Premium Biking, Ferrari Cars, Great Food and Flat Cycling in Italy's Culinary Heartland

This trip is designed for the Italian food lover, car lover and cyclist that prefers flat countryside roads in an area well off the usual tourist routes. On this trip, you'll visit the spectacular Ferrari Gallery, you'll discover the secrets behind Italy's prized prosciutto hams, parmesan cheeses and balsamic vinegars, and all the while relaxing to the soothing sounds of it most famous composer, Giuseppe Verdi. Cycle Parma's quiet sideroads to visit its Medieval castles and Renaissance villas, once the extravagant homes and pleasure palaces of Italy's aristocracy. Meander the villages where the great composer Giuseppe Verdi was born and formed his musical legacy. Follow a flat landscape from the traditional well-kept farmlands, quiet canals and untouristed small villages of the Po River plain to the chic towns of Parma and Reggio nell'Emilia.

Day 1 - The Galleria Ferrari - Gather in Bologna.Transfer to Maranello, home of Ferrari to visit La Galleria where 65 years of Ferrari history and Italian automotive craftmanship are on display.Ride through an idilic landscape of small farms and vineyards noted for the production of Modena's balsamic vinegars.Drop in on the area's finest balsamic vinegar producer for an exclusive visit to see how it is made and aged.

Day 2 - Reggio nell'Emilia - Take an exclusive early morning guided tour of a local producer of zesty Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese and discover how it goes from fresh milk to aged wheels ready for tasting.Ride along the 2000 year old Roman road "Via Emilia" and narrow bicycle friendly side roads through the verdant countryside surrounding Reggio nell'Emilia.Dine in Reggio's most sought after trattorias where innovative Emilian specialties are served in Reggio's most charming settings.

Day 3 - The Castles of Parma - Follow quiet countryside laneways toward the approaches of the Apennine mountainsPass by small Parmesan cheese producers, quiet villages, abbeys and convents to arrive at the majestic 15th-century castle at Torrechiara.Enjoy the spectacular views from this hilltop castle and imagine the luxury of living here centuries ago with its frescoed rooms and magnificent mountainside vistas.Continue along riverside laneways into cosmopolitan Parma with its gracious pedestrian zone lined with chic boutiques and highlighted with the majestic 16th-century gardens of the Palazzo Ducale.Meander through these magnificent gardens with its tree-lined boulevards on your way past Parma's Palazzo della Pilotta and its archeological museum.Join the Parmigiani on their "passegiata" evening stroll before searching out a suggested restaurant for a romantic dinner on your own.

Day 4 - The Palaces of Parmigianino - Visit Parma's morning food market where picnic items abound.Follow peaceful canals to Colorno and its spectacular 17th-century villa. Known as Italy's "Versailles" for its impressive facade. Visit its lush gardens for the perfect photo opportunity.Ride the Po Valley's flat side roads to the quiet farm village of San Secondo. and home to the 15th-century Rocca dei Rossi, once the chief residence of Parma's powerful Rossi family. Tour this palace to discover its Renaissance fresco covered walls and rooms dedicated to the Rossi's illustrious family history.

Day 5 - Soragna & Verdi - Visit the birthplace of composer Giuseppe Verdi.Bike to Busseto, home to the Verdi Theater, modelled afer Milan's La Scala, before passing through the quiet villages and open countryside that inspired his music.Learn the secrets of "culatello", regarded as the choicest cut of cured ham. Sample this illustrious ham and other cured specialties at a trattoria in a picturesque village along the banks of the Po River.Spin to Fontanellato, home to the fairytale moated 15th-century Rocca di San Vitale filled with Renaissance frescoes by Parmigianino.Savor in the culinary delights that have put the Parmigiana countryside on the map.

Day 6 - Back to Parma - Homeward bound.Bid a final farewell to Italy's culiary heartland and take a private transfer to the Parma train station for convenient departures for Milan, Venice, Florence or Rome.As always, we would be more than pleased to help you with any of your post-trip travel planning.
Arrivederci and Buon Viaggio !