A week of visiting Emilia Romagna by bike is a real treat for your mind, body and soul. Not only will you visit cities rich in artistic, cultural, and historical heritage, but you will cross an area rich in history of Italian gastronomy. The authentic Parma ham, the Parmigiano Reggiano cheese in Reggio Emilia, the Traditional Balsamic Vinegar in Modena, homemade pasta such as lasagne in Bologna: they all originally come from this region of Italy. You and your stomach will be greeted with an authentic, welcoming, and generous heart from the local people and their famed kitchens. You travel by bike on small country roads and cycle paths along rivers, canals and through cultivated fields. There is a lot to feast your eyes ... and your taste buds on!
Tour Highlights:
• Visiting the most beautiful towns in the Emilia-Romagna region
• Tasting some of Italy's most delicious gastronomic heritage
• A whole day dedicated to Bologna, with the possibility of taking a local cooking class
• Relaxing and enjoyable cycling stages along quiet paths or small roads with no major climbs
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!
Overnight in B&B in hotel in Parma.
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.
Around 55km/34.2mi by bike, +/-240m/787ft.
Dinner in a typical restaurant: you will be served a menu based on fresh home-made stuffed pasta, a "secondo" based on a typical Parma meat roast and, as a dessert, the tiramisù!
Overnight in a hotel in Parma.
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.
Around 55km/34.2mi by bike, +/-250m/820ft.
Overnight in B&B in hotel in Reggio Emilia.
Today you are, in 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.
Around 55km/34.2mi by bike.
Dinner in a typical restaurant: this evening you'll taste Modena's traditional food, "gnocco e tigelle", that is small pieces of toasted or fried bread dough, served with the region's sublime cold meats, cheeses and jams.
Overnight in a hotel in Modena.
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.
Around 65km/40.4mi by bike. +150m/492ft, -150m/492ft.
Overnight in B&B in hotel in Modena.
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.
Around 70km/43.5mi by bike.
Dinner in a typical restaurant: this evening, of course, you'll be tasting the Bolognese! You can try the famous ‘tortellini’ and ‘lasagne verdi’ and then continue with ‘polpette alla bolognese’ (Bolognese meatballs) with seasonal vegetables. Finally, the famous regional dessert, the “tenerina” with chocolate. Buon appetito!
Overnight in a hotel in Bologna.
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 to discover Bologna by bike and cap off your exploration of the region with a locals favorite, lasagna alla bolognese and Sangiovese wine!
Around 15km/9.3mi by bike.
Overnight in B&B in hotel in Bologna. Possibility to book a local cooking class in Bologna.
Individual departure from Bologna after breakfast and hotel check-out.
Itinerary Modification:
Sometimes, we must modify the indicated itinerary. This might be due to the organization of the trip (fully booked accommodations, closed off trails, paths or roads or weather conditions, etc.) Please note, these modifications are always made in your interest, for your safety and comfort!
Accommodation in 4* hotels, B&B (7 nights)
Flights are not included.
This is a self-guided trip. You will not have a guide to accompany you, but instead you will be given a digital travel pack with documents sent by email (documents in German, French or English as clients request) + access to our phone travel app for the hikes and maps. The application is in English only. If a client wishes to have a “printed travel pack” (with paper roadbook in German, French or English + maps), it needs to be requested at the time of booking and there is a supplement fee of 35 € per package. The printed travel pack will be waiting and given to clients at the 1st accommodation included in this itinerary.
All Breakfast at hotels
3 Dinners (3 courses, drinks must be paid seperately)
Supplement single room
Rental fee for a trekking bike
Rental fee for an e-bike
Cooking class in Bologna
Printed travel pack
Transport not included.
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