Bologna: Parmigiano Reggiano, Balsamic & Ferrari Museum Full Day

What if you could taste how Parmigiano Reggiano actually ages, then see a Ferrari the same afternoon?

You visit three working producers — a Parmigiano Reggiano dairy, a Traditional Balsamic Vinegar acetaia, and a Lambrusco winery — where the staff who make the products lead the tastings. Lunch happens at one of the estates with local wine pairing. The afternoon includes skip-the-line entry to the Ferrari Museum in Maranello. Hotel pickup from Bologna and drop-off are included, and the group stays under eight people throughout.

Step-by-step itinerary

• Visit Parmigiano Reggiano dairy
• Taste different cheese maturations
• Explore Traditional Balsamic Vinegar acetaia
• Taste Traditional Balsamic Vinegar
• Visit Lambrusco winery
• Enjoy guided Lambrusco tasting
• Have lunch at countryside agriturismo
• Visit Ferrari Museum in Maranello

The Experience

The van picks you up at 8:55 am from the NH Bologna De La Gare Hotel (five minutes from Bologna Centrale station), and you're heading into the Modena countryside before nine. Your first stop is a working Parmigiano Reggiano dairy, where the producer's staff walks you through the whole process — how the curds are cut, how long they age in those massive wheels, why the older ones taste almost nutty. You taste three different maturations back-to-back, and suddenly the cheese you've eaten a hundred times makes sense. It's not a museum display; it's a working farm, and the people explaining it are the ones making it.

After that comes the acetaia — a balsamic vinegar producer in Modena, where barrels stacked five high hold vinegar that's been aging since before you were born. The producer's staff explains why it's called "black gold," and you taste the difference between a ten-year and a twenty-five-year. Then you drive to a Lambrusco winery (Nonantola or Castelvetro, depending on the day), taste the sparkling wine straight from the producer, and sit down to lunch at their estate in the hills. The meal comes with local wines, and you're eating with the people who made what's on your plate. The whole thing moves at a real pace — no rushing between five stops in four hours.

The afternoon lands you at the Ferrari Museum in Maranello. Skip-the-line entry means you walk straight past the queue and into the building where the cars are. You see the legendary models, the trophies, the whole story of how a small town in Motor Valley became synonymous with supercars. It's an odd pairing with the morning — food heritage and automotive obsession in one day — but that's exactly what makes it work. You're not doing a generic food tour that happens to end at a museum; you're seeing two things Emilia-Romagna is actually known for, back-to-back, with real producers leading the tastings and a small group (max eight people) so nobody's standing in someone else's way. Groups stay under eight, which means the acetaia doesn't feel crowded and the lunch table isn't a long row of strangers.

What’s included

• Guided visit and tasting at a Parmigiano Reggiano dairy.
• guided visit and tasting at a Traditional Balsamic Vinegar of Modena acetaia.
• guided visit and tasting at a family-run Lambrusco winery.
• lunch at the estate of a wine or balsamic producer with local wine pairing.
• skip-the-line entrance ticket to the Ferrari Museum in Maranello.
• hotel pickup and drop-off from Bologna.
• semi-private tour with maximum eight participants and transportation included throughout the day.

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by GTE Service

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to taste food and wine directly from the producers who make them, eat lunch at their table, and see the Ferrari Museum the same day — all without arranging transport, entry tickets, or timing the stops yourself. The small group size and producer-led tastings are what make it feel like an introduction rather than a checklist.

Top questions

What time does the tour start and where do I meet the group?

Pickup is at 8:55 am from the main entrance of NH Bologna De La Gare Hotel in Piazza XX Settembre, a five-minute walk from Bologna Centrale train station. The van departs at 8:55 am and does not wait for latecomers; if you miss it due to train delays, the tour cannot be rescheduled or refunded the same day.

Is lunch included, and what kind of food will I eat?

Yes. Lunch is a traditional meal served at the estate of a wine or balsamic vinegar producer in the Modena hills, paired with local wines. Let the operator know about any food allergies or intolerances in advance.

Do I need a private guide, or am I on my own at each stop?

No private guide is included. All visits and tastings are led by the producers' staff at each location — the people who actually make the cheese, vinegar, and wine.

How many people will be on the tour?

Maximum eight participants per group, keeping it small and intimate.

What should I wear?

Wear appropriate clothing and footwear for countryside farms. Inside cellars and storage areas, temperatures can be low even in summer, so bring a light layer.

Is the Ferrari Museum entry included?

Yes, skip-the-line entrance to the Ferrari Museum in Maranello is included. You visit it in the afternoon after lunch.

How long is the full day?

The itinerary spans a full day, starting at 8:55 am and concluding after the Ferrari Museum visit in the late afternoon.

Can I arrange pickup from somewhere other than the Bologna hotel?

Pickup and drop-off options are available based on selection at booking. Confirm your preferred meeting point when you reserve.