Sunday – Get settled and welcome dinner, an intro to traditional regional Italian cuisine 

Meet at Bologna airport or train station. Private transfer to your hotel, ideally situated in the heart of Bologna. 
Welcome dinner at a typical Italian trattoria frequented by local families to enjoy traditional dishes of the area.

Monday – Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, traditional balsamic vinegar of Modena and gourmet lunch
Early morning departure to visit a family-cooperative where you will watch all the stages in the production of parmigiano reggiano --parmesan cheese--, learn all about parmigiano and finish this excursion with a cheese tasting. 
Transfer to Modena to visit another family-owned representative business, producer of traditional balsamic vinegar of Modena. The owner will explain where and how balsamico is made; we will have a tasting of the product at various ages and learn how and when to use these. 
Drive to a beautiful restaurant in Modena where we will have an aperitif in the kitchen with the chef, Luigi, who is very creative and friendly. In the kitchen you will see how Luigi prepares our lunch, based on plates featuring parmigiano --parmesan-- and balsamico and accompained by Lambrusco, the red sparkling wine typical of the Modena area, wonderful accompainment to parmigiano. All his dishes are a feast for the eye as well as delectable. 
Back to Bologna. Afternoon and dinner free. 



Tuesday – Gelato, chocolate, pastry and bread at SIGEP trade fair in Rimini
In the morning drive to Rimini to the Gelato fair. In fact this fair, that takes place every year in Rimini -Emilia Romagna- is the most important exhibition in the world for artisan gelato, confectionary and bakery. At the very big fair you will see and taste the many outstanding Italian new and traditional gelato, prepared in different ways and with different ingredients, and to learn more about this wonderful product.
In the late afternoon back to Bologna. On our way back, stop at a trattoria for dinner.

Wednesday –  Truffle hunting with the dog
Morning excursion for a truffle hunting experience with the special truffle dog. We will walk in the woods for a couple of hours with the truffle hunter and his dog. This is the season of white truffle, the most precious variety of truffle. 
Lunch in family based on mouthwatering recipes with truffles. 
Back to Bologna after lunch. Afternoon and dinner on your own, after an unforgettable day!

Thursday – Food shopping at the market and cooking lesson in preparing some regional specialties 

In the morning visit and walk in the central market area, a couple of ancient narrow streets lined with colorful, irresistible Italian food shops, stands and delis, stunning to behold and delicious to taste. Here we will buy the ingredients for our afternoon cooking lesson. Leisure time for shopping or just strolling in the charming medieval town. 
Lunch on your own. There are many fantastic cafes in the Bologna market area to choose from. 
In the afternoon hands-on cooking class at a private home with an Italian family cook and Francesca, expert on hand-made pasta making. You will learn to make egg pasta from scratch rolled out with the rolling pin and other traditional dishes of the region and receive a recipe book to take home. Our farewell dinner will follow and consist of the fruits of your own afternoon labors. 



Friday – Departure day
Departure to Bologna airport or train station after breakfast at the hotel.

Included: 

• 5 nights in lovely four star hotel with breakfast
• 4 meals with selected regional wines, water and coffee
• 1 Italian cooking lesson in English 

• 1 dinner after the cooking class with selected regional wines

• truffle hunting with the dog

• Visit to Parmigiano Reggiano --Parmesan cheese-- factory and tasting 

• Visit to Balsamic Vinegar of Modena producer and tasting
• Entrance fee to the Gelato fair
• Bologna guided food market visit in English
• Our recipe book in English
• Traditional Italian hand printed apron 

• Private transfers and assistance on arrival and at departure (from and to Bologna train station or airport)
• Private car (or minivan) with driver for all the excursions listed in the program
• Local tour director English speaking throughout (Marcello or Raffaella)
• All local taxes

Not included: 

• Flight ticket
• Personal expenses
• Everything not written in the program
• Cancellation insurance
• Local taxes (city taxes)