Discovery Italy

DAY 1: HISTORICAL BOLOGNA
Arrival in Bologna, welcome by the Tour Leader Discover Italy Now and transfer to Hotel*** or B&B.
Refreshing welcome drink and free time to relax and begin to immerse yourself in the fantastic atmosphere of Bologna.
After lunch, with the best bolognese traditional food and wine to delight your palate, you start the discovery of the old Bologna.
You are going to visit Piazza Maggiore, the heart of the city with its medieval buildings, the romantic Palace of King Renzo, the Palace of Podestà, the Palace of the Notaries, Palace of Banchi, Square Nettuno, the Tower and the Basilica of San Petronio ….. you immerse yourself in the charming atmosphere of Bologna ...

Evening: dinner with Bolognese gastronomy

DAY 2: THE OLD TOWN, CITY HALL, THE SPICE MARKET, THE TOWERS OF ASINELLI & GARISENDA
Your guided tour continues in the historic center of Bologna with the visit of the Town Hall. The tour leader is going to show and explain the art works of the famous Tintoretto and Annibale Caracci. You also visit Morandi Museum which houses works of the bolognese painter.
The tour continues then on via Indipendenza where can be found the Church of San Pietro, immersing yourself in a romantic atmosphere and beautiful shop windows.
In the afternoon, after another gastronomic break in a typical Osteria bolognese, the tour continues to the Herb Market in via Bassi.
”Sfogline”, the best shop in town of fresh pasta, as well as symbol of the city of Bologna and Asinelli and Garisenda tower, are also going to be visited.
You can climb to the top of the tower and admire the wonderful views over the city and the surrounding hills. Then, according to the schedule, you continue with the Palace of Merchandise, St. Stephen's Church and the Church of San Giovanni al Monte.

Evening: dinner at ”Osteria dei Poeti”, inside an ancient building you can choose noodles or tortellini, croutons and crescentine together with a good glass of wine from the hills around Bologna.

DAY 3: ARCHEOLOGICAL MUSEUM, BEAUTIFUL WALKING STREETS, GALVANI SQUARE AND ARCHIGINNASIO PALACE, PORTA NUOVA AND BASILICA OF SAN FRANCESCO, NATIONAL MUSEUM
Wine and local food tasting
Your itinerant Bologna continues in search of the historic Bologna: Piazza Galvani, the best shopping streets or simply admire the beautiful shop windows, Porta Nuova with the beautiful basilicas S. Salvatore and S. Francesco…
Lunch and wine tasting at the "Enoteca Italiana".
The afternoon continues in Piazza di Porta Ravegnana with a visit of Poggi Palace, the National Gallery and the Church of Santa Maria dei Servi

Evening: dinner in a restaurant tasting dishes of Bologna's cuisine

DAY 4: CARDUCCI MUSEUM, CHURCH OF SAN GIOVANNI IN MONTE, DUSE THEATRE, GASTRONOMIC BREAK IN A WINE BAR , BASILICA SAN DOMENICO
Wine and local food tasting
Your 4th itinerant day goes in the sign of culture, history and local gastronomy. You visit Porta Maggiore and Carducci Museum, home of the famous homonym poet from Bologna, via Dante and the church of San Giovanni in Monte.
Gastronomic break at ”Godot Wine Bar”, tasting cold cuts, cheeses and wines of Bologna. This is one of Bologna's most appreciated wineries.
The afternoon takes you to Piazza San Domenico, where can be found paintings of the famous Carracci and Domenichino.

Evening: a candlelight dinner at ”Conte Bistrot” that offers regional dishes and then a walk and ice cream tasting at ”Gelateria delle Moline” or lively atmosphere at ”Cantina Bentivoglio” where you can listen to live music.

DAY 5: BOLOGNA HILLS:
BOLOGNA - CASALECCHIO DI RENO 8 km trekking
CASALECCHIO DI RENO - GESO 7,5 km trekking
Wine tasting from the hills of Bologna
Your guided tour of today is dedicated to suggestive atmosphere of Bologna's hills, ancient villas and magnificent gardens, splendid shrines, villages and landscapes with rolling vineyards.
We offer you a trekking route in your own pace towards Casalecchio di Reno where you have lunch and visit the ancient church of San Giovanni Battista. 2 km away you visit the beautiful church of Tizzano with its six chapels connected by a passage and the charming Villa Marescalchi.
After the visit to Casalecchio you continue in the heart of the vineyards with the romantic hills of Bologna. You also visit Gesso village where you find a parish church from eighteen-century with beautiful frescoes and the imposing Albergati Palace built in '600.
The journey then continues through green hills, countryside scents and romantic vineyards towards Zola Predosa where you can visit the wine cellar of Carlo Gaggioli and the vineyard Bagazzana and the famous vineyards, Terre Rosse that belongs to Vallania's family and taste good wines and local gastronomic products from the hills around Bologna

Evening: Accommodation in 3*Hotel, B & B or farm in Zola Predosa

DAY 6:
ZOLA PREDOSA - CALDERINO 5 km
CALDERINO - MONTE SAN GIOVANNI 6 km
MONTE SAN GIOVANNI - MONTE SAN PIETRO 13 km
Wines tasting from the vineyards of Bologna
Your itinerant journey continues through Calderino, continuing to enjoy the fabulous landscapes. When you arrive you have lunch in a trattoria. Highly recommended are: tortellacci, pappardelle with porcini mushrooms and risotto and a good glass of wine from the hills around Bologna.
If you are going to be here the first Sunday of September you have the chance to immerse yourself in the lively atmosphere of the wine festival, sagra del vino.
The journey then continues into the valley of the river Lavino to reach the vineyards of Monte San Pietro.
In Monte San Giovanni you visit the Palace and the Paleotto tower, “Cà dei Balduzzi“ with its beautiful portal and "Torre di Guardia" surrounded by olive trees.
Lunch at ”Trattoria Fiore” and then you can enjoy a wine tasting at the winery ”Gino Corneti”.
During the afternoon you continue towards the vineyards of Monte San Pietro, going first towards San Chierlo where you visit the Bonzara farm that includes a winery, a wine museum and tourist facilities.
Near San Chierlo you visit the beautiful San Chierlo church from eighteenth-century, Villa Rovere with its centuries-old park and the ancient "Caca Masi".
The evening is going to be spent visiting the wineries ”Isola” and ”Santarosa” for wine tasting: we strongly recommend the wines Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon or Pignoletto

Evening: Accomodation in Hotel***, B&B or Farmhouse

DAY 7:
MONTE SAN PIETRO - SAVIGNO 9, 5 km of trekking
SAVIGNO - CASTELLO DI SERRAVALLE 11 km of trekking or by public vehicle: bus/train
Your last itinerant morning takes you to Savigno, famous not only for its wines but also for the quality of the white truffles that are harvested in the area from September to December.
Lunch at ”Trattoria Amerigo” and later you visit the beautiful Museum of Farmer Civilization, which is going to help you & better understand the traditions of the place.the afternoon you continue walking on almost inaccessible provincial roads that cross the hills between the valley of Samoggio and the one of Panaro or by public transportation arriving to the beautiful ancient town of Castello di Serravalle.
If your journey brings you here in the month of May you can also live the charming and cheerful atmosphere of the Festival of Maggiociondolo inside the castle where can be tasted good local wines combined with delicious local foods.
Local wines can be bought at Cantina Farneti Deste before the end of the itinerary.
End of program and your unforgettable itinerant journey