Discovery Italy

Day 1: HISTORICAL BOLOGNA
Arrival in Bologna, welcome by the Tour Leader Discover Italy Now 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 you are going to start in your own rhythm the discovery of the old Bologna.You are going to visit Piazza Maggiore, 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 will immerse yourself in the charming atmosphere of Bologna.

Evening: fine dining in the sign of the bolognese gastronomy

Day 2: THE OLD TOWN, THE CITY HALL, SPICE MARKET, THE TOWERS OF ASINELLI & GARISENDA
Your guided tour continues in the historic center of Bologna with the visit of the Town Hall. Your guide 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 going to be visited.
You continue then on via Indipendenza where can be found Church of San Pietro, immersing yourself in a romantic atmosphere and beautiful shop windows.In the afternoon after another gastronomic break in a typical Osteria bolognese after which you proceed to the Herb Market in via Bassi enjoying the happy atmosphere and you are also going to visit "Sfogline" the best shop in town of fresh pasta as well as the symbol of the city of Bologna and the Tower Asinelli and Garisenda. Here you can climb to the top and admire the wonderful views over the city and the surrounding hills. Then, according the schedule, you are going to continue with Palace of Merchandise, St. Stephen's Church and Church of San Giovanni al Monte.

Evening: at "Osteria dei Poeti", inside an ancient building you can choose between noodles or tortellini Bolognese and delicious 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 THE BASILICA OF SAN FRANCESCO, NAZIONAL MUSEUM
Wine and local products tasting
Your itinerant Bologna continues 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 the 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 from Bologna’s cuisine

Day 4: CARDUCCI MUSEUM, CHURCH OF SAN GIOVANNI IN MONTE, DUSE THEATRE, GASTRONOMIC BREAK IN WINE BAR , BASILICA SAN DOMENICO
Wine and local products tasting
Your 4th itinerant day continues with culture, history but also local gastronomy. You visit Porta Maggiore and Carducci Museum, home of the famous poet from Bologna, via Dante and the church of San Giovanni in Monte.
Gastronomic break at the Godot Wine Bar, tasting cold cuts, cheeses and wines in Bologna. This is one of Bologna’s most appreciated wineries.
The afternoon takes you to Piazza San Domenico, where you are going to find paintings of the famous Carracci and Domenichino.

Evening: a candlelight dinner at "Il Conte Bistrot" that offers regional dishes and then walk and ice cream at Gelateria delle Moline or lively atmosphere at Cantina Bentivoglio where you can listen to live music.

Day 5:
THE HILLS OF BOLOGNA: BOLOGNA – CASALECCHIO DI RENO 8 km trek or by bus (according to preferences)
CASALECCHIO DI RENO – GESO 7,5 km trek or by bus (according to preferences)
Wine tasting from the hills of Bologna
Your guided tour of today is dedicated to the suggestive atmosphere of the Bologna hills, ancient villas and magnificent gardens, splendid shrines, villages and landscapes with rolling vineyards. We offer you a trekking route 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 will be visited 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 also visit Gesso village where you can find a parish church from eighteen-century with 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 you are going to visit the cellars of Carlo Gaggioli’s vineyard "Bagazzana" and the famous vineyards "Terre Rosse" belonging to Vallania family and taste some good wines and local gastronomic products from the hills around Bologna.

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

DAY 6: PREDOSA - CALDERINO 5 km- MONTE SAN GIOVANNI 6 kmSAN GIOVANNI - MONTE SAN PIETRO 13 km
Tasting of wines from the vineyards of Bologna
Your itinerant journey continues through Calderino, continuing to enjoy the fabulous landscapes.
At arrival you are going to have lunch in a trattoria. Highly recommended are: tortellacci, pappardelle with porcini mushrooms and risotto and a good glass of wine from the hills around Bologna.
If you are going to be here the first Sunday of September you participate to 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.Monte San Giovanni you visit the Palace Paleotto with its beautiful tower, the “Cà dei Balduzzi“ with its beautiful portal and the Torre di Guardia surrounded by olive trees.
Lunch at "Trattoria Fiore" and then you can enjoy a wine tasting at the winery Gino Corneti.
During the afternoon you continue in your own pace towards the vineyards of Monte San Pietro, going first towards San Chierlo where you are going to visit Bonzara farm that includes a winery, a wine museum and tourist facilities.
Near San Chierlo you visit 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 visiting the wineries Isola and Santarosa for wine tasting: you must absolutely try Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon or Pignoletto

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

DAY 7:
MONTE SAN PIETRO - SAVIGNO 9, 5 km of trekking or by bus (according to preferences)
SAVIGNO - CASTELLO DI SERRAVALLE 11 km of trekking or by bus (according to preferences)
Your last 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 you are going to visit the beautiful Museum of Farmer Civilization, which will help you to understand better the traditions of the place.
During the afternoon you continue walking on almost inaccessible 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 can also live the charming and cheerful atmosphere of the Festival of Maggiociondolo inside the castle where you can taste the good local wines and delicious local foods.
Before the end of your itinerary you can buy some local wines at "Farneti Deste" wine cellar.
End of program and your unforgettable itinerant journey

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