parmigiano reggiano cheese
bologna meals
emilia church
prosciutto di parma
emilia countryside
bologna covered walkways

Italy's great food icons

Bologna, Modena and Parma Tour

Delight in prosciutto, parmigiano, balsamic, and tortellini - straight from the makers. Meet the proud artisans whose passion and hospitality make every bite a celebration.

Tour Details

Journey through Italy’s culinary heart, where tradition simmers in every kitchen and flavor tells a story. Taste, learn, and connect with the artisans who keep Emilia-Romagna’s food heritage alive.

  • Price

    From US$6,790 per person
  • Group Size

    Maximum 8 guests
  • Duration

    6 days / 5 nights
  • Departures

    October 2026
  • Starts/Ends

    Bologna
  • Inclusions

    Boutique stays, guided experiences, and meals with wine
  • Accommodation

    Boutique city hotel and charming countryside agriturismo
  • Activity Level

    Light walking — some uneven terrain

Highlights

Why You'll Love This Tour

  • Savor the essence of Emilia-Romagna, with slow-simmered ragù, nutty Parmigiano Reggiano, and buttery prosciutto.

    emilia romagna food
  • Drizzle thick, velvety Balsamic of Modena, discovering both centuries-old methods and bold, modern interpretations of this treasured craft.

    balsamic vinegar
  • Learn from a true sfoglina - one of Bologna’s revered pasta masters - as you roll, fold, and seal perfect tortellini by hand.

    bologna pasta making
  • Witness the artistry of Parmigiano Reggiano at a working caseificio, where wheels of cheese age quietly in vaulted cellars, awaiting perfection.

    parmigiano reggiano dairy visit
  • Rediscover Lambrusco in its truest form - vibrant, complex, and perfectly paired with Emilia's cured meats.

    lambrusco wine
  • Immerse yourself in the rhythm of real Italian life, from perfume-making to wandering the elegant arcades and markets.

    modena market
  • What our guests say

    pesto class

    your untold italy tour Includes

    5 nights in charming luxury 4 star accommodation – 3 nights in a charming luxury 4 star country house and 2 nights in beautiful 4 star hotel accommodation in Parma

    Guided walking tours, Bologna food walking tour, Parmigiano Reggiano dairy visit, Balsamic Vinegar Museum visit, wine tastings, tortellini cooking class, gelato workshop, castle visit, perfume making workshop

    5 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 1 aperitivo and 5 dinners as specified in the itinerary, wine and bottled water is included with meals other than breakfast.

    Air-conditioned minibus/minivan will get you around on tour.

    Tips and gratuities are included for local guides and your driver. Tips are not included for your tour host.

    We meet in central Bologna and drop off at Bologna train station.

    Not included

    Fly into Rome, Milan or Florence. Bologna can be reached by high speed train in just over 30 minutes from Florence, an hour from Milan and Venice, or 2 hours from Rome. If you prefer to travel by plane, the city has an international airport that services Italian and European destinations.

    No one books a trip expecting the unexpected – travel insurance ensures you’re covered if plans change. See our trip FAQ below for more information and suggested providers.

    Nearly all meals are included – you’ll have two free meals to explore the local food scene at your own pace.

    Tour Overview

    Bologna, Modena and Parma Tour Description

    In Emilia-Romagna, food isn’t just eaten – it’s lived. Between the Po River and the Reggiano Apennines, the land itself shapes every flavor, every tradition, and every gathering around the table. Here, the rhythm of life follows the seasons, and every aroma – from simmering ragù to aged Parmigiano – tells a story of time and devotion.

    riomaggiore tour

    A Journey Through Flavor and Tradition

    Over six delicious days, explore a world where the scent of prosciutto drifts through sunlit piazzas and wheels of cheese mature quietly in cool cellars. This is authentic Italy – where the pace slows, conversations linger, and hospitality comes naturally. From Bologna’s covered porticoes to the rolling countryside of Modena and Parma, each day reveals new flavors and the people who bring them to life.

    A Taste of Slow Living

    Meet artisans who have worked the land for generations and taste their labor of love – rich balsamic, bold Lambrusco, and cheese crafted with care and patience. Share stories, savor long lunches, and soak in views that stretch across vineyard-covered hills. By journey’s end, you’ll carry more than new recipes – you’ll take with you a deeper connection to the beauty of slow living and the soul of Emilia-Romagna

    Bologna, Modena and Parma Itinerary

    Let us walk you through what to expect on tour, go here to request the full itinerary.

    • Day 1-2

      The Flavors and Fragrance of Bologna and Parma

      Enjoy a foodie walking tour around iconic Bologna before we whisk you away to elegant Parma. Feast on prosciutto di Parma, our first real ‘Bolognese’ ragu and indulge in an olfactory experience with a perfume making class.

      • Places: Bologna and Parma
      • Activities: Guided food walking tour of Bologna, Parma walking tour and Perfume making workshop
      • Accommodation: Grand Hotel di Parma (or similar)
    • Day 3-4

      Tortellini, Lambrusco, and the Magic of Modena

      Discover the culinary gem Modena and the untold stories behind this small city of artisans, historic food shops, world-famous restaurants, and art. Visit a magnificent fortress and indulge in Lambrusco at an artisanal winery. Trust us, you’ve never tasted it like this.

      In the countryside, learn the delicate art of shaping tortellini by hand – the most delicious souvenir you’ll ever bring home.

      • Places: Modena and Emilia countryside
      • Activities: Walking tour of Modena and balsamic vinegar tour, Vignola Castle visit, winery visit, and cooking class
      • Accommodation: Opera 02 (or similar)
    • Day 5-6

      Emilia’s Icons and Everyday Artisans

      Discover delicious Parmigiano Reggiano at a local dairy, (that just so happened to be featured on Stanley Tucci’s Searching for Italy), and of course savor the richness of the ‘black gold’ of Modena aka Balsamic Vinegar.

      Meet the locals who carry on important medieval traditions, the volunteers of a local chestnut museum, and artisan gelato makers, who each continue to uphold Emilia’s reputation as the heart of Italian food.

      • Places: Spilamberto and Emilia countryside
      • Activities: Dairy visit with tastings, Chestnut museum, and Medieval surprise, Balsamic vinegar museum and Gelato experience with tastings
      • Accommodation: Opera 02 (or similar)
    From US$6,790 per person

    Deposit: $500

    Pay in your local currency at checkout (AUD, CAD, EUR, GBP)

    • Pay in Easy Instalments

    • Flexible Cancelation Policy

    • 30% of Guests Book Again

    Still have questions?
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    Departures

    Upcoming Dates and Prices

    Request Itinerary

    Want more information about this trip?

    Enter your details and we’ll send you a complete PDF version of the Bologna, Modena and Parma tour itinerary so you can start planning your escape to this beautiful region in northern Italy.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Our Bologna, Modena and Parma tour departs from the beautiful city of Bologna at 10am at a local hotel near the Bologna Centrale train station.

    Our Bologna, Parma and Modena tour ends back in Bologna around 5pm at the Bologna Centrale train station.

    Bologna can be reached by high speed train in just over 30 minutes from Florence, an hour from Milan and Venice, or 2 hours from Rome. If you prefer to travel by plane, the city has an international airport that services Italian and European destinations.

    Please let us know well in advance if you have any dietary needs, including allergies. It is quite a meat and dairy heavy cuisine so it can be a little difficult for vegetarians and not advisable for vegans. We’re happy to work with tour accommodation and restaurants to ensure that you have suitable meal options.

    You’ll feel completely at home – whether you enjoy a glass of wine or prefer to skip it. Our tours celebrate the stories, traditions, and people behind Italy’s incredible food and wine culture, so there’s always something meaningful to experience. Non-alcoholic local options are happily provided, and every tasting, vineyard visit, or shared meal is about connection, not just what’s in the glass.

    Absolutely! We always welcome solo travelers in our groups and generally have at least a couple of solo guests join.

    Light to moderate physical activity levels are required on this tour as our guided walks range from 1-2 hours at a time. Please get in touch if you have concerns.

    Alongside USD, we offer payment in Australian, Canadian and New Zealand dollars, Euro and British pounds using the mid-market rate at time of payment on xe.com. Please reach out to us at info@untolditalytours for a quote.

    Pay a USD $500 deposit per person to secure your place. Then three easy instalments at 180 days, 120 days and 90 days prior to departure or as specified on our tour booking page. The balance is due 60 days before departure or on the date specified on the trip booking page. Email us if you’d like to break up the instalments even more.

    Our Bologna, Modena and Parma tour offers unbeatable value for money and includes 4 star accommodation, luxury transportation, most meals, guided tours, entrance fees, artisan visits, local experiences, a dedicated tour host and more.

    Most guests find they spend money on souvenirs, a few snacks and additional services such as laundry and spa treatments. You have two free time lunches but our guests often find this a welcome relief from the sheer amount of food during the rest of the tour.

    When you book a tour with us, we take care of all the details so you can sit back, completely relax and enjoy your Italian experience.

    Yes our 2026 tour schedule has an opportunity to combine this tour with another Untold Italy experience. It can be combined with our Tuscany in Fall, and Dolomites & South Tyrol tours. Please reach out for more information.

    The unexpected can occur and becoming ill or injured in a foreign country is a very daunting experience, therefore we require guests take insurance with international evacuation coverage for all trips.

    Please consider cancelation insurance also because refunds are made available only per our
    terms and conditions, and we are unable to make exceptions for any reason, including weather, injury/illness, or personal emergencies.

    You should book a policy as soon as the trip has been confirmed. Some companies to consider:

    • World Nomads – simple and flexible travel insurance for independent travelers. Includes 24×7 assistance when abroad
    • Safety Wing Nomad Insurance – designed to meet the unexpected medical and travel needs faced by people traveling outside of their home country
    • Travelex (USA residents only) – comprehensive travel insurance options covering medical assistance and delays

    Unfortunately these providers may not offer policies for those aged over 69. In this case you can try Travel Insurance Master – a service that allows you to compare quotes and insurance policies.

    Thoughts From Our Guests

    Untold Italy Tours Reviews

    Read More Reviews

    Discover Emilia

    This region is one of the wealthiest in Italy, built on world renowned products from Parmigiano Reggiano cheese to fast Ferrari cars. Rarely visited by English speaking travelers, here you’ll find a local charm and slower pace of life.

    emilia castle
    sfoglina
    tigelle lunch

    Listen

    Untold Italy Ep. 152 Dishes to try in Bologna

    A chat about the dishes of the Emilia region
    Listen to Podcast