We have finally come up with the final itinerary for our culinary tour of Emilia Romagna – we have meticulously put together a variety of experiences focused on the most famous products this region, Italy’s culinary capital. During the tour you will experience the best the region has to offer with the additional bonus of being able to have personal contacts with chefs, local producers and artisanal craftspeople.
We plan on organizing the tour during the last week in October – once we have enough confirmations we will provide you with exact dates and any final changes that may need to be made. However, below is a basic outline of the tour, including what you will be seeing, tasting and experiencing and any cost for the tour based on a group of 10-12 people.
Should you be interested, please contact [email protected] or [email protected] for any specific questions, any additional information you may need or to sign up for this unforgettable experience.
Saturday , Oct 29th 2016 – ARRIVAL IN ROME (D)
Arrival in Rome, meet your private English speaking driver outside customs and transfer to your hotel in the center of Rome , Hotel Ambasciatori Palace 5*****, in the heart of « La Dolce Vita »
Free leisure time in the afternoon
At 6.30 PM meet Food Blogger John Bruckman at your hotel along with the Managing Director in Italy of Dragonfly Tours, Roberto Rinaldi. Here, you will have the opportunity to meet your hosts and get answers to any questions you may have regarding the tour and receive an overview of the week’s activities.
7.00pm : Transfer with private luxury minibus to the location reserved for dinner where
a section of the restaurant will be reserved exclusively for you. The Rimessa Roscioli is a sensory experience of wine & food pairings, a warm, comfortable, fun and dynamic place, full of “made in Italy” delicacies including an interesting variety of Italian wine options.
Approximately at 10.00 pm you will enjoy a one-hour Rome by night tour before transfer back to your hotel .
Sunday, Oct. 30th 2016 – ROME TO BOLOGNA – PRIVATE & EXCLUSIVE LUNCH IN AN UNDERGROUND CAVE IN ORVIETO AND DINNER IN BOLOGNA at Chef BRUNO BARBIERI’s RESTAURANT (Michelin star restaurant)
– At 9.30am meet your private english speaking driver and transfer to Bologna with a stop in Orvieto , where you will meet your private English speaking guide for a short but fascinating visit of this ancient city and a private, delicous lunch in an underground cave, a unique restaurant that can be considered as a private museum in Orvieto. 30 years ago the owner, while restoring the floor of his shop, found a medieval cistern which was used to collect rain water and from here he found an unknown underground city unique to Orvieto. You will combine ancient Italian art with a guided tour of the cave together with a delicious lunch offering seasonal products and local wines in an absolutely private and one-of- a-kind environment.
Approximately at 6.00pm arrive in Bologna at your hotel , Grand Hotel Majestic già Baglioni 5*****
-8:00pm : meeting with our driver at the hotel and transfer to chef Bruno Barbieri’s restaurant, Fourghetti.
-11:30pm: return to hotel.
Monday, Oct. 31st 2016 – FOOD & ART IN BOLOGNA INCLUDING DINNER
10:00am: Food&Art tour in Bologna : You will spend an unforgettable 3 hours with an expert guide visiting the medieval market district and experiencing a variety of historical food shops, pastry shops and pasta laboratories for small tastings of Bologna’s most typical local produce.
Tastings include chocolate & coffee, ham & cheese and local delicacies such as tortellini.
Visits to monuments excluded, however on request, to be paid to the guide on site we can organize additional visits to local museums, churches or other cultural centers in the city.
1:00pm : end of activities.
Free afternoon at your leisure.
Approximately at 8.00pm -dinner at a top-notch restaurant downtown (walking distance), with the possibility of having the chef give you short description of all the courses.
Tuesday, Nov. 1st, 2016 : CULATELLO DOP IN THE LOWLANDS OF PARMA (B,L,)
8:30am: Transfer to Parma via our minibus and stop at Polesine Parmense to visit a farm-to-table oriented farm which includes ageing cellars of Culatello di Zibello DOP (one of the most artisanal and expensive cured meats in the world) in the foundations of a medieval castle which has belonged to one of the most influential aristocratic families of northern Italy, the Marquises Pallavicino. The castle also houses a Relais and a Michelin star restaurant managed by the owner, chef Massimo Spigaroli. Unique location in the charming lowlands running along the Po River.
Seated lunch in the castle with tastings of different aged Culatello, focaccia, tortellini in meat broth, dessert, coffee.
2:00pm: transfer to hotel in Parma.
3 :00pm: check-in central hotel NH Parma 4****L
Free afternoon and dinner at your leisure.
Wednesday, Nov. 2nd, 2016 – COOKING CLASS IN MODENA: THE CHEF EXPERIENCE
9:00am: transfer by our minibus to Modena for a unique cooking class at a cooking school connected to a very famous Michelin Star Restaurant. The chef owner himself will be working with you in the preparation of a 5 course traditional menu.
3:00pm: end of activity and return to Parma.
8:00 PM – Dinner at a top-notch restaurant downtown (walking distance).
A traditional menu revisited in a modern concept : Starters, 2 Main Courses, 2 Local wines, dessert, coffee.
Thursday, Nov. 3rd 2016 – THE FOOD VALLEY GOURMET TOUR IN THE HILLS OF PARMA (B,L,D)
8:30: Meeting with our guide and our driver and transfer to the green hills of Parma by minibus for a real gourmet experience : educational visits to the producers of Parmigiano Reggiano DOP, Prosciutto di Parma, Vini dei Colli di Parma DOC and Balsamic Vinegar Tradizionale DOP.
Tastings of all products on site + lunch at the wine maker’s home, with a breathtaking view of the unique Castle of Torrechiara.
Traditional lunch with the most typical cured meats, tortelli di Parma, 3 wines, dessert and coffee.
2 :30pm :Return by Minibus to Parma.
3:30pm: 2-hour walking tour of Parma with focus on both food, arts&crafts and lifestyle in general, as well as an unforgettable experience inside the Cathedral of Parma, the Baptistery and the wooden Teatro Farnese
Free afternoon
Approx. At 8.00 PM a reserved dinner in a traditional restaurant in Parma
Friday, Nov. 4th 2016 – TRUFFLE HUNTING EXPERIENCE IN THE MOUNTAINS OF PARMA (B,L)
8:00am: Check-out and head to the scenic Parma Appenines for a guided truffle hunting experience structured as a team building activity using dogs, all managed and supported by the owner himself, who will offer you a rich tasting truffle-based lunch at his agriturismo.
2 :30pm: back to Parma, meeting with a second driver and transfer to Rome.
Check-in at the hotel Minerva 5*****L in the center of Rome.\
Evening Free.
Saturday , Nov. 5th 2016 – DEPARTURE DAY (B)
Check-out at the hotel meet your private English speaking driver for a direct transfer to Fiumicino airport, for your departure flight back home.
Optional tours will be available for those interested in staying on in Italy – Dragonfly Tours Italy will be happy to organize and assist you with any additional visits you would like to make during your stay in Italy.
Dates and Hotels included in the program:
29-30 October 2016 – Hotel Ambasciatori Palace 5***** (or similar)
30-1 November 2016 – Grand Hotel Majestic già Baglioni 5***** (or similar)
1-4 November 2016 – NH Parma 4****L (or similar)
4-5 November 2016 hotel Minerva 5*****L (or similar)
Price per person, double room occupancy :
€ 3.680,00*
*price is based on a small group of 10 people travelling together. Should the size of the group vary, the price may be slightly affected.
