Sounding out the Parmigiano

Drying out the grapes

Barrels of Balsamic Vinegar

Gourmet Emilia-Romagna

Parma Ham, vintage Balsamic vinegar and Parmigiano Reggiano are just a few of the culinary delights you will discover and learn more about on this fabulous Gourmet tour based in the region of Emilia Romagna.

Emilia – Romagna stretching from Piacenza in the west to Rimini in the east, is actually two very distinct regions with their own characteristics which have been joined together purely for political reasons. The cities of the area always feature high on the national listings for quality of life within Italy – they work hard and play hard as well! The Apennines flanks one side of the region but with large swathes of fertile plains in the centre of the region. The towns of Bologna, Parma, Reggio Emilia, Ferrara, Modena to name the most famous, are respected throughout Italy as home to some of the most elegant Italians (Maxmara come from Reggio) and the most sumptuous food.

We begin in the west with two fabulous wines visits at La Stoppa and La Tosa to try their Gutturnio wines as well as Sauvignon and their stunning local Malvasia. Continuing east we arrive in Parma – where one local saying is “Il Maiale e come la musica di Verdi: tutto buono, niente da buttar via” – The pig is like the music of Verdi: it’s all good, there is nothing to throw away! We visit a producer of the succulent sweet DOP protected Culatello, a melt in your mouth cured ham. Parma itself is a beautiful and prosperous city, where, when you are not busy enjoying the wonderful food, you should visit the stunning 12th century dodecahedron Baptistry.

We visit a farm producing wonderful Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, which not only is ideal for grating on pasta but also is the perfect accompaniment for many Italian wines at the end of a meal – especially Amarone from the Veneto. Onwards to Modena, birthplace of Pavarotti, where we visit a producer of the versatile aceto balsamico – balsamic vinegar – that, once you’ve discovered its diversities, will never lose its place in your kitchen.

Our tour ends with time to explore the tempting produce in the market of Bologna and ends with a highly welcoming visit to Terre Rosse, the best wine estate in the Coli Bolognesi.

For those who love Italian Food, this is an unmissable tour.

This is a sample itinerary – the details are subject to confirmation.

Itinerary Includes:

3 nights, 4* hotel, private mini-bus transport, private gourmet guide, and one lunch, all tastings. Meet and drop off at Bologna airport.

Prices from:

£695 based on 8
£835 based on 6
£1135 based on 4
£2035 based on 2 participants

If you would like to extend in Milan at the start of the tour or Bologna at the end of the tour, please contact us for details.