|
|
| Duration | Destination | Departure |
|---|---|---|
| 5 days and 4 nights | Italy (Ravenna, Parma, Bologna) | Italy (Florence, Venice, Bologna) |
Day 1 Bologna
Arrival in afternoon. Check-in at your hotel and then you are free to stroll through the streets and monuments of the town. Dinner and overnight stay in Bologna.
Day 2 Bologna
This morning we will have a sightseeing tour of Bologna to admire this wonderfully attractive city with its twelve medieval gates, the world’s fifth largest Basilica, beautiful squares and grandiose medieval civic buildings. One of Bologna’s many surprises is that it can ‘outdo’ Pisa, boasting not one but two medieval “leaning towers.” Of course one of Bologna’s ‘must sees’ is Europe’s oldest University - founded in 1068. The afternoon is yours to explore the delights of Bologna at your own pace and there is a host of museums and galleries to investigate. Perhaps you visit one of Northern Italy’s finest galleries, the Pinacoteca Nazionale housing works of the great Northern Italian artists including Giotto, Raphael and Perugino. Alternatively, there are a lot of shopping opportunities in the city center. Dinner and overnight stay in Bologna.
Day 3 Parma
After breakfast you visit Parma, a name synonymous the world over with wonderful prosciutto hams and parmigiano reggiano (parmesan) cheese. We will enjoy a guided tour of the town including the beautiful 11th century cathedral, the baptistery, the 16th century church of Steccata, and the square of Pillotta. We take the short drive into the Apennine foothills where in bucolic villages set in rolling countryside, the ancient art of preparing the finest prosciutto (Parma ham) is practised. Our destination is Langhirano, “capital of prosciutto”, where you will learn and witness how the joints are selected, prepared, treated and stored to produce a delicacy of the highest quality after which you sample their handiwork! Another treat awaits just outside Modena at a local „acetaia”, where the art of producing traditional balsamic vinegar is still undertaken by local artisans. You enjoy a tasting at the end of this fascinating visit. Return for dinner and overnight stay in Bologna.
Day 4 Ravenna
Today we head to historic Ravenna – city of mosaics. En route, visit to the beautifully decorated 6th century Basilica of Sant’Apollinare in the small town of Classe. Ravenna, once the capital of Rome’s Western Empire is one of the great seats of Byzantine art in Europe. Despite its turbulent history, Ravenna’s compact centre retains unique buildings spanning a period of 1500 years with no less than eight UNESCO World Heritage sites including the Baptistry of Neon. We will have a guided walking tour including the magnificent 6th century Basilica di Sant’Apollinare Nuovo and the mosaics of St Vitale and the Mausoleo di Galla Placidia. Return for dinner and overnight stay in Bologna.
Day 5 Bologna
Breakfast and departure for return journey. End of our services.
Accommodation, depending on your option, in good 4* hotels centrally located or 3* not centrally located hotels, double occupancy rooms, as described:
4 night accommodation in Bologna on a half-board basis, drinks not included
Local English speaking guides in Bologna, Parma, Ravenna. Other languages are available on request.
Entrances to the Cathedral in Parma, Basilica of Sant’Apollinare in Classe, Basilica di Sant’Apollinare Nuovo in Ravenna, St Vitale in Ravenna, Mausoleo di Galla Placidia in Ravenna
Guided visit and Parma ham tasting session at a local producer in Langhirano
Guided visit and balsmic viengar tasting session at a vinegar factory in Modena area
Bus GT for the entire tour with arrival and departure from Bologna / Venice airport, including all expenses (check point and parking fees, board and lodging for driver)
| Day | Overnight | Itinerary highlights |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Florence - airport Venice - airport Bologna - airport Ravenna Parma Bologna |
| Place | Economy | Comfort |
|---|---|---|
| Bologna | 3 Stars | 4 Stars |
Italiano
Русский
