Current as of: March 28, 2024 - 09:22

Parma to Florence: Italy’s Culinary Highlights

Parma to Florence: Italy's Culinary Highlights Trip Notes

  • Ways to Travel: Guided Group, Private Group Adventures
  • Destination: Italy
  • Programmes: Culture
  • Activity Level:

    1 out of 7 - Leisurely

  • 7 Days: Land Only
  • Ages: 16+
  • Trip Code: ADQ

Trip Overview

Sample the best of Italian cuisine on this mouth-watering adventure

So much more than pizza, pasta and gelato, Italy’s foodie credentials are hard to beat. This delectable adventure delves into the most celebrated gastronomy region in the country, Emilia-Romagna, where we discover the origins of culatello ham, Parmesan cheese and balsamic vinegar, among other delights. We hit Bologna (named the World Capital of Food by Condé Nast Traveller in 2022) and head to lesser-known spots including the picturesque hilltop town of Brisighella. A train ride through rolling hills takes us to Florence, the beating heart of Tuscany, where our adventure culminates.

Parma to Florence: Italy’s Culinary Highlights

At a Glance

  • Six nights in three- and four-star hotels
  • Group normally 6 to 16, plus leader. Minimum age: 16
  • Travel by air-conditioned private minibus
  • Option to travel by train to your adventure

Highlights

  • Visit producers of culatello ham, Parmesan cheese, Modena balsamic vinegar and olive oil
  • Join a cooking class led by a local chef to make a traditional Bolognese menu
  • Discover Brisighella, one of the most beautiful villages in Italy
  • Take a train through rolling hills to Florence

Is This Trip for You?

This trip is graded Activity Level 1 (Leisurely), meaning it is suitable for everyone in good health and fitness. For more on our trip gradings, visit our Activity Level Guidelines page.

This trip is designed for you to sample the best of Italian gastronomy and hospitality in a relatively short space of time, so there is a fair amount of moving from place to place. It is a relatively relaxing week with the most walking required during the guided walking tours of Parma, Modena, Bologna and Florence. The walking isn’t too strenuous and can be done at a leisurely pace. The walking tours last one to two hours.

All transfers are by private air-conditioned vehicle and there are two train journeys (from Bologna to Faenza and from Brisighella to Florence). The longest drive is the arrival transfer (approximately two hours), and no transfers during the trip exceed one hour. Please note, due to traffic restrictions in some of the historic centres visited, you may have to carry your suitcase over cobbled pavements, although the bus will leave you as close to your hotel as possible. When this is not possible, a porterage service will be provided, which has been included in the cost of the trip. Please be aware that some hotels don’t have a lift (elevator).

Group

A local leader will be with the group throughout the week. However, due to Italian legislation, tour leaders are not allowed to guide groups in some cities, museums and churches. A local licensed guide will accompany the group in Florence. On the other days, you can sightsee with your tour leader or at your own pace.

Adult min age: 16

Min group size: 6

Max group size: 16

Itinerary

Parma to Florence: Italy’s Culinary Highlights

Land Only

  • Start City: Roncole Verdi, Parma
  • End City: Florence

Land Only Itinerary

Day 1
Start in Roncole Verdi, Parma

Our tour starts in the village of Roncole Verdi in the province of Parma, Emilia-Romagna. Nestled in the fertile heart of the agricultural Po Valley, the village is best known as the birthplace of Giuseppe Verdi, one of the greatest Italian opera composers of the 19th century. This evening, we enjoy a welcome dinner at the restaurant in our locanda (inn), a delicious introduction to the traditional cuisine of Emilia-Romagna.

Overnight in Roncole Verdi.

Meals included: Dinner

Day 2
The culinary traditions of the Po Valley, the bread basket of Italy

We take a 15-minute transfer to Antica Corte Pallavicina this morning, a farm and restaurant with a fascinating history. We learn about the traditional methods still used to cure the prized culatello ham and sample the produce, all washed down with a glass of wine. After a 45-minute transfer to Parma, we have lunch at a street food spot favoured by locals, the more adventurous foodies may wish to try the horsemeat panino. We follow lunch with a short walking tour of the historical centre.

Leaving Parma, we take a one-hour transfer to Castello di Canossa. Set on a hilltop overlooking the Po Valley to the north and the Apennines to the south, the castle harks back to medieval times and was testament to many events of historical importance, including the pardon of King Henry IV by Pope Gregory VII in 1077.

We end the day with a transfer to our agriturismo accommodation in the Reggio Emilia countryside, where there is time to relax in the farmhouse grounds before a traditional Emilia dinner at the on-site restaurant.

Overnight in the Reggio Emilia countryside.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3
The secrets of Parmigiano-Reggiano and balsamic vinegar; Modena and Bologna

We start our gastronomic journey today with a visit to a celebrated producer of Parmesan cheese, enjoying a tasting along with explanations about what makes this protected cheese so special. We continue with a transfer (15 minutes) to Cavalli Balsamic Vinegar Mill and cellars, where we learn about the vinegar-making process and understand why Modena balsamic vinegar is considered the best of its kind.

After a tasting with a light lunch, we transfer to Modena for a guided walking tour of the historic centre. In the late afternoon, we transfer to Bologna (one hour), named as the 2022 World Capital of Food by Condé Nast Traveller, where there is time for independent exploration. Our tour leader can provide suitable restaurant recommendations for dinner.

Overnight in Bologna.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 4
Cooking class and guided tour in Bologna

It’s time to put our own cooking credentials to the test as we embark on a full-morning cooking class led by a local chef. We prepare a complete Bolognese menu from scratch, which we eat together at lunch time. The menu will vary based on the season and availability of the produce, but we can look forward to creating authentic dishes using locally sourced ingredients.

In the afternoon, we take a guided walking tour of the picturesque historic centre of Bologna before enjoying free time.

Overnight in Bologna.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 5
Discover the Romagna region – Faenza and Brisighella

We depart Bologna by train (40 minutes), heading to the small Romagna city of Faenza. Renowned for ceramics and neo-classical architecture, the city is well away from the tourist trail and gives us the opportunity to see a lesser-visited part of Italy. After a coffee stop in the central piazza, we visit a ceramic shop to learn about the tin-glazed earthenware (known as majolica) that is produced here, before our gastronomic journey continues as we head to a small, organic winery and olive oil press in the countryside.

After a tasting and light lunch at the winery, we visit the colourful medieval town of Brisighella, widely considered to be one of the most beautiful villages in Italy. There’s time for a gelato while we stroll along the quiet streets, before we board a train* (approximately 2hr 30min) that takes us through the rolling countryside and into Tuscany, arriving at Florence in the evening.

Overnight in Florence.

*On the inaugural departure of our Parma to Florence: Italy’s Culinary Highlights tour in October 2023, we will board the heritage Treno di Dante. On subsequent departures (in 2024), we use a regular train service.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 6
Florence, the Renaissance capital of Tuscany

On our final day of activities, we start with a guided walking tour led by a local guide. Starting from our hotel, we cross the Ponte Vecchio (a shop-lined medieval stone bridge over the Arno River) and enter the historic centre of Florence, discovering the highlights as well as the lesser-known sites of this architecturally magnificent city. After being regaled with stories of the history and culture of the city, we head to San Lorenzo Central Market for a guided visit. We can purchase lunch at the market (not included).

The afternoon is free for independent exploration of Florence, then we meet again in the evening for a farewell dinner.

Overnight in Florence.

Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 7
End in Florence

The tour ends in Florence after breakfast. If you wish to spend longer in this wonderful city, speak to your sales representative about extending your stay. Otherwise, begin your return journey home.

Meals included: Breakfast

Accommodation

Comfortable hotels

Parma to Florence: Italy’s Culinary Highlights

All hotels on this trip have been specially selected for their location, character and comfort. We stay in a mixture of renovated traditional buildings and comfortable city hotels, all to a three- or four-star standard and offering complimentary wifi.

List of hotels normally used:

  • Roncole Verdi: Locanda Alle Roncole is a charming property with a restaurant and classically styled rooms featuring 18th-century furniture.
  • Reggio Emilia countryside: Agriturismo La Razza has a peaceful location approximately 2mi (3.2km) outside the small city of Reggio Emilia. There is a swimming pool (open seasonally) and rooms have a contemporary finish.
  • Bologna: Zanhotel Regina or Hotel Touring Bologna. Both hotels are in the historic centre of Bologna, allowing easy access to the main attractions of the city, including the Two Towers.
  • Florence: Hotel Villa Royal or Hotel Silla. Hotel Villa Royal has a classic 18th-century style, a swimming pool (open seasonally) and gardens. Hotel Silla is a family-run property whose amenities include a rooftop terrace with views over the Arno River.

Single supplement from USD 570

Food & Drink

All breakfasts, four lunches (including one cooking class), three dinners and one wine tasting are included.

A selection of food inherent to the region includes:

  • Many types of ham, in particular prosciutto, culatello and mortadella
  • Parmigiano Reggiano cheese (also known as Parmesan)
  • Balsamic vinegar of Modena
  • Olives and olive oil
  • Tagliatelle al ragù bolognese
  • Excellent wines

Emilia-Romagna and Tuscany are the perfect locations for gastronomy aficionados. On this trip, there will be many opportunities to taste local specialties, in particular during the produce and wine tastings, cooking class and the traditional lunches and dinners included in the itinerary.

Vegetarians and vegans may find the majority of cuisine in these regions is not created with dietary restrictions in mind; however, there is still plenty to enjoy, including lasagne verdi al forno (a lasagne dish typically created with spinach-infused pasta sheets) in Emilia-Romagna and panzanella (a delicious bread and tomato salad) in Tuscany.

Transport

A private air-conditioned minibus will be used for all transfers during the week. We also use two scheduled train services: one from Bologna to Faenza and another from Brisighella to Florence (both on Day 5).

Weather & Seasonality

Emilia-Romagna has a hot, dry climate during the summer (particularly from June to August), with this becoming more notable as we head south into Tuscany where temperatures can reach the high 30Cs (around 100F). You should feel comfortable in the heat. The presence of mosquitoes increases in summer, so we recommend you take mosquito repellent with you.

On departures in April-June and September-October, expect fairly warm days; rain is possible, but it rarely lasts long. Nights may still be rather cool. We strongly recommend a fleece-lined jacket or warm sweater in these months.

Joining Instructions

Key information

Start hotel: Locanda Alle Roncole, Strada Processione, 179, 43011 Busseto PR, Italy
Phone: +39 0524 930015
Recommended arrival time: 5pm. There will be a welcome briefing in the evening followed by an included dinner. If you miss the welcome briefing, the tour leader can update you separately.
Airport: Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP)

Getting to the start hotel

The start hotel is approximately two hours’ drive from the airport. Your options for this journey are:

Take an Exodus transfer

Exodus provides one group arrival transfer from the airport, which is timed to coincide with the arrival of a chosen flight from London, UK. You may join this transfer at no extra cost, provided you can be at the airport before the transfer leaves. Due to the remote start location of this trip, we strongly recommend joining the Exodus group arrival transfer – extra nights can be added in Milan before the trip to facilitate this, if required. Speak to your sales representative for the group arrival transfer times or to arrange a private transfer.

Make your own way

A taxi from the airport costs around €350-€400 and should take approximately two hours. Alternatively, you can catch a train or bus to Milano Centrale Railway Station then a direct train to Fidenza. You can then take a bus or taxi to Roncole Verdi. The total journey time is approximately 3hr 30min and full details will be provided in your Final Joining Instructions. On arrival at the hotel, please make the reception staff aware that you are part of an Exodus group and they will have more details on meeting with your leader and group.

If you would like further information on joining this trip, please speak to your sales representative.

Catching your return flight

There’s a group departure transfer to the airport for customers who Exodus booked onto a chosen flight to London, UK. Please speak to your sales representative if you wish to join. If the group departure transfer does not suit your flight time, speak to your sales representative to arrange an alternative transfer.

Full joining instructions including local emergency numbers will be sent to you as part of our Final Joining Instructions. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier please contact our office or your travel agent.

Location start: Roncole Verdi, Parma
Location end: Florence

What To Take

Essential Equipment

  • Comfortable shoes
  • Small backpack
  • Sunscreen
  • Sun hat
  • Sunglasses
  • Waterproofs
  • Water bottle: While mineral water is available at the hotels and shops, it’s safe to drink the local tap water, so remember to bring refillable water bottles and keep hydrated during the day

Optional Equipment

  • Swimwear
  • Swimming towel
  • Guidebook

Practical Information

Passport

Remember to check the expiration date of your passport if travelling internationally. Many countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months after the date of your scheduled return.

Visa

Italy

Travellers from the UK, US and EU normally do not need a visa to enter Italy. Please note, visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.

Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.

• Australia: www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/europe/italy
• Canada: www.travel.gc.ca/destinations/italy
• United Kingdom: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/italy/entry-requirements
• USA:  www.travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Italy.html

Please note: it is compulsory to carry ID with you at all times in Italy.

Vaccinations and Health

Italy

There are no required vaccinations. However, you may want to consider vaccinations for tetanus, rabies and tick-borne encephalitis. Please confirm with your doctor or travel clinic.

If you’re a UK citizen, please note that your UK-issued European Health Insurance Cards (EHIC) are still valid and offer the same cover as the Global Health Insurance Cards (GHIC) in the EU. This gives you medical care at a reduced cost, and in some cases for free, in many European countries, but should not be considered a substitute for adequate insurance. Once your EHIC has expired, replace it with a GHIC.

Local Time

Italy's time zone: Europe/Rome (UTC +01:00)

Electricity

Italy's electricity: Plug types C (two round pins, European standard), F (two round pins), and L (three round pins in a row) – 230V, 50Hz

Money

Italy's currency: Euros (EUR)

ATM Availability

You can withdraw euros from a cash machine (ATM) in every town, but we recommend you obtain some spending money before you leave your home country. Credit cards are also accepted in most places you visit but cash is easier.

Extra Expenses & Spending Money

For the meals not included, allow €10-€20 for lunch and €20-€30 for dinners, not including drinks. A coffee costs €1-€2 and a beer is around €4-€5.

Tipping

Our local staff are paid well and fairly for their work with Exodus. Most of our clients wish to give a tip to their guides in appreciation of their help and friendliness. This, of course, is not compulsory and depends on the service received. For this trip, we recommend a starting point of €20 per person for the leader.

People, Places & Planet

We work hard to create trips that have a positive impact on the people and places we visit and look after the planet we explore. Learn more about our sustainable travel ethos and practice here and find out about the work of the Exodus Travels Foundation here.

Some sustainable travel highlights of this trip include:

People

How this trip helps improve life for local communities.

  • Local guides keep you well informed about local traditions and cultural-social sensitivities.
  • This trip brings income and opportunity to the destination community through the inclusion of locally owned hotels, restaurants, and other enterprises, and by championing locally produced food wherever possible. Two hotels typically used on this trip are family-owned: Agriturismo La Razza and Hotel Silla in Florence.
  • We visit several small producers of local food and wine on this tour, which supports the local economies. Visits include Antica Corte Pallavicina and Leone Conti.
  • Read more about our other initiatives here.

Places

How this trip helps protect and conserve local landscapes and nature.

  • By travelling in a small group, we ‘tread lightly’ to minimise our impact on local resources and the environment.
  • We work with our partners on the ground to proactively reduce waste; this includes eliminating all single-use plastic water bottles by providing refills for reusable bottles.
  • We visit locations off the usual tourist trail such as Faenza and Brisighella, helping to spread the economic support to places that don’t usually benefit.
  • We rewild 1,075sqft (100sqm) per passenger to compensate for all trip and flight emissions.
  • Read about our commitment to nature protection and restoration hereincluding our rewilding commitment for every customer who travels with us.

Planet

How we seek to keep the carbon footprint of this trip low.

  • Accommodation and restaurants in the itinerary use locally sourced food which has not been transported long distances.
  • Read about our climate action here, including our carbon reduction and compensation commitments.

Tips for sustainable travel on this trip

  • Leave no trace: We do all we can to ensure we leave no rubbish in the wild and beautiful places we visit; we ask that you do the same. If there are no recycling facilities in-country, consider bringing recyclable materials home with you.
  • Plastic waste reduction: Please bring a reusable water bottle on this trip, also consider avoiding single-use hotel toiletries, which generate a large amount of plastic waste.

In line with our ‘book and travel with confidence’ promise which allows you to cancel free of charge up to 42 days prior to departure, or transfer to another trip free of charge up to 21 days prior to your trip starting in country,  please be aware that this excludes ‘irrecoverable costs’. Details can be found here: www.exodus.co.uk/about-exodus/exodus-booking-conditions

For this trip, the irrecoverable costs related to in-country operations are outlined below, if booking flight inclusive your sales agent will confirm the terms related to your international flights at the time of booking.

Irrecoverable hotel costs: £594 / €660 / US$753

Costs are accurate at the time of writing in April 2023.

If you need to cancel your trip because you or a member of your party is diagnosed with COVID-19 or has received a request from the Government to self-isolate, you will receive a full refund less these irrecoverable costs.

Important Information

Your safe participation 

When booking this trip, you should be confident in your ability to participate in all activities described in these Trip Notes. If you have any doubt about your suitability, please call the Exodus office and ask to speak to one of the experts on this itinerary. 

Although our leaders are well trained to deal with different capabilities, if they have any concerns about someone’s ability to safely take part in an activity, or their impact on other people’s enjoyment, we authorise them to take necessary action which, in some circumstances, may involve asking someone to miss that activity. 

By booking this trip you agree to our Booking Conditions which clearly state that our leaders have the authority to do this. In these rare instances we will ensure anyone sitting out is safely provided for and offered alternative options where possible. Refunds will not be provided for activities missed and customers may be liable for additional costs incurred. 

How to Book

  1. Check availability: Go online to check availability, or contact us by phone or email.
  2. Secure your place: You can provisionally hold a place on this trip, usually for between three and seven days.
  3. Complete your booking and payment

When you’re ready to book, go to our website for online bookings, book over the phone or you can complete a booking form (available online or on request by calling us). We accept all major credit and debit cards, or you can pay be cheque.

After booking

You will receive your booking confirmation letter and invoice, which includes extra information and guidance about your travel arrangements.

Full joining instructions, including local emergency numbers and details of how to reach the start point, will be sent to you approximately two to three weeks prior to departure. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier, please contact our office or your travel agent.

Trip Note validity

These Trip Notes are valid from the “Current as” date on page one. They will occasionally be updated after booking and before departure; if there are any updates that significantly impact the inclusions or itinerary, customers will be written to separately. They will also receive a link to the most up-to-date Trip Notes with their Final Joining Instructions before travelling.

The information in these Trip Notes is given in good faith. Where differences exist between the Trip Notes and our current brochure or website, the Trip Notes supersede the brochure and website. All holidays can be subject to unexpected changes; to enjoy them you should be prepared to be flexible where necessary. Occasionally, it may not be possible to follow the itinerary as planned. This may be for a variety of reasons – climatic, political, physical or other. In these circumstances we will make the best-possible alternative arrangements that maintain the integrity of the original itinerary.

Licensing

Exodus is fully licensed and bonded as a tour operator. We hold Air Traffic Organisers Licence (ATOL) number 2582, issued and bonded with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). We are also bonded to the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and we are members of the Federation of Tour Operators (FTO) and ABTA – The Travel Association. This means you can book your Exodus holiday with confidence, as all money paid to us for your trip is fully protected.