BOLOGNA AND EMILIA-ROMAGNA

DAY 1 - BOLOGNA

Arrival and check-in at your hotel in Bologna. In the afternoon, enjoy an half-day walking tour around the beautiful medieval city centre of the city. Afterwards, balance of the day at leisure to visit the town on own. Welcome dinner in a typical traditional restaurant and overnight in Bologna.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS:

 

• The central "two towers" (Asinelli and Garisenda), whose iconic leaning forms provide a popular symbol of the town.
  


• The elegant and extensive arcades (or porticos): in total the are 38 km of arcades in the city’s historical centre.
  
  
• The Fountain of Neptune (Fontana di Nettuno), a monumental civic fountain located in the eponymous square, Piazza Nettuno, next to Piazza Maggiore, in Bologna.
  
  
• Piazza Maggiore: Piazza Maggiore is a square in Bologna, Italy. It was created in its present appearance the 13th century. The square is surrounded by the Palazzo dei Notai, the Palazzo d’Accursion, the town hall and the Basilica of S.Petronio.
  
  

ESSENCE SPECIALS

 

• Vicolo Colombina restaurant, where you will be greeted with a welcome dinner based on typical local dishes reinterpreted by the eclectic chef.

DAY 2 - BOLOGNA FOOD AND WINE

In the morning, focus your attention on a shopping and eno-gastronomic tour in the city centre: you will visit the historical food shops of Bologna, with tastings of food and wine, and you will visit the best clothes’ and accessories’ shops where you will be able to buy authentic made in Italy products. A real pleasure of the senses! Free afternoon to relax at your hotel or to visit Bologna, dinner on own and overnight.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS:

 

• All the historical shops of Bologna, that were founded more than hundred years ago and that still maintain their original aspect. You will experience a journey back in time discovering craftsmanship techniques and ancient shops selling antiques.
  

DO NOT MISS:

 

• The restaurant "L'Osteria dei Poeti", located in a 15th century palace, located in Bologna city centre. In the 17th century, a wine bar was founded there and it became really popular in the first decades of the 20th century, where it became famous under the name "Osteria dei Poeti", "The Poets' Bar", since it was loved by poets and artists.

DAY 3 - PARMA, MARANELLO AND MODENA

Check out and transfer to Parma with excursions on the way. First of all you will experience an exclusive visit to Maranello, headquarter of the Ferrari company and of a wonderful Ferrari museum. After the visit, , you will have the possibility of understanding the secrets of Italian cuisine: you will visit a vinegar factory where the original balsamic vinegar is produced and where you will also have a light lunch with typical dishes. In the afternoon, discover Modena: admire its historical city centre full of interesting attractions and stroll down its medieval street. In the evening, check in at your hotel in Parma and dinner on own. Overnight in Parma.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS:

 

• Maranello Ferrari museum, full of powerful cars that won all the most important competitions in the whole world


• Modena city centre with a UNESCO World Heritage Cathedral, a wonderful Town Hall and the Baroque Ducal Palace

ESSENCE SPECIALS

 

• Guided visit to a vinegar factory with light lunch based on typical products to follow.

DO NOT MISS:

 

• Café Orientale in Parma, furnished according to the Libety and Belle Epoque style..

DAY 4 - RAVENNA

Today, enjoy a full-day excursion to Ravenna, where the Byzantine culture flourished and left several artistic evidences of its presence. Visit the Unesco World Heritage sites of the city such as the Apollinare Cathedral and the Mausoleum of Theodoric, discover its perfectly preserved mosaics and take a stroll along the Adriatic coast. In the afternoon, transfer back to Parma, dinner on own and overnight in Parma.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS:

 

• The Neon Baptistry, the most ancient monument remaining in the city, partly erected on the site of a Roman bath, the finest and most complete surviving example of the early Christian baptistery.


• Mausoleum of Gallia Placidia, whose interior is covered with rich Byzantine mosaics, and light enters through alabaster window panels.


• Basilica di S.Vitale, begun by Bishop Ecclesius in 527. The church is most famous for its wealth of Byzantine mosaics, the largest and best preserved outside of Constantinople.

DO NOT MISS:

 

• A walk along Ravenna sea front promenade.


• The restaurant Alexander, that originally was a theatre and that now offers typical products of the best Italian tradition.

DAY 5 - PARMA

Today, enjoy a full-day guided tour in the Parma region. In the morning, meet your guide for a city centre walking tour: you will discover its churches and palaces and learn the influence of several historical ages on Parma’s architecture. For your light lunch, stop in the ham museum to taste the best Italian ham, that is produced in this region: visit the factory and enjoy a ham and cheese tasting. In the afternoon, visit of one of the most beautiful castles of the region. Lunch on own in Parma’s city centre, dinner on own and overnight.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS:

 

• Parma city centre, with its interesting churches and palaces, such as the Romanesque Cathedral and the adjacent Baptistery, the Palazzo della Pilotta that houses the Academy of Fine Arts, the Ducal Palace.


• The famous Farnese Theatre and Royal theatre, the city’s opera house.


• Torrechiara castle, built in the 15th century and characterized by a defensive structure and by many frescoes and works of art.

ESSENCE SPECIAL:

 

• Visit to Langhirano Ham museum, where you will discover all the secrets of ham production and you will taste the best qualities of ham and local wines.

DAY 6 - CHECK OUT

Breakfast and check-out. On request private transfer to Bologna airport or to alternative destinations.

OPTIONS AVAILABLE FOR THE TOUR: 3*, 4*, 5* HOTELS, VILLAS AND HISTORICAL RESIDENCES, ALL THE TOURS CAN BE PERSONALIZED AND TAILOR MADE PRICE: ON REQUEST AT INFO@ESSENCEOFITALY.IT