Parma to Bologna Food & Bike Tour

Arrival in Parma and check-in. Take your time to visit the city, start with Piazza del Duomo and its octagonal Baptistery. Not far away is the Palazzo della Pilotta, which will give you the opportunity to visit two masterpieces, the Farnese Theatre and the National Gallery. And don't forget that besides being a city of history and culture, Parma is also officially designated UNESCO’s city of gastronomy!

The first day on your bike allows you to explore the gentle hills around Parma. The riverbed of the Parma shapes the valley, the surrounding slopes are gentle, the roads are bordered by vineyards and this is the homeland of the famous Prosciutto di Parma. Arrival at Torrechiara Castle, which dominates a medieval village and stands majestically on the hill offers a superb view over the surrounding area. Return to Parma in the afternoon.

Today’s stage takes place in the production area of the Parmigiano Reggiano, probably the most famous Italian cheese in the world. To the South of Parma and Reggio are hills, to the North is the river Po and its ancient flood plains. You will ride in between these landscapes, through peaceful countryside, and pass through quaint villages with well-preserved medieval castles, such as Montechiarugolo or Montecchio. Arrival in Reggio Emilia, the city of origin of the "tricolore", the Italian flag.

Today you’ll explore the Po plains, surrounded by cultivated fields and vineyards (try the local sparkling red wine –  Lambrusco!). You will soon reach the beautiful village of Correggio, before continuing to Carpi, a town with a long history and one of the largest squares in Italy, where the Palace of the Pio dating back to the Renaissance stands. The stage ends in Modena, a city listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its Romanesque cathedral.

Modena is the homeland of traditional Balsamic Vinegar, and on your way out of town you can visit a real "acetaia" to get to know all its secrets. You continue along a beautiful cycling path towards Vignola before arriving in Castelvetro, a charming little village perched on a hill. It is the perfect spot for a gourmet lunch or snack break with local cold cuts, a piece of Parmesan and a glass of wine! Return to Modena, possibility to stop at Luciano Pavarotti’s house-museum.

Your day of cycling begins along small country roads to Nonantola, where you can stop to visit the Benedictine Abbey, before arriving in San Giovanni in Persiceto. The city of Bologna is close, you can see the dome and iconic shape of San Luca off in the distance, the church which dominates this historic city skyline. You will enter Bologna along the Navile Canal, which will take you to the heart of the city through greenways lined with trees and urban parks.

Bologna is an incredible city cultivated, dynamic, creative, and gourmet at its core. Its three nicknames are "La Dotta", which means the erudite, as it is the seat of the oldest university in the world; "La Rossa" for its red roofs, and you can check them out from the top of one of its towers; and above all "La Grassa", which means fat but also abundant for its rich, generous, and traditional cuisine. We recommend discovering Bologna by bike. Don’t forget to cap off your exploration of the region with a local favorite – lasagna alla bolognese and Sangiovese wine!

Individual departure from Bologna after breakfast and hotel check-out.