We will be in Florence/Bologna this summer and are taking day trips to Parma and Modena. We'd like to see a cheese factory but are not sure if we can go on our own or if we must book a tour? As well, any suggestions on favorite places to go/see would be appreciated. Thank you!
Posted by
Fulda Germany and Rhode Island USA
334 posts
I was there a few weeks ago and visited a Balsamic Vinegar Farm in Modena. I called ahead to pick a time. The tour guide was very friendly and we were the only people there at the time. We learned a lot about Balsamic Vinegar and I will never look Vinegar the same. We did buy a few bottles, had a tasting and we did not have to pay a fee most likely because we spent money on purchasing products. I am enclosing a link. I had a hard time finding it with my GPS but when you drive a little bit longer past where the GPS brings you its right there on the right hand side lol. http://www.acetaialeonardi.it/ing/contatti.php
Posted by
Seattle, Washington, USA
105 posts
The highlights of my trip to ER last fall was a tour of a parmasean cheese factory and one of balsamic vinegar. We stayed for a week in Parma and 4 days in Faenza. For the cheese factory, it is free and has to be arranged 2 weeks before, as they don't reply immediately. They will pick the factory and tell you what time to be there, which is usually 8am, as that's when they start the process. It's a fantastic 2 hr tour, and great photos. Google parmasean cheese consortia. The factory we were sent to was near Reggio Emiglia and required a car. But when I arranged it, I was specific to ask to see one with a large seasoning room as that's what I wanted to photograph - the stacks and stacks of cheese rounds.
For balsamic vinegar, we did acceteria di Georgio. It was also free. They explained the process and we sampled several flavors, which are derived from the wood the vinegar is aged. Acceteria di Georgio is in Modena. 39-059-333-015; www.acetaiadigiorgio.it
In Modena there is a great market Mercato Albinelli that I spent at least an hour walking around.
Posted by
Idaho, USA
8009 posts
Are there any good options that don't require a car? We will be staying in Parma for two days.
Posted by
316 posts
Jean,
Italian days food tour with Allessandro. Yes, it is a group tour but well worth the money. They pick you up and drop you off at your hotel. You visit a cheese, ham and vinegar factory and then a two hour lunch at a restaurant in the countryside. We were in Bologna when we took it. Worth every penny
Posted by
Idaho, USA
8009 posts
Thanks, Joyce. I checked out their site, and it looks like the starting point option is only Bologna for that tour. Glad you enjoyed the tour! We're trying to picture how we're going to transport all of the wonderful fresh Parmesan cheese & prosciutto that we won't want to leave behind as we continue on through western Italy and up through Paris. : )
Posted by
Fort Lauderdale, FL
1246 posts
We took this tour last year. Laura was our guide, picked us up at our B&B, (we did not have a car) and we were the only people with her. The tour does originate in Parma. We went to a cheese factory, ham factory, then lunch at a winery, and then a Balsamic vinegar house. Was wonderful!
Posted by
Idaho, USA
8009 posts
Thanks, Charlotte! I'll check out that option.
Posted by
OP
Oak Park, IL, United States
56 posts
Thank you for the suggestions!