A Taste of Italy: Emilia-Romagna from Bologna to Padua

We’ll organise for you to see Bologna in the company of a private guide today. Capital of Emilia-Romagna, Bologna is known as the ‘red city’ thanks to the warm hue of its rooftops. It also has a reputation as an intellectual city, as it’s home to one of Europe’s oldest universities. As you make your way through Bologna with your knowledgeable guide, you’ll see sights such as Piazza Maggiore, the Farnese Palace, the Fountain of Neptune, the Stock Exchange, the Palazzo del Podestà and the Basilica of San Petronio: a church decorated with frescoes by Giovanni da Modena depicting Dante's Divine Comedy. After all that sightseeing, you’ll have the rest of the day to relax in Bologna and, of course, sample more of this foodie city’s delicious dishes. If you’d like to dive deeper into Bologna’s food culture, we can arrange for you to take a private tour of the markets.

Today you’ll pick up your rental car and drive for just over an hour until you reach Parma. You’ll spend two nights in a beautiful hotel near the Palazzo della Pilotta and the magnificent medieval baptistery. When you arrive, take a moment to relax in the tranquil atmosphere of the interior courtyard before exploring your new surroundings.

Parma has plenty to offer beyond its famous ham, cheese and liqueur, and you’ll discover it today in the company of a private guide. At the Cattedrale di Parma, you’ll take in its beautiful marble façade before stepping inside to see the rooms full of frescoes. You’ll also visit one of Italy’s largest theatres, the Farnese Theatre, which has been restored to its former glory after it was almost completely destroyed during a 1944 bombing raid. This small city is wonderfully walkable, so head out on foot to explore the sights, stopping at a traditional trattoria along the way for some food. If you like, we can also arrange for you to have a private tasting of Parma’s famous local produce.

Your next stop is Ravenna, about a two-hour drive away. You’ll spend two nights here in an old restored palazzo located close to the city centre and the Basilica di San Vitale. When you arrive, unwind after the journey in the interior garden or on the terrace with a view across the rooftops – the choice is yours.

Famous for its Byzantine splendours, this city was a capital three times, first of the Western Roman Empire, then the Kingdom of the Ostrogoths, and finally the Byzantine Empire. Needless to say, there’s plenty to get stuck into: marvel at the marble decorations and mosaics inside the Basilica di San Vitale; visit the Mausoleo di Galla Placidia, whose sombre exterior contrasts with the electric green and orange mosaics hiding inside; see the Basilica di Sant'Apollinare in Classe, which is a fine example of early Christian architecture; admire the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Archbishop's Chapel of St. Andrew with its stunning mosaics; or visit Dante's Tomb. You’re free to explore this fascinating city at your leisure, but if you would prefer to have some guidance, we can arrange a private guide to show you around the city’s must-see spots.

Your final stop is Padua, one of Italy’s most artistic cities. The journey takes around two hours and 15 minutes, but you have the option to make a pitstop in Ferrara along the way to take a bike ride through the city. When you arrive in Padua, you’ll set down your suitcases for two nights in a beautiful old house with bright, spacious rooms. This romantic property sets the tone for your time in a city full of enchanting buildings and incredible artwork. While you’re here, visit the majestic church that was built in 1232, sip espresso as you look out across the vast Prato della Valle square, wander through the beautiful UNESCO World Heritage-listed botanical garden, see Giotto’s famous frescoes in the Scrovegni Chapel, or take a cruise along the canal.