5 days, 4 nights · Best for Food lovers and culinary travelers seeking authentic tastings in Emilia-Romagna
A Taste of Parma and Modena Tour | Vacation Packages for 2025, 2026
Discover Parma and Emilia Romagna as you taste Parmigiano Reggiano, savor balsamic vinegar and master hand-made pasta in Italy’s culinary heart.
Your Adventure Starts Here
This is a starting point. Change the nights, choose the style of hotel, add the experiences you want. Your planner takes it from there.
Parma, Emilia-Romagna
Parma
Cathedral walks and cheese cellars in culinary Parma
We base you in Parma, the elegant food capital where Parmigiano Reggiano and prosciutto di Parma were born. Your guide walks you through the Romanesque cathedral and its octagonal baptistery, past the Teatro Regio opera house and the Palazzo della Pilotta. We arrange a morning visit to a Parmigiano Reggiano factory in the Consorzio, where you watch the entire process from milk delivery to wheel formation, salting and aging in the storerooms. A traditional acetaia near Modena opens its wooden barrel rooms for a tasting of aged balsamic vinegar followed by lunch. On your final morning, a three-hour pasta class teaches you fresh dough, shaping techniques and stuffed varieties, then you eat what you made. Dinner the first night is at a central trattoria serving Parma specialties.
Arranged for you: Private walking tour of Parma, Parmigiano Reggiano factory visit with tasting, balsamic vinegar cellar tour with tasting and lunch, hands-on pasta cooking class with lunch, and dinner at a traditional trattoria.
Your hotel
Styles, not names. We name the property once we know your dates and your party.
Interests in Parma
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Private visit to a Prosciutto di Parma producer Day Trips · Half day
Tour the curing rooms where hams age for months, learn the salting and air-drying process, and taste several aged cuts.
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Guided tour of Busseto and Villa Verdi Day Trips · Half day
Visit Giuseppe Verdi's birthplace, see his home at Sant'Agata and explore the Teatro Verdi where his operas premiered.
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Ferrari Museum private tour in Maranello Day Trips · Half day
Walk the exhibition halls with a guide explaining Formula One history, engine design and the racing legacy.
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Wine tasting in the Colli di Parma vineyards Day Trips · Half day
Drive to hillside estates producing Malvasia and sparkling reds, tour the cellars and taste alongside local salumi.
Day by day in Parma
Upon arrival in Parma, check in at your centrally located hotel and meet your local guide for a walking tour of this elegant city, renowned for its rich gastronomic tradition and cultural heritage. Stroll through the historic center to admire the Romanesque Cathedral with its stunning Baptistery, the prestigious Teatro Regio opera house, and the monumental Palazzo della Pilotta. In the evening, enjoy a traditional dinner in a charming central trattoria, where you can sample authentic Parma specialties. Overnight in Parma.
After breakfast, drive independently to a Parmigiano Reggiano cheese factory that is part of the official Consorzio. Arriving early (around 8:30 a.m.) allows you to witness the entire production process: from the delivery of fresh milk to the cooking and forming of the wheels, followed by salting and aging in the storerooms. The visit lasts the whole morning and concludes with a tasting of authentic Parmigiano Reggiano, one of Italy’s most famous cheeses. In the afternoon, we suggest heading to Busseto, the birthplace of Giuseppe Verdi, to discover the places where the great opera composer was born and lived. Later, return to Parma for an evening at leisure; enjoy dinner on your own and overnight at your hotel.
Enjoy breakfast, then set off with your rental car toward Modena for a visit to a traditional acetaia, where Balsamic Vinegar of Modena is produced and aged. Learn about the meticulous process behind this prestigious product, from grape must to long-term aging in wooden barrels, and enjoy a guided tasting followed by a light lunch featuring local specialties enhanced with balsamic vinegar. In the afternoon, car enthusiasts can continue to Maranello to visit the Ferrari Museum (optional, not included), dedicated to one of Italy’s most iconic brands and legendary Formula 1 teams. Explore interactive exhibits, admire historic and modern cars, and, if you wish, try the driving simulator (optional). Return to Parma in the late afternoon; dinner is on your own and you’ll spend the night at your hotel.
After breakfast and check-out, conclude your gourmet journey through Emilia Romagna with a hands-on cooking class dedicated to fresh, hand-made pasta. During this three-hour lesson, you’ll learn how to make traditional pasta dough, shape simple and stuffed varieties, and understand the secrets behind authentic Italian pasta from this region. The experience culminates in a delicious lunch based on the dishes you’ve prepared. After lunch, your culinary tour of Parma and Emilia Romagna’s flavors comes to an end, leaving you with new skills and recipes to recreate at home.
Day 5
Departure
A private transfer to the airport. We stay on the line until you are home.
Why plan with Trips 2 Italy?
Designed around you by Italian-born planners
Guides, drivers and boats for your party alone
Hand-selected hotels in every destination
Local English-speaking guides who know their city
Met at the airport, private transfers throughout
Testimonials
Hear from travelers who have planned Italy with us
They took the time to understand our preferences and designed an itinerary that was comfortable, personalized, and enjoyable. They offered thoughtful recommendations while never being pushy.
We missed our connecting flight in Munich. I had just got through customs and was looking up the number to call when Trips 2 Italy called me. They told me exactly what to do and they already knew what flight we had been rebooked on.
Ready to make it yours?
Send us this adventure with your changes. An Italian-born planner builds the first full draft and calls you to walk through it.
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Questions travelers ask
What destinations does this package visit?
Over 4 days this journey brings you to Bologna, Ferrara, Modena, and Parma. Each stop is woven into the itinerary with time for the landmarks, the views, and the local flavor that make it special.
How is transportation handled on this trip?
Transportation is arranged as part of the itinerary, with comfortable train segments between the cities and vehicle transfers where they serve you best. Every connection is planned for you, so you can focus on the scenery instead of the logistics.
Who will enjoy this itinerary most?
It suits travelers who want Italy arranged by experts, with guided experiences balanced by free time to explore on your own.
Can we tailor this trip to our wishes?
Yes. This sample itinerary is a starting point, and every Trips 2 Italy package is fully customizable. Your travel consultant will adjust the destinations, hotel category, pace, and experiences to fit your plans. A minimum of 2 travelers applies.
When is the best time to take this trip?
The package is available all year around on request. Spring and fall offer mild walking weather and lighter crowds at the major sights, summer brings long lively evenings, and winter rewards travelers with quieter museums and festive streets.