On arrival into Milan Bergamo airport, we’ll transfer to Cremona (approx 1.5 hour drive). The rest of the day will be spent organising bikes and going through the route with your guides to make sure all is well for the week ahead, as well as getting to know the rest of the group.

Food is also central to the town of Cremona, with famed chef Mario Batali writing that Cremona is “absolutely essential to the gastrovoyager.” Being on the border of Lombardy and Emilia-Romagna, means influences from both. Expect charcuterie, Grana Padano cheese, and stuffed pastas such as marubini and tortelli di zucca. Let’s not forget, the famous Mostarda di Cremona, a sweet and gently spiced fruit preserve with mustard, usually served with a classic stew called Bollito Misto, traditional to Cremona.

• Meals: Breakfast
• Ascent: 165 Metres Approx

We’ll begin the day with an exclusive visit to a private violin maker in Cremona. Here, the luthier will demonstrate the traditional techniques used in violin making and offer insight into the town’s rich musical heritage, before setting off for the day’s ride.

Leaving Cremona, we’ll follow the River Po bike path heading into the open countryside. The River Po separates the regions of Lombardy and Emilia-Romagna, serving somewhat as a cultural bridge, a delight for those interested in gastronomy. On arriving in the village of Polesine halfway through the morning we will stop for coffee and pay a visit to the Culatello (typical Salame) Museum to learn how this delicious DOP traditional Salame is made, and we’ll have the opportunity to taste some.

A short ride will take us to the quiet town of Busseto, home to the Teatro Verdi where we stop for a visit. This small theatre was built by the town council for Verdi, but he never set foot in it! Another highlight whilst we’re in Busseto are the old cantina’s in Piazza Verdi where one can sample delicious local culinary delights.

We then pass cultivated fields and small farms, arriving in the hamlet of Le Roncole where Giuseppe Verdi was born and spent his first years, starting his long and illustrious musical career by playing the village organ. Verdi aficionados may want to pay a short visit to Verdì’s birth place located close to the hotel.

• Meals: Breakfast
• Ascent: 240 Metres Approx

Heading back towards the Po River, we’ll continue riding through rural countryside and the Food Valley Bike route. This is still the region renowned for the production of the Culatello di Zibello, the King of Dried Meats, as well as the classic and much better known Parma Ham, yet another DOP certified delicacy, the origins of which are said to go back to Roman times.

Meandering along the ‘Food Valley’ Bike route we’ll reach Colorno. Here we will visit the Reggia di Colorno, known as the Versailles of Parma, a 12th century roccaforte (Italian for stronghold or fortress) transformed into the delightful ducal palace it is now in the 18th century. The palace counts no less than 400 rooms, including the stunning Sala Grande and the smaller but no less richly decorated Sala della Musica. The palace is surrounded by large gardens dotted with decorative water fountains. True to its location close to Parma, the Reggia di Colorno houses the headquarters of ALMA, the International School of Italian cuisine.

The town of Parma itself is yet another Italian cultural (and culinary!) gem, famed for its dried meats. Parma is world renowned for its ham and salami, as well as it’s Parmigiano Reggiano. In Parma, it’s all about how unique and high quality the products are that make their way to the table whether that is cheese or truffles. Make sure to find the time to walk around the historic centre and its piazzas before sitting down for dinner.

• Meals: Breakfast, lunch
• Ascent: 515 Metres Approx

Today we’ll ride closer to the hills and into the Val Parma, passing several fortified hill top settlements and castles on our way to Reggio Emilia. Torrechiara is the most imposing of them all, with its 15th century castle built on the remains of two previous castles and overlooks the valley from its elevated position. We will take our time to visit this fairytale castle, enveloped in a romantic story between the count who built it and his lover. Indeed it is said that count Pier Maria II de’ Rossi secretly met his lover Bianca Pellegrini here.

Cycling on through the Parma countryside we’ll make our way to today’s overnight stop, Reggio Emilia – the birthplace of the Italian flag. The tricolore was first exhibited here on the 7th of January 1797, almost 90 years before it was adopted as the Italian flag at the unification of the country in 1861.

Reggio Emilia is also home to cappelletti (a stuffed pasta dish, usually filled with meat and served in broth) and Gnocco Fritto (fried dough), as well as being the heartland of Parmigiano Reggiano.

• Meals: Breakfast
• Ascent: 220 Metres Approx

From Reggio Emilia today we will cycle on quiet country lanes to Modena.

Along the way we will pass through the towns of Correggio and Carpi both of which preserve several splendid churches and civilian palaces, as well as offering plenty of opportunities for a cappuccino or gelato break. In Carpi, Zuppa Inglese might hit the spot. A dessert made with vanilla and chocolate pudding, Savoiardi biscuits and a splash of liqueur, it’s almost a mix of a tiramisu and an English trifle.

Our destination today is Modena, a modern bustling town dating back to the Roman era. After settling in at the hotel, make sure to go out and visit the Duomo, the Torre Civica and the Piazza Grande, all of which made it onto the UNESCO list of World Heritage sites in 1997.

• Meals: Breakfast, lunch
• Ascent: 340 Metres Approx

Before setting off on our loop ride of the day, we may well pay a short visit to the Mercato Albinelli – a food market where you’ll find authentic family-owned stalls that sell aged Parmigiano Reggiano, Balsamic Vinegar, and tortellini. A must-see for foodies.

We will then head south along the Panaro River in the direction of Spilamberto, famous as the regional centre for Aceto Balsamico production. Here we visit the Museo dell‘Aceto Balsamico, a must see for food buffs. Our visit will teach us all there is to know about this most famous of vinegars and will include a tasting session.

We’ll then continue to Vignola where in the late spring we can refresh ourselves with the locally produced black cherry of Vignola (Moretta di Vignola). On reaching the village of Marano sul Panaro we’ll start heading north again cycling back to Modena through slightly hillier countryside.

In the evening you have plenty of time to enjoy the bustling city life of Modena, or sit down in a quiet spot for an apertitivo and watch the world go by, before heading off for a well deserved dinner.

• Meals: Breakfast, lunch
• Ascent: 270 Metres Approx

Our last cycling day will take us from Modena to the region’s capital; Bologna. Sticking predominantly to quiet, secondary, country roads, we will stop for coffee in the hamlet of Nonatola and a quick visit of the abbey church. Soon we reach the outskirts of the town of Bologna itself where we’ll pass through Borgo Panigale, home to the Moto Ducati factory.

The town of Bologna is the seat to one of the oldest universities of the western world and boasts an extensive historic center. Symbols of the town are its shady porticoes and the twin towers Torre degli Asinelli and Torre della Garisenda. Make sure you also visit the splendid Piazza Maggiore with the Basilica di San Petronio.

With Tagliatelle al Ragu, Erbazzone, Mortadella, and Tortellini coming from Bologna, it’s no wonder that it’s known as the culinary capital of Italy. Again, we definitely won’t be disappointed when going out for dinner!

• Meals: Breakfast

Arrivederci! Time to head to the airport for flights home (approx. 30 min transfer to airport).