This exclusive Emilia-Romagna food tour offers a comprehensive tasting journey that covers some of Italy’s finest culinary traditions. For $579.38 per person, travelers enjoy an 11-hour private experience departing from Florence, with visits to a Parmesan cheese factory, prosciutto factory, balsamic vinegar producer, and a winery. The tour is designed for those eager to learn about Italy’s artisanal food heritage, with guided tastings, traditional regional lunch, and round-trip transportation included.

The tour consistently earns high praise, with a 5.0-star rating based on 33 reviews, and 97% of participants recommend it. Guides like Angel, Paola, and Daria are noted for their knowledgeable, friendly, and professional approach. The experience is well-paced, emphasizing food education, authentic production methods, and scenic views, making it ideal for culinary enthusiasts and culture seekers alike.

A key consideration is the long driving hours, so travelers should be comfortable with a full day of touring. This tour suits those interested in gourmet foods, wine, and authentic Italian craftsmanship, and is especially popular 72 days in advance.

Key Points

Private, full-day food experience exploring Emilia-Romagna from Florence
Visits to Parmesan, prosciutto, balsamic vinegar, and winery with expert-guided tastings
Traditional regional lunch paired with balsamic vinegar at a scenic location
Round-trip transportation from Florence with pick-up at your accommodation
Highly-rated guides with extensive knowledge of local food production processes
Ideal for food lovers seeking an in-depth, authentic Italian culinary adventure

Emilia-Romagna’s Food Heritage in a Day

This 11-hour private tour from Florence offers a deep dive into Emilia-Romagna’s rich food culture. The experience begins early, with pickup from your Florence accommodation at 7am, and a scenic drive lasting about 1 hour and 45 minutes to reach the region’s key food sites. The focus is on high-quality, artisanal production, many of which use centuries-old methods.

Participants visit a cheese factory, a balsamic vinegar producer, a prosciutto factory, and a winery—each stop offering a unique insight into Italy’s culinary craftsmanship. The entire day is designed for educational tastings and culture, with private transportation ensuring comfort and convenience throughout.

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Visiting the Caseificio Bio Reggiani for Parmesan Secrets

The cheese factory visit at Caseificio Bio Reggiani is the first highlight. Here, parmesan cheese is made using traditional recipes and controlled conditions. Visitors observe cheese makers at work, witnessing the process from curdling to aging in the aging room, where rows of cheese wheels fill the air with their aroma.

This stop emphasizes organic cheese production beyond Parmesan, including ricotta, all crafted with care. The tour concludes with a tasting of different Parmesan types and ricotta, paired with local accompaniments. It’s an excellent chance to see the craftsmanship behind Italy’s most famous cheese.

Balsamic Vinegar at Acetaia Sereni

The balsamic vinegar experience at Acetaia Sereni is a standout. The facility leads the region in traditional balsamic vinegar production, and the tour includes a private visit to the cellars. Visitors learn about the grape pressing, wort boiling, filtration, and aging process, gaining insight into the meticulous craftsmanship involved.

The highlight is a tasting of several balsamic vinegars, including premium aged varieties. Lunch at the on-site restaurant features local regional dishes designed to pair perfectly with the different vinegars, making this stop both educational and delicious.

Prosciutto Production at Marano sul Panaro

The prosciutto factory at Prosciuttificio Leonardi has been producing high-quality dry-cured ham since 1988. The factory maintains strict D.O.P. (Protected Designation of Origin) standards, ensuring each prosciutto meets the EU’s PDO quality scheme. The company also upholds biological standards in production.

Visitors tour the production rooms, seeing how ham is processed from meat reception to curing. This stop offers a close-up look at Italy’s renowned prosciutto di Parma, with the opportunity to taste exquisite dry-cured ham directly from the source.

Wine Tasting at Fattoria Moretto

The Fattoria Moretto winery is a family-run operation focused on expressing the unique characteristics of the Lambrusco Grasparossa territory. Since transitioning to organic farming in 1995, the vineyard emphasizes quality over quantity.

The guided tasting includes a selection of their wines, highlighting the region’s distinct flavors. The winery’s scenic hillside location provides a peaceful backdrop for learning about winemaking and grape growing traditions in Emilia-Romagna.

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Scenic Lunch with Balsamic Pairings

At Acetaia Sereni, the lunch is a key part of the tour. It features regional dishes that are paired with different types of balsamic vinegar, allowing guests to taste how aging and ingredients influence flavor. The meal is served at a restaurant overlooking stunning scenery, adding to the overall experience.

The lunch complements the vinegar tastings, demonstrating how balsamic enhances traditional dishes like pasta, meats, and cheeses. This sit-down meal offers a perfect balance of education and gastronomy.

The Guides and Transportation Experience

Throughout the day, certified guides such as Angel, Paola, and Daria lead the group, sharing expert knowledge of each product’s production. Many reviews highlight their enthusiasm, professionalism, and ability to answer questions.

The private transportation ensures a stress-free experience, with pickups from Florence accommodations and smooth transitions between stops. The timing is well-managed, allowing ample time at each site without feeling rushed.

Flexibility and Customer Service

The tour offers free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance, providing flexibility for planning. The private nature of the experience means it’s tailored to your group, with options for special dietary requirements if communicated beforehand.

Some reviews mention occasional minor delays in pickup, but guides are quick to compensate with additional knowledge during the stops. The overall customer service is rated highly, with guides praised for their personable approach.

Is This Tour Right for You?

This food-focused day trip is ideal for anyone interested in Italy’s culinary traditions, especially cheese, ham, balsamic vinegar, and wine. The educational component makes it suitable for foodies who want to understand production techniques, not just taste products.

Travelers comfortable with long drives (about 1 hour 45 minutes to Emilia-Romagna) and full-day schedules will find this tour engaging and rewarding. It’s most appropriate for those 18 and older, given the alcohol tastings and food samples.

Final Thoughts on the Emilia-Romagna Food Tour

This private tour from Florence provides a comprehensive, hands-on look at some of Italy’s most famous gourmet products. The highly rated guides ensure an engaging and informative experience, making the complex craftsmanship behind Parmesan, prosciutto, balsamic vinegar, and Lambrusco accessible and enjoyable.

The lunch and tastings are highlights, showcasing regional flavors at their best. While the long driving hours may be a consideration for some**, the overall experience offers great value for food lovers and those eager to learn about Italy’s culinary heritage in a relaxed setting.

Most participants find the customized, private nature of the tour worth the price, especially when exploring Emilia-Romagna’s artisan food scene for a full day.

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Exclusive Emilia-Romagna,Parmigiano, Prosciutto, Balsamic, Wine

5.0

(33)

97% 5-star

“Angel was our guide and he was excellent. As the title says it was fun, informative and interesting. Learned a lot especially from the farm where…”

— Doug B, Featured

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the tour?
The tour lasts approximately 11 hours, including transportation, visits, tastings, and lunch.

What is included in the price?
The price covers visits to cheese, vinegar, prosciutto factories, a winery, tastings of Parmesan, prosciutto, balsamic vinegar, and Lambrusco, a traditional regional lunch, private transportation, and a guide.

Are dietary requirements accommodated?
Yes, if communicated in advance, special dietary needs can be accommodated during lunch or tastings.

Is this tour suitable for children?
Children must be accompanied by an adult, and the minimum drinking age is 18 years.

What should I wear?
Comfortable clothes suitable for walking and touring factory environments are recommended.

Can I cancel the tour?
Yes, free cancellation is available if canceled at least 24 hours in advance.

Is this a group or private experience?
This is a private tour, only your group participates.

What guides lead this tour?
Guides like Angel, Paola, and Daria are praised for their knowledge and personable approach.

How is the transportation arranged?
Private transportation picks you up from your Florence accommodation and takes you to Emilia-Romagna, returning at the end of the day.

Will I need cash or cards?
Payments are handled during the tour, but specific details are not provided; typically, tastings and meals are included in the price.

This comprehensive, well-structured food tour offers a rich taste of Italy’s culinary excellence, all while providing comfort and expert guidance. It’s a worthwhile choice for anyone wanting an immersive, authentic experience of Emilia-Romagna’s most celebrated products.