La Grassa Food Lover’s Tour of Bologna (Private)

Bologna, capital of the Emilia-Romagna, has 3 nicknames: La dotta (the learned), la rossa (the red) and la grassa (the fat one). This specialty experience in Bologna was designed for food & culture lovers seeking a well-rounded introduction to Bologna's and Emilia-Romagna's culinary legacy.

We'll taste traditional freshly baked in-house goods at a buzzing caffe' and then travel through colorful streets, porticos, historical markets, cultural sites, family-run delis, rich flavors, fresh pastas and gelato to provide a comprehensive overview of this city's culinary treasure chest. Led by an expert specialized guide from Bologna, you’ll not only learn about the food but also the history of the city and unique details of key sites and architecture.

We'll delight in a handful of Emilia-Romagna's 40+ consortium protected DOP traditional products like mortadella, real deal Parmigiano-Reggiano, aged balsamic vinegar, prosciutto di Parma, fresh pasta, baked goods and more. 

A visit to Bologna is a must for Italian food lovers and our 3 hour tasting tour (approved by Lonely Planet) is the perfect opportunity for those who wish to have a comprehensive, flavorful culinary experience. 

  • (please note this experience is available only for private bookings):

    • Exclusive cultural food tour in Bologna with a specialized local tour guide to introduce you to both the region’s culinary treasure chest as well as the city’s historic monuments and key cultural sites in between tasting stops.

    • Enjoy the exploring and savoring Bologna without any distractions from other travelers with this private format including tailoring the experience to your personal curiosities along with the undivided attention from our partnering stops & guides

    • Min. 5 gourmet tasting pit-stops at hidden local gems hard to find on your own involving:

      • Bolognese sweet pastries and Italian roasted espresso at a bustling local-loved coffee bar bakery

      • *Pasta tasting with wine. Taste classics like meat-filled tortellini or ricotta-filled tortelloni for vegetarians

      • Diving into Emilia-Romagna's product pantry: cold cut meats like culatello, prosciutto di Parma, mortadella, salami (pork-based), aged parmigiano-reggiano and bakery specialties along with tasting wines from the region

      • *Understand traditional, aged balsamic vinegar from Modena at an old-fashioned family-run specialty goods shop, whose owner also produces the prized, umami-rich balsamic vinegar (*this stop not available on Sunday tours)

      • Revel in wholly artisanal gelato and Bologna's mark on the gelato world

    • Stop at a 15th century landmark pub and learn about Bologna’s historical osterie

    • Discover the curious origins that have formed Bologna's food culture

    • **Experience the behind-the-scenes of a fresh pasta laboratory where Bologna's iconic pastas are made by skilled sfogline pasta masters (subject to availability, for morning tours ONLY Monday-Friday)

    After your Curious Appetite tour, you will feel more confident to return to these shops, order at restaurants and know what defines the local food landscape. Discover the most memorable fresh pasta (and not only) in one of Italy’s most food-centric cities.

    Inclusions: 5 stops min. and all food tastings (pastries, espresso, baked specialties (sweet and savory), fresh pasta tasting (2 types), local wine (2 tasting pairings), aged balsamic vinegar tasting, craft chocolates and artisanal gelato) entrance to the pasta lab and pasta demo (when avail), in-depth guided cultural food tour and personable, bilingual tour guide. 3hr guided service with a personable, knowledgeable bilingual tour guide. Vegetarian options available.

    Not included: Travel insurance, transport, custom meeting point can be arranged an an extra fee, overtime due to transport delays (see note below under additional terms), additional tastings and trip cancellation insurance. 

  • PLEASE READ BEFORE BOOKING

    PRIVATE TOUR Cost:
    1-2 guests = $228.50 pp, 3 guests = $175 pp, 4 guests = $145 pp, 5-6 guests = $135. (Youth discounts displayed at check-out) *Please note these are standard rates for Mon-Sat. 2 ADULT TICKET REQUIRED before a reduced youth ticket may be purchased.

    For groups larger than 6, please contact via “Request Custom Quote & Info” button.

    START TIME:
    10am or 3pm Days: Daily (*Sunday tours can be arranged with modifications)

    *Sunday tours are arranged upon request and at a premium rate due to extra coordination involved. Please note that some of the usual stops may be closed & alternatives provided.

    We accept online bookings for up to 6 guests per private party total. For a larger group discount OR if a larger group, contact us via “request custom quote” for a special rate/quote (i.e. larger group reduction/volume discount)

    Meeting point for all tours: Near Piazza Maggiore, exact location provided in confirmation letter. Duration: 3 hours

    PLEASE NOTE/READ BEFORE BOOKING: If you are coming to Bologna solely to attend this experience, we strongly advise you to arrange train tickets only after receiving a confirmation that your booking request has been accepted. If you’re arriving from outside Bologna same-day as your booked experience, please allow buffer time for delays when booking train tickets. Weekend tours, afternoon tours and tours in August have slight variations based on availabilities of our partnering stops.

*Please note all pricing is in USD$

Additional Notes:

We can accommodate virtually any food lifestyle.  Just let us know how we can help and please mention it in your booking form. If you would like to start later or earlier than the times listed, make a request in your booking OR have a party larger than 6, please send us an inquiry via “request custom quote info” button

The pasta demo & tasting stop varies on season and day of the week/time (i.e. weekends, holiday weeks, afternoon tours, etc) and balsamic vinegar tasting stop is subject to availability on Sundays and select holidays

  • If the pasta demo is unavailable due to unexpected circumstances (holidays, closures, staffing, scheduled remodels, etc), we’ll contact you with options. Rest assured we’ll still learn (and eat) Bologna’s pasta making traditions via tastings and visiting shops.

    The pasta demo with tasting for afternoon tours or in extraordinary circumstances will be held at an alternative osteria venue

    For the month of August, the pasta demo is subject to availability for morning tours and unavailable for weekend tours and afternoon tours. The pasta demo is also unavailable on national Italian holidays- pasta tastings will always be included even when the laboratory is closed to visits for the demo component.

  • For vegetarians, please bear in mind we can offer alternative local foods to replace some of the meats otherwise included and vegetarian pastas (ricotta-filled), bearing in mind Bologna is known as a meaty city and we can’t guarantee against cross contamination or animal derived ingredients such as rennet. 

    For celiacs, we would recommend partaking in a mostly cultural-focused tour with some select tasting stops that wouldn’t pose an issue. For gluten-free lifestyles/dietary restrictions (not celiac), we cannot arrange GF pasta but we can work around it as long as cross contamination does not pose any risk.

  • If you plan to arrive to Bologna same-day as your booked activity, you are responsible for getting to the meeting point on time and we are not responsible for delays by train or other transport method. If coming from Florence, book an early train/don’t book a train too close to our 10am morning tour start time to allow for possible train delays or consider the afternoon tour slot. Grazie!

  • Our online ticketing calendar will automatically program premium fees for culinary walks during certain holiday dates. The supplement is subject to the following dates (and other Italian national holidays) and will be reflected in the booking calendar.

    **Between the months of November to January our usual pasta laboratory stop will be closed due to the busy holiday tortellini production, the pasta demo component and tasting will be held at an alternative osteria venue. We look forward to having you!

    All Italian National Holidays
    24,25,26 and 31 December
    January 1st
    Pasqua and Pasquetta (Easter and Easter Monday)