We really believe that Romagna is a very special and different place that you and your friends will adore and where you will enjoy a unique and simply beautiful experience.
Although Romagna has a vast cornucopia of great food and wine, hilltop castles with extraordinary views, sublime art, history and architecture that go back to the renaissance, (and much further to when Ravenna was capital of the western Roman Empire in 500ad) – it has another really important aspect that you feel everywhere you go.
Whether you’re shopping or eating, walking or talking, here you can always expect old-fashioned courtesy, kindness and care. Here you can feel totally relaxed in the knowledge that your visit is really important and worthwhile. In Romagna you are not just another tourist as you may be in many places – here you are indeed a treasured guest.
Italy's heart - the historic region of Romagna (between Venice and Florence, the Apennines and the Adriatic) - has been recently rated as one of the world's top 100 Green Destinations for very good reason – it offers visitors experiences that really warm their hearts.
Although Romagna has a vast cornucopia of great food and wine, hilltop castles with extraordinary views, sublime art, history and architecture that go back to the renaissance, (and much further to when Ravenna was capital of the western Roman Empire in 500ad) – it has another really important aspect that you feel everywhere you go.
Whether you’re shopping or eating, walking or talking, here you can always expect old-fashioned courtesy, kindness and care. Here you can feel totally relaxed in the knowledge that your visit is really important and worthwhile. In Romagna you are not just another tourist as you may be in many places – here you are indeed a treasured guest.
Italy's heart - the historic region of Romagna (between Venice and Florence, the Apennines and the Adriatic) - has been recently rated as one of the world's top 100 Green Destinations for very good reason – it offers visitors experiences that really warm their hearts.
As an introduction to this unique area we have arranged a number of specially-priced Spring and Fall offers for 2017. The 8-day itinerary for small groups will cost from just $1,400 per person, and there are very special deals for your own group.
Romagna is just as lovely as famous, full, touristy, expensive Tuscany, its near neighbor, and in our view the food and wine and scenery are all better. We say it's "Close to, but better than, Tuscany"
There are no tourist hordes in Romagna so prices are lower, quality is better and your welcome more genuinely hospitable. Your holiday $ goes much, much further and you get a much more personal experience.
If you are looking for great local and authentic Italian food, wine, art, culture and hospitality - at reasonable prices, 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.
"Romagna is Italy's Best Kept Secret" said noted US food and wine writer Janice Nieder: read her article HERE
Romagna is just as lovely as famous, full, touristy, expensive Tuscany, its near neighbor, and in our view the food and wine and scenery are all better. We say it's "Close to, but better than, Tuscany"
There are no tourist hordes in Romagna so prices are lower, quality is better and your welcome more genuinely hospitable. Your holiday $ goes much, much further and you get a much more personal experience.
If you are looking for great local and authentic Italian food, wine, art, culture and hospitality - at reasonable prices, 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.
"Romagna is Italy's Best Kept Secret" said noted US food and wine writer Janice Nieder: read her article HERE
SPECIAL ITINERARY FOR SPRING & FALL 2017
Our team of specially-selected local co-operators include not only warm welcoming hosts, 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, fascinating daily activities and visits designed to enable you to enjoy Romagna at its sensational best from just $1,400.
Our team of specially-selected local co-operators include not only warm welcoming hosts, 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, fascinating daily activities and visits designed to enable you to enjoy Romagna at its sensational best from just $1,400.
Best of Romagna guests enjoy a treasure-chest of fascinating opportunities. You will be able to experience UNESCO World Heritage Byzantine Ravenna, da Vinci's Cesenatico, and soaring San Marino, You'll be able to learn to cook Italian at one of Italy's top cookery schools, amongst much more. You will also be able to experience Romagna’s cherished legacy of stunningly beautiful hills and valleys, medieval castles and its fabulous vistas.
You and your friends will experience amazing food and wine … cheeses like Squacquerone and Fossa, local wines such as Sangiovese DOC and Albana DOCG and olive oils, unique 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.
We are very much looking forward to welcoming you.
Here is our specially-designed tour to enable you to discover the unexpected through Romagna’s natural food, wine, hospitality and sights...
We are very much looking forward to welcoming you.
Here is our specially-designed tour to enable you to discover the unexpected through Romagna’s natural food, wine, hospitality and sights...
Undiscovered Italy – food & wine, culture and wellbeing holidays
Small group tour 8 days, 7 nights. .. the Best of Romagna
Included Highlights
3 fabulous vineyard wine tastings: Tastings of local breads, prosciuttos, salamis, cheeses and olive oils; Top cookery class; Visits to Bologna, San Marino, and Ravenna; Artisan outlet shopping; 6 superb meals with wine; 1 night city centre Bologna; 6 nights superb Italian country house accommodation; All designed as a natural life-enhancing experience.
Plus: 'Introduction to the Best of Romagna' Pre-tour information, Welcome pack and aperitivo meeting.
Just $1,400 per person.
Day 1 Saturday
Arrival at Bologna transfer to hotel. Depending on 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. Aperitivo welcome meeting. Overnight in a specially-selected 3 or 4 star city-center hotel.
Day 2 Sunday - Welcome to Romagna
We'll leave Bologna 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 Locanda della Luna (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 Monday - Shopping & Sights Day
First stop on today's journey of exploration - and delights - is the ancient artisan print works of Pascucci where they still create designs, make wooden blocks and their traditional dyes, and have printed wonderful materials since 1826. Here we'll take a tour of the works and have an opportunity to purchase at outlet prices. Next, we'll visit the renowned fashion house of Campomaggi. Romagna is traditionally an area where, for generations, many skilled artisans made exquisite goods for big top global brands, Campomaggi, a top-notch local company, provides an insight into these age-old techniques and an opportunity to buy truly beautiful handcrafted items. The rest of our day will be spent in the tiny mountaintop republic of San Marino. A deeply-historic UNESCO world heritage site with glorious views, cobbled streets and a fascinating range of delightful boutiques (all with duty-free offers!), San Marino has an experience for everyone. There will be a guided tour and time for lunch. Tonight we’ll take a superb dinner with a scenic view in Verucchio at the Rocca restaurant then return to Longiano for a restful overnight.
Day 4 Tuesday - Cooking Day
Ever wanted to learn to cook REAL Italian? Casa Artusi is THE place. In this foundation, created to honour Pellegrino Artusi, the father of Italian Cookery, you will learn to cook and eat the very best and most delicious of Italian cuisine. Today's fabulous cookery experience includes a morning cookery course and afternoon wine tasting in the ancient hilltop wine center of Bertinoro at Fattoria Paradiso - the most historic vineyard in Romagna. Dinner and overnight in Longiano.
Day 5 Wednesday - Mosaics and the 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. Yet another delight is still in store today, a fabulous dinner at a new center of excellence of local Romagna cuisine – Casa Spadoni in Faenza
Day 6 Thursday - Tasting Day
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. 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. Off then to Santarcangelo di Romagna for a visit of this fairytale hilltop city and something really special.
Day 7 Friday - Wellbeing 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. We’ll have the option to follow a guided walk in the glorious hills, take a mountain bike or horse ride, or take a yoga class in a stunning location.
Day 8 Saturday
Return to Bologna OR stay a bit longer and take a tour extension – see below…
Price: US$1,400 per person only available for groups of 10+ (flights not included)
Departures ex Bologna 2017: March 25 through 3 June; September 2 through November 11.
PLEASE NOTE THESE GROUP ARRANGEMENTS ARE ONLY AVAILABLE THROUGH TRAVEL AGENTS OR GROUP ORGANISERS.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION EMAIL TravelAgents@BestofRomagna.com
OR VISIT BestofRomagna.com
Small group tour 8 days, 7 nights. .. the Best of Romagna
Included Highlights
3 fabulous vineyard wine tastings: Tastings of local breads, prosciuttos, salamis, cheeses and olive oils; Top cookery class; Visits to Bologna, San Marino, and Ravenna; Artisan outlet shopping; 6 superb meals with wine; 1 night city centre Bologna; 6 nights superb Italian country house accommodation; All designed as a natural life-enhancing experience.
Plus: 'Introduction to the Best of Romagna' Pre-tour information, Welcome pack and aperitivo meeting.
Just $1,400 per person.
Day 1 Saturday
Arrival at Bologna transfer to hotel. Depending on 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. Aperitivo welcome meeting. Overnight in a specially-selected 3 or 4 star city-center hotel.
Day 2 Sunday - Welcome to Romagna
We'll leave Bologna 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 Locanda della Luna (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 Monday - Shopping & Sights Day
First stop on today's journey of exploration - and delights - is the ancient artisan print works of Pascucci where they still create designs, make wooden blocks and their traditional dyes, and have printed wonderful materials since 1826. Here we'll take a tour of the works and have an opportunity to purchase at outlet prices. Next, we'll visit the renowned fashion house of Campomaggi. Romagna is traditionally an area where, for generations, many skilled artisans made exquisite goods for big top global brands, Campomaggi, a top-notch local company, provides an insight into these age-old techniques and an opportunity to buy truly beautiful handcrafted items. The rest of our day will be spent in the tiny mountaintop republic of San Marino. A deeply-historic UNESCO world heritage site with glorious views, cobbled streets and a fascinating range of delightful boutiques (all with duty-free offers!), San Marino has an experience for everyone. There will be a guided tour and time for lunch. Tonight we’ll take a superb dinner with a scenic view in Verucchio at the Rocca restaurant then return to Longiano for a restful overnight.
Day 4 Tuesday - Cooking Day
Ever wanted to learn to cook REAL Italian? Casa Artusi is THE place. In this foundation, created to honour Pellegrino Artusi, the father of Italian Cookery, you will learn to cook and eat the very best and most delicious of Italian cuisine. Today's fabulous cookery experience includes a morning cookery course and afternoon wine tasting in the ancient hilltop wine center of Bertinoro at Fattoria Paradiso - the most historic vineyard in Romagna. Dinner and overnight in Longiano.
Day 5 Wednesday - Mosaics and the 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. Yet another delight is still in store today, a fabulous dinner at a new center of excellence of local Romagna cuisine – Casa Spadoni in Faenza
Day 6 Thursday - Tasting Day
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. 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. Off then to Santarcangelo di Romagna for a visit of this fairytale hilltop city and something really special.
Day 7 Friday - Wellbeing 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. We’ll have the option to follow a guided walk in the glorious hills, take a mountain bike or horse ride, or take a yoga class in a stunning location.
Day 8 Saturday
Return to Bologna OR stay a bit longer and take a tour extension – see below…
Price: US$1,400 per person only available for groups of 10+ (flights not included)
Departures ex Bologna 2017: March 25 through 3 June; September 2 through November 11.
PLEASE NOTE THESE GROUP ARRANGEMENTS ARE ONLY AVAILABLE THROUGH TRAVEL AGENTS OR GROUP ORGANISERS.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION EMAIL TravelAgents@BestofRomagna.com
OR VISIT BestofRomagna.com
TOUR EXTENSIONS:
Walking the romantic castles of Romagna
Walking the castles of Romagna (8 days 7 nights) Walking Extension
As an Extension to the Best of Romagna 8 day tour or as a stand-alone small group event
Included Highlights: Visits to some of the most romantic castles and castle-towns in Italy: Walks along the enchanting Marecchia Valley with a qualified walking guide: Local produce-style deli-picnics on certain days: Superb dinners every day with wine: Comfortable accommodation in local hostelries: Visits to many unexplored gems of Italian culture and history: congenial walks in good company – not too strenuous: All designed as a natural life-enhancing experience, bags transported. As an extension to the Best of Romagna 8 day tour or as a stand-alone small group event.
Day 1 - Transfer to Santarcangelo di Romagna dinner & overnight
Perched on a hilltop (called Mons Jovis – Mount of Jove) Santarcangelo has a valid claim to be both the heart of Romagna and the source of the Sangiovese grape. As a Slow City with a number of fine restaurants it is certainly the area’s culinary capital. With Etruscan origins, Santarcangelo is riddled with grottoes which are now mainly used to store superb local wines. Walking the city with its lovely buildings, squares and palaces is a relaxing delight.
Day 2 - Walk from Santarcangelo to Verucchio dinner & overnight (12 km)
Morning post-breakfast stroll in Santarcangelo, followed by the walk through fields to the stunning and historic hilltop town of Verucchio. It is from here that the Malatesta clan came to dominate Romagna for hundreds of years, provide the raw material for stories in Dante’s Divine Comedy and create literally hundreds of castles. Apart from the soaring Malatesta castle, the town also boasts a substantial Villanovan/Etruscan museum.
Day 3 - Walk from Verucchio to San Leo dinner & overnight (17 km)
We are now in the Marecchia Valley within sight of the many atmospheric hilltop castles in the area. Today we will walk from one castle to the other on an ancient path. Naturally we will take a stop for a picnic lunch of seasonal local produce to rest on our journey and admire the views. By late this afternoon we will have climbed to soaring San Leo with its cathedral and Martini Tower, once a pilgrimage site and later famous for imprisoning the alchemist Calliostro after whom an international festival ‘Alchemia’ is held.
Day 4 - Walks around San Leo dinner & overnight
A day of resting and rambling in the byways around lovely San Leo. There will also be time to explore the many places of interest in the town and around including the splendid 12th century cathedral which replaces the Roman temple of Jupiter previously on the site. A visit can also be made to the important fortress and equally important town square outdoor café!
Day 5 - Walk San Leo to Sant’Agata Feltria dinner & overnight (21 km)
The longest walk of the week takes us along the scenic Marecchia valley with sensational views, lots more castles and a lovely picnic lunch to the picture-perfect hilltop castle-town of Sant’Agata Feltria. The lovely town is famous for its yearly truffle festival, its Christmas celebrations, its main square with a pretty wooden theatre and its soaring castle now full of European fairytales.
Day 6 - Walk Sant’Agata Feltria to Pennabilli dinner & overnight (11 km)
After breakfast, we’ll take a stroll around the town before embarking on our lovely walk via the tiny castle of Petrella Guidi and the Marecchia valley to our second cathedral town - Pennabilli. This lovely hilltop was the retirement choice of famous Romagnolo poet, scriptwriter and artist Tonino Guerra who had much to do in making the town a great place to enjoy. Noted visitors included the Dalai Lama who inaugurated many of the small meditation parks, there is an orchard of forgotten fruits, a museum of calculus, and truly fabulous walks.
Day 7 - Walks around Pennabilli dinner & overnight
We’ll have a full day to explore Pennabilli and the area including local rambles and a visit to the natural park of Sasso Simone.
Day 8 - Transfer to Bologna
Today we’ll leave Pennabilli for Bologna. A stop will be made to the superb internationally-rated organic Zuffa Vineyard and take a wine tasting in the open air, between vines prior to arriving at Bologna.
Walking the castles of Romagna (8 days 7 nights) minimum 4 people includes experienced walking guide, transfer of baggage from accommodation to accommodation 7 nights dinner bed and breakfast accommodation (meals with local wine/soft drinks), picnics on full day walks, return transfers from central Bologna or as an extension to the 8 day Romagna tour. Cost $1900 per person Single Room supplement $300
PLEASE NOTE THESE GROUP ARRANGEMENTS ARE ONLY AVAILABLE THROUGH TRAVEL AGENTS OR GROUP ORGANISERS.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION EMAIL TravelAgents@BestofRomagna.com
OR VISIT BestofRomagna.com
- Venice, Florence and Rome: are all within a couple of hours by train – we will be happy to create tailor-made extensions to these destinations.
Walking the romantic castles of Romagna
Walking the castles of Romagna (8 days 7 nights) Walking Extension
As an Extension to the Best of Romagna 8 day tour or as a stand-alone small group event
Included Highlights: Visits to some of the most romantic castles and castle-towns in Italy: Walks along the enchanting Marecchia Valley with a qualified walking guide: Local produce-style deli-picnics on certain days: Superb dinners every day with wine: Comfortable accommodation in local hostelries: Visits to many unexplored gems of Italian culture and history: congenial walks in good company – not too strenuous: All designed as a natural life-enhancing experience, bags transported. As an extension to the Best of Romagna 8 day tour or as a stand-alone small group event.
Day 1 - Transfer to Santarcangelo di Romagna dinner & overnight
Perched on a hilltop (called Mons Jovis – Mount of Jove) Santarcangelo has a valid claim to be both the heart of Romagna and the source of the Sangiovese grape. As a Slow City with a number of fine restaurants it is certainly the area’s culinary capital. With Etruscan origins, Santarcangelo is riddled with grottoes which are now mainly used to store superb local wines. Walking the city with its lovely buildings, squares and palaces is a relaxing delight.
Day 2 - Walk from Santarcangelo to Verucchio dinner & overnight (12 km)
Morning post-breakfast stroll in Santarcangelo, followed by the walk through fields to the stunning and historic hilltop town of Verucchio. It is from here that the Malatesta clan came to dominate Romagna for hundreds of years, provide the raw material for stories in Dante’s Divine Comedy and create literally hundreds of castles. Apart from the soaring Malatesta castle, the town also boasts a substantial Villanovan/Etruscan museum.
Day 3 - Walk from Verucchio to San Leo dinner & overnight (17 km)
We are now in the Marecchia Valley within sight of the many atmospheric hilltop castles in the area. Today we will walk from one castle to the other on an ancient path. Naturally we will take a stop for a picnic lunch of seasonal local produce to rest on our journey and admire the views. By late this afternoon we will have climbed to soaring San Leo with its cathedral and Martini Tower, once a pilgrimage site and later famous for imprisoning the alchemist Calliostro after whom an international festival ‘Alchemia’ is held.
Day 4 - Walks around San Leo dinner & overnight
A day of resting and rambling in the byways around lovely San Leo. There will also be time to explore the many places of interest in the town and around including the splendid 12th century cathedral which replaces the Roman temple of Jupiter previously on the site. A visit can also be made to the important fortress and equally important town square outdoor café!
Day 5 - Walk San Leo to Sant’Agata Feltria dinner & overnight (21 km)
The longest walk of the week takes us along the scenic Marecchia valley with sensational views, lots more castles and a lovely picnic lunch to the picture-perfect hilltop castle-town of Sant’Agata Feltria. The lovely town is famous for its yearly truffle festival, its Christmas celebrations, its main square with a pretty wooden theatre and its soaring castle now full of European fairytales.
Day 6 - Walk Sant’Agata Feltria to Pennabilli dinner & overnight (11 km)
After breakfast, we’ll take a stroll around the town before embarking on our lovely walk via the tiny castle of Petrella Guidi and the Marecchia valley to our second cathedral town - Pennabilli. This lovely hilltop was the retirement choice of famous Romagnolo poet, scriptwriter and artist Tonino Guerra who had much to do in making the town a great place to enjoy. Noted visitors included the Dalai Lama who inaugurated many of the small meditation parks, there is an orchard of forgotten fruits, a museum of calculus, and truly fabulous walks.
Day 7 - Walks around Pennabilli dinner & overnight
We’ll have a full day to explore Pennabilli and the area including local rambles and a visit to the natural park of Sasso Simone.
Day 8 - Transfer to Bologna
Today we’ll leave Pennabilli for Bologna. A stop will be made to the superb internationally-rated organic Zuffa Vineyard and take a wine tasting in the open air, between vines prior to arriving at Bologna.
Walking the castles of Romagna (8 days 7 nights) minimum 4 people includes experienced walking guide, transfer of baggage from accommodation to accommodation 7 nights dinner bed and breakfast accommodation (meals with local wine/soft drinks), picnics on full day walks, return transfers from central Bologna or as an extension to the 8 day Romagna tour. Cost $1900 per person Single Room supplement $300
PLEASE NOTE THESE GROUP ARRANGEMENTS ARE ONLY AVAILABLE THROUGH TRAVEL AGENTS OR GROUP ORGANISERS.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION EMAIL TravelAgents@BestofRomagna.com
OR VISIT BestofRomagna.com
