Build-Your-Own Food Tour Recommendations in Bologna

I turned down a one day bike tour last summer (despite the fact I love cycling) because I thought it wouldn't make for such a good day ..wine+bike+hot summer day. My partner and I took a much more leisurely approach on the Slow day in Tuscany (website- www.slow-days.com)and appreciated being driven from vineyard to village to lunch to castle. I don't think I would have coped well getting back in the saddle after a typical meal in a Tuscan restaurant. If you want to watch olive oil being made you would have to visit during the harvest time- early November- but most vineyards make their own olive oil and will let you try it just like the wine.

All the food you mention is actually produced in Emilia Romagna in the Modena area so Florence isn't the best place for this kind of touring. Have you considered going to Bologna instead of Florence as your base? The parmigiana-reggiano factories seem to be open for visits in the early morning as that's when they make the cheese so getting there from Florence in time is difficult.

Hi Shirley, I probably need to edit my post. We are considering spending a night/day in Bologna to be closer to that region. Have you gone on any tours? Best, Ginny

We took the "Italian Days" tour from Bologna in April this year. Expensive, yes - 145 euro pp but we thought worth it and had a great day. We were picked up from our apartment at 7.15 am and dropped back at about 4pm, the party was 12 strong. The price included an excellent 4 course lunch including wine/soft drinks in a country trattoria. The tour guide/owner Alessandro added a personal touch to the procedings and we learned a lot about the production of Parmigiano Reggiano, Aceto Balsamico Tradizionale di Modena, Modena Ham D.O.P and, perhaps more importantly, what to look for when buying the products. http://www.italiandays.it/ OK advertisement over! We really enjoyed our day and do not regret the expenditure. Whether it is your sort of thing only you can tell. There are other organised tours available but no experience of them.

I have taken Alessandro's Italian Days Food Experience twice. You can read my trip advisor review (I post there as yayoye). Alessandro will take you to all of the places you mention and I know that although he has had to modify the locations due to the earthquake, he still covers parmigiano reggiano cheese, a parma ham place and an acetaia for balsamico. You also get a "light" (read full) Italian lunch up in the hills. There are a maximum of 12 guests on the tour - 2 vans. The drivers are very safe and you are in the same van all day so you can leave your lugguge and purchases in the van while you tour.The drivers ensure the security of the stuff in the van. I think it is priced fairly because the wealth of information you can pick up, the chauffeuring service, the ease of visiting different locations and the lunch which includes all courses plus wine. Alessandro is passionate about food and he is totally genuine in his presentation. www.italiandays.it Note: on one day of the week (I think it's Saturday), the parma ham producer is closed so you don't get to see that. Make sure you check on that before you book if you want to see everything.