Enjoy the Adventure
Are you looking for an adventure of a lifetime? Join us on an unforgettable journey through Bologna, the vibrant heart of Italy's Emilia-Romagna region, renowned as the gastronomic capital of Italy and home to the world's oldest university. This sophisticated medieval city enchants visitors with its terracotta-roofed buildings, 40 kilometers of elegant porticos (UNESCO World Heritage), leaning towers, and an unparalleled culinary heritage that includes tagliatelle al ragù, tortellini, and mortadella. Our expertly curated tours immerse you in this captivating destination, with opportunities to climb the iconic Two Towers for panoramic views, explore the ancient university's Anatomical Theatre, wander through medieval streets and beautiful piazzas, take cooking classes with local chefs, and experience the authentic Italian lifestyle in one of the country's most livable and culturally rich cities. Discover hidden canals, Renaissance art, traditional food markets, and the warm Bolognese spirit. A range of activities are available suited to every traveler, from culinary experiences and food tours to cultural exploration, historical site visits, and authentic local encounters. Guide services, when available, can be added as optional enhancements to your package. Piazza Maggiore and San Petronio, The Two Towers (Due Torri), and Porticos of Bologna are all within easy reach. Our experienced guides will lead you through each destination, sharing their passion for Bologna's most incredible heritage. We offer a range of activities suited to every traveler, from cultural exploration and lakeside leisure to mountain adventures and heritage visits.
We offer a range of accommodationoptions in Bologna to suit your preferences and budget. Hotel selection, amenities, and specific features depend on your chosen package and booking preferences. For detailed information about specific properties, facilities, and services available during your stay, please contact us to customize your accommodation based on your requirements. Join us on a journey of discovery and exploration through Italy's most delicious and intellectually vibrant city.
What's Included & Optional Add-ons
To help you plan your trip, here's what's included in your base package and the optional add-ons available to enhance your experience.
Included in Base Package:
- Return flights from UK airports (London, Manchester, Birmingham, Glasgow, Edinburgh)
- 5 nights accommodation in selected hotels
Optional Add-ons to Enhance Your Experience:
- Airport transfers from Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport to city centre
- Board basis options: Room Only, Bed & Breakfast, Half Board, Full Board
- Traditional pasta-making cooking class
- Food tour through Quadrilatero market district
- Two Towers (Due Torri) climb for panoramic views
- Archiginnasio and Anatomical Theatre guided visit
- Parmigiano Reggiano cheese factory tour
- Traditional balsamic vinegar tasting in Modena
- Bologna University historical tour
- San Luca Basilica and portico walk (longest in the world)
- Ducati motorcycle museum visit
- Lamborghini museum and factory tour in Sant'Agata
- Bologna food market tour and lunch
- Day trip to medieval Ferrara or Ravenna mosaics
- Mortadella tasting experience at historic shops
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses and tips
Tour Map
This comprehensive map is designed to guide you through an exciting journey filled with remarkable destinations and captivating experiences.
Itinerary Guide
This comprehensive itinerary is designed to guide you through an exciting journey filled with remarkable destinations and captivating experiences in Bologna.
Arrive at Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport and travel to your hotel in the city centre (approximately 20-30 minutes). After settling in, explore the magnificent Piazza Maggiore, Bologna’s main square surrounded by medieval and Renaissance buildings including the Basilica di San Petronio (one of the world’s largest churches), Palazzo d’Accursio, and Palazzo del Podestà. Experience the famous “whispering vault” acoustic effect in the portico. Walk through the adjacent Piazza Nettuno with its stunning 16th-century Neptune Fountain. Enjoy your first traditional Bolognese dinner with tagliatelle al ragù (the authentic Bolognese sauce).
Climb the Asinelli Tower (498 steps) of the famous Two Towers for breathtaking panoramic views across the terracotta rooftops to the surrounding hills. Visit the historic Archiginnasio, the former main building of Bologna University (founded 1088), featuring the stunning Anatomical Theatre with carved wooden tiers where medical students observed dissections. Explore the medieval streets around Via Zamboni filled with university buildings, student cafés, bookshops, and vibrant energy. Visit Santo Stefano, a complex of seven churches creating a medieval treasure. Sample mortadella at historic delicatessens.
Join a traditional pasta-making class learning to create tortellini, tagliatelle, and lasagna from local chefs who share generations-old techniques. Visit the bustling Mercato di Mezzo and Quadrilatero district, a maze of narrow medieval streets filled with food shops, fresh produce stalls, cheese specialists, butchers, and wine merchants offering tastings. Take a food tour sampling tigelle, crescentine, mortadella sandwiches, Parmigiano Reggiano, and other local specialties. In the evening, enjoy aperitivo culture with Lambrusco wine and local snacks.
Experience Bologna’s UNESCO World Heritage porticos by walking the world’s longest porticoed pathway (3.8 km with 666 arches) from Porta Saragozza up the hill to the spectacular Sanctuary of Madonna di San Luca, offering stunning views over the city and surrounding countryside. Explore the basilica’s ornate interior and peaceful grounds. Alternatively, take a day trip to nearby Modena to visit a traditional balsamic vinegar producer and see the stunning Romanesque Duomo, or visit Parma for more culinary treasures including Parmigiano Reggiano and Prosciutto di Parma.
For automotive enthusiasts, visit the legendary Lamborghini Museum in Sant’Agata Bolognese showcasing the evolution of these iconic supercars, or the Ducati Museum celebrating motorcycle excellence. Alternatively, explore Bologna’s art collections at the Pinacoteca Nazionale with Renaissance masterpieces, visit the medieval fortress of Rocchetta Mattei, or take a day trip to UNESCO-listed Ferrara with its Renaissance splendor and Jewish quarter, or Ravenna famous for its stunning Byzantine mosaics. Enjoy a farewell dinner at a traditional osteria celebrating the best of Emilian cuisine.