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 to the delight of your palate, you start the discovery of the old Bologna.
We recommend you to start visiting 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, Tower and Basilica of San Petronio ….. you immerse yourself in the charming atmosphere of Bologna ...

Evening: fine dining with bolognese gastronomy

Day 2: OLD TOWN, CITY HALL, SPICE MARKET, TOWERS OF ASINELLI & GARISENDA
Your tour continues in the historic center of Bologna with the visit of the Town Hall. You can admire here the art works of the famous Tintoretto and Annibale Caracci. You also visit the 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 the symbol of the city of Bologna, The Tower Asinelli and Garisenda, can also be visited.
You can climb to the top of the tower and admire the wonderful views over the city and the surrounding hills. Then, you can continue with Palace of Merchandise, St. Stephen's Church and Church of San Giovanni al Monte

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

Day 3: ARCHEOLOGICAL MUSEUM, WALKING STREETS, GALVANI SQUARE AND ARCHIGINNASIO PALACE, PORTA NUOVA AND BASILICA OF SAN FRANCESCO, NAZIONAL MUSEUM
Wine and local gourmet 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 "Enoteca italiana".
The afternoon continues in Piazza di Porta Ravegnana with a visit of Poggi Palace, National Gallery and Church of Santa Maria dei Servi

Evening: 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 gourmet 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 "Il 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: BOLOGNA HILLS
BOLOGNA – CASALECCHIO DI RENO 8 km trek
CASALECCHIO DI RENO – GESO 7,5 km trek
Tasting of wines from the hills of Bologna
Your tour is dedicated today to the suggestive atmosphere of Bologna’s hills, ancient villas and magnificent gardens, splendid shrines, villages and landscapes with rolling vineyards.
We recommend you a trekking route in your own pace toward Casalecchio 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, 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:
ZOLA PREDOSA – CALDERINO 5 km
CALDERINO – MONTE SAN GIOVANNI 6 km
MONTE SAN GIOVANNI – MONTE SAN PIETRO 13 km
Tasting of wines 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 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 you visit the Palace and the Paleotto tower, the “Cà dei Balduzzi“ with its beautiful portal and the Torre di Guardia surrounded by olive trees
You have lunch at Trattoria Fiore and then you can enjoy a wine tasting at the winery Gino Corneti.In the afternoon you continue in your own pace 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 will 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 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.
In 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.
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.
In 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.where you can taste the good local wines combined with delicious local foods.Local wines can be bought at Deste Farnsworth 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