My husband and I will be in Bologna from 11/28-11/30. On the 28th, we're planning on heading to FICO Eataly World (we arrive in Bologna from Florence at 10:30) and the 29th is our only full-day in Bologna. We are wanting to visit either Parma or Modena and do some sort of tour. We have considered renting a car or taking the train and heading out on our own, but we're not sure of setting up a tour of a cheese or balsamic vinegar factory on our own. Has anyone done this on their own instead of taking a tour? Or if you did a tour, do you have any recommendations. All the tours that I've seen are around $80 and we're already spending that on our food tour in Florence.
Posted by
Austin, TX, USA
24 posts
We recently did the Tasty Bus food tour in Parma
We went to a small local Cheese Factory, and saw the process and did tastings, then wemt to a Parma ham facility and did tour and tastings
I enjoyed it. It was about 15 people in a nice van. Guide told us some about area and process. This was a half day morning tour, I think they also have an afternoon one with balsamic vinegars.
Posted by
102 posts
I highly recommend the Italian Days Food Experience (http://www.italiandays.it/index.asp) with Alessandro. We did his tour a few years ago while staying in Bologna and found it a wonderful and entertaining way to visit food craftsmen in the area. It is well worth the price to be picked up at your hotel and driven from site-to-site, with ample samples at each stop, and a concluding lunch that will leaving you wanting nothing more for dinner that night than a piccolo gelato.
Posted by
Tampa, FL, USA
1054 posts
Here's a second for Allesandro and Italian Days above. Loved our day with him and so much food and wine.
If you are in Modena look into a reservation at Osteria Franscenana, had an amazing meal. It was #1 restaurant in the world and on this years ranking dropped to #2. www.osteriafrancescana.it Also loved our lunch at Hosteria Guisti. Only had 4 tables so they not have availability this close.
Posted by
Vignola, MO, IT
711 posts
We did a tour with http://www.foodtours.it/certificate-of-excellence-2017. It was just my husband and I and it was wonderful. All day from Parma. Parmigiano, prosciutto, balsamico, lunch and we also went to a small winery. Just the two of us and it was great. Talked to all the owners it was very personal.
Posted by
Orinda, California, United States
308 posts
Here's a third for Allesandro's tour. It's wonderful and so informative.
We are going to FICO Eataly World on November 16th. Will report back.
Posted by
seattle
2147 posts
Be sure to visit the food stalls and stores around Via Drapperi, off the main plaza. They are very lively and it's possible to buy small amounts of cheese, etc. it is a wonderful area for an appertivo with wonderful cheese and meat platters and great wines by the glass. There us even an Eataly in the neighborhood.
Posted by
TN USA
9 posts
I recommend Bluone Tours in Bologna.
Posted by
54 posts
Here’s another vote for Italian Days! Alessandro is amazing.
Posted by
29 posts
Another vote for Italian Days! We took the tour with Alessandro in September, and it was the highlight of our trip.