From Bologna: Parma, Parmigiano, and Prosciutto Tour by 1st-Class Train Parmesan and Prosciutto PDO Tour from Parma: a smart experience!
ID: GYG1130532-1860696
Category:
Country: Italy
Duration:
05:00 hours
Description
Travel to the Food Valley in utmost comfort with reserved seats in 1st Class on a high-speed train, and explore Parma through guided tours and tastings at a Parmigiano Reggiano cheese factory and a prosciutto factory.
Forget the stress of traffic and enjoy an unforgettable experience in the heart of Emilia. This exclusive tour from Bologna takes you on a journey to discover the secrets of Parmigiano Reggiano cheese and Parma ham, with a premium service that begins from the moment of departure.
The Tour's Highlights:
- VIP journey: First-class Italo high-speed train tickets included (Bologna – Reggio Emilia AV).
- The Art of Cheesemaking: Guided tour inside an authentic dairy.
- PDO Prosciutto: Learn the secrets of curing ham in the hills of Parma.
- Gourmet Tastings: Sample cheeses at different stages of maturation and the delicacy of local prosciutto.
- The 8:30 a.m. Exclusive (Best Seller): Book the first slot in the morning to witness the “birth” of Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese live. You'll see the hot wheels of cheese being lifted out of the vats and, for the lucky few, the magical “spinatura” stage (when the curd is broken).
The itinerary in detail:
Your day begins at Bologna Centrale Train Station. Climb aboard the Italo high-speed train and enjoy the comfort of First Class. In just 20 minutes, you will arrive at the spectacular Reggio Emilia Mediopadana train station, where our private driver will be waiting to take you on your transfer to the Emilian countryside.
Your first stop will be a traditional cheese factory. Here, time seems to have stopped for good. You will walk through the vast aisles of the aging rooms (“the cathedrals of cheese”), surrounded by thousands of golden wheels.
Note: If you choose the 8:30 AM option, you will have the privilege of seeing the master cheesemakers at work during the highlight of the production process: the removal of the steaming wheels of cheese from the copper kettles. This ancient and captivating ritual makes this tour truly unique. The visit concludes with a guided tasting session: learn to distinguish the nuances of flavor between cheeses aged for 12, 24, and 36 months.
The tour then continues to the hills around Parma, where the unique microclimate creates the perfect conditions for Prosciutto di Parma. You will visit a carefully chosen ham factory to discover how, through the simple use of salt, air, and time, select pork legs are transformed into one of the world's most prized cured meats. Here, too, the experience culminates in flavor: a rich tasting of Parma ham, freshly sliced to bring out its unmistakable sweetness.
At the end of the visits, your private transfer will take you back to Mediopadana Station in comfort. You can relax once again in your First Class seat on the Italo train for the short return journey to Bologna, taking with you the authentic flavors of Emilia.
Only the best of the Food Valley in half a day.
Highlights
- Travel by high-speed train, round trip in first class, to Reggio Emilia AV
- Let us guide you through the Emilian hills
- Learn the secrets of Parmigiano Reggiano cheese on a tour of a cheese factory, including a tasting session
- Visit a traditional Italian ham factory and taste Prosciutto di Parma PDO
- Discover the Food Valley, combining comfort, flavor, culture, and tradition
Guiding languages
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Please arrive at the designated meeting point 10 minutes prior to the tour's scheduled departure time.
In case of late arrival, participation in the tour cannot be guaranteed, and no refunds will be issued.
A staff member will contact you the day before the experience to confirm all the details.
Comfortable shoes are recommended for guests.
Meet your guide at Reggio Emilia Medio Padana Train Station. Participants will travel by train on their own on both the outbound and return journeys.
Please report any food intolerances, allergies, or special needs in advance. We will do our best to accommodate them, but we cannot guarantee that they will be fully addressed during the experience.
Please bring a jacket for the visit inside the dairy.
No refunds will be provided in the event of train delays. In the event of a strike, we will do our best to find out about it as soon as possible, notify you, and work with you to consider an alternative.
Meet at Viale Paolo Borsellino, 31, Parma. Here, you'll meet the tour leader and the rest of the group to leave together in a van.
INCLUDED
- Round-trip Italo high-speed train ticket in First Class from Bologna to Reggio Emilia – Medio Padana station (if included in the selected option)
- Pick-up at Reggio-Emilia AV Station by van (if included in the option)
- Shared transfer by private vehicle
- Guided tour and tasting at a Parmigiano Reggiano producer
- Guided tour and tasting at a prosciutto crudo di Parma (Parma ham) producer
NOT INCLUDED
- Personal expenses and tips
- Anything not specifically mentioned in the inclusions
When should I book?
To guarantee availability book as soon as possible. Early booking is worth consideration especially if you planning the trip during high season like public holidays or weekends.
Cancellations
This excursion you can cancel with no cost up to 24 hours before the start of the trip. If you cancel it after 24 hours or not show up on the excursion you will still be charged the full price of the activity. Being late on pick-up or departure will be considered as not showing up.
