY 4          BOLOGNA 

Today you have a special invite to spend the morning with an Italian ‘mama’ in her own kitchen learning the art of creating superb Italian style meals. Focusing on the delights of Bolognese cuisine, your fun and informative morning will include preparation of fresh pasta, vegetables and roasted meats before sitting down together at the dining table to enjoy the fruits of your labor. The remainder of the day is at your leisure.

DAY 5           DEPART BOLOGNA 

After breakfast we transfer the short distance to Bologna Airport.

Meal Plan: B

Accommodations

Grand Hotel Baglioni