• Bologna: The Educated, The Fat, The Red
• Dreaming of a Ferrari
• The Italian Food Valley
• The Medieval Castle and The Splendor of the Renaissance Court

DAY 1: ARRIVE IN BOLOGNA
Upon arrival at Bologna airport, meet your private driver for transfer to your hotel. Check-in. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight stay. Food and castles await.

DAY 2: BOLOGNA: THE EDUCATED, THE FAT, THE RED
Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning join a tour to visit the city with Piazza Maggiore, the main square, the Basilica of San Petronio, the Palazzo dell’Archiginnasio, the first seat of Bologna University, the most ancient in the western world, Mercato di Mezzo, whose narrow streets have been hosting the town market since Medieval times and lastly, the Twin Towers, two leaning towers that are Bologna outstanding symbol.

In the afternoon you can be part of a cooking class where you will prepare everything from scratch, in full respect of the Bolognese tradition. You will learn tricks and secrets on the Italian way of cooking, in a friendly environment in the heart of the city. At the end of the class, you will enjoy the food you helped to prepare, with matching local wines. Return to your hotel. Overnight stay.

DAY 3: FOOD AND FERRARI LOVERS
Breakfast at the hotel. A tour to enjoy two of the most important aspects of the Emilia Romagna Region: food and Ferrari! Your driver will pick you up from your hotel in Bologna and take you to Maranello. You will visit a Balsamic Vinegar House, where you will enjoy a tasting. You will visit the Ferrari Museum and the Enzo Ferrari Museum. And you will enjoy a delicious traditional Italian lunch at a family-run restaurant on the hills, including homemade pasta and a selection of local wines. Your driver will then take you back to Bologna. Overnight stay.

DAY 4: ON THE WAY TO PARMA
Breakfast at the hotel. Meet your private driver for transfer to Parma. Before reaching your next destination, stop at the small Hamlet of Dozza which is mainly known for the Rocca Sforzesca, a 12th-century castle that the little town is built around. In the castle basement, you can explore the Region’s leading wine cellar that contains a large selection of local wines as well as other local delicacies. Don’t miss the murals on the walls of the streets that pass through the town, all completed by amateur artists.

After visiting the Rocca, enjoy lunch in a typical restaurant. After lunch, continue to Parma and check in to your hotel. Overnight stay.

DAY 5: BORGHI TOURS: CASTLES AND PORCINI MUSHROOMS
Breakfast at the hotel. Meet your private driver for a visit to the surrounding area. Your tour begins in Borgo Val di Taro, the capital of the “Porcino” mushroom. From here, you will head to the village of Compiano to visit the imposing Castello di Compiano, which dates back to before 1000 AD. Set in the Apennine Mountains, the castle offers a wonderful panorama of the Taro Valley as well as a view of the wall-encircled village below.

Continue north to Bardi, a small village where you can visit the splendid Castello di Bardi. The Bardi Castle is associated with a tragic love story and wandering spirits. Return to your hotel. Evening at leisure. Overnight stay.

DAY 6: NATURE AND CASTLE
Breakfast at the hotel. Meet your private driver and reach Parco dei Boschi di Carrega, a regional park of over 1,000 hectares. You can take a walk to discover this protected area, the creatures that populate it, the historic buildings, and the artificial lakes that enrich it with elegance. Continue your tour and reach Castello di Torrechiara, one of the best-preserved fortifications in the whole region. You can visit the Castle and admire the beautiful frescoes. Return to Parma. Overnight stay.

DAY 7: GASTRONOMIC TOUR
Breakfast at the hotel. Meet your private driver for a full day dedicated to discovering the treasures of the Emilia Romagna Region and some of the most famous food in the world. Start to visit a local Parmigiano Reggiano producer, where you will experience the production of this “King of Cheeses” and taste the parmesan along with other dairy products.

The day continues with a stop in Langhirano where you will discover the Prosciutto di Parma, a truly gastronomic masterpiece. After a tour of the factory, there will be a tasty and rich lunch at the “Prosciuttificio”  Back to your hotel. Overnight stay.

DAY 8: DEPARTURE
Breakfast at the hotel. Private transfer to Bologna airport and departure. Goodbye!

NOTE: This itinerary, Food and Castles in Emilia Romagna, is subject to change based on the castles’ opening hours and special events, and the availability of the services/tours/activities listed at the time of your traveling.

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