Experiences in Bologna:
Even the hotel we are staying in is an experience. Overlooking Basilica di San Petronio which is the beating heart of Bologna, peculiar in its unfinished state and beautifully hugging Piazza Maggiore (or as Bolognese people call it, ‘Piazza Grande’).
We start the day with a tour of Bologna markets and secret little specialty places with a local tour guide and this can be designed to your specific taste (eg.food and wine, historical, musical tour or a personalised mix) This will be followed by lunch at one of the local markets (cheek to cheek with the locals) If you like exploring markets, Bologna has so many to choose from.
In the afternoon , time to explore, shop or just relax, which is hard to do when there is so much to see and do.
A delicious cooking class to learn how to make the perfect ‘sfoglia’, the base for all kinds of traditional pasta, followed by dinner with what has been prepared, and wines made by the Podere itself.
Day 2 AM; Dozza Imolese (Regional Winehouse) & town walk followed by lunch
PM; Castel San Pietro Terme, wine tour and tasting session
Then dinner in one of the most traditional Bolognese restaurants
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Day 3 and 4 Ferrara and the Comacchio Valleys. We stay at a beautiful little hotel for the next 2 nights, (incredibly peaceful and a very charming courtyard only a few steps away from the beautiful Piazza Ariostea)
Experiences in Ferrara:
A morning bike tour of the Renaissance center of the city, with a local tour guide; a short cooking class preparing ‘Cappellacci di Zucca’ followed by a traditional lunch
Back on your bike for a tour of the city (the Medieval part) with a local tour guide . If you prefer not to cycle there are so many places to walk and explore.
Dinner tonight is guaranteed to be special. It is at one of the most delicious traditional restaurants in the whole of Ferrara, a place where locals eat, and as we know, if they dine there, it will be good!
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Day 4 a day in Comacchio, a guided tour of “Manifattura dei Marinati” a factory-museum dedicated to the production, cooking and preservation of eels. A delicacy in this part of Italy.
Lunch at an ancient fishermen’s house overlooking the Comacchio lagoons followed by a short walking tour of Comacchio to see the famous Trepponti then back to Ferrara for some relaxation or shopping if you prefer.
A fish-based dinner back in Ferrara at a local trattoria , another local experience.
Day 5 Return to Bologna after breakfast by train.
Add an additional 2 days to your tour of the Emilia Romagna region. Each subregion we have chosen, offers something different . Your other option is Ravenna. ( the home of my favorite cheese; Squacquerone, try this with caramelised fig, OMG ! )
The itinerary starts in Bologna, you choose the dates that work for you, and if you are combining another of our Emilia Romagna tours, either Ravenna-Cervia or Forli-Cesena- Brisighella, these itineraries should be added to follow on from the Bologna tour.
The price includes:
2 nights accommodation in a beautiful hotel in Bologna overlooks Basilica di San Petronio which is the beating heart of Bologna, peculiar in its unfinished state and beautifully hugged to Piazza Maggiore (or as Bolognese people call it, ‘Piazza Grande’).
2 nights in a beautiful 5 star hotel & spa in Ferrara
Breakfast included
Private English speaking guide, driver and vehicle as per itinerary
All tours and entry to estates as per itinerary.
Meals and tasting as per itinerary. Wines with all meals, unless otherwise stated in the itinerary.
All Transfers from arrival at the Bologna hotel until return into Bologna at the completion of the tour.
Day 3 includes cycling tours around Ferrara, and as our hotel is right in the heart of Ferrara there will be no vehicle transfers that day.
Transfers back into Bologna are by train, and tickets are included.
Not Included
Individual extras.
Tips and Extras
Insurance
City tax at hotels
All that has not been clearly indicated in “The price includes”
Flights
Single supplement (on request) (noted in Pricing)
Cancellation Policy
At time of booking we request 20% of the total value of the booking as deposit guarantee.Balance 30 days before tour date.
The cancellation policy is applicable to journey price, single supplements, extensions and other
tour related arrangements.
Up to 30 days before departure the booking can be cancelled, with full refund, if restrictions around travel are altered due to Covid .
The tour can also be postponed or amended free of charge, if travel restrictions are imposed.
Travel insurance: highly recommended.
Bologna is the culinary heart of Italy, and it is the perfect starting point to explore ‘Between Emilia and Romagna’ Bologna has been chosen as the central hub for our new private wine and food tours which will cover a a selection of the rural regions surrounding the food capital of Italy. The first itinerary takes 4 days, with 2 nights in Bologna, and 2 nights in Ferrara.
The tour starts in Bologna and includes 4 nights accommodation in total, with the Comacchio Valley and Ferrara also visited. On Day 5 you will return to Bologna after breakfast , or you can build an extra 2 days onto your food and wine tour and include Ravenna-Cervia, or perhaps Cesena- Forli – Brisighella.
The city of Ferrara gained considerable prestige under the House of Este and to this day is a fine example of balance and harmony. Alongside its historical and cultural heritage, the court of the House of Este left Ferrara an excellent culinary tradition. The vines of Ferrara grow on thin sandy soil. The most famous varietal from the region is Fortana, which is gaining favor recently, although it was first planted here in the 16th century, and its the only grand cru from Bosco Eliceo and the only DOC wine in the region. Well worth trying.
Comacchio is famous for eel, in fact there are 48 different eel dishes available, and we will spend time here understanding just how sophisticated this regional speciality has become.
For some more research on this amazing region try this link to my Regions of Italy page.
If you want to better understand the grape varieties of Italy there is a book available on Amazon by Ian D’Agata titled NATIVE WINE GRAPES OF ITALY, a truly amazing read. I also refer to Italian Wine Unplugged, Grape by Grape.