Bologna & Emilia-Romagna
With its terracotta palazzos, ancient covered arcades, and bustling markets, Bologna, a lively bastion of food and culture, is one of Italy’s best kept secrets.
Take a walking tour and discover why Bologna is Known as La Grassa (the fat), La Dotta (the learned), and La Rossa (the red). Browse bustling food markets, visit Europe’s oldest university, and explore miles of UNESCO protected porticos.
Celebrated as the “pasta capital of the world”, Bologna is the perfect place to participate in a cooking class. Accompany your chef to a local food market to purchase local ingredients, learn to make traditional tortellini, and enjoy the fruits of your labor with a sparkling glass of regional Lambrusco. Bolognese sauce, anyone?
Burn off those pasta calories by hiking up to Bologna’s famous Sanctuary of the Madonna di San Luca Church. Roughly an hour in length, the walk follows a beautiful, covered path which consists of exactly 666 arches. On a clear day, the views from San Luca over Bologna are incredible and definitely worth the effort.
With its medieval towns, world renowned cuisine, historic castles, and amazing cultural heritage, the region of Emilia-Romagna is a treasure trove that just begs to be explored.
Drive into the rich agricultural land of the Po Valley and enjoy a gastronomic tour of the Emilia-Romagna region. Along the way explore historic castles, and visit producers of Parmigiano Reggiano, balsamic vinegar and prosciutto di Parma. Learn about the traditions behind these prized products and enjoy a delicious traditional lunch at a family-run restaurant in the hills. There is no better way to discover this delicious region than by tasting everything it has to offer.
Mosaics, Mosaics, Mosaics. Make a pilgrimage to Ravenna, and visit basilicas and mausoleums from the 4-6th century literally covered from floor to ceiling in mosaics.
If you are a fancy car aficionado, take a break from the more traditional sites and head to the nearby “Motor Valley”. Visit the factories and museums of Ferrari, Maserati & Lamborghini and get up close to the car of your dreams. Try the F1 Simulator to feel like a real driver on the most important circuits in the world, or better yet, get behind the wheel and enjoy an exhilarating test drive along the country roads.
