EMILIA ROMAGNA | anticoitaliantravel

EMILIA - ROMAGNA

OCTOBER 20 - 27, 2023

There is an element of magic in the food and in the air, in Emilia-Romagna. On this tour, dine at Chef Massimo Spigaroli's renown agriturismo, and try salumi from his curing caves which are bathed in the mystical fog of the Po River, giving it a flavor like no other. Visit a Torrechiara Castle, forage for porcini in the Apennines, and find your way through a giant bamboo labyrinth.

Drink the region's best wines and Nocino, the walnut liquor made by witches, (yes, witches!) Make pasta with a sfoglina in Bologna, and drive a Ferrari at the track in Modena. Feast on pasta, mortadella, and Parmigiana! The "food valley" as Emilia-Romagna is known, is an endless feast that will excite and satisfy any gourmand.

Our tour begins with 4 nights in the Po River Valley at Antica Corte Pallavicina, owned by renown chef and butcher, Massimo Spigaroli. Rooms are furnished with an eclectic mix of farmhouse antiques and medieval objects but still offer modern amenities. Light the fireplace in the evenings and rise early to catch a glimpse of the mystical fog that rolls in along the Po River.

On day 5, we transfer to Agriturismo Monteborre for 3 night stay, just outside of Bologna. Located on a vineyard just near the historic center of Cento. Monteborre has a rustic-chic feel with all rooms featuring en-suite bathrooms with shower, mini-bar, safe, smart TV, and Wi Fi.

monteborre-agriturismo-cento-emilia-copi

DAY 1 WELCOME TO EMILIA-ROMAGNA!

Pick up in Bologna at your hotel, the airport, or Bologna train station. Check into Antica Corta Pallavicina.

Tonight, casual dinner at Hostaria del Maiale at Antica Corte.

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DAY 2 PORCINI HUNTING IN THE APENNINES

Forage for Porcini mushrooms in the Apennine woodlands with an expert guide, followed by a porcini focused lunch. Dinner tonight we switch the menu up with a seafood dinner at Ristorante da Chicco.

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DAY 3 PARMIGIANA, ROCCA SAN VITALE, & THE WORLD'S LARGEST LABYRINTH

Visit to Azienda Agricola Iris Parmagiana producer. Walk off your lunch wandering through Torrechiara castle and the largest labyrinth in existence, the Labirinto della Masone. Tonight, a very special farewell dinner together.

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DAY 4 STAY LOCAL AND RELAX

Wine tasting at Tomasetti winery right next door to Antica Corte, then free day at the farm to relax or book an optional cooking class. (Additional fee applies for this class) Dinner tonight at Ristorante Colombo Polesine Parmense to try some regional specialties like their caramelle pasta with duck ragu.

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DAY 5 TRANSFER TO AGRITURSIMO MONTEBORRE & DRIVE A FERRARI

Visit the Ferrari museum and drive a Ferrari around the hills of Maranello, Italy for 20 minutes.

Visit the historic center of Modena for lunch, then check into Agriturismo Monteborre. Aperitivo and dinner at Antica Osteria di Cencio in the historic center of Cento.

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DAY 6 LAMBRUSCO, BALSAMIC, & THE WITCH'S BREW

Lambrusco tasting at Cleto Chiarli then onto Osteria di Rubbiara for balsamic tasting at their acetaia and lunch together. We will stop in the village of Spilamberto on our way back to the agriturismo, to seek out the village's "magical' Nocino liquor. The Nocino in the area has been handmade by the witches for centuries. (There is an actual coven of witches in the village who are registered to do this!) Legend has it that the walnuts must be harvested on the night of Saint John at the summer solstice, which gives it spell like attributes. Dinner tonight at a local trattoria near Cento.

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DAY 7 SFOGLIA CLASS IN BOLOGNA

Cooking class today with the sfogline at Vecchia Scuola Bolognese to learn to make pasta al mattarello, unique to Bologna. Explore Bologna on your own afterwards. We suggest checking out the Quartiere del Gusto, medical museum, the hidden canals, (we will tell you where to find them), Jewish Quarter, and the tower. We will meet in the evening for dinner together in Bologna.