Emilia Romagna Itinerary

I like the pace of your trip. In March of this year we spent 5 nights in Bologna, 4 nights Parma and 3 nights Ferrara. We did only a day trip to Modena while in Parma. Not sure that you need 3 nights in Modena, but you can certainly fill the time. We really enjoyed Ferrara, so you might consider a day trip there from Bologna. I mentioned in your more recent Ravenna post the name of the private guide we used for walking tours in Bologna and she also does tours in other cities you are visiting. There are many good choices for tours and guides in the area. In Parma we stayed at the Pallazo Dalla Rosa Prati. If we stay there again, we would book without the breakfast option and simply go to local cafe for a light breakfast. In Bologna we first tried Bologna nel Coure B&B but her place was full, so she recommended an associate with a private apartment that was very nice and also centrally located..

I love the pace of your itinerary as well! Emilia-Romagna is one of my favorite areas, such good food.

I would keep the 2 full days in Modena that you are planning: you can

• visit Mercato Albinelli
• have lunch at Trattoria Aldina next door (a queue forms around 1145a),
• visit the Romanesque Duomo,
• climb the Ghirlandina tower overlooking the main piazza,
• and if you’re interested in balsamic vinegar you can tour Acetaia Marchi just outside the city and easily reachable by taxi.

Edited to add other things we enjoyed:

• Ristorante da Danilo
• Trattoria Ermes
• Mutina archeological park (Roman Modena)

Thank you all for the feedback!

We did change the night in Padova to an extra night in Bologna and a day trip to Padova.

We considered a shorter stay in Modena but decided to keep it at three. We really want to learn to just be in a place even if we don't have a list of things to do. And thank you for the Modena suggestions.

We absolutely loved our first trip to Italy but we are so excited for this one... can't wait!

And thank you for those links to the trade shows and events...very helpful.

If you aren’t able to get the Last Supper tickets, you might also like Bergamo, instead. In that case, I would stay there two nights (borrowing a night from elsewhere) and staying your last evening near Malpensa. For Bergamo, be sure to stay up in the atmospheric Citta Alta portion of the city.

Some tips:
- If I have to choose I prefer spend two nights in Milan when I arrive. Unfortunately luggage problems are very common this year and have a couple of buffer days allow to better manage a delay of the luggage.
- car could be very helpful. The most of food producers are farm located in the countryside. Seldom or no connected by public transport. Visit them is very funny. On top of that in the countryside are located some car museums (Ferrari, Lamborghini, Dallara, Ducati, Pagani...) or the Pavarotti museum near Modena (and Verdi house near Busseto). Emilie Romagna is even plenty of Middle Age castles, fortresses, villages that aren't easy to be reached by public transport.
Of course a car with driver or a taxi is a good solution, but much more expensive.

Events:
- For sure Sciocolà in Modena! https://www.sciocola.it/
- Tartufesta in Sasso Marconi. https://www.cittametropolitana.bo.it/sagrefeste/Tartufesta
- Sagra del Porcello in Brisighella
- Tartofla a Savigno. https://www.tartufosavigno.com/
- Sagra della castagna (chestnut) in Zocca.
- Fiere d'ottobre in Sassuolo.
- La Bonissima in Modena. https://www.labonissima.it/
- Il Pesce fa Festa in Cesenatico
And several more dedicated to chestnuts, mushrooms, cooked must, truffles, chocolate, fish and wine.

Hi it sounds a great itinerary.
1st November is a public holiday in Italy for All Saints Day. This year it's on a Friday which makes a 'ponte' or long weekend. This will mean that all 'Citta d'arte ' will be quite busy because Italians will be taking advantage of the long weekend. But none of the cities you mention are big attractions for Italians. You'll also be there first Sunday in the month when some museums etc are free.
Once again Italians take advantage of this so check availability of any museums etc just in case. Apart from 1/2/3 November you shouldn't find many other tourists around. Weather will be getting cooler and wetter but not a problem for a city destination