Emilia Romagna is often called the belly of Italy and for a good reason: Many typical Italian specialties are produced here, like the world-famous Parma ham ad Parmesan cheese. If you want a real foodie vacation in Italy you should absolutely not miss this beautiful region and plan an Emilia Romagna food tour to taste all the delicious specialties it has to offer!
Parma ham factory
When you think of Parma, the first thing that comes to mind is probably the world-famous Prosciutto. In Parma many factories offer tours to find out more about how it is made and what makes it so special. Other specialties you might get to discover and taste are Culatello and Salami.
Parmesan cheese dairy
You could eat the delicious famous hard cheese from the Parma region all day? Then you should absolutely visit one of the many cheese dairies and see how the Parmigiano is made and ripened for many month with passion and care. Most Parmesan dairies also offer a tasting at the end of the tour to give you the chance to taste the cheese at different ripening stages.
Balsamic vinegar producer
In Modena you have the chance to see the traditional balsamic vinegar being made from a reduction of cooked white Trebbiano grape juice. Don't miss the chance to try the original balsamic vinegar and pick up a bottle to take home.
Learn how to make pasta
Emilia Romagna is famous for handmade filled pasta like the tortelli d'erbetta, but also the tagliatelle al ragu, the original oft he spaghetti bolognese was invented here. So when around Parma or Bologna you should take a cooking class and learn how to make the traditional specialties, so you can recreate the flavors at home.
Taste the wines of the region
Not technically a food tour but no meal is complete without a drink. So don't miss the wine tasting! Although it is not the most famous region for wine in Italy, Emilia Romagna has many wineries that make excellent wines. Taste Sangiovese, Lambrusco, Barbera and other types right where they are made and enjoy also the spectacular sceneries.
If you are a real food lover and want to taste as many specialties as possible on your vacation in Emilia Romagna you should consider booking a tour. The tours usually combine different experiences. This allows you to see many things in a short time. Hop over to the website of Food Valley Travel to find out more about the different tours they offer or plan a personalized food tour.
Martin Wynn
