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Things to do in Emilia-Romagna

Our most recommended things to do in Emilia-Romagna

Ravenna: UNESCO Monuments and Mosaics Guided Tour

1. Ravenna: UNESCO Monuments and Mosaics Guided Tour

Marvel at the world-famous mosaics of Ravenna on a guided tour and learn all about their rich history. Enjoy tickets to 4 outstanding local landmarks and explore them in the company of an expert. Experience the best of the city in just one day with this insightful adventure. Starting from the convenient meeting point in Piazza San Francesco, journey through the streets of the city center with your guide to experience four incredible UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the Basilica of Sant'Apollinare Nuovo, the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, the Basilica of San Vitale, the Neonian Baptistery. You will have the opportunity to visit: The Basilica of Sant'Apollinare Nuovo: originally used as a Palatine Church of Arianism, today it allows us to reconstruct the evolution of Byzantine wall mosaics from the age of Theodoric to that of Justinian. The Basilica of San Vitale: one of the most important monuments of early Christian art in Italy. When you enter the basilica, your gaze is captured by the high spaces, the wonderful mosaic decorations of the apse and the extraordinary representation of the imperial couple of Byzantium: Justinian and Theodora, with their procession. The Mausoleum of Galla Placidia: it was built around the middle of the 5th century, at the behest of Galla Placidia, who ruled the Western Roman Empire. The innumerable stars of the dome have struck the imagination and sensitivity of visitors over the centuries, and of outstanding personalities such as the great poet Dante Alighieri, who drew inspiration from them for the writing of some verses of the Divine Comedy. The Neonian Baptistery: one of the oldest monuments of the city, made of simple brick on the outside but rich in marble, stucco, and mosaics of clear Hellenistic-Roman influence inside. At the end of the tour the guide will accompany you to the entrance of the Archbishop’s Museum, so that you can visit it independently, each according to their interests and timing. Inside, in addition to many archaeological finds and works of art, is kept the last of the 5 UNESCO monuments included in the ticket, the Chapel of Saint Andrew, which with its depiction of the glorification of Christ is the only example of early Christian archiepiscopal chapel still intact to this day.

Bologna: City Center Walking Tour

2. Bologna: City Center Walking Tour

Take a classic walking tour through the streets of the Bologna city center. With this guided tour, discover the history of Bologna and its major cultural attractions. Make stops at the Asinelli tower, Neptune fountain, and the Basilica of San Petronio. Meet your guide and walk through the city streets admiring the architecture and discovering the most-famous cultural attraction. See the towers of Bologna and marvel at their height and significance. Then, stroll through the Quadrilatero Market, and learn important historical facts. Make a wish at the Neptune fountain and see if it comes true. Then, gaze at the Basilica of San Petronio, as your guide shares its story and welcomes you into the city of Bologna.

Maranello: Ferrari Museum & Fiorano Track Combo Tour

3. Maranello: Ferrari Museum & Fiorano Track Combo Tour

Enrich your visit to Maranello with a combo tour of the Ferrari Museum, and factory, and take an exclusive panoramic shuttle tour inside the Fiorano track and along Viale Enzo Ferrari in Fabbrica. Follow your guide and discover the characteristics and contents of the Ferrari circuit, where racing and road cars have been tested since 1972, and of the Ferrari Citadel. Walk through the exhibition of the Prancing Horse, divided into two parts: one permanent and one temporary.  See the factory before heading to the Fiorano track to experience, which is used to carry out private tests, and take a bus while listening to the secrets and facts that the guide reveals.

Maranello and Modena: Ferrari Museums Combo Tickets

4. Maranello and Modena: Ferrari Museums Combo Tickets

Get a 2-in-1 combo ticket to visit the Maranello Ferrari Museum and the Modena Ferrari Museum. Explore the exhibitions of past and present in Maranello, then head 20km and discover Enzo Ferrari himself, in the museum in Modena. Begin with entry into the Maranello Museum, where your time of entry to Modena will be shared. Discover the special peculiarity of Maranello, that it is the home of Ferrari, one of the most prestigious car brands in the world. Get passionate about engines, and discover Italian excellence more closely among the Land of the Reds. Walk through the exhibition of the Prancing Horse, divided into two parts: one permanent and one temporary. Wander the Hall of Victories and learn of World Champions from 1999 to today. Travel 20km from Maranello to a futuristic building in the shape of a huge yellow car hood. Sheild your eyes from the bright and vibrant color that starkly contrasts its surrounding environment. Inside, there is a huge hall in which various temporary exhibitions are set up, and a small cinema where two rotating films dedicated to the life and history of Enzo Ferrari are projected. The museum is divided into five sectors: low fractionation engines, from 1 to 6 cylinders, that of the classic 12 cylinders, that of 8, turbos, and, finally, that of Formula 1. The path continues in the building in front of a huge pavilion, or into the workshop where Enzo's father worked, now perfectly restored. In addition, the Museum houses a shop that offers a wide range of official products and a bookstore that collects the most important Ferrari publications.

Maranello: Ferrari Museum Entrance Ticket

5. Maranello: Ferrari Museum Entrance Ticket

During your trip to Maranello discover the museum that is home to one of the most prestigious brands in the world, Ferrari. If you are passionate about engines, or simply want to discover the gold-standard of Italian excellence, be sure to take this exciting opportunity in the 'land of reds'. The Ferrari Museum is an exciting exhibition of the past, present and future of the Prancing Horse. During your visit you can experience both the permanent and temporary exhibitions that take place. You can also experience the evocative Hall of Victories in which the Ferrari World Champions from 1999 to today are exhibited.

From Parma: Parmigiano and Parma Ham Guided Food Tour

6. From Parma: Parmigiano and Parma Ham Guided Food Tour

Visit a traditional Parmigiano Reggiano cheese factory and learn the secrets of one of the most celebrated ingredients of Italy. Watch the cheese makers at work and taste some cheese with honey and local wine. See how the cheese – protected by the EU – is still produced following traditional methods. Watch the cheese makers pull the product from the milk vats and visit the shaping and salting rooms before going to the stagionatura where the cheese is aged. Savor the sight and smell of thousands of wheels of cheese. Then, taste the delicious cheese with some honey and local wine. After the cheese factory take a short drive to the Parma ham factory. Go to the cellar branding area and see where the meat is cooled, salted, and rested. Taste cold cuts with local wines. Visit an organic Parma ham farm and meet the producer. Finally, taste delicious Parma ham paired with a glass of Malvasia.

Maranello: Test Drive Ferrari 458

7. Maranello: Test Drive Ferrari 458

Don't miss the experience of driving a Ferrari through this lovely region, home of renowned car manufacturer Ferrari, which needs no introduction. Choose the duration of the drive around Maranello. An expert driving instructor will unveil the secrets of the amazing Ferrari. After a short tutorial, you can put the pedal to the metal and rev up the engine, reveling in the freedom of it all. Enjoy the speed (more than 325 km/h), power (570 CV at 9000 rpm), and acceleration (0-100 km/h in less than 3.4 seconds) of this beast as you slide into the driver's seat.

Pisa: Leaning Tower and Cathedral Skip-the-Line Tickets

8. Pisa: Leaning Tower and Cathedral Skip-the-Line Tickets

Explore two of Pisa’s key sites, the famous Leaning Tower and the historic Pisa Cathedral, without the wait and at a time that suits you. Skip the lines with a timed entry ticket to the Tower followed by quick access to the Cathedral. Collect your tickets at the Sinopie Museum before climbing the 55 meter high Leaning Tower of Pisa, an icon of European architecture that dates back to the 12th century. You’ll be able to take in the views over the city, the neighboring duomo and the rolling Tuscan hills from the top. Next, visit the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta. At nearly 1,000 years old, it is considered one of the finest examples of Pisan Romanesque architecture. Like the tower beside it, the Cathedral is sinking very slowly into the ground and you may be able to spot signs of this as you wander around.

Parma: Parmigiano Production and Parma Ham Tour & Tasting

9. Parma: Parmigiano Production and Parma Ham Tour & Tasting

Learn the secrets of some Italian specialties on a private tour of Parmigiano Reggiano and Prosciutto factories. Enjoy a hassle-free visit with pickup and drop-off from your hotel in Parma. The tour begins at 8:30 AM when the cheese makers pull the cheese from the milk vats. Watch the masters at work as you hear an overview of Parmigiano Reggiano's history from your local guide. Next, visit the seasoning/storage rooms where the cheese is brought for its last stage of production. At the end of the tour, try some different aged Parmigiano Reggiano and browse the on-site shop where you can purchase local products. After, head to the picturesque hills of Langhirano or Felino, which are home to Prosciutto di Parma Ham. The tour begins with a brief history of the production, followed by a visit to the "cold stage," where fresh meats are processed. Learn how the best meat is chosen and see the salting machinery and refrigeration/resting cells. Take a look in the seasoning chambers and savor the traditional ham aromas in the air. Learn about the "spillatura" and how only the best hams pass the test and are branded as the famed "Crown of Parma." Finally, enjoy a degustation of Parma ham accompanied by a glass of Malvasia, a sparkling white local wine. After the tasting, your guide will bring you to your hotel or accommodation.

Parma: Parmigiano-Reggiano Cheese Tour

10. Parma: Parmigiano-Reggiano Cheese Tour

Learn the origins of Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese throughout a visit to a cheese factory in Parma. Hear how this cheese, protected by the EU, is still produced following traditional methods. Exclusively made in the Zona Tipica of Parma, Reggio Emilia, Modena, and parts of Bologna and Mantova, Parmesan cheese dates back over 9 centuries. Watch the cheese makers pull the product from the milk vats, and get a behind-the-scenes look at the process of cooking and separating the whey. You'll then visit the shaping and salting rooms, before going to the stagionatura where the cheese is aged. Savor the sight and smell of thousands of wheels of cheese, and learn about the strict tests performed by the Consorzio, such as hammering the cheeses before the fire-branding ritual. Finally, taste the delicious cheese accompanied by some honey and local wine.

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What people are saying about Emilia-Romagna

Overall rating

4.4 / 5

based on 5,168 reviews

This class really was superb. Alessandra is extremely friendly, knowledgeable and patient also :) My wife and I had a great time making (and consuming) three different types of pasta along with some lovely sparkling wine. Alessandra also had a great 80s playlist playing in the background which I enjoyed very much :) We learned so much about Bologna, the origins behind the pasta we were making; I can't recommend Alessandra and the class itself highly enough.

the 2 guides were so amazing and beyond helpful. The tour guide in Pompeii was so knowledgeable and friendly. Would recommend this tour to all. Be prepared to Clear your calendar for the entire day and wear sneakers as there is a ton of walking and the old streets of Pompeii are not very forgiving on your ankles and knees.

Great tour of Bologna, the guide was so friendly and could go from Italian to English seamlessly. Really enjoyed it

Highly recommended, learned a lot. Mattia explained the process very well

Very well organized, 10/10 recommend!! Book it, worth every $ :)