Discovery Italy

Day 1: HISTORICAL BOLOGNA
Arrival in Bologna, welcome by Discover Italy Now Tour leader and transfer to Hotel*** or B&B.
Refreshing welcome drink and free time to relax and begin to immerse yourself in the fantastic atmosphere of Bologna.
After lunch with the best bolognese traditional food and wine to the delight of your palate, together with your Tour Leader and your bicycle you are going to start in your own rhythm the discovery of the old Bologna.You are going to visit Piazza Maggiore, the heart of the city with its medieval buildings, the romantic Palace of King Renzo, the Palace of Podestà, the Palace of the Notaries, the Palace of Banchi, the Square Nettuno, the Tower and the Basilica of San Petronio ….. you immerse yourself in the charming atmosphere of Bologna ...

Evening: dinner in the sign of the bolognese gastronomy

Day 2: THE OLD TOWN, CITY HALL, SPICE MARKET, TOWERS OF ASINELLI & GARISENDA
Your guided tour continues by bike in the historic center of Bologna. A visit of the Town Hall is on the schedule. You visit it together with your guide who is going to show and explain the art works of the famous Tintoretto and Annibale Caracci. Morandi Museum which houses works of the bolognese painter, is also on the schedule.
You continue then on via Indipendenza where can be found the Church of San Pietro, immersing yourself in a romantic atmosphere and beautiful shop windows.After another gastronomic break in a typical Osteria bolognese you visit the Herb Market in via Bassi enjoying the happy atmosphere
"Sfogline", the best shop in town of fresh pasta, as well as the symbol of the city of Bologna, The Towers Asinelli and Garisenda...are also going to be visited. You climb to the top and admire the wonderful views over the city and the surrounding hills. Then, according to the schedule, you continue towards the Palace of Merchandise, St. Stephen's Church and the Church of San Giovanni al Monte.

Evening: at "Osteria dei Poeti", inside an ancient building you can eat noodles or tortellini from Bolognese, croutons and crescentine together with a good glass of wine from the hills around Bologna.

Day 3: ARCHEOLOGICAL MUSEUM, WALKING STREETS, GALVANI SQUARE AND ARCHIGINNASIO PALACE, PORTA NUOVA AND BASILICA OF SAN FRANCESCO, NAZIONAL MUSEUM by bike
Wine and local gourmet tasting
Your itinerant Bologna continues by bike in search of the historic Bologna: Piazza Galvani, the best shopping streets or simply admire the beautiful shop windows, Porta Nuova with the beautiful basilicas S. Salvatore and S. Francesco…
Lunch and wine tasting at Enoteca Italiana.
The afternoon continues in Piazza di Porta Ravegnana with a visit to Poggi Palace, National Gallery and Church of Santa Maria dei Servi.

Evening: in a restaurant tasting dishes of Bologna’s cuisine

Day 4:
THE HILLS OF BOLOGNA: BOLOGNA – CASALECCHIO DI RENO 8 km by bike
CASALECCHIO DI RENO – GESO 7,5 km by bike
Tasting of wines from the hills of Bologna
Your guided tour of today is dedicated to the suggestive atmosphere of Bologna’s hills, ancient villas and magnificent gardens, splendid shrines, villages and landscapes with rolling vineyards.
We offer you a bicycle itinerary in your own pace toward Casalecchio where you are going to have lunch and visit the ancient church of San Giovanni Battista. 2 km away you are going to visit the beautiful church of Tizzano with its six chapels connected by a passage and the charming Villa Marescalchi.After the visit to Casalecchio you continue in the heart of the vineyards with the romantic hills of Bologna. You visit the Gesso village where can be found the parish church from eighteen-century with its beautiful frescoes and the imposing Albergati Palace built in ‘600.
The journey then continues through green hills, countryside scents and romantic vineyards towards Zola Predosa where can be visited the cellars of Carlo Gaggioli’s vineyard Bagazzana and the famous vineyards Terre Rosse of Vallania’s family and taste the good wines and the local gastronomic products from the hills around Bologna

Evening: Accommodation in 3*Hotel, B & B or farm in Zola Predosa

Day 5:
ZOLA PREDOSA – CALDERINO 5 km by bike
CALDERINO – MONTE SAN GIOVANNI 6 km by bike
MONTE SAN GIOVANNI – MONTE SAN PIETRO 13 km by bike
Tasting of wines from the vineyards of Bologna
Your itinerant journey in the saddle of your bicycle continues through Calderino, continuing to enjoy the fabulous landscapes.
Lunch. Highly recommended are: tortellacci, pappardelle with porcini mushrooms and risotto and a good glass of wine from the hills around Bologna. If you are here the first Sunday of September you have the chance to immerse yourself in the lively atmosphere of the wine festival, sagra del vino.The journey then continues in the valley of the river Lavino, to reach the vineyards of Monte San Pietro.
In Monte San Giovanni you visit the Palace and the Paleotto tower, “Cà dei Balduzzi“ with its beautiful portal and the Torre di Guardia surrounded by olive trees.have lunch at Trattoria Fiore and then you can enjoy a wine tasting at the winery Gino Corneti.In the afternoon you continue in your own pace towards the vineyards of Monte San Pietro.
In San Chierlo will be visited the Bonzara farm that includes a winery, a wine museum and tourist facilities. Near San Chierlo will be visited the beautiful San Chierlo church from eighteenth-century, Villa Rovere with its centuries-old park and the ancient "Caca Masi."The evening is going to be spent biking towards the wineries Isola and Santarosa for wine tasting: we strongly reccommend the wines Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and Pignoletto

Evening: Accommodation in 3* Hotel, B & B or farm

Day 6:
MONTE SAN PIETRO - SAVIGNO 9, 5 km by bike
SAVIGNO – CASTELLO DI SERRAVALLE 11 km by bike
This itinerant morning takes you to Savigno, famous not only for its wines but also for the quality of the white truffles that are harvested in the area from September to December.
Lunch at "Trattoria Amerigo" and later is going to be visited the beautiful Museum of the Farmer Civilization which will help you to better understand the traditions of the place.
The biking continues on provincial roads that cross the hills between the valley of Samoggio and the one of Panaro or by public transportation arriving to the beautiful ancient town of Castello di Serravalle.
If your journey brings you here in May you have the chance to immerse yourself in the charming and cheerful atmosphere of the Festival of Maggiociondolo inside the castle where can also be tasted good local wines combined with delicious local foods.
Local wines can be bought in a local wine cellar before the end of the itinerary

Evening: Accommodation in 3*Hotel, B & B or Farm

Day 7: DI SERRAVALLE - MONTEVEGLIO 10 km by bike
MONTEVEGLIO - BAZZANO 4,5 km by bike
Your last touring morning by bike takes you through a very suggestive path of the Bolognesi Hills.and views that will remain in your mind for a long time…you are also going to visit the old Abbey of Santa Maria Assunta with its beautiful cloisters.
You also join a gastronomic break at "Trattoria del Vecchio Mulino" where tortellini and Pignoletto wine can be tasted
The last destination of your trip is Bazzano where in an environment full of ancient history and beautiful green hills ends your touring journey on the saddle of a bicycle.

Evening: Accommodation in Farm House
End of program and your unforgettable itinerant journey