Delicious food, glorious wine, warm, hearty hospitality and fairytale sights in undiscovered, un-touristy, hassle-free Romagna. 9 day holiday- from just $1500
Included Highlights:
Romagna is just as lovely as famous, expensive Tuscany, its near neighbour, and in our view the food and wine and scenery are all BETTER! Plus, of course, there are no tourist hordes in Romagna and prices are lower so your holiday $ goes much, much further and you get a more personal experience.
If you are looking for great local and authentic Italian food, wine, art, culture and hospitality - at a reasonable price, undiscovered, unspoiled Romagna is the place to be. Here people are pleased to open their doors for you and give you a truly heartfelt warm welcome!
Experience the best of the very best food and wine, art and culture. Above all revel in the immense and heartfelt hospitality of glorious Romagna – a beautiful, legendary land safely nestling between the Apennine mountains and the Adriatic sea and as yet unspoiled by tourism.
Our team of specially-selected local co-operators include not only professional hoteliers, but great restaurateurs, hands-on vineyard owners, master cheese makers, musicians, videographers, artists, thermal spa owners, even cookery teachers.
Together, we have created a special inclusive one-week program to offer you a taste of Romagna which incorporates accommodation, meals, wine, olive oil and specialty food tastings, daily programmes of activities and visits designed to enable you to enjoy Romagna at its sensational best from just $1500.
As ‘temporary citizens’ rather than detached tourists, Best of Romagna guests enjoy a treasure-chest of fascinating opportunities. You will be able to experience UNESCO World Heritage Byzantine Ravenna and Venetian Cesenatico, You will also be able to experience Romagna’s legacy of stunningly beautiful hills and valleys, medieval castles and some of its fabulous vistas.
And you'll experience amazing food and wine … cheeses like Squacquerone and Fossa, local wines such as Sangiovese DOC and Albana DOCG and olive oils, rare-breed prosciuttos, pickles, preserves and honeys…and fabulous fresh pasta made daily, of course. You will surely get passionate about these seasonal, fresh, treasured handcrafted products – and recipes you’ll certainly take with you and want to prepare at home.
Our Itinerary in the ‘Heart of Italy’
- Experience the Best of Romagna scenery, food and wine, culture and warm hospitality, see glorious Ravenna, Venetian Cesenatico lovely Santarcangelo take a scenic train trip through the hills to Florence.
- Plus… on option: learn to cook Italian in a great cookery school and take an adventure to “La Serenissima” Venice.
- Land at in Rome or Milan or Venice, we can arrange your travel to Bologna to begin your experience in the beautiful, legendary land safely nestling between the Apennine mountains and the Adriatic sea
Included Highlights:
- 1 night’s lovely city center accommodation in Bologna
- 7 nights accommodation with breakfasts in a lovely Italian Country house in the 'Ancient Valley of Cherries'
- 7 superb Dinners or lunches including wine or soft drinks in specially-selected restaurants.
- 3 fabulous vineyard wine tastings
- Tastings of local breads, prosciuttos, salamis, cheeses and olive oils
- Top cookery class
- Guided visits to Foodie capital of Italy Bologna, World Heritage Ravenna, Venetian Cesenatico, ancient Santarcangelo and lovely Longiano.
- On option: Half day cookery course in "Italy's best cookery school" and visit to Venice
Romagna is just as lovely as famous, expensive Tuscany, its near neighbour, and in our view the food and wine and scenery are all BETTER! Plus, of course, there are no tourist hordes in Romagna and prices are lower so your holiday $ goes much, much further and you get a more personal experience.
If you are looking for great local and authentic Italian food, wine, art, culture and hospitality - at a reasonable price, undiscovered, unspoiled Romagna is the place to be. Here people are pleased to open their doors for you and give you a truly heartfelt warm welcome!
Experience the best of the very best food and wine, art and culture. Above all revel in the immense and heartfelt hospitality of glorious Romagna – a beautiful, legendary land safely nestling between the Apennine mountains and the Adriatic sea and as yet unspoiled by tourism.
Our team of specially-selected local co-operators include not only professional hoteliers, but great restaurateurs, hands-on vineyard owners, master cheese makers, musicians, videographers, artists, thermal spa owners, even cookery teachers.
Together, we have created a special inclusive one-week program to offer you a taste of Romagna which incorporates accommodation, meals, wine, olive oil and specialty food tastings, daily programmes of activities and visits designed to enable you to enjoy Romagna at its sensational best from just $1500.
As ‘temporary citizens’ rather than detached tourists, Best of Romagna guests enjoy a treasure-chest of fascinating opportunities. You will be able to experience UNESCO World Heritage Byzantine Ravenna and Venetian Cesenatico, You will also be able to experience Romagna’s legacy of stunningly beautiful hills and valleys, medieval castles and some of its fabulous vistas.
And you'll experience amazing food and wine … cheeses like Squacquerone and Fossa, local wines such as Sangiovese DOC and Albana DOCG and olive oils, rare-breed prosciuttos, pickles, preserves and honeys…and fabulous fresh pasta made daily, of course. You will surely get passionate about these seasonal, fresh, treasured handcrafted products – and recipes you’ll certainly take with you and want to prepare at home.
Our Itinerary in the ‘Heart of Italy’
Day 1 Friday – Welcome to Bologna
Arrive Bologna. Depending on our arrival time there will be an opportunity for an early evening walking tour of this colourful medieval city. One of Italy's richest cities, Bologna is famous for its 3,000 year history, its world's oldest university, its miles of covered arcades and lovely squares, fabulous art and architecture - but above all, its FOOD and FUN. We’ll stay overnight in a specially-selected 3 or 4 star city-center hotel such as the family-run Touring Hotel with its warm atmosphere, lovely breakfast and sensational rooftop terrace with panoramic view of Bologna.
Day 2 Saturday - Welcome to the feast!
Bologna is a food city that awakes early so we’ll start the day with a breakfast-time tour and avoid the crowds of day trippers! It’s not for nothing that Bologna is known as ‘Fat City’ It is the food capital of Italy (and therefore the world?!) The ancient Mercato di Mezzo and the food shops, café’s and restaurants around it, all in the medieval quarter, are astonishing homes to intoxicating taste, scent and aroma which pervades the whole area and heightens appetites. Naturally our full-on guided visit will include many tastes!
Next our eyes will feast on the best of this rich, fabulous city including the Piazza Maggiore, the, Podestà Palace, Neptune’s Fountain, King Enzo’s Palace and the extraordinary Sala Borsa library…We’ll admire the enormous Basilica of Saint Petronio we’ll even visit the first seat of the world’s first university, the University of Bologna, Archiginnasio and its famous Anatomical Theater. And we’ll see Bologna’s gothic Merchants’ Palace, the Seven Churches Complex of Saint Steven’s Basilica, and meet Asinelli and Garisenda, Bologna’s famous leaning Towers.
After a very full morning, around midday we'll leave Bologna towards the country on the historic Via Emilia to Romagna.
First stop is a visit to the superb internationally-rated organic Zuffa Vineyard and take a wine tasting in the open air, between vines. After this delightful visit, we will see the painted city of Dozza with its fabulous castle and wine heritage. Then, we'll take the short journey to the hilltop castle-town of Longiano for dinner and overnight at Alloggio San Girolamo or Casa Grilli (or a similar high grade country-house style accommodation) and enjoy the atmosphere and stunning views. Then another taste of great Romagnolo food and wine - a special welcome dinner at the Ristorante Dei Cantoni.
Arrive Bologna. Depending on our arrival time there will be an opportunity for an early evening walking tour of this colourful medieval city. One of Italy's richest cities, Bologna is famous for its 3,000 year history, its world's oldest university, its miles of covered arcades and lovely squares, fabulous art and architecture - but above all, its FOOD and FUN. We’ll stay overnight in a specially-selected 3 or 4 star city-center hotel such as the family-run Touring Hotel with its warm atmosphere, lovely breakfast and sensational rooftop terrace with panoramic view of Bologna.
Day 2 Saturday - Welcome to the feast!
Bologna is a food city that awakes early so we’ll start the day with a breakfast-time tour and avoid the crowds of day trippers! It’s not for nothing that Bologna is known as ‘Fat City’ It is the food capital of Italy (and therefore the world?!) The ancient Mercato di Mezzo and the food shops, café’s and restaurants around it, all in the medieval quarter, are astonishing homes to intoxicating taste, scent and aroma which pervades the whole area and heightens appetites. Naturally our full-on guided visit will include many tastes!
Next our eyes will feast on the best of this rich, fabulous city including the Piazza Maggiore, the, Podestà Palace, Neptune’s Fountain, King Enzo’s Palace and the extraordinary Sala Borsa library…We’ll admire the enormous Basilica of Saint Petronio we’ll even visit the first seat of the world’s first university, the University of Bologna, Archiginnasio and its famous Anatomical Theater. And we’ll see Bologna’s gothic Merchants’ Palace, the Seven Churches Complex of Saint Steven’s Basilica, and meet Asinelli and Garisenda, Bologna’s famous leaning Towers.
After a very full morning, around midday we'll leave Bologna towards the country on the historic Via Emilia to Romagna.
First stop is a visit to the superb internationally-rated organic Zuffa Vineyard and take a wine tasting in the open air, between vines. After this delightful visit, we will see the painted city of Dozza with its fabulous castle and wine heritage. Then, we'll take the short journey to the hilltop castle-town of Longiano for dinner and overnight at Alloggio San Girolamo or Casa Grilli (or a similar high grade country-house style accommodation) and enjoy the atmosphere and stunning views. Then another taste of great Romagnolo food and wine - a special welcome dinner at the Ristorante Dei Cantoni.
Day 3 Sunday – Enjoy the Tastes of Romagna
After a relaxed home-cooked breakfast, we'll take a short tour of lovely Longiano, seeing the fabulous medieval castle with its extraordinary views and great modern art collection, then enjoying the fabulous jewel-box theatre Petrella with its museum of masks. Off then to Santarcangelo di Romagna for a visit of this fairytale hilltop city and something really special – a visit to Mutonia
. Then, we'll visit the 500 year old Olive Grove at Locanda della Luna and enjoy a taste of olives and olive oil presented by the 17th generation of the owning Turchi family. After, we'll cross the valley to the stunning Villa Venti where we'll taste the unique Mora Romagnola prosciuttos and salamis, plus the sensational cheeses of Renato Brancaleoni. With these delicacies we'll savor the superb organic wines Mauro and his family create in this wonderful vineyard.
All before a great dinner at the Ristorante Dei Cantoni.
After a relaxed home-cooked breakfast, we'll take a short tour of lovely Longiano, seeing the fabulous medieval castle with its extraordinary views and great modern art collection, then enjoying the fabulous jewel-box theatre Petrella with its museum of masks. Off then to Santarcangelo di Romagna for a visit of this fairytale hilltop city and something really special – a visit to Mutonia
. Then, we'll visit the 500 year old Olive Grove at Locanda della Luna and enjoy a taste of olives and olive oil presented by the 17th generation of the owning Turchi family. After, we'll cross the valley to the stunning Villa Venti where we'll taste the unique Mora Romagnola prosciuttos and salamis, plus the sensational cheeses of Renato Brancaleoni. With these delicacies we'll savor the superb organic wines Mauro and his family create in this wonderful vineyard.
All before a great dinner at the Ristorante Dei Cantoni.
Day 4 Monday- Mosaics and da Vinci's Seaside Day
After breakfast we'll visit Cesenatico for a stroll in its delightful Venetian-style port, designed by Leonardo da Vinci for his patron Cesare Borgia. We'll take a fabulous lunch at La Casina followed by a visit (including entrances) to glorious Ravenna with Cinzia . This world heritage city, three times capital (of the Western Roman Empire, of Theodoric King of the Goths, and of the Byzantine Empire) is full of marvelous mosaics and stunning 1500 year old basilicas Return to Longiano for dinner and overnight.
Day 5 Tuesday - Renaissance Day – Florence by scenic train
Today we’ll start with a glorious scenic experience. We’ll leave very early and drive to Faenza to take the little train to the heart of Florence. The train starts from Faenza and climbs up the hills, crossing little medieval towns such as Brisighella (famous for its superb olive oil), Marradi (famous or its ancient sweet chestnut trees, being of the highest quality), Borgo San Lorenzo (with its age-old vineyards and olive groves, thousand-year-old churches, ancient farmhouses and geometrically laid out vegetable gardens) and goes along wild landscapes with stunning forests, streams and rivers - the best experience you can get travelling to Florence.
In Florence, after this scenic journey, there will be the possibility to get a brunch or lunch at the foodie Central Market, a guided tour to the main monuments, and take a stroll through this beautiful city of art.
We’ll leave Florence in the early evening for our return journey to Faenza. A special dinner will be arranged at the fabulous new Spadoni restaurant – a homage to the best in Romagna food and drink and thence to Longiano for overnight.
Day 6 Wednesday– Well Being Day
All the week, we have enjoyed truly natural, local, fresh food, wine and sights. Today is the day to take care of your whole body and mind - our special relaxation and wellness day. Subject to availability, our own preferences, and, of course the weather, we’ll have the option to take an extra experience (surcharge) to follow a guided walk in the glorious hills, take a mountain bike or horse ride, take a yoga class in a stunning location, join in an olive or grape harvest OR take an afternoon tour to visit an artisan ceramicist in the lovely historic art and ceramic city of Faenza and a drive in Faenza’s gypsum hills to the ancient olive oil, wine and honey hilltown of Brisighella. Dinner and overnight in Longiano.
After breakfast we'll visit Cesenatico for a stroll in its delightful Venetian-style port, designed by Leonardo da Vinci for his patron Cesare Borgia. We'll take a fabulous lunch at La Casina followed by a visit (including entrances) to glorious Ravenna with Cinzia . This world heritage city, three times capital (of the Western Roman Empire, of Theodoric King of the Goths, and of the Byzantine Empire) is full of marvelous mosaics and stunning 1500 year old basilicas Return to Longiano for dinner and overnight.
Day 5 Tuesday - Renaissance Day – Florence by scenic train
Today we’ll start with a glorious scenic experience. We’ll leave very early and drive to Faenza to take the little train to the heart of Florence. The train starts from Faenza and climbs up the hills, crossing little medieval towns such as Brisighella (famous for its superb olive oil), Marradi (famous or its ancient sweet chestnut trees, being of the highest quality), Borgo San Lorenzo (with its age-old vineyards and olive groves, thousand-year-old churches, ancient farmhouses and geometrically laid out vegetable gardens) and goes along wild landscapes with stunning forests, streams and rivers - the best experience you can get travelling to Florence.
In Florence, after this scenic journey, there will be the possibility to get a brunch or lunch at the foodie Central Market, a guided tour to the main monuments, and take a stroll through this beautiful city of art.
We’ll leave Florence in the early evening for our return journey to Faenza. A special dinner will be arranged at the fabulous new Spadoni restaurant – a homage to the best in Romagna food and drink and thence to Longiano for overnight.
Day 6 Wednesday– Well Being Day
All the week, we have enjoyed truly natural, local, fresh food, wine and sights. Today is the day to take care of your whole body and mind - our special relaxation and wellness day. Subject to availability, our own preferences, and, of course the weather, we’ll have the option to take an extra experience (surcharge) to follow a guided walk in the glorious hills, take a mountain bike or horse ride, take a yoga class in a stunning location, join in an olive or grape harvest OR take an afternoon tour to visit an artisan ceramicist in the lovely historic art and ceramic city of Faenza and a drive in Faenza’s gypsum hills to the ancient olive oil, wine and honey hilltown of Brisighella. Dinner and overnight in Longiano.
Day 7 Thursday – La Serenissima – Venice (or rest) Day*
On our (optional extra) day excursion, we'll have the chance to experience this incredible place of history and romance. St Marks Square, Rialto Bridge, the Grand Canal, gondolas, shops and much much more.
We’ll leave very early and travel via the ancient via Popilia to the outskirts of Venice – and an extraordinary way to arrive in the city. We’ll start at the ancient seaport of Chioggia from where we’ll take the boat across the lagoon to the island of Pellestrina , here we’ll take a coach across the island and another boat to the island of Venice Lido .
From here we’ll make our glorious entrance by Vaporetto water bus across the main lagoon to the Grand Canal and past Venice’s main sights, churches, palaces, glorious colorful sights. At the Rialto Bridge we’ll commence our walking tour of discovery all the way to St Mark’s Square where a fish feast lunch is included with Adriatic specialties and a special optional gondola ride will be organized. Plenty of time explore in the afternoon after which we'll return to Longiano for overnight.
On our (optional extra) day excursion, we'll have the chance to experience this incredible place of history and romance. St Marks Square, Rialto Bridge, the Grand Canal, gondolas, shops and much much more.
We’ll leave very early and travel via the ancient via Popilia to the outskirts of Venice – and an extraordinary way to arrive in the city. We’ll start at the ancient seaport of Chioggia from where we’ll take the boat across the lagoon to the island of Pellestrina , here we’ll take a coach across the island and another boat to the island of Venice Lido .
From here we’ll make our glorious entrance by Vaporetto water bus across the main lagoon to the Grand Canal and past Venice’s main sights, churches, palaces, glorious colorful sights. At the Rialto Bridge we’ll commence our walking tour of discovery all the way to St Mark’s Square where a fish feast lunch is included with Adriatic specialties and a special optional gondola ride will be organized. Plenty of time explore in the afternoon after which we'll return to Longiano for overnight.
Day 8 Friday - Cooking Day**
Either rest and relax in lovely Longiano or… Depart after breakfast for a really special (optional extra) full day event!
Ever wanted to learn to cook REAL Italian? Casa Artusi "The Best Cookery School in Italy" is the place. In this foundation created to honor Pellegrino Artusi, the father of Italian Cookery - you will learn to make at least seven different sorts of pasta (including local specialties). In the fully-equipped cookery school, each participant will have the services of an assistant and their own work-station. After this life-enhancing experience we will enjoy a superb lunch of local specialties – plus the pasta that we have created. At the end of the session, we’ll have presented to us, our hand-made Casa Artusi apron together with our certificate for concluding the cookery course.
We’ll then travel up to the lovely wine-village of Bertinoro and visit the historic vineyard of at Fattoria Paradiso - the most historic vineyard in Romagna. Dinner and overnight in Longiano.
Here we’ll tour the fabulous hillside estate, the medieval merchant’s house and the vineyard, after we’ll enjoy some local cheese, local olive oils and bread, plus of course we’ll taste over six of Fattoria Paradiso’s superb wines including those created for various Popes and presidents.
Without any doubt, this will be the highlight of your trip! Return to Longiano for dinner and overnight.
Day 9 Saturday - Homeward Bound or?
Return to Bologna OR why not stay a little longer in Paradise?
Please note: Tour prices are based on groups of a minimum number of 10 participants and on twin bedded/double room accommodation. There is a single room supplement of $300 per person. All prices may change up until the time of booking. Itineraries may change due to operational circumstances.
*Venice day excursion includes: Guide/tour manager, return transportation to Chioggia, boat and coach transport around Venice Lagoon to Venice Lido, vaporetto water boat journey along the Grand Canal, lunch in Venice, short walking tour of Venice, Venice pack. Cost $200
** Cooking day excursion includes: Transportation, guide/tour manager, hands-on cookery class learning to create at least seven different sorts of pasta from scratch – all with a great chef and personal assistance, lunch of local specialties plus the pasta made on the course, hand made Casa Artusi apron to take home, personal certificate, visit to Bertinoro and tour of Fattoria Paradiso vineyard, wine tasting of at least 5 wines. Cost $200
Departure dates 2018:
March 30
April 6, 13, 20, 27
May 4, 11, 18, 25
June 1
September 7, 14, 21, 28
October 5, 12, 19, 26
See a little more about Romagna with our video about Longiano, our video about wine tastings, our video about Ravenna and Cesenatico and our video about Casa Artusi and Fattoria Paradiso
Please note: Tour prices are based on groups of a minimum number of 10 participants and on twin bed/double room accommodation. There is a single room supplement of $300 per person. All prices may change up until the time of booking. Itineraries may change due to operational circumstances.
About the Best of Romagna - read our story HERE
Romagna away from the coast is a very un-touristy place. Unlike its near neighbors Tuscany and the Veneto, in Romagna foreign (particularly English-speaking) visitors are unusual. Here you will be treated as a guest - not a tourist!
So that you may enjoy your visit to the full, we run your experience not as a package tour but more like a group of friends having an adventure on a visit to a new and very special place. In this way we believe you will have a glorious, very different and natural experience. The fact is that Romagna’s wonderful hinterland has not become jaded by mass tourism – and we aim to keep it that way,
Everybody you will meet here is passionate about their homeland, its beauty and its enormous larder of local, seasonal food and wine. Everybody you will meet here is enormously proud of their history, culture and above all their diligent and heartfelt hospitality.
We sincerely believe that you will find treasure here in Romagna - treasure that can only come from open hearts with the willingness to share an unbelievably enormous heritage.
By the time you leave our aim is to help you, like us and all f our other guests to be passionate about Romagna and count the days ‘til you return!
Want to know more contact us:
M: +44 7710 173005 Skype: valeretjolle Whatsapp: +44 7710 173005
E: welcome@bestofromagna.com W: http://www.bestofromagna.com F: http://www.facebook.com/bestofromagna
Please note: Tour prices are based on groups of a minimum number of 10 participants and on twin bed/double room accommodation. There is a single room supplement of $300 per person. All prices may change up until the time of booking. Itineraries may change due to operational circumstances.
About the Best of Romagna - read our story HERE
Romagna away from the coast is a very un-touristy place. Unlike its near neighbors Tuscany and the Veneto, in Romagna foreign (particularly English-speaking) visitors are unusual. Here you will be treated as a guest - not a tourist!
So that you may enjoy your visit to the full, we run your experience not as a package tour but more like a group of friends having an adventure on a visit to a new and very special place. In this way we believe you will have a glorious, very different and natural experience. The fact is that Romagna’s wonderful hinterland has not become jaded by mass tourism – and we aim to keep it that way,
Everybody you will meet here is passionate about their homeland, its beauty and its enormous larder of local, seasonal food and wine. Everybody you will meet here is enormously proud of their history, culture and above all their diligent and heartfelt hospitality.
We sincerely believe that you will find treasure here in Romagna - treasure that can only come from open hearts with the willingness to share an unbelievably enormous heritage.
By the time you leave our aim is to help you, like us and all f our other guests to be passionate about Romagna and count the days ‘til you return!
Want to know more contact us:
M: +44 7710 173005 Skype: valeretjolle Whatsapp: +44 7710 173005
E: welcome@bestofromagna.com W: http://www.bestofromagna.com F: http://www.facebook.com/bestofromagna
