DAY 1 – MONTREAL : DEPARTURE

Meet at Montreal airport for an overnight flight to Europe with a connection; meals served on board.

DAY 2 – BOLOGNA

Arrival in Bologna and welcome by your guide and driver. Transfer to the hotel, check-in, and free time. After a short stroll in the city center, enjoy a typical Bolognese welcome dinner. In the evening, join your guide for the grand San Petronio celebration, with fireworks and various activities in Bologna’s main square. (D)

DAY 3 – BOLOGNA: SIGHTSEEING

Morning guided walking tour of Bologna, the capital of Emilia-Romagna, a historic city of arts, universities, and culinary and commercial traditions. Admire the Neptune Fountain, Piazza Maggiore, Basilica of San Petronio, Palazzo del Re Enzo, the medieval Asinelli and Garisenda towers, and the famous Food Quarter. Lunch and afternoon free for personal exploration. (B)

DAY 4 – BOLOGNE – FIORANO – MARANELLO – REGGIO EMILIA (120 KM)

Departure for Fiorano, a major center for ceramic design and production. Guided visit of Spezzano Castle, transformed into a palace by the Pio di Savoia family in 1529, now housing the Ceramic Museum. Late morning visit to the home of the great tenor Luciano Pavarotti. Continue to Maranello, home of Ferrari, founded by former racing driver Enzo Ferrari. After lunch, guided tour of the Ferrari Museum and free time to admire the spectacular cars, including sometimes the famous No. 27 driven by Gilles Villeneuve. Continue to Reggio Emilia, check in at the hotel, and dinner at a pizzeria. (B/D)

DAY 5 – REGGIO EMILIA: EXCURSION TO THE ENZA VALLEY & PARMA (150 KM)

Breakfast and departure to the Enza Valley for a guided tasting at a renowned Prosciutto di Parma producer. Continue along the Parma River Valley to visit the grand Castello di Torrechiara. Arrival in Parma, free lunch followed by a guided walking tour of the former capital of the Dukes of Parma and Piacenza, the Farnese family, and birthplace of conductor Arturo Toscanini. Visit the Teatro Farnese, free time in the old town, then return to Reggio Emilia. Evening dinner at Piazza Fontanesi. (B/D)

DAY 6 – REGGIO EMILIA: EXCURSION TO QUATTRO CASTELLA & VISITS (30 KM)

Departure for Quattro Castella at the foot of the Reggiano Apennine hills. Guided tour of a major Parmigiano Reggiano dairy where traditional methods have been passed down since 1868, followed by a cheese tasting. On the way back to Reggio Emilia, visit Acetaia Medici Ermete and Tenuta Rampata, producers of Lambrusco wine for over 100 years and aged Reggio Emilia balsamic vinegar (12–30+ years). Lunch spuntino and tastings of balsamic vinegar and wines. Return to Reggio Emilia, capital of Emilia and birthplace of the Italian Tricolore. Guided walking tour of the historic center including Roman remains, the Municipal Theatre, Piazzas Prampolini and Grande, and the Basilica Madonna della Ghiara. Check in at the city center hotel; evening at leisure. (B/L)

DAY 7 – REGGIO EMILIA – MODENA – RAVENNA (150 KM)

Departure for Modena, Pavarotti’s hometown and a center of Emilian gastronomy. Guided walking tour of the historic center, former Este duchy capital, including the Ducal Palace, Galleria Estense, and the UNESCO-listed white marble cathedral. Lunch buffet at Spaccio delle Carceri, then continue through the countryside to Ravenna. Guided walking tour of Ravenna, UNESCO-listed for its unique Byzantine mosaics and early Christian monuments, including the San Vitale Cathedral, Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, Dante’s Tomb, and S. Apollinare Nuovo Church. Dinner and evening at leisure. (B/L)

DAY 8 – RAVENNA – FIUMANA – SANTARCANGELO (100 KM)

Departure for the Romagna Apennines and the Rabbi River Valley in Forli Province. At Fiumana, guided tour of the vineyard and cellars of Tenuta Pandolfa, followed by wine tasting and a light lunch of local products. Continue to Santarcangelo for a guided walking tour of the historic town and a visit to the Antica Stamperia Marchi with its 16th-century textile press, unique in Europe. Continue to Agriturismo La Collina dei Poeti in Santarcangelo di Romagna, between the Rubicone and Marecchia rivers, origin of the famous Sangiovese grape. Check in for a 2-night stay and participate in a cooking class preparing fresh pasta and Romagna desserts. Dinner featuring the pasta you prepared, paired with estate wine. (B/L/D)

DAY 9 – SANTARCANGELO: EXCURSION TO SANT’AGATA FELTRIA & CESENA (90 KM)

Departure for the Montefeltro region of the Apennines, a center of truffle production in Sant’Agata Feltria. Participate in a truffle hunt with a local tartufaio and trained dog. Guided walk through woods and meadows to learn truffle identification and preparation techniques. Visit the town and its historic municipal theater, followed by a regional lunch. Continue to Cesena for a guided tour of the medieval center and the Malatestiana Library, the oldest monastic library still preserved. Free time in the old town, then return to the hotel. Dinner. (B/L/D)

DAY 10 – SANTARCANGELO – RIMINI – SAN MARINO – RICCIONE (54 KM)

This morning, departure for Rimini, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, for a guided tour. Free lunch, then continue to San Marino, Europe’s oldest republic. Take the cable car to the old city for a walking tour of its three historic citadels. Free time for museums or duty-free shopping. Late afternoon transfer to your hotel in Riccione, free time, and dinner. (B/D)

DAY 11 – RICCIONE: EXCURSION TO MONDAINO – MONTEGRIFOLDO & S. CLEMENTE (50 KM)

Morning visit to the Piadina museum and facilities, including tasting and cooking workshop. Depart for Montegridolfo and, with producer Cleto Renzi, guided tour of olive groves and presses, followed by tasting and a rustic lunch with wine. Continue to Mondaino, a historic village in the Riccione mountains, birthplace of the Rothschild bankers. Visit the Formaggio di Fossa production site, watch a video of production and aging, and taste this distinctive Romagna cheese. Afternoon guided tour and wine tasting at Tenuta Mara, a unique center of art and eco-biological viticulture in the Riccione hills. Return to the hotel in Riccione for a farewell “Romagnole evening” dinner. (B/L/D)

DAY 12 – RICCIONE – BOLOGNA – MONTREAL

Transfer to Bologna airport for your flight to Montreal with a connection; meals served on board. (B)

*B Breakfast / L Lunch / Dinner