Length
- 3 hours
Highlights
- Authentic Italian Breakfast Experience
- View the medieval landmarks while learning about their significance to the city
- The Vibrant “Quadrilatero” Food Market – Explore colorful stalls and shops in Bologna’s historic culinary district
- Mortadella Tasting and Traditional Balsamic Vinegar with Local Wine
Perfect for
- History and Culture Enthusiasts
- Travelers seeking authentic experiences
- Art and music lovers
- Small private groups
- Religious and spiritual travelers
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Description
Morning Delights: Coffee, Towers, and Historic Squares
First, your culinary adventure begins in Bologna, affectionately known as “La Grassa” for its world-renowned gastronomic heritage. Here, you’ll meet your private licensed tour guide to kick off the day. Your experience starts immediately with an authentic Italian breakfast at a historic coffee-grinding institution. There, you’ll sample distinctive coffee blends paired with delicious pastries and brioches. Afterward, as you stroll beneath Bologna’s iconic Two Towers, the medieval landmarks that define the city’s skyline, your guide will lead you to Piazza Grande (Piazza Maggiore). This square truly showcases Bologna’s architectural splendor with its impressive religious and civic buildings. Consequently, this immersive walking tour masterfully combines cultural exploration with the first taste of Bologna’s celebrated food scene, setting the stage for a day of sensory delights.
The “Quadrilateral” of Taste: Mortadella, Local Wines, and Market Treasures
Next, you will journey into the heart of Bologna’s culinary identity as you explore the vibrant “Quadrilatero,” the city’s historic food market district. This gastronomic paradise comes alive with colorful fruit and vegetable stalls, artisanal fish vendors, and specialty food shops that have, in fact, defined Bologna’s food culture for centuries. The enticing aroma of Mortadella, Bologna’s signature cold cut, will guide you through narrow medieval lanes until you arrive at your tasting experience. Here, you will enjoy a selection of local salumi perfectly accompanied by a glass of regional wine. As a result, you’ll experience firsthand the authentic flavors of Emilia-Romagna and understand precisely why Bologna holds its prestigious culinary reputation. Finally, after your tasting, you can enjoy a digestive walk through the charming streets, absorbing the lively atmosphere of this food lover’s paradise.
Balsamic Treasures and Sweet Conclusions: DOP Products and Chocolate Tortellini
To round off your tour, you will explore Italy’s protected culinary treasures and sweet specialties. You’ll visit a fascinating shop-museum dedicated to traditional balsamic vinegar of Modena, a prized DOP (Protected Designation of Origin) product. There, you’ll learn about the meticulous aging process and, of course, sample this “black gold” of Italian cuisine. Your tour then culminates at a historic chocolatier shop where you’ll discover a uniquely Bolognese sweet treat: chocolate Tortellini. This is a delightful interpretation shaped like Venus’s navel and the “raviola with mostarda alla Bolognese.” Moreover, throughout the tour, you’ll have opportunities for shopping at specialized food stores, giving you the perfect chance to bring home the authentic tastes of Bologna. All in all, this immersive experience perfectly blends cultural discovery with gastronomic pleasure in one of Italy’s most beloved food destinations.
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Inclusions
- A private tourist licensed guide at your disposal (3 hours maximum)
- Tastings as to the programme
Meeting point and notes
In the lobby of your hotel if it is in Bologna downtown. Please let us know the name of your hotel. Otherwise, we will meet at the foot of the Two Towers. We always confirm the trip, even in case of rain. Our company will only contact you if conditions are dangerous. We recommend comfortable dress and shoes.
