Best of Bologna in one day : Food, architecture, art and history
Description
This is an extremely comprehensive tour to discover the marvelous city of Bologna. A day of culture, art, and gastronomy among the city's main attractions. The program has been carefully designed to combine the great potential of Bologna's gastronomy (tortellini, mortadella, delicious cured hams, rice cake, tagliatelle, tortelloni, PARMIGIANO REGGIANO, MOodena Dop TRADITIONAL BALSAMIC VINEGAR)... with that of its rich architectural and artistic heritage, including its splendid churches, palaces, ancient university, canals, and towers, and finally, a tunning museum rich in ancient art, the Pinacoteca Nazionale. Regarding its great famous gastronomy : most of its preparations do not need any poresentation (balsamic, parmesan cheese, pasta bolognese, lasagna, tortellini, parma ham, mortadella), but some of these delicacies are actual hidden gems for most of Italian travellers too! We ll visit also a TRADITIONAL PASTA LABORATORY for a qiuick and efficient LITTLE COOKING CLASS!
Tour Options
Itinerary
We will discover the secrets and the great masterpieces of the square, such as the terracotta works of Nicolo' dell'Arca, the Fountain of Neptune, Palazzo Comunale and San Petronio. We will visit some splendid frescoed rooms of the Palazzo Comunale, the grand staircase of Bramane's horses and other small jewels of the sumptuous building.
Large and unique complex of early medieval buildings, medieval and Romanesque interiors, Gothic palaces, specialized art museum, frescoes, medieval porticoes and spiral staircases, terrace with a view of the towers and Bologna from "high".
Baroque church with the splendid Lamentation of Nicolò dell'Arca, a Renaissance terracotta masterpiece.
Ancient Renaissance and Baroque palace of the University of Bologna, with splendid frescoes, books, historical library and wooden anatomical theatre.
Visit one of the most important museums of painting and ancient art in Italy, from Giotto to Raphael, from Titian to Guido Reni, from Ercole de Roberti to Carracci and Guercino, from Vitasle da Bologna to Parmigianino.
A place of history, art, and gastronomy : the ancient market of Mezzo di Bologna, among historic stalls, taverns, and traditional shops, a true medieval Temple of Emilia Romagna RICH GASTRONOMY
Great art gallery church, with the famous Bentivoglio Chapel, a masterpiece of the Emilian Renaissance, Oratory of Santa Cecilia with frescoes and musical venues.
Towers, arcades, medieval houses, palaces, extravagant architecture, hidden canals, noble staircases, frescoed halls, oratories, places of the oldest university in Europe
Basilica treasure trove of art and architecture, from the Ark of Nicola Pisano, Nicolò and Michelangelo, to the alchemical wooden choir, from Mozart's favorite organ to the Renaissance cloister.
Visit to a medieval and early medieval complex of inestimable value, built in the image and likeness of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem.
Tastings of : Figs and PArma ham, CULATELLO, salami, Mortadella, Pasta, Meatballs and peas (Bologna style), Tagliatelle with ragout, PARMIGIANO REGGIANO (3/4 YEARS aged ), TRADITIONAL GREEN LASAGNE BOLOGNESI, Traditionalò MODENA BALSAMIC VINEGAR (up to 24 years of aging)...much else!
A little COOKING CLASS for PASTA alla BOLOGNESE (pasta with egg, for tagliatelle, tortellini, lasagna, balanzoni, tortelloni, passatelli...)
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- reccommandable to all categories of travellers
Reviews(35)
Our guide Ricardo had a powerful background and knowledge of some of the craziest and unique things from a history perspective we have seen all over Europe. Bologna is a sleeper on history museums, and this tour was just a small part of what’s available here. He can be a little much to start out the day, but stay with him and you’ll get to experience something nobody else really does, including some great unique food at the end.
Riccardo is passionate about the history of Bologna, with an encyclopaedic understanding and knowledge of the city and the region. Super keen to share that with you, you will not regret taking this trip, we thoroughly enjoyed it
This experience was amazing, taking us through and to parts of Bologna that the general visitor would not find. Our tour guide Riccardo was passionate about his city and extremely well versed in its history and clearly explained where Bologna's is place in history of this region. We had up close access to places the general public/tourist would not experience. It was a long day of walking but the surprises around each turn made the tour absolutely worthwhile. Thank you Riccardo for an unforgettable experience. Carmel & John
My husband and I are Italian-Americans who have traveled rather extensively through Italy, and Riccardo is by far one of the best guides we have had the pleasure of meeting. He brought Bologna to life and taught us so much about history, art, architecture, Bolognese culture and food. He is very high energy, so have a caffè and wear good walking shoes, and enjoy the absolute pleasure of the day!
Riccardo made our trip to Bologna unforgettable! His high-energy, fast-paced walking tour is the perfect mix of art, history, and incredible food, and the 6-7 hours went by so quickly. He is a wealth of historical knowledge and effortlessly shares facts and dates. We especially loved the tastings at Bruno e Franco - La Salumeria and the sweet treats at Paolo Atti & Figli. Riccardo truly went above and beyond for us—an absolute 'Best of Bologna' experience. Thank you Riccardo!!
We had a wonderful time in Bologna . Our guide was Riccardo, whose erudition and enthusiasm was amasing. We are grateful!
Very comprehensive and hugely informative day with Riccardo. He has vast knowledge of the history of Bologna, it's buildings, art and frescoes.
Ricardo is the most knowledgeable guide I have ever had, in any country well beyond the standard history and dates, his depth of architectural knowledge, relative history from around the world, historical foods etc There was a lot to take in but we understood in advance it was going to be an intensive day and it was worth it I would recommend this tour for anyone who doesn’t have issues walking and the desire to learn a lot about Bologna, the uniqueness and influence its architecture had and its prominent role in Italian history I would try to use Ricardo again for any other tour I plan in this region
Riccardo is extremely knowledgeable and passionate about medieval history. He’s enthusiastic and shows you a lot of wonderful sites. Only thing to know is that because he is a true expert, there may be times things go over your head —- you really have to listen on this tour to absorb it all and be an active participant. If that’s you, then this is the perfect tour for you!
Riccardo Bacchi is a very intellegent and verbal man. His knowledge about art, arcitecture, religion and history of Bologna and Italy was very inspiring. I think I have never had á better guide.
