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Highlights of Emilia Romagna - Unlocking the Secrets...
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Bologna, Parma & Ravenna: three day escorted tour
Join us as we spend three full days and two nights sampling some of the best cities in Emilia Romagna. Our base will be in Bologna, at charming hotel located in the historic center, while a private coach takes us to visit the cities of Parma and Ravenna. Local guides will lead us on walking tours each morning, giving us the historic details of the places we visit. Every day, after our city tour, we will enjoy a four course lunch at quaint restaurants serving scrumptious, local dishes. Afternoons can be spent exploring the cities further with your tour director or you can venture out on your own.
Day 1
Our day begins with a morning walking tour of Bologna. A local, licensed guide will take us to visit the Basilica of San Petronio, the Fountain of Neptune and the shrine to the World War II partisans, all located in Piazza Maggiore. Our morning walk will take us through medieval streets and under historic porticoes. We will tour the Church of San Stefano and stop to gaze at the 'Two Towers', considered to be the symbols of Bologna. When our morning tour is finished, we will rest our feet at one my favorite restaurants. There will enjoy a four course meal of traditional Bolognese dishes. The rest of the afternoon is yours to do as you please. Some guests may want to shop, some may wish to explore the charming historic center, while others may opt to climb two and a half miles of porticoed steps, to the church of San Luca. Whatever your desire, I will have plenty of suggestions on how to spend your afternoon.
Day 2
This morning we will travel one hour north to the city of Parma, famous around the world for its DOC rated Parmigiano Reggiano cheese and Prosciutto di Parma. A local guide will meet us for a walking tour of the city. We will visit the Piazza della Pace, the church of San Giovanni Evangelisa and the church of Sant' Antonio Abate. We will also make a stop in the Piazza della Duomo for a tour of the Duomo and the Baptistery, the symbol of Parma. After our private tour, we will feast on a delicious meal at one of my favorite, local restaurants. There we will feast on the rich cuisine of Parma, enjoying a four course meal. When our lunch is complete, we will head to a Parmigiana cheese factory where we will take a tour and learn about the process of making the delectable, world famous, cheese. When our factory tour is finished, we will have a chance to sample the cheese before returning to our hotel in Bologna. This evening you are free to do as you please.Day 3 After breakfast, we will travel us to Ravenna, the city of mosaics. A local, licensed guide will take us on a morning tour of Ravenna where we will see the best eastern mosaics found in the western world. Our tour will begin at the famous Church of San Vitale where we will have a chance to see the best examples of early Christian art. More mosaics await us at the mausoleum of Galla Placcidia, the Neonian Baptistry, and the church of San Apollinare Nuovo. Our last stop before lunch will be to visit the tomb of Italy's most beloved poet, Dante Alighieri. After we have been dazzled by the glittering art, we will pause for lunch at another one of my favorite restaurants. Here you will have your first chance to sample 'La Cucina Romagnola', the Romangolo kitchen. After a lingering lunch, you will have a few hours to explore Ravenna's historic center on your own or you can join me for a visit to the Roman stone carpet before our private coach returns us to Bologna.
Included
Two nights accommodation with a private bath in the historic center of Bologna
Ground transportation during your stay (by train or car)
Two Italian style breakfast buffets
A three course lunch each day served with mineral water, wine and Italian style coffee
Walking tours with a local, licensed guide in Bologna, Parma, and Ravenna
The services of a local tour director
Maps of the cities we visit
A tour of a Parmigiano Reggiano cheese factory with sampling
A small gift made by a local artist
NOT INCLUDED: Airfare or transportation to the hotel on the first day.
NOTE: If you need more information before booking use the "ask the guide" link
There are no questions about this tour
