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Bicycle Tours — Italy

Cycling Emilia-Romagna’s Culinary Wonders

Guided group tour - Parma to Bologna - 7 days

Long known as Italy’s premier culinary capital, Emilia-Romagna delights in every way!! On this cycling tour from Parma to Bologna, you will taste extraordinary traditional dishes and the wonderful local wine, visit Parmesan cheese and balsamic vinegar makers learning their time-tested methods; sample artisanal gelato; wonder at ancient castles and UNESCO sites; and even have the chance to see the Ferrari museum and factory near the famous car maker’s hometown of Modena. Two-night stays in elegant Parma and quaint Castelvetro di Modena will let you slow down and savor the region, as the locals do. Food, art, culture and tradition all come together to make this an unforgettable holiday. best experienced from the seat of your bike!

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  • Day 1

    Arrival in Parma

    Highlights: Bike fit and welcome dinner

    Considered among the culinary capitals of Italy, Parma is also known as one of Italy’s art cities: Parmigianino, Correggio, and Giuseppe Verdi are among its lustrous citizens. We suggest an afternoon stroll through the city center, where Parma’s rich history is still evident (the historic center has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site); or do as the locals do, finding a piazza table where you can delight your palate with Parma’s famous cured ham (prosciutto crudo) and Parmesan cheese, enjoyed with an aperitivo. After our bike fitting, our local guides will host a welcome dinner where you will meet your cycling companions.

    Daily distance today: optional test ride.

    Accommodation: Hotel Button, or similar.

  • Day 2

    Loop ride into the hills to Torrechiara Castle

    Highlights: Torrechiara Castle

    On your first cycling day, you will ride over delightful rolling hills amidst ancient castles and local tradition. Our goal is the Torrechiara Castle, a breath-taking structure dominating the Val Parma – it was constructed between 1448 and 1460, as an instrument of defense as well as a distinguished home for the count and his lover. The area is today famous for its cured prosciutto ham and salame, and we recommend stopping for a taste at lunchtime. After a downhill return to Parma, our tour leaders will suggest a restaurant for dinner, and activities for your last evening in this lovely city.

    Daily distance: 49 km (30 miles)
    Elevation gain: +242 m (794 ft)

    Accommodation: Hotel Button, or similar

  • Day 3

    Ride to Reggio-Emilia countryside

    Highlights: Agriturismo country estate

    Heading out of Parma today, we’ll cycle over back roads and bike paths, through farm land and small villages, towards Reggio-Emilia, in the heart of Parmesan country. After visiting the regional capital (and possibly the farmer's market when open!), we'll arrive at tonight's destination, an agriturismo - a working farm and estate - which will surely be another trip highlight. Plenty of time to relax and enjoy thevisit here. The agriturismo also houses a parmesan cheese and balsamic vinegar factory, among other wonderful surprises.

    Daily distance: 53 km (33 miles)
    Elevation gain: +300 m (985 ft)

    Accommodation: Hotel La Razza , or similar.

  • Day 4

    Bike to Maranello - the home of Ferrari – and Castelvetro di Modena

    Highlights: Visit parmesan cheese maker, Ferrari Museum

    We’ll get an early start this morning to visit the artistry of a working Parmesan cheese maker. The proud Consorzio will explain the intricacies of this poignant but delicate cheese on our guided tour of the small factory (ending with a tasting, of course). With our senses alight, we’ll continue cycling en route to Maranello, home of the factory and testing track of the fabled Ferrari sports cars, as well as the Ferrari Museum (visit is optional). Today’s ride ends in the delightful medieval hilltop town of Castelvetro di Modena, our base for the next two nights. We suggest a stroll among the locals over lovely cobbled lanes and alleys this evening, and dinner near the piazza where you’ll enjoy the view of the surrounding countryside below you and the Apennine mountain chain in the distance. You might also consider an optional visit to the balsamic vinegar acetaia – or mill - where another traditional culinary mystery will be unveiled. You will learn how leftovers from grapes are transformed into the sweet, rich vinegar that can sometimes cost hundreds of dollars.

    Daily distance: 62 km (28 mi)
    Elevation gain: +531 m (1540 ft)

    Accommodation: Hotel Guerro, or similar.

  • Day 5

    Loop ride to Modena

    Highlights: Modena

    We’ll glide down on our bikes as we begin an optional loop ride to Modena, another wonderful historic art city – and UNESCO World Heritage Site - where we will have time to explore its historical town center, the magnificent Duomo and the Ghirlandina medieval tower. We suggest a visit of the famous covered outdoor market, and time for a gelato stop as well! Modena is also the birthplace of Dino and Enzo Ferrari, founders of the namesake brand, as well as Luciano Pavarotti, the legendary tenor. After our exploration of Modena, we’ll ride back to Castelvetro in the afternoon for another night in town.

    Daily distance: 49 km (30 mi),
    Elevation gain: +300 m (480 ft)

    Accommodation: Hotel Guerro, or similar.

  • Day 6

    Ride to Bologna

    Highlights: Cooking class dinner

    Our last ride today is lovely, cycling by small farms and Lambrusco vineyards, always near the foothills of the Apennines. Bologna awaits – the capital of Emilia-Romagna is an important Italian city with a rich history and a fascinating medieval center. Our tour ends with a bang in the red city (as Italians call it) - we’ll meet with a Bologna local who will share their secrets and passion for cooking, while we prepare a traditional meal we’ll eat together on our celebratory good-bye dinner.

    Daily distance: 52 km (33 mi)
    Elevation gain: +220 m (721 ft)

    Accommodation: Hotel Il Guercino, or similar.

  • Day 7

    Tour ends in Bologna

    Highlights: Arrivederci!

    Bologna is a great place to spend another night or two, or to use as a base for further exploration. For those returning home today, we will assist you in arranging your transportation to the nearby Bologna airport.


    PLEASE NOTE: The final itinerary, including hotels and/or activities described here, are subject to changes according to availability. City hotel taxes are not included.

Includes Includes
6 nights lodging in 3- and 4-star accommodations
All breakfasts
2 dinners with local wine
Cooking class
Parmesan cheese factory visit and tasting
Guided visit and tasting at family-run balsamic vinegar mill.
Our exceptional local tour leaders
Bike fitting and welcome meeting at tour start
Support van and driver every day cycling
Reservation and travel assistance (our pre-travel documentation will help you prepare for the bike tour, including arrival and departure details, and much more)
Access to smartphone app with routes and digital roadbook (with detailed tour information)

Not Included
Airfare or travel to and from the tour start and end
Bicycle rental (see rentals rates in Prices tab)
Entrance to museums or other activities not indicated as included
Any meals or beverages not indicated as included
Any type of insurance (medical, trip cancellation and interruption, baggage, bike rental)
Tour leader gratuities.

Private rooms available upon request: please inquire.

Private and Custom groups: if you are interested in customizing this itinerary, hotels or tour package inclusions, please contact us - we are experts at personalizing our tours and services, and can tailor-build the bike tour of your dreams!

PLEASE NOTE : The final itinerary, including hotels and/or activities described here, are subject to changes according to availability.

Tour code: itbg3878
Countries Italy
Begin/End Parma / Bologna
Arrive/Depart How to get there and away:
Recommended airport for arrival and departure: Bologna G. Marconi Airport (BLQ)

Starting point: Hotel Button - Borgo Salina, 4, Parma
We recommend flying into Bologna Aeroporto G. Marconi.

  • Marconi Express is a monorail connecting Aeroporto Marconi (BLQ) to Bologna Main Train Station (Bologna Stazione Centrale).
  • A taxi from Bologna Marconi Airport (BLQ) to Bologna Main Train Station (Bologna Stazione Centrale) takes about 20 minutes
  • There are several direct trains connecting Bologna and Parma. The ride takes about an hour, depending on the type of train
  • The hotel is located about 3 km from the train station. Take a 15-minute taxi ride or take a bus from the train station to “Piazza Garibaldi municipio” stop and walk to hotel

  • Private airport transfers available if you prefer to be driven from airport to hotel in a private vehicle transfer, please inquire for cost - we will be happy to include this service in your tour package

    Ending point: Hotel Il Guercino – Via Luigi Serra, 7 40129 Bologna
    We recommend flying out from Bologna Aeroporto G. Marconi.

  • To get to Bologna main train station (Bologna Centrale) you can walk 5 minutes (your hotel is 400m from the train station)

  • See “Starting point” for transportation info

    Final arrival and departure instructions along with other detailed pre-travel documents, will be e-mailed prior to your travel, with information specific to your departure (including the actual hotels used on your tour dates, which may vary from the hotels listed above.)

    * the hotels and prices listed above are for reference only and are subject to change (based on availability and seasonality)
    Total Distance 251 km (156 miles)
    Daily Distance 50 km (31 miles)
    Rating 101
    Notes A great tour for novice cyclists in terms of daily distance and terrain type. Bike handling skills are necessary when negotiating bike paths (usually in or near cities and towns). Also ideal for experienced cyclists who desire shorter days on the bike and plenty of time to enjoy the destination, food and activities. We will ride 44-55 km (27-35 mi) per day, over flat to rolling terrain, on paved backroads and bike paths with little vehicle traffic. On some short stretches we share the roads with cars. Experienced cyclists who want longer, optional rides at the end of the programmed ride will have these available (please inquire ahead).
    Terms Terms & Conditions
    Dates Prices Single Supplement
    Dates This tour is available for private groups - contact us with your planned travel dates, and we will create your private departure.

    *2024 price, per person, based on double occupancy; minimum 6 participants per departure.

    High-Season surcharge (May and June; September and early October): a €100 per person surcharge is applied.

    To inquire about a private or custom tour date, or inquire about calendar departures, please use our guided tour inquiry form

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    Bike Rental options:
    We offer quality bikes in different styles, all great options for this bike tour. Our bikes are maintained and delivered in optimal working condition.

    The prices below are per bike for the duration of the tour, including delivery to starting point in Parma and collection from ending point in Bologna.

    Bike rental rates
    Aluminum hybrid: €95
    Premium Titanium road or hybrid: €125
    E-bike (hybrid with straight handlebar): €195
    Tandem: €225 (priced per bike, for 2 cyclists)
    Tag-along or kid trailer: €60

    Bike rental insurance is available for purchase with all our rental bikes – see details in the Bike Rental Insurance section of our Terms and Conditions page.

    For detailed specs and photos of our bikes, see our website - Bike Rentals Italy.

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    Additional useful information:

    • Check out our FAQs page for all the details on how our bike tours work!

    • Our guided tours include an expert local tour leader, as well as van support. We also include access to our smartphone app and GPS tracks for navigation - this page details what it's like to navigate on our tours.

    • If you are curious about the self-guided tour formula, this blog explains the differences between Guided and Self-Guided Tours.
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    Are you interested in a departure, or do you have questions? We are happy to help! Please inquire through our contact form, below.
    Prices €1765 per person Single Supplement €195 (in double room for single use)
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    • 10 out of 10: I would be very happy to recommend this trip, even with all the roundabouts, to anyone except a biking nut (cyclopath). Sara was also very generous with her time and knowledge.

      Charles C., USA, 2021

    • 10 out of 10: Perfect for those who want a 360o experience on the italian culture!!! Great rides in flat paths and amazing landscape. A real taste of Italy with great cooking class and stops for gelato, acetaia and cheese making visit. High quality bikes, appropriate for the riding.

      Sandra P., Brazil, 2019