A Taste Of Italy - Walking In Emilia Romagna

Our trip begins in the historic city of Bologna. Renowned for its culinary traditions, Bologna is the capital of Emilia Romagna, with a population of just over a million in its greater area. The popular meat based sauce Bolognese comes from here and the production of cured pork meats such as prosciutto, mortadella and salami is an important part of the local food industry. Tortellini (filled pasta) served in broth, and mortadella, the original Bologna sausage, are among other local specialties. Your trip Leader plans to meet everyone in the hotel reception at 6pm for the welcome meeting followed by the chance to go out for dinner for those that wish. There are no other activities planned today. Should you miss the welcome meeting, your Leader will inform you of any essential information as soon as you catch up. If you would like to receive a complimentary airport transfer today, you'll need to arrive into Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport (BLQ), which is around half an hour's drive from the hotel.

We have a full day in the atmospheric city of Bologna whose historic centre contains an immense wealth of important medieval, renaissance, and baroque artistic monuments. The city is famous for its arched porticoes which make it possible to walk for long distances sheltered from the elements. There are over 45 kilometres of arcade in the greater city and we start our explorations today with a walk along the famous Portico di San Luca, a winding 666 vault arcade, almost four kilometres long, that links Bologna with the church of San Luca atop a 290 metre hill outside the city. The afternoon is left free to explore the city. The 'Due Torri' are two leaning medieval defensive towers, whose distinctive outline provides a popular symbol of Bologna, one of which can be climbed for a bird's eye view of the city's red roofs. Today's seven-and-a-half kilometre walk along the Portico di San Lucca and back to the city will take around three hours.

This morning we drive in the direction of Modena to visit a local producer of balsamic vinegar, Acetaio di Leonardi. Highly valued by modern chefs and gourmet food lovers, traditional balsamic vinegar is made from a reduction of cooked white Trebbiano grape juice, and used as a condiment. We have a tour of the cantina and taste some of the balsamic vinegars before continuing on to see the UNESCO-listed old centre of Modena. After a short orientation with the trip leader you're free to explore sights such as the Cathedral of Modena, the lovely Piazza Grande and the tower of Ghirlandina, one of the Iconic structures of Modena, where there's the option to climb its 500 or so steps to the top of the tower for amazing views over the city and surrounding countryside. It's then around half an hour drive to our destination for the next three nights, Reggio Emilia, a small city with an historic centre of attractive squares and grand public buildings. There's time for a wander in the Old Quarter before convening for a pre-dinner aperativo and dinner (not included) at one of the local restaurants.