A Taste of Italy: Emilia-Romagna

Day 1: Arrive in Bologna

Arrive in Bologna, the capital of Emilia-Romagna and Italy’s culinary heart. After checking into your centrally located hotel, take in views of the medieval old town from the rooftop terrace. Bologna is famous not only for its food but also for its intellect. Home to the University of Bologna, it's the oldest continuously operating university in the world, founded in 1088. Stroll under the city’s UNESCO-listed porticoes, marvel at the Two Towers (Le Due Torri), and get your first taste of Emilia-Romagna’s cuisine. Be sure to try authentic mortadella di Bologna, the original delicacy that inspired the international “bologna,” though the real version is far superior, crafted with centuries-old artisanal methods.

Later in the afternoon, you’ll receive a tour briefing and bike fitting at the hotel. Afterwards, venture into the city and perhaps enjoy dinner at a local trattoria with homemade tagliatelle al ragù (known abroad as “spaghetti bolognese”)!

Overnight in Bologna

Day 2: Bologna – Modena
40 mi / 64 km; elev. +830 ft/+253 m

Cycle out of Bologna along its modern city bike paths, gradually approaching the foothills of the Apennine Mountains. The ride passes through Bazzano, a charming town crowned with the medieval Rocca dei Bentivoglio fortress. From there, follow a peaceful “rails-to-trails” route through the countryside all the way to Modena, a UNESCO World Heritage city.

Modena’s historic center is a feast for the eyes: the Duomo di Modena, with its Romanesque marble façade, and the iconic Ghirlandina bell tower dominate the skyline. Both are UNESCO-listed and symbolize the city’s spiritual and civic pride.

Overnight in Modena

Day 3: Modena – Castelvetro loop ride
37 mi / 60 km; elev. +1289 ft/+393 m

Today you can explore Modena in depth or cycle to nearby Castelvetro di Modena, a hilltop village with medieval walls, watchtowers, and breathtaking vineyards. Castelvetro is one of the birthplaces of traditional balsamic vinegar, produced using age-old methods and aged in wooden barrels for decades.

If you stay in Modena, visit the Palazzo Ducale, once the seat of the Este dukes, or climb the Ghirlandina tower for sweeping city views. For car enthusiasts, Modena is also the spiritual home of Ferrari, Maserati, and Pagani—the Museo Enzo Ferrari is a must for anyone fascinated by Italian automotive excellence.

Overnight in Modena

Day 4: Reggio Emilia countryside
30 mi / 48 km; elev. +702 ft/+214 m

Before leaving Modena, wander through the historic Albinelli Market, where locals have shopped since the Middle Ages. Browse seasonal fruits, aged cheeses, truffles, Lambrusco wines, and traditional pastries like amaretti. From here, your ride takes you to the Acetaia Cavalli estate, a family-run balsamic vinegar producer operating for over a century.

Continue along quiet back roads to your overnight stay at a traditional agriturismo, a working farm that produces Parmigiano Reggiano, wine, and cured meats. Here, you’ll experience Emilia-Romagna’s countryside lifestyle firsthand, surrounded by vineyards and rolling hills.

Overnight in Reggio Emilia

Day 5: Reggio Emilia loop ride on the hills
21-35 mi / 35-56 km; elev. +774 ft/+236 m or +2972 ft/+906 m

Cycle into the hills outside Reggio Emilia, where history and legend meet. The highlight is Canossa Castle, where in 1077 the Holy Roman Emperor Henry IV stood barefoot in the snow for three days, pleading with Pope Gregory VII for forgiveness, a pivotal moment in medieval European history.

Alternatively, take a gentler loop ride to Reggio Emilia itself, a lively town known for its beautiful squares, neoclassical architecture, and the Tricolore Room, where the Italian flag was first adopted.

Overnight in Reggio Emilia

Day 6: Reggio Emilia – Parma
39 mi / 63 km; elev. +850 ft/+259 m

Your morning begins with an exclusive guided visit to a Parmigiano Reggiano cheese factory, where you’ll see how this world-renowned cheese is crafted by hand using traditional methods. Taste it fresh and learn why it’s called the “King of Cheeses.”

Then cycle toward Parma, a refined city famous not just for its food but also its arts and culture. Parma is home to composers Giuseppe Verdi and Arturo Toscanini, painters like Correggio and Parmigianino, and one of Italy’s most elegant opera houses, the Teatro Regio. In the historic center, treat yourself to Parma’s signature flavors: prosciutto di Parma paired with chunks of aged Parmesan, enjoyed in the atmosphere of a lively piazza café.

Overnight in Parma

Day 7: Loop ride to Torrechiara Castle
30 mi / 48 km; elev. +788 ft/+240 m

Your final ride takes you through the rolling Parma countryside to Torrechiara Castle, a spectacular Renaissance fortress overlooking the Val Parma. Built in the 15th century by Pier Maria Rossi for his beloved Bianca Pellegrini, the castle combines military architecture with romantic frescoed halls.

Along the way, indulge in tastings of local cured meats like prosciutto and salame, foods that have defined Parma’s culinary identity for centuries.

Overnight in Parma

Day 8: Departure from Parma

The cycling tour concludes in Parma, but the city invites you to linger. Visit the Baptistery of Parma, a pink Verona marble masterpiece, or shop for local delicacies at traditional markets to bring a taste of Emilia-Romagna home with you.