Discover Emilia-Romagna, the Gastronomic Heart of Italy - 5 days

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.

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 (40 miles)
Elevation gain: +253 m (830 ft)
Terrain type: Mostly Flat

Accommodation: Hotel Estense, or similar.

Highlights: Modena's covered street market, Balsamic vinegar, charming Reggio, optional farm stay

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 Acetaia Cavalli estate, where the family has been producing the highest quality balsamic for over a hundred years. Continue on an easy ride along lovely back roads to the evening's destination, the charming city of Reggio Emilia. Optionally, you may choose to stay in an "agriturismo" outside the city - this country house hotel shows off its working farm, parmesan cheese and balsamic vinegar production, vineyards and winery, and more, within a wonderful natural setting (please note, on certain nights the farm restaurant is closed; Reggio Emilia is the closest option for a restaurant dinner, a 20min taxi drive away).

Daily distance: 48 km (30 miles)
Elevation gain: +214m (702ft)
Terrain type: Mostly Flat

Accommodation: Hotel Reggio, or similar.

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 (850 ft)
Terrain type: Mostly Flat

Accommodation: Hotel Button, or similar.

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. 

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.

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.)