Discover Emilia-Romagna, the Gastronomic Heart of Italy - 8 days
Bike - Self-Guided Tour
Overview
A casual version of our classic cycling and culinary adventure through Italy's renowned foodie region! Wonderful riding through pretty countryside and farms, picturesque towns and great cities. This region offers amazing scenery and a number of UNESCO world heritage sites, renowned food and drink, art and history, and the legendary friendliness of its locals.
Highlights
- Bologna's cold cuts and colorful arches
- Modena, balsamic vinegar mill visit
- Sleep in an agriturismo farm estate
- Parma's famous cured ham
- Parmegiano-Reggiano cheese
- Castle of Torrechiara
Daily itinerary
Day 1 Day 1 - Arrive in Bologna
Highlights: Bologna! UNESCO World Heritage porticoes and culinary traditions
Arrive in Bologna, Emilia Romagna's administrative capital and, arguably, its culinary capital too. Home to the oldest continually operating university in the world, Bologna has a long tradition of studies, arts, and gastronomy. Speaking of gastronomy, Bologna gave birth to mortadella, vulgarly distorted abroad as "bologna," although the fresh, artisanal mortadella has nothing to do with processed ham! Make sure you put this culinary delight on your 'must try' list! Lots to see and explore in this beautiful city. Come early and book a genuine cooking class at a renowned cooking school or enjoy dinner at a local trattoria!
Accommodation: Il Guercino Boutique Hotel, or similar.
Day 2 Day 2 - Ride to Modena
Highlights: Rails-to-trails bike paths, Bazzano, World Heritage Site of historic Modena
Leave Bologna on its city bike paths to get to the foot hills of the Apennine Mountains, where great views reward you as you approach Bazzano. A rails-to-trails bike path in the countryside will then take you all the way to Modena. Don't forget to visit the historic town center of this city with the marble covered cathedral and its Ghirlandina bell tower.
Daily distance: 64 km (39 miles)
Elevation gain: +253 m (830 ft)
Terrain type: mostly flat
Accommodation: Hotel Estense, or similar.
Day 3 Day 3 - Modena loop ride
Highlights: Explore Modena; optional loop ride on the hills
Take time to explore Modena today by climbing up the bell tower or visiting the Palace of the Duchy. Alternatively, enjoy a ride to the foothills of the Apennines along quiet roads and bicycle lanes. Visit the picturesque town of Castelvetro with its fortified historical center and balsamic vinegar production. If you are a car fan, Modena is the home of Ferrari and other historical brands so there are museums and exhibitions you can indulge in!
Daily distance: 60 km (37 miles)
Elevation gain: +393 m (1289ft)
Terrain type: rolling hills
Accommodation: Hotel Estense, or similar.
Day 4 Day 4 - Cycle the Reggio Emilia countryside
Highlights: Modena's covered street market, Balsamic vinegar, stay in an agriturismo
Before heading out of Modena on your bike, we suggest a visit of the local covered market that has been selling local products since the Middle Ages: fruits and vegetables, but also gourmet selections of Lambrusco wine, Amaretti cookies, truffles, cheese and Prosciutto, and of course traditional balsamic vinegar. With your senses alight by the sounds, sights and smells, you will visit the lovely Acetaia Cavalli estate, where the family has been producing the highest quality balsamic for over a hundred years. An easy ride today will lead you along back roads to tonight’s very special stay - an "agriturismo" country house estate with a working farm, parmesan cheese and balsamic vinegar production, vineyards and winery, and more, within a wonderful natural setting.
Daily distance: 48 km (30 miles)
Elevation gain: +214 m (702 ft)
Terrain type: mostly flat
Accommodation: Agriturismo La Razza, or similar.
Day 5 Day 5 -Reggio Emilia loop ride on the hills
Highlights: Canossa Castle ruins or city of Reggio Emilia
Head for the hills today on a ride to Canossa Castle ruins, where the Holy Roman Empire Emperor Henry 4th had to show penance to the Pope, waiting in the snow barefoot at the gate of Matilda's castle for three days before Matilda, countess of Canossa, convinced the Pope to open. Alternatively, for a shorter loop ride follow the bike path to Reggio Emilia for a visit of this bustling, pretty town.
Short option: 35 km (18 miles) with +236 m (774 ft) Elevation gain - Terrain type mostly flat
Long option: 56km (35 miles) with +906 m (2972 ft) Elevation gain - Terrain type hilly
Accommodation: Agriturismo La Razza, or similar.
Day 6 Day 6 - Bike to Parma
Highlights: Parma cured ham and parmesan cheese
We suggest you start your day with an optional visit of a parmesan cheese factory. This wonderful experience, in which you'll learn why Parmigiano-Reggiano is known as "the king of cheeses”, is one of the tour highlights.
Your destination today is a city where your taste buds will not be disappointed, Parma! Famous for its culinary traditions, the arts also flourished outside of the kitchen in this lovely city: Parmigianino, Correggio, and Giuseppe Verdi are some of its most famous citizens, and their influence are present to this day. The city is still an important cultural and artistic center. Explore and enjoy the historic center, and delight your palate with Parma's signature cured ham (prosciutto crudo) and Parmesan cheese, eaten as an aperitivo or sprinkled on homemade pasta dishes.
Daily distance: 52 km (32 miles)
Elevation gain: +259 m (849 ft)
Terrain type: mostly flat
Accommodation: Hotel Button, or similar.
Day 7 Day 7 - Torrechiara Castle loop ride
Highlights: Lovely ride in the hills near Parma and the castle of Torrechiara and lunch with a view; explore Parma
Get ready for your last day of bicycling amidst ancient castles and local traditions! Today's ride will loop to the breathtaking Torrechiara Castle. Dominating the Val Parma, the castle was constructed between 1448 and 1460, devised as an instrument of defense as well as a distinguished home for the count and his lover. This area is famous for its cured prosciutto and local salame—taste them in this historic setting!
Daily distance: 49 km (30 miles)
Elevation gain: +355 m (1164 ft)
Terrain type: rolling hills
Accommodation: Hotel Button, or similar.
Day 8 Day 8 - Last day in Parma, tour ends
Highlights: World Heritage Site of Parma
Your cycling tour ends in Parma. Now with a refined palate, shop well and take some recipes home to try in your own kitchen!
PLEASE NOTE: The final itinerary, including hotels and/or activities described here, are subject to changes according to availability.
Difficulty description
Perfect for cyclists who prefer shorter distances and mostly flat riding. Bike paths along rivers or rails-to-trails, and quiet country roads. Some of the bike paths are on hard packed dirt roads or levees. Loop days will bring you into the lower hills, with some short climbs.
Visit our Tour difficulty level page to learn more about terrain levels and how we determine day and tour levels.
Map
What's included
- 7 nights in 2-,3- and 4-star hotels and B&Bs of similar quality
- All breakfasts
- Luggage transfers are not included on our Casual tours, and are offered as an optional extra (see pricing section)
- All Casual self-guided tour inclusions
Optional activities
- Balsamic Vinegar Producer Visit
- Parmesan Cheese maker visit (closed Saturdays and Sundays)
- Cooking class available in Bologna: Organized by Le Cesarine, experts in Italian culinary experiences. You will be hosted by a local at their home - your "Cesarina" - in a class that lasts about three hours, during which you will help the Cesarina cook prepare three courses. In the fourth and final hour, you will enjoy the meal (lunch or dinner) which you prepared during the class. Water and one bottle of house wine for every 3 people are included.
Dates and availability
This tour is available between March 1 and October 31
Starts every Sunday. Other start days available by request (extra fee applies). Please note that starting on certain days of the week will make some visits impossible (such as museums or tastings).
2025 Confirmed departure dates:
May 7
September 14
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Don't have 8 days? Our shorter version of this tour still offers great cycling and all the highlights:
5-day Discover Emilia-Romagna tour.
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Tour code: itbs3980
Prices
Low season: €870
2025 dates: Mar 1 - Apr 31; Jun 16 - Aug 31; Oct 15-31
High season: €970
2025 dates: May 1 – Jun 15; Sep 1 - Oct 15
Prices per person, based on double occupancy; minimum 2 participants per departure.
Single supplement: €255 (in double room for single use)
Solo traveler departures: €425 (only one person on the departure). Includes the single/double room supplement and a GPS unit with the pre-loaded routes.
Extra nights are available: please inquire
Luggage transfer option: €320 for 1-4 travelers
City hotel tax not included in tour package (2 to 5 euro per night per person, to be paid locally by traveler).
* due to the 2025 Rome Jubilee, some cities may charge a higher per night tax
GPS device rental, as well as a printed roadbook, are available at an optional extra fee:
- GPS device rental: €50
- Printed roadbook: €45 (second copy of printed roadbook €15)
See the What's Included section for details on included navigation tools
Group Discounts are available for participants booking together on the same departure! Please inquire!
For more ways to save, see our discounts and promotions page.
Bike rental
We offer quality bikes in different styles, all great options for this bike tour. Our bikes are maintained and delivered in optimal working condition.
The prices below are per bike for the duration of the tour, including delivery to starting point and collection from ending point of tour.
Bike rental rates
Aluminum hybrid: €160
Premium Titanium road or hybrid: €200
Touring E-bike (hybrid with straight handlebar): €280
Tandem: €295 (priced per bike, for 2 cyclists)
Tag-along or kid trailer: €80
Bike rental insurance is available for purchase with all our rental bikes – see details in the Bike Rental Insurance section of our Terms and Conditions page.
For detailed specs and photos of our bikes, see our website - Bike Rentals Italy.
Trip planning
Starting point
In and out of Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport (BLQ)
Starting point: Hotel Il Guercino - Via L. Serra 7, Bologna
We recommend flying into Bologna Aeroporto G.Marconi.
- Take the MarconiExpress Monorail connecting Aeroporto Marconi Bologna Main Train Station or take a 10-minute taxi ride from Bologna Airport to your hotel.
Ending point
In and out of Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport (BLQ)
Ending point: Hotel Button – Borgo della Salina, 7, Parma
You can fly out from Bologna, which is connected to Parma by train.
- Reach Bologna train station by train and to get to the airport, you can catch the MarconiExpress or a taxi (see “Starting point” for more info).
Private airport transfers are available: please inquire for prices
- Bologna airport to Bologna Hotel Guercino
- Parma hotel to Bologna airport
Long-term Parking:
- If you choose to drive to Bologna and leave your car parked there (taking a direct return train Parma at tour end) a private, secure parking lot is avalable at the airport.
Final arrival and departure instructions along with other detailed pre-travel documents, will be e-mailed prior to your travel, with information specific to your departure (including the actual hotels used on your tour dates, which may vary from the hotels listed above.)
Customer reviews
Click to read past traveler reviews
It was a trip of a lifetime, super exciting and fun!
- Cathy S. (USA, 2023)
10 OUT OF 10: We loved the tour, and would recommend your company
- Lise V. (USA, 2022)
Low key, independent bike tour option with well planned routes through the countryside stopping in small cities to explore every day. I loved the loop ride from Agriturismo La Razza up to the castles and generally really enjoyed the bike routes every day.
- Gwynneth J. (USA, 2022)
Well organized. Sara in customer service was very helpful. My favorite experiences: Optional ride days to explore castles. Also enjoyed add on of Parmesan and balsamic vinegar tours. Had an amazing time!
- Leslie M. (USA, 2022)
Slow tour of Italy with advantages of seeing what you don’t normally get to see Fabulous food. Riding past many farms. My favorites: Parma food fantastic, decor of bologna hotel, rooms and dinner at Agriturismo la Razza, museums in Modena and Parma.
- Francesca M. (USA, 2022)
