Itinerary

Day 1

Meeting at Bologna airport or train station. Private transfer to your four star hotel in the heart of Bologna.

Drive to the small and charming hill town, Dozza. Wander through its medieval streets famous for its colorful murals on many walls and doorways.

Sit down for a deliciously authentic meal at a Dozza restaurant. Sit and sip a glass of Sangiovese wine as you make your way through antipasto, scrumptious stuffed pasta, grilled meats and dessert.

Drive into the hills of Romagna to walk in a privately owned, aromatic herb garden with more than 40 different kinds of plants. The joyful owner explains how she uses the herbs in cooking. For lunch she prepares delicious samplings of her products.

Drive to a family-owned factory where they hand stamp aprons, tablecloths and other table linens with traditional decorations of Romagna.

In the late afternoon enjoy a demonstration cooking lesson with an outgoing owner and chef in his restaurant. Well known for his expertise in cooking with herbs, he shows you how to cook wonderful dishes with local herbs. Aperitif in the very pretty garden of the restaurant while waiting for your dinner.

Day 2

Drive to Ravenna to walk with a local guide and learn about its world famous Byzantine mosaics and architecture. Light lunch in Ravenna's centre at a historic osteria serving tasty local food and good wines.

Drive to the beautiful countryside for a three hour hands-on cooking lesson with a lady who is a great Italian family chef and an expert on hand made pasta. Learn to make many traditional pastas of Emilia-Romagna. Dinner of our creations at her 150 year old farmhouse set among olive trees.

Day 3

In the early morning, head to the Parma area, home of the legendary Parmigiano Reggiano, to visit a traditional cheese factory. After watching the men go through all the fascinating steps in making the cheese and visiting the incredible storage rooms, you nibble on fresh and aged parmesan right in the factory.


Drive to Modena, home of balsamic vinegar. In the cellars see how this signature product is made and sample 12 and 25 year old balsamic vinegar.

Dine in a fabulous restaurant near Modena on beautifully presented dishes featuring parmesan and balsamic vinegar.

Back to Bologna after a long but memorable day. Dinner free.

Day 4

In the morning walk in Bologna's central market, a warren of ancient narrow streets lined with colorful, irresistible Italian food shops, stands and delis, wonderful to the eye and to the taste. Buy the ingredients for our afternoon cooking lesson.


Leisure time for shopping or exploring. Light lunch on your own.

After lunch guided tour of Bologna with an English speaking guide.

In the late afternoon enjoy a hands-on cooking lesson at a private home with an excellent Italian family cook to learn traditional dishes of the region. Dine on your dishes with the friendly family around their table.

Day 5

Reluctant departure to Bologna airport or train station after breakfast at the hotel.

Day 6

Extra Information

Inclusions -

5 nights accommodation with breakfast

Exclusions -

airfare not included

Extras -

2010 dates: dates by request.

A real cultural immersion with locally born tour director who knows everyone, is lots of fun and treats you like royalty.

You meet lots of local people you'd never meet otherwise in places you'd never find. Three cooking lessons with three different chefs in their homes and restaurants.

Fall & Winter Itinerary includes a truffle hunt with two hunters who are real characters. Bologna market is a food lover's heaven, stuffed with food treasures.

We can custom design this tour so you get just the experiences in Italy you've always wanted.