Pin
Tab_state_overview
Tab_state_itinerary
Tab_state_photos
Private departures available for groups of 6 or more.
(8 Days / 7 Nights)
From $3,995 per person
Share Envlope-icon Facebook-icon Twitter-icon Pinterest-icon Google-plus-icon
Active-foodie-icon
Explorer Type
Active Foodie
Comfort level [?]
Boutique Level-on Level-on Level-on Level-on Level-off
Close
BASIC - dormitory, shared bathrooms, basic camping
SIMPLE - homestay, farmhouse, 1-star hotel
COMFORT - 2-3 star hotel, Alpine Hut+ (potentially with shared bath), Agritourismo+, comfort camping
BOUTIQUE - 3-4 star hotel, unique property, luxury camping
DELUXE - 4-5 star hotel, generally also boutique/smaller properties but with more amenities
Exertion level [?]
Active+ Level-on Level-on Level-on Level-half Level-off
Close
1
Easy/Limited: little required physical activity
2
Light: easy walks, little elevation gain/loss, basic fitness. May not be daily
3
Active: full trip involves some physical activity daily (walking, hiking or cycling)
4
Moderate: sustained physical activity throughout the trip (hiking, cycling....elevation gain/loss, terrain should also be considered.)
5
Challenging (mountain trekking, etc.)

Emilia-Romagna, in northern Italy, is the country’s gastronomic heartland. Pedaling through beautiful villages and along the scenic Po River will whet your appetite for Italy’s unforgettable flavors, which you’ll discover in culinary capitals such as Parma and Bologna—and at every family farm along the way.

On this popular tour, you’ll bicycle through Italy’s premier pasta region. Every meal will include extraordinary local dishes made according to long-time traditions. Every unique ride takes us behind the scenes with local foods—including makers of Parmesan cheese and balsamic vinegar—and allows us to sample local wines. This active foodie tour will also introduce you to the history, art, culture, ancient castles, and UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Emilia-Romagna, which lies between the River Po to its north and the Apennine Mountains to its south.

Our bicycle tour weaves along the Po River and through small villages to Parma, which abounds with Parma ham, Parmesan cheese, and homemade pasta. Our route continues into the hills of Modena, home of world-famous balsamic vinegar, and on to Bologna, a city that gave the world ragú Bolognese and Mortadella Bologna (which carries the Indicazione Geografica Protetta label).

                                                                                                                                            Emilia Romagna Map

Read More ›

Highlights of the Culinary Delights of Emilia-Romagna:

  • Watch as cheese-makers create the world-famous Parmigiano-Reggiano
  • Cycle leisurely over hills and through woodlands, stopping frequently on country roads to enjoy the views
  • Savor dry-cured meats such as Prosciutto di Parma and Mortadella di Bologna
  • Spend the night at an agriturismo, a country-house hotel on a working farm
  • Learn how local grapes are transformed into sweet, rich balsamic vinegar
  • Take a guided tour of Bologna’s iconic towers, churches, and thousand-year-old porticos
  • Get a lesson in making artisanal gelato at the Gelato University
More Highlights ›

Days 1 & 2: Cremona, Sabbioneta

We’ll dive right into the history and culture of Emilia-Romagna, a region just north of Tuscany. After meeting and getting fitted for bicycles in Cremona—the birthplace of the world-famous Stradivarius violins—we’ll pedal on gentle bike paths beside the Po River to the Sabbioneta, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

We’ll get acquainted with some of the region’s flavors, including cold cuts such as culatello and coppa and local table wines including sparkling, red Lambrusco or tart, crisp Pignoletto.

Overnights in Cremona and Sabbioneta/Po River Valley

 

Days 3 & 4: Flavorful Parma

Quiet country roads welcome us as we cycle south toward Parma, one of Italy’s culinary capitals. There’s no rush, however; along the way, we’ll catch glimpses of local farm life and pause often to take photos. Our journey takes us past the palace of Colorno; today it houses the International School of Italian Cuisine. Another cycling excursion takes us on a loop ride past ancient castles and through the glorious Parma hills.

Parma, where we spend two nights, is the home of Parmesan cheese and air-dried Parma ham (Prosciutto di Parma). Dining in and around Parma will delight our taste buds—whether we’re picnicking in an olive grove or savoring a multi-course meal at a sophisticated restaurant.

Overnights in Parma

 

Days 5 & 6: The Best of Emilia-Romagna’s Countryside

Another day full of events today, we'll stop at a salumificio to see how they make Prosciutto di Parma before heading to Reggio Emilia at about lunch time.

We’ll pedal along scenic back roads and bike paths to an agriturismo, a country-house hotel with a working farm, where we spend the night and dine on delicacies cooked from the farm’s own produce.

The next day, we have an early start to the morning to observe the artistry of a working Parmesan cheese maker on our way out of Parma. As we ride toward Modena—home of the world’s most revered balsamic vinegar—we stop at a traditional factory to learn how grapes are transformed into this savory vinegar. 

 

Overnights in a rural agriturismo and in Modena

 

Day 7: Bike to Bologna

 

We leave Modena with its Duomo and the Ghirlandaia tower along a rail to trail bikepath that will lead us to the fortress town of Bazzano, a great spot for a morning snack before enjoying great views along the hills on our way to Bologna, our destination for tonight. We’ll stop at the University of Gelato at the Gelato Lab to learn how to make gelato, and to taste some!  We'll complete the day with a guided visit of this great city before dinner together. 

Overnight in Bologna

 

Day 8: Pasta Cooking Class & Departure

On the final day of our culinary adventure, we learn how to roll pasta dough and to cut tagliatelle, tagliolini, and pappardelle. Then we’ll see how the famous tortellini Bolognesi are stuffed and shaped, and the cooks will share the secret of traditional ragú alla Bolognese and the ever-popular tiramisu. After that, we’ll send you on your way to continue your own culinary explorations.

 

About Our Partners:

This tour has been created in collaboration with our partner ExperiencePlus!, a family-owned and -operated business that has offered quality biking tours since 1972. Sisters Monica and Maria Elena share our passion for great local food and wine, and they’re passionate guides who have created outstanding cycling routes. In addition, they are neighbors and friends of ours in both Italy and Colorado. ExperiencePlus! will assist in answering all of your questions and bookings for this tour.

Close

Emilia-Romagna, in northern Italy, is the country’s gastronomic heartland. Pedaling through beautiful villages and along the scenic Po River will whet your appetite for Italy’s unforgettable flavors, which you’ll discover in culinary capitals such as Parma and Bologna—and at every family farm along the way.

On this popular tour, you’ll bicycle through Italy’s premier pasta region. Every meal will include extraordinary local dishes made according to long-time traditions. Every unique ride takes us behind the scenes with local foods—including makers of Parmesan cheese and balsamic vinegar—and allows us to sample local wines. This active foodie tour will also introduce you to the history, art, culture, ancient castles, and UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Emilia-Romagna, which lies between the River Po to its north and the Apennine Mountains to its south.

Our bicycle tour weaves along the Po River and through small villages to Parma, which abounds with Parma ham, Parmesan cheese, and homemade pasta. Our route continues into the hills of Modena, home of world-famous balsamic vinegar, and on to Bologna, a city that gave the world ragú Bolognese and Mortadella Bologna (which carries the Indicazione Geografica Protetta label).

                                                                                                                                            Emilia Romagna Map

Close
overview itinerary photos