Forget the stress of traffic and enjoy an unforgettable experience in the heart of Emilia. This exclusive tour from Bologna lets you discover the secrets of Parmigiano Reggiano and Parma Ham, with premium service that starts from the moment of departure.
The tour's highlights:
- VIP travel: Italo High-Speed Train tickets in First Class included (Bologna - Reggio Emilia AV).
- The Art of the Cheesemaker: Guided tour inside an authentic dairy.
- Prosciutto PDO: Discover the secrets of ageing in the hills of Parma.
- Gourmet tastings: Sample different cheese ages and the sweetness of local ham.
- The 8:30 Exclusive (Best Seller): Book the first slot in the morning to witness the “birth” of Parmigiano live. You'll see the hot wheels pulled out of the tanks and, if you're lucky, the magical “pinning” phase (breaking the curd).
Here's the itinerary in detail:
Your day starts at Bologna Centrale station. Hop on the Italo High-Speed train and enjoy the comfort of First Class. In just 20 minutes, you'll reach the spectacular Reggio Emilia Mediopadana station, where our private driver will be waiting for you to transfer you to the Emilia countryside.
Your first stop is a traditional dairy. Here, time seems to have stopped for good. You'll walk through the immense aisles of the ageing rooms (“the cathedrals of cheese”), surrounded by thousands of golden wheels.
Note: if you choose the 8:30 a.m. option, you'll have the privilege of seeing the master cheesemakers at work during the highlight of production: the extraction of the steaming wheels from the copper boilers. An ancient and fascinating ritual that makes this tour unique. The visit ends with a guided tasting: learn to distinguish the nuances of flavour between 12, 24, and 36 months of ageing.
The tour continues to the Parma hills, where the unique microclimate creates the perfect conditions for Prosciutto di Parma. You'll visit a select ham factory to discover how selected pork legs become, thanks only to salt, air, and time, one of the finest cured meats in the world. Here, too, the experience culminates in taste: a rich tasting of Parma ham, freshly sliced to enhance its unmistakable sweetness.
At the end of the visits, the private transfer will take you back to the Mediopadana station. You can relax again in the First Class seat of the Italo train for the short return to Bologna, taking with you the authentic taste of Emilia.
Only the best of the Food Valley in half a day.
