Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
A Taste of Italy Emilia-Romagna from Bologna to Padua
Italy – Bologna – Parma – Ravenna – Padua
Kick off your trip in Bologna, where the silhouette of Medieval towers provides a fitting backdrop to this culture-rich city. Once you’ve been suitably wowed by the city’s sights, pick up your hire car and drive on to Parma, where you’ll discover the beautiful frescoes and façades and sample authentic Parmigiano Reggiano and Lambrusco. Ravenna is your penultimate stop, known for its dazzling mosaics, before you round off your trip in Padua, home to the Scrovegni Chapel, Giotto’s magnificent frescoes and the largest square in the country. Art, architecture and authentic Italian cuisine – does it get any better than this?
Itinerary
100% customisable for you
Passports at the ready: your nine-day trip to Italy begins today. After speeding through security and enjoying some nibbles in the airport lounge, it’s time to board your two-hour flight to the country’s culinary capital: Bologna.
Once you touch down, you’ll be privately transferred to the city’s historic centre, where you’ll be staying for the next two nights. If you’re peckish after the flight, head to one of the many nearby restaurants to sample some authentic Italian ragu alla Bolognese – for recommendations, just ask our local Concierge.
It’s time for your first full day in Italy, and what better way to get your bearings than a tour of Bologna with a private guide? Known as La Rossa (the ‘red city’) thanks to the warm hue of its rooftops, Bologna is the capital of Emilia-Romagna and is home to Europe’s oldest university.
Alongside your knowledgeable guide, wander along Bologna’s cobbled streets, stopping at its most famous landmarks: the Piazza Maggiore, the Farnese Palace, the Fountain of Neptune, the Stock Exchange and the Palazzo del Podesta. To finish the tour, head to the Basilica of San Petronio, a church decorated with intricate frescoes that depict scenes from Dante's Divine Comedy.
You’ll have worked up an appetite after all that sightseeing, so spend the rest of the day sampling more of this foodie city’s delicious dishes. If you want to dive deeper into Bologna’s food culture, we can arrange a private tour of the city’s best markets.
Today, it’s time to say arrivederci to Bologna and ciao to Parma as you pick up your trusty hire car and make the one-hour-and-15-minute drive northwest.
Once you arrive, drop your bags and check into your hotel, your home for the next two nights. Take a moment to soak in the tranquil atmosphere before heading out to explore your new surroundings, from the Palazzo della Pilotta to the magnificent medieval baptistery.
Parma has plenty to offer beyond its famous ham, cheese and liqueur, and you’ll discover it today in the company of a knowledgeable local guide.
First up is the Cattedrale di Parma, where you’ll take in the beautiful marble façade before stepping inside to marvel at rooms full of historic frescoes. You’ll also visit the Farnese Theatre, which has been restored to its former Baroque-style glory after it was almost totally destroyed during a 1944 bomb raid.
This city is wonderfully walkable, so you’ll head out on foot to explore the sights, stopping at a traditional trattoria along the way for a hearty Italian lunch. Fancy yourself a foodie? We can arrange for you to have a private tasting of Parma’s famous local produce this afternoon.
It’s time for the next stop on your Emilia-Romagna road trip, so set your sat nav for Ravenna, where you’ll be spending the next two nights. The drive takes just over two hours, so hit play on your expertly curated Italy playlist and hit the road.
Once you’ve arrived in Ravenna, spend the afternoon unwinding after the journey. If you’re knackered after a jam-packed five days, enjoy dinner in your hotel before collapsing into bed; if you’re still raring to go, head out for a taste of the local cuisine (our clued-up Concierge is on hand to recommend some hidden gems).
Famous for its Byzantine beauty, Ravenna has been 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 in this historic city, so we’ve left today free for you to explore at your own pace (or, if you’d prefer, we can arrange a private guide to show you the city’s must-see spots).
Marvel at the marble and mosaics inside the Basilica di San Vitale, visit the Mausoleo di Galla Placidia, with its electric green and orange mosaics, or see the Basilica di Sant'Apollinare in Classe, a feat of early Christian architecture. If that’s not quite enough history for you, head to the UNESCO-listed Archbishop's Chapel of St. Andrew to admire the stunning mosaics, or visit Dante's Tomb to pay your respects to this legendary Italian writer.
The final stop on your Italian road trip is Padua, one of the country’s most artistic cities. The journey takes around two hours and 15 minutes, but if you fancy a pitstop along the way, you can pause in Ferrara for a scenic bike ride through the city.
When you arrive in Padua, set down your suitcases and settle in for your final two nights. The last two days are yours for the taking: visit the Basilica of Saint Anthony, a majestic church built in 1232, sip espresso as you look out across the vast Prato della Valle square and see Giotto’s famous frescoes in the Scrovegni Chapel. Travelling with a nature lover? Spend time wandering through the beautiful UNESCO World Heritage-listed Botanical Garden of Padua, or take a peaceful cruise along the canal.
It’s time for your Italian road trip to come to an end. After one last tasty breakfast, grab your bags and hop back in the car for the 40-minute drive to Venice Airport. Once you arrive, drop off your rental car and relax in the airport lounge before boarding your two-hour flight back to the UK.
Suggestions
Everything in this itinerary is entirely customisable, down to the smallest details. Here are some more suggestions of what could be included
GOURMET CUISINE IN BOLOGNA
What us Brits lovingly call ‘spag bol’ is unrecognisable from the Bolognese sauce it was inspired by. For a taste of authentic Bolognese cuisine, head into the city streets with a private guide and discover Bologna’s most delicious culinary offerings. Along the way, sample everything from pastries and fruit to cheese and antipasti, including the delicious local mortadella ham.SAMPLE PARMA’S LOCAL PRODUCE
Parma is famed for its cheese, so we don’t blame you if you want to sample the best of the best. Alongside a private guide, head to a local producer to taste authentic Parmigiano Reggiano, accompanied by a glass or two of Lambrusco (sparkling red wine). Once you’ve had your fill of this deeply flavoursome cheese, you’ll learn about the art of producing Modena’s iconic balsamic vinegar, before tasting it for yourself.PRIVATE TOUR OF CLASSICAL RAVENNA
Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, Ravenna is renowned for its dazzling mosaics. These brilliant works of art were accumulated when Ravenna was the capital of the Western Roman Empire, and now adorn the city’s buildings. During this guided tour, visit Ravenna’s most important monuments to marvel at the mosaics up close and learn more about their roots in Greco-Roman artistic tradition and Christian iconography.FERRARA BY BIKE
Fancy a break from all the driving? Make a pit stop on the drive to Padua and stop at the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Ferrara. The city boasts a rich Renaissance history, visible in its architecture and culture. Spend a few hours exploring by bike, visiting the beautiful Este Castle, the Saint George Cathedral and the former Jewish ghetto, before continuing on to your next destination.
Why visit Italy with Original Travel ?
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.
Enquire nowA few of the benefits of travelling with us to Italy
- Our local Concierges
- The Original Travel app
- Destination Dossier
- 24-hour helpline
- Expert guides
- 100% carbon absorption
