Chef Walter's Food Tours Emilia Romagna

An Unforgettable Journey Through Emilia-Romagna: A Culinary & Cultural Odyssey

Day 1 - La Dolce Vita Begins: Arrival in Bologna

• Arrival at Bologna Airport (BLQ): Your Italian adventure begins the moment you land at Bologna's  Guglielmo Marconi Airport. A seamless, private transfer will be waiting  to whisk you away into the heart of the city.
• Hotel Check-in: Settle into your hand-picked, central hotel—your elegant sanctuary for  the week. Unpack, relax, and feel the anticipation build.
• Welcome Cocktail with Nibbles: We'll break the ice with a stylish welcome aperitivo. Sip on a glass of  local Pignoletto wine or a signature cocktail while enjoying artisanal  cheeses and cured meats, as your guide outlines the incredible week  ahead.
• Evening Welcome Dinner and Orientation: Your first taste of Bologna's legendary cuisine awaits at a traditional osteria.  Over a feast of classic dishes like tortellini in brodo and rich ragù,  you'll connect with fellow travelers and get a true orientation to the  "La Grassa" (The Fat) side of Bologna.

Day 2 - The Red, The Learned, The Fat: Unveiling Bologna

• Breakfast: Start your day with a rich Italian coffee and a delicious breakfast spread at your hotel, fueling up for a day of exploration.
• History and Culture Walk: Embark on a guided walking tour through Bologna's iconic historic  center. Marvel at the Two Towers leaning over the city, explore the vast  Piazza Maggiore, discover the ancient Archiginnasio, and stroll under  nearly 40 kilometers of elegant porticoes—a UNESCO World Heritage site.  We'll uncover why Bologna is called "The Red, The Learned, and The Fat."
• Lunch in Bologna: Step into a bustling local market for an authentic lunch. Watch fresh  pasta being made by hand before you sit down to enjoy it, paired with a  glass of Sangiovese.
• Free Time: The afternoon is yours to explore at your own pace. Hunt for treasures  in boutique shops, climb the Asinelli Tower for a breathtaking panoramic  view, or simply find a sunny piazza to people-watch with a gelato in  hand.
• Dinner in Bologna: As evening falls, we'll guide you to a fantastic local restaurant where  you can savor the vibrant nightlife and culinary masterpieces on your  own terms.

Day 3 - The Symphony of Modena: Balsamic Gold & Culinary Arts

• Breakfast: Enjoy your morning coffee and pastry before we depart for a day of sensory delights.
• Travel to Modena: A short, scenic journey brings us to the elegant city of Modena, the  homeland of Pavarotti, supercars, and the world's finest balsamic  vinegar.
• History and Culture Walk: Wander through Modena's stunning Romanesque cathedral, another UNESCO  site, and explore the bustling Albinelli Market, a temple of gastronomy  where the air is perfumed with cheese and aged vinegar.
• Visit to an Acetaia for Balsamic Tasting: This is a true highlight. Enter a traditional acetaia (vinegar loft) and discover the alchemy of creating Aceto Balsamico  Tradizionale. Taste the complex, sweet-and-sour "black gold" aged for  years in wooden barrels—an unforgettable experience.
• Evening Cooking Class: Return to Bologna inspired! Roll up your sleeves for a hands-on cooking  class where you'll learn the secrets of creating perfect pasta from a  local chef, followed by a delightful dinner enjoying the fruits of your  labor.

Day 4 - Renaissance Splendor & The Po Delta: Ferrara & Comacchio

• Breakfast: A fresh start before we journey to a land of Renaissance princes.
• Travel to Ferrara: Step back in time as we arrive in Ferrara, a magnificent Renaissance  city enclosed by ancient walls and a UNESCO World Heritage site.
• History and Culture Walk: Feel the history emanate from the cobblestones as we explore the  colossal Este Castle, with its moat and drawbridges, and walk through  the Diamanti Palace.
• Lunch in Ferrara: Refuel with a lunch featuring Ferrara's unique specialties, such as cappellacci di zucca (pumpkin pasta), in the shadow of the castle.
• Afternoon departure to Comacchio for a boat ride on the Delta Po': We then travel to the enchanting "Little Venice," Comacchio. Here,  we'll board a boat for a serene journey through the Po Delta, a unique  landscape of waterways, marshes, and stunning biodiversity.
• Dinner in Comacchio: Feast on the delta's bounty with a dinner featuring fresh eel and other  lagoon delicacies, a true taste of this unique ecosystem.
• Return to Bologna for the overnight: Relax on the comfortable journey back to your Bologna hotel.

Day 5 - The Valley of Taste: Parma's Prosciutto & Parmigiano

• Breakfast: Gear up for a day dedicated to two of Italy's most famous culinary exports.
• Travel to Parma: A beautiful drive through the Emilian countryside brings us to Parma, a  city synonymous with art, music, and unparalleled flavor.
• History and Culture Walk: Be captivated by the stunning Parma Cathedral and its mesmerizing  Baptistery, and witness the grandeur of the Teatro Regio, one of Italy's  most famous opera houses.
• Afternoon Wine and Parmigiano Tasting with Food: Venture into the "Food Valley" for an unforgettable tasting. Visit a caseificio to see the master cheesemakers craft Parmigiano-Reggiano and taste its  complex, crystalline goodness. Then, savor silky slices of Prosciutto di  Parma, all perfectly paired with local Lambrusco and Malvasia wines.
• Evening Cooking Class: Back in Bologna, we put our prized ingredients to use in a second  cooking class. Learn how the sublime flavors of aged Parmigiano and  Aceto Balsamico can transform simple dishes into gourmet masterpieces,  followed by a communal dinner.

Day 6 - Byzantine Mosaics & Hilltop Vines: Ravenna & Dozza

• Breakfast: Your final full day of exploration begins.
• Travel to Ravenna: Journey to Ravenna, the one-time capital of the Western Roman Empire,  home to the most breathtaking collection of Byzantine mosaics in the  world.
• History and Culture Walk: Prepare to be awestruck. We'll visit the Basilica of San Vitale and the  Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, where the mosaics glow with an ethereal,  divine light that has to be seen to be believed.
• Lunch in the City: Enjoy a leisurely lunch in Ravenna's charming historic center.
• Afternoon departure to Dozza for a Wine Tasting: From ancient art, we move to the rolling hills of the Emilia-Romagna  wine country. Our destination is the picturesque village of Dozza, its  buildings adorned with magnificent murals. We'll visit a renowned winery  for a tasting of Sangiovese and Albana wines, toasting to the journey.
• Return to Bologna. Free Evening: The evening is yours for one last independent adventure—revisit a favorite spot or discover a new hidden gem.

Day 7 - The World's Oldest University & A Fond Farewell

• Breakfast: Savor your final Italian breakfast at the hotel.
• University of Bologna Tour: Walk in the footsteps of scholars at the oldest university in the  Western world. Explore its historic anatomy theaters and ornate  libraries, feeling the weight of centuries of knowledge and discovery.
• Lunch in the Historical Center: Enjoy one last magnificent meal in Bologna's heart, a final chance to indulge in the city's irresistible flavors.
• Return to Hotel for a Break: A final opportunity to relax or do some last-minute packing.
• Farewell Dinner in the Evening: We'll raise our glasses one last time at a spectacular farewell dinner.  Celebrate the new friendships forged and the unforgettable memories  made in the heart of Italy's culinary capital. Salute!
• Day 7 - Breakfast. Departure to Bologna Airport for the return flights

Ready to embark on the journey of a lifetime? Contact us to book your spot on this exclusive tour of Emilia-Romagna! feedback@chefwalter.com