Discovery Italy

Day 1: HISTORICAL BOLOGNA
Arrival in Bologna 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, 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, Palace of Podestà, Palace of the Notaries, Palace of Banchi, Square Nettuno, the Tower and Basilica of San Petronio ….. you "immerse yourself" in the charming atmosphere of Bologna ...

Evening: dinner in the sign of the Bolognese gastronomy

Day 2: THE OLD TOWN, CITY HALL, SPICE MARKET, THE TOWERS OF ASINELLI & GARISENDA
Your tour continues in the historic center of Bologna with the visit of the Town Hall where you are going to find beautiful art works of the famous Tintoretto and Annibale Caracci.
We recommend you to visit also Morandi Museum which houses works of the bolognese painter.
You continue 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: at ”Osteria dei Poeti”, inside an ancient building you can choose noodles or tortellini Bolognese, croutons and crescentine together with a good glass of wine from the hills around Bologna.

Day 3: THE ARCHEOLOGICAL MUSEUM, THE WALKING STREETS, GALVANI SQUARE AND ARCHIGINNASIO PALACE, PORTA NUOVA AND THE BASILICA OF SAN FRANCESCO, THE NATIONAL MUSEUM
Wine and local products tasting
Your itinerant Bologna continues in search of the historic part of the town: 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 "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: in a restaurant tasting dishes of Bologna’s cuisine

Day 4: THE CARDUCCI MUSEUM, THE CHURCH OF SAN GIOVANNI IN MONTE, THE DUSE THEATRE, GASTRONOMIC BREAK IN A WINE BAR , BASILICA SAN DOMENICO
Wine and local products tasting
Your 4 itinerant day goes continues with culture, history and local gastronomy.
We recommend you to 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 from 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 walk and ice cream tasting at ”Gelateria delle Moline” or lively atmosphere at ”Cantina Bentivoglio” where you can listen to live music.

Day 5:
THE HILLS OF BOLOGNA: BOLOGNA – CASALECCHIO DI RENO 8 km (by the public transport or trekking)
CASALECCHIO DI RENO – GESO 7,5 km
Wine tasting from the hills of Bologna
Your guided tour of today can be dedicated to suggestive atmosphere of Bologna’s hills, ancient villas and magnificent gardens, splendid shrines, villages and landscapes with rolling vineyards.
We recomend you a trekking tour in your own pace toward Casalecchio where you have lunch and visit the ancient church of San Giovanni Battista.
2 km away you can 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.
We also recommend 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, of 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: PREDOSA - CALDERINO 5 km- MONTE SAN GIOVANNI 6 kmSAN 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.
Ifyou 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 in the valley of the river Lavino to reach the vineyards of Monte San Pietro.
In Monte San Giovanni we recommend you to visit the Palace and Paleotto tower, “Cà dei Balduzzi“ with its beautiful portal and Torre di Guardia surrounded by olive trees.
You can have lunch at ”Trattoria Fiore” and then you can enjoy a wine tasting at the winery ”Gino Corneti”.
During the afternoon you continue in your own pace towards the vineyards of Monte San Pietro, going first towards San Chierlo where you visit "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 can be spent visiting the wineries ”Isola” and ”Santarosa” for wine tasting: we strongly recommend the wines Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon or Pignoletto

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

DAY 7:
MONTE SAN PIETRO - SAVIGNO 9, 5 km by bus or trekking
SAVIGNO - CASTELLO DI SERRAVALLE 11 km by bus or trekking
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 can visit the beautiful Museum of Farmer Civilization, which is going to help you and better understand the traditions of the place.
During 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 May you can attend the charming and cheerful atmosphere of the Festival of Maggiociondolo inside the castle where it can also be tasted good local wines combined with delicious local foods.
Local wines can be bought at "Farneti Deste" wine cellar before the end of the itinerary.
End of program and your unforgettable itinerant journey

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