Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
Emilia-Romagna
100% customisable for you
Your Italian adventure begins today, so head to the airport and chill out in the lounge before hopping on a two-hour flight to Bologna, the capital of Emilia-Romagna. Upon arrival, pick up a hire car and hit the road for around an hour and a half to reach the city of Parma, your home for two nights.
For most of the drive, you’ll be following the original Via Emilia that connects many of the fascinating places in the region. For the rest of the day, relax and settle into your charming hotel. Feeling peckish? Enjoy your first taste of authentic Italian cuisine (our Dossier has a list of tried-and-tested eateries).
Pretty Parma might be best known for its eponymous culinary exports, but there’s plenty of history and culture to explore, too. This morning, head out on a two-and-a-half-hour private tour with a local guide; highlights include the pink marble Baptistery and the fabulous frescoes of the Romanesque Parma Cathedral in the Piazza Duomo. You’ll also visit the Teatro Regio, a beautiful 19th-century opera house, and the National Gallery, home to works by painters Correggio and Canaletto.
All that sightseeing is hungry work, so treat yourselves to a tasty lunch at a trattoria recommended by your guide. Why not sample a selection of the local delicacies? Then wash it all down with a glass (or two) of red Lambrusco wine. Once you’re suitably stuffed, spend the rest of the afternoon perusing boutiques, relaxing in one of the city’s parks or marvelling at more cultural landmarks.
Rise and shine for a morning tasting regional delicacies. Led by a friendly local guide, first head to a cheese factory to sample nutty Parmigiano Reggiano alongside a glass of Lambrusco (we know it’s early, but you’re on holiday, after all). Next, discover where balsamic vinegar is made and taste the local produce, before completing the tasty trio with Parma ham samples at a local prosciutteria.
Then, hit the Via Emilia and drive for an hour to reach Modena, a handsome city renowned for its wine and cuisine. On this afternoon’s agenda? A private guided walking tour of the city. Visit the UNESCO World Heritage sites of the Modena Cathedral, Torre della Ghirlandina and Piazza Grande, wander its spacious squares and try more local cuisine at lunch (stuffed pig’s feet, anyone?).
After a jam-packed day, cruise for another hour and a half to your destination for the next two nights, Ravenna, arguably the jewel in Emilia-Romagna's crown.
This morning, enjoy breakfast in Ravenna before your first excursion of the day: a private boat tour of Comacchio, located around 40 minutes away. Aboard a traditional batana boat, glide down Comacchio’s charming canals, past barenas (small islets) and the vast wetlands of the Comacchio Valleys, home to diverse flora and fauna. Back on dry land, sample the town’s most iconic delicacy for lunch – eel.
After lunch, return to Ravenna for a private guided walking tour. Among terracotta-toned streets and lofty piazzas, this unassuming city boasts an astonishing eight UNESCO World Heritage sites, including the magnificent Mausoleum of Galla Placida, the Basilica of San Vitale and the Arian Baptistery. Prepare to be wowed by their mesmerising mosaics that date back to between the fifth and sixth centuries AD.
Fancy heading to the beach instead? Drive for an hour to Rimini on the Adriatic coast, which, despite its reputation as a package holiday destination, is still well worth a visit.
Say hello to Bologna today, your final stop. The drive takes around one hour and 15 minutes, but we recommend making a couple of detours along the way. First up, the beautiful Medieval village of Brisighella. Take your time wandering its winding streets, watched over by the Rocca Manfrediana fortress, the Santuario del Monticino church and the Torre dell’Orologio clock tower, each of which sits atop a hill.
From here, drive for around 45 minutes to reach another Medieval marvel, Dozza. Since the 1960s, Dozza has hosted the Biennale Del Muro Dipinto, which transforms the town into an open-air gallery. After marvelling at the murals, sample the local wine over a leisurely lunch before the final leg of your journey, taking just under an hour.
Return your hire car at the airport and take a transfer to your hotel in the city centre. Enjoy a well-earned aperitivo before trying some famous Bolognese cuisine – why not ask your Concierge for a restaurant recommendation?
In Italy’s culinary capital, a food tour isn’t optional – it’s obligatory. With the help of an expert foodie guide, wander through the city’s two most iconic markets, home to bustling alleys brimming with local produce, traditional recipes and fascinating anecdotes about Bolognese gastronomy. Around every corner, discover historic shops and enjoy tastings of (deep breath) parmigiano, mortadella, prosciutto, salami, olives, balsamic vinegar, chocolates, local bread and gelato.
After eating your way around the city, stroll (or roll) your way up to the Sanctuary of Madonna di San Luca. To reach the sanctuary, walk along the arcade featuring over 600 historic porticoes (covered archways), which, together with others in the city, is a UNESCO World Heritage site. At the summit, you’ll be rewarded for your climb with views across Bologna and the surrounding countryside.
All good things must come to an end, including your Italian getaway. Enjoy one final walk around the city and a delectable lunch (with the guidance of our Dossier, of course), before it’s time to head to the airport. Pick up any last-minute gifts before boarding the two-hour-and-20-minute flight back to the UK.
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
