BELOW YOU WILL FIND SOME OF OUR FOODIE TOURS.
All tours are lead by an English-speaking, native Italian guide. Let us take you on an Italian journey that you’ll never forget.
Private tours are $3,500 per person. The tour package consists of:
- 5 days of tours (chosen from the options below or make up your own from our full list, within 3 hrs. of the villa)
- Your 7 night stay at the Villa
- Breakfasts
- 1 evening of appetizers at the villa
- A dinner upon arrival
- 1 Italian style lunch
- Pick up/drop off at the Milan, Malpensa airport
- All your entrance fees to the various museums/castles mentioned
- Ground transportation
- One free day
- A guide that speaks fluent Italian and English
- Flight not included
The full list of tours can be found here.
*Tour 4) Parmesan Cheese factory– You will walk around this edifice while they are actually making the cheese. Most likely we will be the only ones visiting. It is run by a local family. Click here to see a NY Times “Where It’s Made” video.
You will learn the process of aging parmesan and be able to ask questions. At the end of the tour there is a little shop where you have the chance to buy the cheese at exceptional prices. Everything is shrink wrapped, so you can also take it home as a gift or for your own enjoyment. (2 min. from the villa)
*Trattoria on the mountain top– This is a hideaway that has become a local hangout over the years. We will enjoy a meal based on the typical food of the area (all homemade). They have a live band that plays the Waltz, Polka, and Tango. The Italians come to dance and play Bocce for their entertainment. Very often there is a chance to challenge them to a game. (30 min. from Bedonia)
*Tour 6) Langhirano/Torrechiara– The first stop is where the majority of Prosciutto from Parma is made. It is the perfect spot to cure the Parma Ham, because of the height of the mountains surrounding the area, the amount of sea air that arrives in the location and the altitude. We will see the process of aging the Prosciutto and then have the chance to sit on the terrace and have a lovely meal based on the cured meats of the area, parmesan cheese of the region and wine of the valley. This is a place frequented by Italians and Europeans. Not too many Americans find their way here. (1:30 min. from Bedonia)
*Then it is off to the Castle of Torrechiara. (The movie Lady Hawk by Richard Donner was filmed here). This castle was used as a fortress as well as a residence. Therefore, almost every wall or ceiling is covered in frescos. Even though it suffered from the earthquake in 2008, it is still one of the most well preserved fortresses in Italy. The “Camera d’Oro” or the “Golden Room” *1) is one of the most famous erotic chambers in Italy. There is also a small, original village behind the wall of the castle that welcomes a stroll from the castle’s visitors. (5 min. from the Prosciutto Factory)
*Tour 13) Wine Tasting– We will see how they make wine and then be escorted to their balcony to enjoy a few variations of their products along with some finger foods, while overlooking the vineyard. There is no hurry here. We can stay as long as we’d like. (1:30 min. from the villa)
Vigoleno- After the wine tasting we will visit this medieval town, in the province of Piacenza. It was constructed in the tenth century. It has kept its charm and character over the years to spite the battles through the ages. This small town behind the walls has wonderful alleyways that add to the charm of this hamlet, considered one of the most beautiful of its kind. (10 min. from the winery)
Tour 15) Modena/Maranello– We will see how Balsamic Vinegar is made and have a chance to taste it. You will be amazed at the difference a year makes in the flavor of the vinegar. (1:45 min. from Bedonia)
Then it is off to The Ferrari Museum in Maranello where the Ferrari was born and is still being made today. Wandering through this museum takes you back in time to see all the different changes the Ferrari has made over the years. (15min. from the Balsamic factory)
*Tour 18) Cooking lessons– Come and learn how to make homemade pasta, pizza, typical savory tarts of the area, gnocchi or other Italian favorites. We call in a chef or a little old Italian housewife that has been making these things all their lives to teach you, first-hand the secrets of mastering the art of the Italian cuisine. Dinner will be included in this tour choice. (Eat what you make!) (10 min drive from the villa)
*All tours with the asterisk are less touristy and off the beaten path.
