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5-Day Cycle Tour from Bologna to Parma

  • 5days
  • Italy

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Cycling Tours Europe
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Casual Self-Guided Cycling from Bologna to Parma

A short-holiday option of our just-updated cycling adventure through Italy's renowned foodie region! Wonderful riding through pretty countryside and farms, picturesque towns and great cities. This region offers amazing scenery and a number of UNESCO world heritage sites, renowned food and drink, art and history, and the legendary friendliness of its locals.

Tour Character: Level 1 cycling 

Included in this tour

  • 4 nights in 2-,3- and 4-star hotels and B&Bs of similar quality
  • Breakfast included
  • Access to smartphone app with preloaded tracks and digital "roadbook"
  • Half-board is available (145 EUR p.p)

Not included

  • Travel to and from the tour start and end
  • Bike rental
  • Luggage transfer (310 EUR for 1-4 people)
  • Pannier rental (40 EUR per set)
  • GPS device (please enquire for one) - 50 EUR
  • Entrance to museums or other activities
  • City hotel tax (€2 to 5 per night per person, to be paid locally by traveler)
  • Any meals or beverages not indicated as included
  • Luggage insurance

Notes:

  • Room upgrades are possible in some hotels - please inquire for prices and availability
  • Extra nights are available - Please inquire about adding nights along the itinerary or before/after the tour
  • Extra activities- Balsamic Vinegar Producer Visit (Day 3 or Day 4). Parmesan Cheese maker visit on day 5: (closed Saturdays and Sundays). - both on request
  • Cooking class available in Bologna:.You will be hosted by a local cook at their home - your "Cesarina" - in a class that lasts about three hours, during which you will help the Cesarina cook prepare three courses. In the fourth and final hour, you will enjoy the meal (lunch or dinner) which you prepared during the class. Water and one bottle of house wine for every 3 people are included. Min 2 participants - supplement of €25 for solo travelers - on request
  • Available from March to October. Departure Sunday's. 
  • €250 solo traveler fee (only one person on departure)

Arrival/ Departure:

  • Starting point: Hotel Il Guercino - Via L. Serra 7, Bologna. We recommend flying into Bologna Aeroporto G.Marconi. Take a shuttle bus connecting Aeroporto Marconi to the city center and Bologna Main Train Station or take a 10-minute taxi ride from Bologna Airport to your hotel.
  • Ending point: Hotel Button – Borgo della Salina, 7, Parma. You can fly out from Bologna, which is connected to Parma by train. From the train station in Bologna to the airport, you can catch a shuttle bus or a taxi (see “Starting point” for more info).
  • Private airport transfers are available: please inquire for prices. Bologna airport to Bologna Hotel Guercino - Parma hotel to Bologna airport
  • Long-term Parking: If you choose to drive to Bologna and leave your car parked there (taking a direct return train Parma at tour end) a private, secure parking lot is avalable at the airport.

To hire a Hybrid bike (80 EUR), Premium (105 EUR) or a E-Bike (160 EUR) please enquire at [email protected] when booking.

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  • Day 1

    Arrive in Bologna

    Highlights: Bologna! UNESCO World Heritage porticoes and culinary traditions

    Arrive in Bologna, Emilia Romagna's administrative capital and, arguably, its culinary capital too. Home to the oldest continually operating university in the world, Bologna has a long tradition of studies, arts, and gastronomy. Speaking of gastronomy, Bologna gave birth to mortadella, vulgarly distorted abroad as "bologna," although the fresh, artisanal mortadella has nothing to do with processed ham! Make sure you put this culinary delight on your 'must try' list! Lots to see and explore in this beautiful city. Come early and book a genuine cooking class at a renowned cooking school or enjoy dinner at a local trattoria!

  • Day 2

    Ride to Modena Daily distance: 64 km (39 miles) Elevation gain: +420 m (1380 ft)

    Highlights: Rails-to-trails bike paths, Bazzano, World Heritage Site of historic Modena

    Leave Bologna on its city bike paths to get to the first hills where great views reward you after a short climb. A rails-to-trails bike path leads you out to the fortress town of Bazzano, before heading to Modena. Don't forget to visit the historic town center of this city with the marble covered cathedral and its Ghirlandina bell tower.

  • Day 3

    Cycle the Reggio Emilia countryside Daily distance: 47 km (29 miles) Elevation gain: +219 m (720ft)

    Highlights: Modena's covered street market, Balsamic vinegar, stay in an agriturismo

    Before heading out of Modena on you bike, we suggest a visit of the local covered market that has been selling local products since the Middle Ages: fruits and vegetables, but also gourmet selections of Lambrusco wine, Amaretti cookies, truffles, cheese and Prosciutto, and of course traditional balsamic vinegar. With your senses alight by the sounds, sights and smells, you will visit the lovely Acetaia Cavalli estate, where the family has been producing the highest quality balsamic for over a hundred years. An easy ride today will lead you along back roads to tonight’s very special stay - an agriturismo country house hotel with a working farm, parmesan cheese and balsamic vinegar production, vineyards and winery, and more, within a wonderful natural setting.

  • Day 4

    Bike to Parma Daily distance: 65 km (40 miles) Elevation gain: +304 m (1000ft)

    Highlights: Parma cured ham and parmesan cheese

    Your destination today is a city where your taste buds will not be disappointed, Parma! Famous for its culinary traditions, the arts also flourished outside of the kitchen in this lovely city. Parmigianino, Correggio, and Giuseppe Verdi are some of its most famous citizens, and their influence are present to this day. The city is still an important cultural and artistic center. Explore and enjoy the historic center, and delight your palate with Parma's signature cured ham (prosciutto crudo) and Parmesan cheese, eaten as an aperitivo or sprinkled on homemade pasta dishes.

  • Day 5

    Tour ends in Parma

    Highlights: World Heritage Site of Parma

    Your cycling tour ends in Parma. Now with a refined palate, shop well and take some recipes home to try in your own kitchen!

    PLEASE NOTE : The final itinerary, including hotels and/or activities described here, are subject to changes according to availability. City hotel taxes are not included.

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Please enquire for dates

Car rental in Italy

If you would like to drive yourself before or after your tour, ask us for a quote on any brand new Renault, Peugeot or Citroen vehicle for driving in Europe.

Pick up your vehicle from most capital cities in Europe and return it to your drop off destination. Top insurance cover. Email [email protected] for a competitive quote

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Maximum participants  10
This tour has the capacity for 10 people
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