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 to be 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.
  Meals: Dinner
  
  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) with + 242 m (794 ft) elevation gain.
  
  Meals: Breakfast
  
  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.
  
  Today's ride:
  
  Daily distance: 53 km (33 miles) with + 300 m (985 ft) elevation gain.
  
  Meals: Breakfast
  
  Accomodation: Agriturimo 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: 46 km (28 mi) with + 470 m (1540 ft) elevation gain.
  
  Meals: Breakfast
  
  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), with + 300 ms (480 ft) elevation gain
  Meals: Breakfast
  
  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), with 220 ms (721 ft) elevation gain
  Meals: Cooking class dinner
  
  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.