Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
Emilia-Romagna
100% customisable for you
Pack your bags and head to the airport for your flight to Bologna, which takes just over two hours. On arrival in Emilia-Romagna’s capital, you’ll be privately transferred to your hotel in the city's historic centre.
After unpacking, explore for the rest of the day. Wander the Piazza Maggiore, marvel at terracotta rooftops from the Two Towers or explore one of the city’s museums (motorcycle fans will love the Ducati Museum). Come evening, enjoy your first aperitivo (a civilised pre-dinner ritual featuring drinks and snacks).
Hungry for more? Our Concierge can book a table at one of the best trattorias in town, so sit back and prepare to be wowed by incredible Bolognese cuisine. Make sure to save room for something sweet, and follow the stream of Italians to a local gelateria for a creamy scoop of post-dinner gelato.
This morning, find out why Bologna is known as ‘La Grassa’ (the fat one) on a guided two-and-a-half-hour walking tour of the city’s foodie hotspots. Stroll around two of Bologna’s most legendary markets with your resident expert, tasting local delicacies along the way. Wander lively alleys filled with fresh produce as your guide shares fascinating stories about the city’s gastronomy. From torta di riso (rice cake) to mortadella, tortellini to tagliatelle (handmade by sfogline – female pasta artisans), uncover Bolognese traditions passed down through generations.
This afternoon, you’re free to explore at your own pace. We recommend poking around the dinky independent food shops around the main piazza in search of the tastiest prosciutto di Parma ham and Parmigiano Reggiano cheese. Need dinner plans? Consult our detailed Dossier to find a suitable spot for (yes, more) delectable Bolognese dishes.
Now you’ve sampled the city’s tastiest produce, today you’ll learn how to cook with it. Don your best chef persona and head to a local resident’s home for a private cooking class. This authentic experience is all about mastering traditional techniques and recipes as you make a delicious Italian pasta dish and a side dish or dessert. After around three hours of cooking, tuck into your (hopefully) delicious creations for lunch.
For the rest of the day, wander Bologna’s UNESCO-protected porticoes, including the world’s longest (boasting over 600 archways), leading to the Sanctuary of San Luca. Peruse paintings at the National Gallery, marvel at the ornate interiors of the Archiginnasio Municipal Library and discover the city’s ‘Little Venice’. Enjoy one last aperitivo and hearty dinner on the final night of your gourmet getaway.
Sadly, your food-filled city break comes to a close today. Pick up any final souvenirs, eat your favourite dishes one last time and pack in as much sightseeing as possible before being privately transferred to the airport. After just over two hours in the air, touch down in the UK and keep the Bologna blues at bay with some authentic Italian fare for supper.
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
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Our team of destination experts will get to know you and your unique requirements for your holiday
We work with you to build an ultra-personalised holiday itinerary with your choice of accommodation, experiences and activities
All of our holidays include little extras designed to make a big difference to your trip, from fast-tracking you through airport check-in and security to our network of local Concierges
