Emilia-Romagna and Lombardy

Arrive in Bologna and meet fellow travelers for our transfer to the charming city of Reggio Emilia, home base for our exploration of Emilia-Romagna and Lombardy. Gather this evening for a welcome reception and dinner.

This morning, set out on a walking tour of the city’s historic center, stopping at Piazza Prampolini, home to a stately Romanesque cathedral, and Piazza San Prospero, where the Basilica of St. Prospero resides. After lunch, we depart for a special visit to the Maramotti Collection, one of Italy’s most important private contemporary art collections. Housed in the former headquarters of the Max Mara fashion house, the museum focuses on postwar and contemporary art, with a strong representation of Italian artists. The rest of the day is at leisure to enjoy independent pursuits.

Depart for the historic red-brick city of Bologna, nicknamed “La Grassa” (“The Fat”) for its amazing rich cuisine featuring prosciutto, tortellini, grana cheese, and other mouth-watering delicacies. Take a leisurely walking tour through the porticoed streets to visit San Petronio church, the Archiginnasio palace, and the Fountain of Neptune. After lunch, continue to the Palazzo Poggi, part of the historic University of Bologna. Once a noble residence, the palace now houses a fascinating series of scientific and medical collections displayed in beautifully frescoed rooms. After some free time, gather for an aperitivo reception before attending a musical performance (subject to local schedules), returning to Reggio Emilia late in the evening.

Travel northwest through Italy’s fertile plains to Cremona, a major agricultural market that is also famous for its vast history of musical legends like violin maker Antonio Stradivari and composer Claudio Monteverdi. Take a walking tour through town, taking in its Duomo, the famed medieval bell tower, the 12th-century baptistery, and the 13th-century Loggia dei Militi. Then, after a special tour of the city’s newly established “Museum of the Violin” with a private recital featuring one of the museum’s instruments, join the museum’s director for lunch. This afternoon, we step inside a violin maker’s studio to learn the secrets to producing a world-class violin by hand. Return to the hotel in Reggio Emilia in the late afternoon to enjoy some time at leisure.

Today, we visit a traditional caseificio, where the production of Parmigiano Reggiano is demonstrated. Return to Reggio Emilia for a guided visit to the Basilica della Ghiara, renowned for its richly decorated interior, followed by the Sala del Tricolore, where the Italian flag was first adopted. After lunch on our own and some time for independent exploration, venture outside the city to visit a farmstead owned by the proprietors of our hotel. After a hands-on cooking experience, learning to make pasta by hand, explore the property and its balsamic vinegar loft, where traditional methods of producing aceto balsamico have been preserved for generations. Conclude the evening with a relaxed, home-cooked dinner prepared by our hosts.

Travel into Lombardy today to Mantua, one of the main artistic, cultural, and musical hubs of Northern Italy. Take an in-depth tour of the Palazzo Ducale, a 500-room palace built for the Gonzaga family between the 14th and the 17th centuries. We have special permission to visit the beautiful apartment of Isabella d’Este, perhaps the greatest art patron of the Renaissance. Enjoy lunch today in one of the most charming restaurants in Mantua. Then step inside the Bibiena Theater, a beautiful early Rococo building where Mozart performed, and continue to the sumptuous Palazzo Te, covered in exquisite early 16th-century paintings. Dinner tonight is on our own.

We begin the day with an exploration of Parma, famous for its prosciutto, architecture, and music, and home to one of the oldest universities in the world. Visit the Palazzo della Pilotta, home to the National Gallery and the Teatro Farnese, a gorgeous restored Baroque theater. During our walking tour of the city’s historic center, marvel at the stunning Renaissance frescoes of Correggio, hidden inside the Chamber of Saint Paul. After lunch on our own, travel to the nearby Sabbioneta, the ideal Renaissance city envisioned by Vespasiano Gonzaga. Take in the harmonious streets, elegant palaces, and intimate piazzas, all enclosed within its original fortifications.

In Modena, a refined and elegant city known for its artistic and culinary heritage, we take a guided walk through the historic center. Stop at the Biblioteca Estense, home to an exceptional collection of manuscripts and art reflecting the legacy of the Este court. After lunch, depart for Maranello, a destination synonymous with Ferrari. Visit the Museo Ferrari for a private tour and presentation, exploring the history, design, and engineering behind one of the world’s most iconic automotive brands. Return to Reggio Emilia in the late afternoon. This evening, reconvene for a festive farewell dinner at one of the region’s very finest Michelin-starred restaurants with a chef-led tour of the organic garden.

This morning, transfer to Bologna Airport to catch flights returning home.