Introduce travelers to the gastronomic excellence of Emilia-Romagna: fresh pasta, Parmigiano Reggiano, Parma ham, balsamic vinegar, traditional dishes, and local wines. Offer authentic, immersive experiences: producer visits, cooking classes, guided tastings, market walks. Combine food, wine, culture, and history across Bologna, Parma, and Modena.

Why Emilia-Romagna for a Food & Wine Tour

Known as Italy’s “Food Valley,” home to world-famous products such as Parmigiano Reggiano, Prosciutto di Parma, Balsamic Vinegar of Modena, and artisanal pasta. Excellent infrastructure for gastronomic tourism: cheese factories, ham producers, balsamic vinegar workshops, vineyards. Short travel distances between cities make it ideal for an 8-day multi-stop gourmet itinerary.

Group Logistics – 8 Passengers

A group of 8 is ideal for boutique producers and offers a more intimate, personalized experience. Comfortable private transportation recommended (minivan or minibus). Pre-booking required for factories, wineries, acetaie, and cooking schools. Balanced pacing to alternate intense food days with lighter cultural or leisure days.

What is included in the tour package?

The package includes 4★ hotel accommodation, daily breakfast, private minivan transportation, guided visits, food and wine experiences, cooking classes, tastings, selected lunches and dinners, winery visits, entrance fees, and full operational support.

What is not included?

International or domestic flights Travel insurance Personal expenses (shopping, minibar, etc.) Additional meals not listed in the itinerary Optional experiences or upgrades

What type of transportation is provided?

A private 8-seater minivan with a professional driver is included. It is available for all transfers, excursions, and activities listed in the program.

Are the food and wine experiences private?

Yes. All visits to cheese factories, ham producers, balsamic vinegar workshops, wineries, and cooking schools are arranged exclusively for your group whenever possible.

Is the tour suitable for people with dietary restrictions?

Mild dietary requirements (vegetarian, lactose-light, non-alcoholic) can be accommodated. However, due to the nature of Emilia-Romagna’s traditional cuisine, vegan or gluten-free travelers may have limited options. Please notify the operator in advance.

How physically demanding is the tour?

The tour is classified as easy. Activities include city walking tours, tastings, and short walks through production sites or vineyards. No strenuous activity is expected.

What is the best time to take this tour?

The itinerary runs year-round.Low season (Nov–Mar) offers better rates and fewer crowds.Spring and autumn provide ideal temperatures and are peak food seasons.

Are wine tastings included?

1 winery visit with tasting A wine-paired lunchAdditional premium winery experiences can be added on request.

Is the cooking class hands-on?

Yes. Guests will prepare pasta from scratch (e.g., tortellini, tagliatelle) under the guidance of a professional sfoglina or chef. The class concludes with a full meal.

Can the itinerary be customized for private groups?

Absolutely. We can: Add more wineries Include luxury farm-to-table dinners Add cultural excursions (Ferrari Museum, castles, villages) Upgrade hotel categories or transportation Extend the tour to additional regions

How many meals are included?

Approximately: 4 lunches 3 dinners Daily breakfastAll other meals are free-time dining opportunities.

Are gratuities included?

Gratuities for guides and drivers are not included and are left to the guests’ discretion. Suggested amounts are provided upon request.

How far in advance should we book?

At least 3–4 months in advance is recommended. Local producers (cheese factories, ham cellars, acetaie) have limited group availability.

Small Group Emilia Romagna Food & Wine

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Accomodation
First Class
Departure City
Bologna (BLQ)/Train Station
Arrival City
Bologna (BLQ)/Train station
Hotel Transfer
Arrival and departure as detailed in the itinerary
Meals
14
Transportation
Luxury Minibus
Difficulty
Easy

Dates

Overview

Itinerary

Map

Inclusions

Review

Dates

Overview

Itinerary

Map

Inclusions

Review

The same itinerary, with a minimum of 6 participants, can also be offered as a private tour at no additional cost. Your private trip combines comfort, exclusivity, and exceptional value—ensuring an unforgettable Italian experience crafted just for you. Request your private tour using the form below (end of the page), or contact us at: info@greattoursofitaly.com

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Great Food & Wine in Emilia Romagna

Available Packages

Sunday
September 20, 2026

Sunday
September 27, 2026

EUR 3250
Available Packages

Sunday
October 18, 2026

Sunday
October 25, 2026

EUR 3000
Available Packages

Sunday
March 14, 2027

Sunday
March 21, 2027

EUR 3000

Day 01 :

Welcome to Bologna - Emilia Romagna Region

Welcome to Bologna! Your driver will meet you at 3:00 pm at Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport (BLQ) to transfer you to your beautiful agriturismo-hotel in the heart of Emilia Romagna. In the late afternoon you will meet your tour guide and then enjoy a welcome dinner.

Hotel: NH Parma, Hotel Green City or similar (6 nights)

Dinner

Day 02 :

Cooking class at a local farmhouse

Our first day in Italy starts with a leisurely breakfast. Next enjoy a cooking class at a local farmhouse and learn how to prepare typical Italian dishes followed by lunch paired with delicious Lambrusco wine. In the afternoon, enjoy free time for sightseeing in the local villages of the area.

Breakfast + Lunch

Day 03 :

Parma – Barilla Academy

Start the day with a walking tour of Parma with our local guide. Visit the Romanesque Cathedral and its Baptistery and observe the differences between the Romanesque and Gothic styles of architecture. See the amazing Baroque Farnese theatre. Then go on to visit the Barilla academy to learn the story about the family and their success. In the late afternoon, enjoy some free time and conclude the day with dinner at a local restaurant.

Breakfast + Dinner

Day 04 :

Parmesan cheese factory – Fresh pasta making class – Lambrusco winery

This morning, visit the Parmesan Cheese Factory (Parmigiano-Reggiano) with a local cheese expert. In the afternoon experience a 3/4-hour cooking class with an Italian chef and learn how to make traditional dishes from Parma such as Tortelli, Tagliatelle, and more. Following enjoy a wine tasting with a local wine expert. For dinner, taste your own “expertly prepared” dish!

Breakfast + Dinner

Day 05 :

"Grand Tour Italia"

Today enjoy the largest food park in the world: “Grand Tour Italia” at your own pace. There will be time to join some food tours, food courses, or food events as you please (not included). In the evening, dinner will be served at a local restaurant.

Breakfast + Dinner

Day 06 :

Bologna

Start the day following our local guide through the capital of “Food Valley”. Bologna is a lively city, with its blend of fascinating culture, history and delicious traditional food. The perfect place to enjoy a street food tour. Take some free time for shopping and stroll around the typical porticoes of Bologna. Tonight, dinner will be served at a traditional restaurant.

Breakfast + Dinner

Day 07 :

Modena - Balsamic Vinegar Cellar – Dozza

This morning, take a ride to Modena to visit the city center, experience its fascinating food market, and see the beautiful Cathedral. Later, go to a local Acetaia to visit the cellar where the original balsamic vinegar is made. In the afternoon drive to the village of Dozza; known for its festival of the painted wall. See the Sforza’s Castle whose cellars host “Enoteca Regionale Emilia Romagna”, the wine shop and wine bar, dedicated to enology products of the region. Conclude the day with an amazing dinner to celebrate the success of your vacation.

Breakfast + Dinner

Day 08 :

Leaving for home

Arrivederci! Your airport transfer bus arrives at Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport (BLQ) at 6:00 am and 9:00 am.

Breakfast

Overall Trip Rating:

Total Reviews 4

Average Rating

5.0

Based on 4 travel reviews

😀 5 Excellent

🙂 4 Very Good

😕 3 Average

🙁 2 Poor

😡 1 Terrible

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By Ann Probst
(Italy)
September 24, 2024 Great food and wine
I had heard about Great Tour of Italy by my friends, and knew they were the quality tour I wanted to take. The tour guides at each stop were all personable and knowledgeable. Very warm and welcoming. Our driver, was so charming and friendly, not to mention a great driver! The hotels, the wine and food, winery, cooking class were beyond my expectations! The beauty, the people, the warmth was all Italy, presented to us by Great Tours of Italy.
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By Andrew C. September 15, 2024 Italian culinary traditions
If you love good food, this tour is a dream! Every day brought delicious tastings, local specialties, and charming restaurants. We learned so much about Italian culinary traditions and enjoyed meeting local producers. Great Tours of Italy did an outstanding job — friendly guides, great planning, and excellent experiences throughout.
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By Poul W.
(Italy)
June 1, 2023 Taste it
Wonderful trip to “taste” Italy, both figuratively and literally. Our amazing guide Elisa brought us together as a group teaching us how to enjoy and experience Italy and each other. All of our additional guides were great educators and made it fun. This was my adult version of summer camp. Tired at the end of each day and not wanting it to be over. Thank you Great Tours of Italy!
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By Fred Mandarini
(Italy)
June 1, 2023 The best Italian tour company
I have used Great Tours of Italy tours on two different occasions for my family travel in Italy and happy to share the amazing journey we all had. The 15 day Italy North Classic tour was well coordinated as expected from the G.t.i. professionals - we stayed in 4 stars hotels and had wonderful on site local tour guides for all the stops and sights. The restaurants that were selected included the local vibe and really enhanced the cultural experience of dining in Italy. That is somewhat expected of the Great Tours of Italy brand, but the real power is in the people they employ to take care of the travelers. I cannot say enough about Roberta our tour guide and Simone our driver. We spent an amazing days together and they made it special - every day. On behalf of the Mandarini Family I would like to say Thank you to Great Tours Of Italy tours. The best Italian tour company!