Parmigiano, Balsamic & Winery Tour with Light Lunch from Bologna
Description
Maximize your time with this half-day immersion into Italy's Food Valley. Escape Bologna to go behind the scenes of the region's icons. Witness the birth of Parmigiano Reggiano at an artisanal dairy, and discover an ancient Acetaia to taste "Black Gold" Balsamic. Exclusive highlight: taste a unique cherry-based balsamic condiment in a house surrounded by cherry trees. Crown your morning at a family-run winery with a vineyard walk and a glass of fresh Pignoletto. Enjoy a "Pranzo Contadino" (Country Lunch) featuring premium cured meats, artisanal cheeses, and others local wines like Lambrusco and Barbera. This is the "full experience in half the time," offering deep cultural insight and world-class gastronomy. Designed for foodies seeking a premium, intimate atmosphere with comfortable transport, returning to Bologna by early afternoon with your day still wide open. Experience the soul of Emilian tradition through its people, scenic hills, and authentic flavors.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Meet your expert tour leader at Bologna Central Bus Station and start your journey in a comfortable minivan discovering culinary traditions.
Artisanal Dairy. Witness the Mastro Casaro craft Parmigiano Reggiano. Enjoy a rich breakfast with warm ricotta, aged cheese, and crispy parmesan chips.
Ancient Acetaia. Enter the world of "Black Gold." Discover the aging process in centuries-old barrels and enjoy a technical "spoon tasting," including a unique cherry-based balsamic condiment.
Family Winery. A spectacular conclusion: take a walk through the vineyards with a glass of Pignoletto. Follow with a guided tasting of Lambrusco and Barbera during a "Pranzo Contadino" lunch with premium cured meats and seasonal specialties.
Scenic drive back, arriving in the late morning perfectly satisfied and with the afternoon still ahead.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- During the dairy tour you will explore the dairy production process behind the scenes. For safety reasons, visitors must wear closed-toe shoes with non-slip rubber soles, as some areas may be wet or slippery.
- It is mandatory to arrive at the meeting point at the mentioned check in time. In case of delay it will not be possible to join the group, nor to have a refund or reschedule the excursion.
- Please note: this tour includes activities and walking routes that are not suitable for wheelchair users.
Reviews(12)
Amazing tour! Jacob was very friendly and knowledgeable about the region. Each of the factory tours were delicious and educational with fabulous cheese, balsamic, and wine. We tried so many new things and learned a lot!
Dear Guest, Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed the Parmigiano, Balsamic & Winery Tour and that Jacob made the experience both friendly and informative. It’s great to know that you appreciated the tastings and had the chance to discover new flavors while learning more about our region’s traditions. We truly appreciate your kind words and hope to welcome you again on another experience in the future! Warm regards from Florence
Great cultural experience, perfect time at each stop. And Ella was super friendly and informative.
Good Morning from Caf Tour & Travel, Dear Customer, Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful feedback about your experience in Bologna with us. We are delighted to know you enjoyed discovering authentic local producers and that the timing at each stop allowed you to fully appreciate every part of the journey. We are especially happy to hear that Ella’s friendliness and knowledge helped make the day even more memorable. We hope to welcome you again soon for more authentic experiences discovering the flavors of Italy. A warm greeting from Italy, Caf Tour & Travel Team
Wonderful experience touring and tasting local family owned producers. Our guide Ella was lovely, knowledgeable and accommodating.
Good Morning from Caf Tour & Travel, Dear Customer, Thank you very much for your lovely review. We are delighted to hear you enjoyed discovering local family-run producers and experiencing some of Italy’s most authentic culinary traditions firsthand. It is wonderful to know Ella’s knowledge, kindness and attention helped make your day smooth, enjoyable and full of memorable moments. We hope to welcome you again soon for many more unforgettable food and wine experiences in Italy. Warm wishes from beautiful Italy, Caf Tour & Travel Team
I got a message that the trip was changed to 10.6.26 from those who were to complete the trip. I wanted to cancel with the company that was responsible for the trip 11/2 days before the trip, so I could get my money back. Unfortunately, this is not successful. I can send the communication I've had with the company. It under all criticism
Dear Jonna, Thank you for sharing your feedback regarding your booking for our Bologna excursion. We are sorry to hear that your experience with our reservation process was unsatisfactory, particularly as you were ultimately unable to attend the tour. Regarding your cancellation request, we understand you sent a message via WhatsApp on the evening of June 8th; however, our office was closed at that time. As per the booking terms and conditions—and in accordance with Viator's policies—all cancellation requests must be processed directly through the official booking platform to be considered valid. By the time your request reached our team during business hours on June 9th, the booking had unfortunately already entered the non-refundable penalty period due to pre-existing commitments with our local service providers. While we always strive to accommodate our guests, we must adhere to our operational policies once a tour is confirmed and within the cancellation penalty window. We apologize for any frustration caused and appreciate your understanding. Sincerely, The Caf Tours Team
This tour was the highlight of my trip to Bologna. Ela was an exceptional guide—knowledgeable, engaging, and clearly passionate about the region. She brought to life not only the production of Parmigiano Reggiano, balsamic vinegar, and local wines, but also the history, culture, and character of Modena and the surrounding cities. The half-day format was perfect; I was amazed by how much we saw and learned in just five hours without ever feeling rushed. The driver was great, the sprinter van was very comfortable, and I especially appreciated that the tour focused on small, family-run producers. It felt authentic and immersive, offering a genuine connection to the local community and traditions that make this region so special. I wish I could take every tour with Ela!! She is fantastic.
Good Morning from Caf Tour & Travel, Dear Customer, Thank you for such an outstanding review. We are honored that this experience was the highlight of your trip to Bologna. It is wonderful to know that Ela’s passion, knowledge, and engaging storytelling brought to life not only the production of Parmigiano Reggiano, balsamic vinegar, and local wines, but also the rich culture and traditions of the region. We are especially pleased that you appreciated the authentic encounters with small family-run producers, whose dedication represents the true soul of Emilia-Romagna. Your kind words about the organization, comfort, and pace of the tour mean a great deal to us. We will be delighted to share your compliments with Ela, and we hope to welcome you back soon for more unforgettable culinary discoveries in Italy. Warmest regards, The Caf Tour & Travel Team
Cecilia did a wonderful job with our small group tour, providing knowledgeable and engaging commentary on the scenic drive and at each unique stop. We met the families and employees (and cows!) that work meticulously to create the region’s renowned parmigiano reggiano, balsamic vinegar, wines, and produce. We visited in early June at the peak of cherry (duroni) season—the literal cherry on top of a wonderful experience! We left with a wealth of knowledge and delicacies from a dairy, an acetaia and an organic, family-run vineyard. Highly recommend this tour if you’re looking for a relaxing and intimate half-day excursion that showcases authentic culinary treasures while supporting the families behind them!
Good Morning from Caf Tour & Travel, Dear Emily, Thank you for such a thoughtful and detailed review. We are delighted that Cecilia’s guidance helped you fully appreciate the authentic culinary traditions of the region and the passionate families behind them. Meeting local producers, learning about Parmigiano Reggiano, traditional balsamic vinegar, wines, and seasonal specialties like the delicious duroni cherries creates a truly unique connection with Italian culture. Your words beautifully capture the spirit of this experience, and we are grateful for your recommendation. We hope to welcome you back soon for more authentic journeys through Italy’s extraordinary food and wine heritage. With sincere appreciation, The Caf Tour & Travel Team
Relaxed tour with space to take a good look and ask questions. The guide has a lot of knowledge. The welcome at the three farms was very welcome!
Good Morning from Caf Tour & Travel, Dear Customer, Thank you for sharing your experience with us. We are delighted that you enjoyed the relaxed pace of the tour and had plenty of opportunities to explore, ask questions, and connect with the local producers. The warm welcome offered by the families at each farm is an essential part of what makes these experiences so authentic and memorable. We are especially pleased that our guide’s knowledge enriched your visit. We hope to see you again soon for another taste of Italy’s extraordinary culinary traditions. Greetings from Italy, The Caf Tour & Travel Team
Cecila was absolutely fabulous! She took us on a tour of the Parmesan dairies where we saw the cheese being made, we visited a farm near Modena where they make balsamic vinegar and then finished at the most gorgeous vineyard. Her knowledge of the area and the food production is unparalleled and she was delightful to chat to. We cannot recommend her enough. Also the vineyard she took us to is run by the most gorgeous family, the Paulis. Wonderful food, wonderful people, just a wonderful time. Book.
Fantastic experience in Bologna, we did the parmigiano, balsamico and wine tour with our tour guide Cecilia, who was a wonderful energetic guide fluent in English explaining all the history about her region. A very big plus is that they come to pick you up and drop you back off near the station of Bologna, and the bus was clean and driver was very professional Would really recommend.
Good morning from CAF Tour & Travel! Dear Customer, Thank you very much for your fantastic review! We are delighted to hear that you enjoyed your Bologna experience and that Cecilia’s energy, knowledge, and passion for the region helped make the tour so special. It’s also great to know that you appreciated the convenience of the pick-up and drop-off service and the professionalism of our driver. We truly appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you again soon for another memorable experience in Italy! Best regards, CAF Tour & Travel Staff
Visit to beautiful local authentic producers. Ceciale talked passionately about the products , region and local producers. It was a nice change and nice to see the production method of these Hero products from this region. The owners were also very friendly and full of passion. This activity is definitely recommended when you stay in Bologna region for a few days.
Good Morning from Caf Tour & Travel, Dear Customer, Thank you for sharing your wonderful experience! We’re delighted to know that you appreciated visiting authentic local producers and discovering the traditions and craftsmanship of the Bologna region. We’re especially happy to hear that Cecilia’s passion and knowledge enriched your journey and made the experience even more meaningful. Thank you for your recommendation, and we hope to welcome you again for more delicious Italian adventures! Warm greetings, Caf Tour & Travel
