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(5 DAYS / 4 NIGHTS) - For Groups
DAY 1 – Bologna
Arrival of the group at Bologna G. Marconi International Airport. Welcome and assistance by tour representative.
Transfer by private deluxe coach to the Hotel chosen.
Welcome cocktail upon arrival. Check in and time to relax.
In the late afternoon you will meet our English speaking guide for a lovely walk through the medieval market to discover the history, art and traditions of Bologna.
- A traditional bakery and pasta maker's.
- The history of tortellini and tagliatelle
- A traditional chocolate maker where solid chocolate was invented ? Beccari's salsamenteria. The history of mortadella, from the third century BC up to modern times
- A typical Bolognese osteria. The fun-loving side of the world's oldest university
After the tour welcome dinner escorted by music in one of the most ancient taverns in Bologna. The restaurant is located in a 1400 palace in the historical centre of the town where in the 1900 famous poets such as Giosué Carducci, and Giovanni Pascoli were used to come to the inn. Now this tavern is completely restored but historically unchanged with its characteristic grin vaults, the 1400 fireplace, the wine-cellar, the spring water well and the original counter imposed by the Pope in 1600.
After dinner back to the Hotel and Overnight.
Day 2 – Parma
Individual breakfast at the hotel. In the early morning you will meet the tour representative and departure by private deluxe coach to Parma.
This tour will give you the chance to learn the secrets of one of the most famous Italian gastronomic speciality: PARMIGIANO REGGIANO CHEESE.
Visit to a Parmesan cheese producer and tasting.
After the visit transfer to a very nice Farmhouse for a 4 hours cooking class followed by lunch based typical Parmesan dishes that you prepared (3 hours cooking class in the morning + 1 hour cooking class in the afternoon).
In the afternoon transfer to Parma for a guided city tour.
Hints on Parma
Although a relatively small city, Parma boasts some truly monumental architecture, a rich artistic heritage and a range of important cultural institutions. Among the chief attractions of the town, the splendid Romanesque Cathedral, frescoed by Correggio and the octagonal Baptistery, Benedetto Antelami's architectural and sculptural masterpiece.
Besides, the renown of Parma is associated with influential figures such as Giambattista Bodoni, generally recognized as one of the greatest typographers of all time, Giuseppe Verdi and Arturo Toscanini.
Back to Bologna in the late afternoon. Free time at disposal.
In the evening, dinner in a nice restaurant in Bologna downtown. In this restaurant guests will taste the traditional cooking of Bologna and precisely the “TORTELLINI”, the delicious homemade pasta, famous all over the world.
Overnight at Hotel.
Day 3 – Modena :
Individual breakfast at Hotel. In the morning meet the tour representative and departure by private deluxe coach to Modena.
Visit of a traditional balsamic vinegar producer tasting
Acetaia's roots are firmly established in a family tradition, beginning in 1850 and continuing through five generations in which the passion for the art of Traditional Balsamic Vinegar has been cultivated. Thanks to this tradition and to their own vineyard they have been able to learn the ancient rules of decanting and enhancing for many years to create a Vinegar with a brilliant appearance, complex aromas, and a thick consistency: a "true balm." During the visits the products that the Acetaia has taken care to produce in a traditional manner for decades will be shown; there will be an explanation of the main rules for producing the best Traditional Balsamic Vinegar of Modena; and finally, there will be an opportunity to taste the product.
After the visit, transfer to Modena for a guided city tour.
Hints of Modena
Right in the heart of the Duchy of the Este, this city’s architectural jewels are admired all over the world. The cathedral was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site (along with its campanile, the Torre Ghirlandina, and Piazza Grande). It is a masterpiece of the Italian Romanesque and one of the best-preserved examples of this style in Europe. Not far from the cathedral, in the heart of the old historic centre, stands the Palazzo Ducale (Ducal), now the headquarters of the Military. This fine Academy Palace building once housed the Estense court, which was moved here from Ferrara in 1598.
After the visit, departure to Castelfranco for a traditional lunch in a very nice complex of 250-year-old farm houses located in an oasis of tranquillity. In the farmhouse restaurant guests can enjoy delicious dishes rigorously prepared by hand according to our local country traditions.
After lunch, visit to a very renowned wine grower
You will have the opportunity to visit the winery and the vineyards. In addition you will learn all working processes, the agricultural and oenological techniques which are used in this winery, in order to give value to the raw material, thanks
also to the territory conditions (climate and soil). These visits always end up with the tasting of some wines produced by the firm, combined with typical local products.
After the visit back to the Hotel. Free time for leisure, relax and dinner.
Overnight at Hotel.
Day 4 – Ravenna
Individual breakfast at Hotel.
In the morning you will meet the tour representative and departure by private deluxe coach to Ravenna.
Arrival in Ravenna and HD guided tour of the city.
Hints of Ravenna
Unique in its splendour and in its past, Ravenna still preserves the imperial legacy bequeathed to it by Rome. The city is renowned all over the world for its precious mosaics. The visit includes (**see note on last page): The Basilica of St. Vitale, the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, the Neonian Baptistery, the Church of St. Francesco, Dante Alighieri’s Tomb, the Basilica of St. Apollinaire the New and the visit to a Mosaics Atelier.
After the tour lunch in a nice Restaurant located in the centre of Ravenna. It offers not only regional cooking but also national and international. The place is very comfortable and smart.
In the afternoon visit of the Cooperativa Mosaicisti Ravenna which has been working in the "City of Mosaics" for more than fifty years and consists of highly qualified personnel who have built up their experience with the works of famous contemporary architects and artists including Chagall, Erni, Gutman, Yulien, Kokoschka, Mathieu, etc.. In addition the Cooperativa Mosaicisti Ravenna has been responsible for the entire collection of reproductions for the Exhibitions on early Ravenna Mosaics, on Dante and on Modern Mosaics, shown at the Academy of Fine Arts in Ravenna and in over thirty foreign countries.
Back to the Hotel. Free time for dinner at leisure.
Overnight at Hotel.
Day 5 – Ferrara :
Individual breakfast at Hotel. Check out.
In the morning you will meet the tour representative and departure by private deluxe coach to Ferrara.
Half day city tour of Ferrara
Hints of Ferrara
Beautiful town whose name is linked to that of the D’Este family. The visit includes: the Cathedral, the Castle, Schifanoia Palace, the Jewish Ghetto and the city walls. Art lovers cannot miss the great exhibitions at Palazzo dei Diamanti.
After the tour transfer to Comacchio and lunch in a typical restaurant based on fresh fish of the Adriatic Coast located by the typical canals of this small beautiful village.
Back to Guglielmo Marconi Bologna Airport and departure in the evening
Options for Day 1 :
HD BOLOGNA CITY visit of the most significant monuments in the art and history of the town: the Fountain of Neptune, Palazzo Re Enzo, Piazza Maggiore, Palazzo Comunale, the Basilica of San Petronio, Archiginnasio, the Abbey of Santo Stefano, Corte Isolani, the Two Towers.
THE ANCIENT TAVERNS OF BOLOGNA A lovely walk through the ancient drinking establishments in the historical city centre. The presence of university students facilitated the opening of this kind of “shops” since the 13th century and even today, among the narrow streets of the medieval town, it is possible to find crowded pubs dating back to the 14th-century. This kind of reality hasn’t changed over the centuries and today, as ever, Bologna’s night life is distinguished by its vivacity and innovation. It is a pleasant walk at any time of day but during the evening as a way to get the best taste of Bologna’s most typical atmosphere. On this tour you will not only see but have the chance in tasting some local food products.
Options for Day 2 :
VISIT OF A PARMA HAM PRODUCER AND TASTING The story of the production of genuine Parma ham is the story of a special relationship between man and nature. Since Roman times, the unique conditions of the Parma region have made it possible to produce the highest quality hams, appreciated by gourmets for centuries. It was in 100 BC that an author first mentioned the extraordinary flavour of the air-cured ham produced around the town of Parma in Italy
LUNCH IN A VERY NICE "TRATTORIA" IN PARMA The restaurant, located in the historic centre of Parma, offers a traditional cooking and also a large selection of wines. The place is very friendly and comfortable.
Options for Day 3 :
TO THE FERRARI GALLERY IN MARANELLO This Gallery is housed in several rooms designed to display historic vehicles, Formula 1 racing cars and modern GTs, innovative technology, trophies, technical drawings, film clips and photographs as well as the Ferrari Shop with original Ferrari merchandise. Even the interpretation of the exhibition space reflects the company spirit: making progress, improving and facing new challenges, in the awareness that the ultimate car has yet to be built, just as Enzo Ferrari used to say.
Options for Day 4 :
VISIT TO A LABORATORY OF DECORATIVE ART OF HAND-PRINTED MATERIALS. “ Man does not just live in his surroundings but above all INHABITS them. It is this HABITUS and the basic need to inhabit, which concerns the decorative art of hand -printed materials by the foremost and oldest family of craftsman printers. From 1600 to the present day in the workshop of Sant’Arcangelo di Romagna the unique and evocative traditions of xyiographic printing (from Greek ksylon = wood) have been continued. The hand-carved pear wood dies, one by one, are impregnated with rust, blue and green colours, also quite unique, to decorate linen, canvas and cotton with geometric forms, floreal and animal motifs which originate in the rich heritage of folk art” .
HD IN THE WONDERFUL THEMATIC PARK OF MIRABILANDIA Enjoy the fun!! 47 wonderful attractions for EVERYBODY!
HD VISIT OF THE MEDIEVAL VILLAGE OF DOZZA, VISIT OF THE CASTLE AND WINE
TASTING IN THE ANCIENT CELLARS. Dozza is internationally-known for its Biennial of Contemporary Art “Il Muro dipinto ” (The Painted Walls). Since 1960, artists are invited to paint the houses of this small medieval village between Emilia and Romagna which is also one of the "Borghi più belli d'Italia" (The most beautiful villages of Italy). It now displays around ninety frescoes, such as those by Aligi Sassu, Norma Mascellani, Sebastian Matta, Riccardo Licata, Bruno Saetti, Remo Brindisi, and Riccardo Shweizer. The Castle also houses a Picture-Gallery. The tour of the castle will end inside the ancient cellars where you will have a guided wine tasting. The cellars in fact house the Enoteca Regionale dell’Emilia Romagna which is a permanent wine exhibition covering around 1,000 square metres with almost 800 different wines produced by around 200 wineries and co-operatives.
Options for Day 5 :
LUNCH IN A VERY NICE "TRATTORIA" IN FERRARA CITY CENTRE The restaurant is located in the medieval center of Ferrara, it offers both a traditional and innovative cooking.
EXCURSION IN THE PO VALLEY This itinerary will include, at guest's choice, either a visit to Comacchio, and Pomposa Abbay,or a motorboat excursion in the Delta of the river Po.
1-the ancient fishing village of Comacchio with its charming canals and Pomposa Abbay where the musical notes were invented and were it is still possible to admire the ancient frescoes.
2-The excursion by boat will include a guided tour of the inner branches of the river Po and lunch on the boat with local fish food.
FERRARA BY BIKE It is possible to organize the tour of the city by bike on request for groups or individuals.
COOKING SCHOOL IN FERRARA Discover the secrets of the housewives of Ferrara at the Cookery School. This short course is held in a farmhouse and will teach you how to prepare some of the most important dishes of our area. You will prepare the “cappellacci di zucca” (ravioli with pumpkin) observe the different stages involved in cooking a “salama da sugo” ( spicy pork sausage - the cooking time exceeds that of the mini- course!) and you will be able to take home some little secrets. It will be up to the chef to decide whether you can eat the results of you labour or whether he/she needs to intervene personally!
BIRDWATCHING SPOTS OF “VALLI DI CAMPOTTO” AND “VALLE SANTA” Park areas of the "Parco del Delta del Po" are very interesting naturalistic reserves and a real paradise for birdwatchers and for the lovers of nature and birding.
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