Cycling, cooking, tasting: the Tourissimo Experience in Emilia Romagna

Tourissimo is thrilled to announce two June 2018 culinary biking vacations in Emilia Romagna, co-hosted by top American chefs and food critics, including contestants and winners of “Top Chef,” Bravo’s Emmy-winning culinary competition. Active adventurers and food lovers of all cycling abilities will experience specially crafted itineraries showcasing the region’s history, culture, landscape, and iconic cuisine.

Emilia Edition

The Emilia Edition happening June 4-10, 2018 visits production areas for some of Italy’s most iconic foods: tortellini, Prosciutto di Parma, balsamic vinegar, and Parmigiano-Reggiano. The itinerary starts at the castle of Tabiano Terme, and continues onto the Po river flat plane to the world-famous Alma Cooking School. Guests will stop at a dairy farm from the 1800’s to learn more about the process of making Parmigiano-Reggiano and the thermal village of Porretta Terme on the Apennine mountain range before making it to charming Bologna.

Highlights
1- Superb meals and the “best Homestyle food” in Italy
2- Prosciutto, Parmigiano-Reggiano, Balsamic vinegar and other Italian delicacies
3- Santuario San Luca, a hilltop sanctuary overlooking Bologna
4- Healing thermal waters in Tabiano Terme and Porretta Terme
5- The Appennino Tosco-Emiliano park, a UNESCO biosphere
6- Meet local producers who are keeping food traditions alive
7- Get up close to iconic race cars at the Ferrari Museum
8- Explore Bologna
9- Learn why Parma is a UNESCO creative city of gastronomy
10- Discover Reggio-Emilia from our guide, tour designer and native, Federica
11- ALMA cooking school

Chefs
This gastronomic bike tour is co-hosted with Chef Brooke Williamson and Chef Nick Roberts, spouses, chefs and business partners from LA.
LEARN MORE.

Romagna Edition

On the Romagna Edition happening June 12-18, 2018 guests will sample local delicacies, including lesser-known wines, venture through the waterways and wetlands of the Po Delta, cycle to the stunning historical town of Ravenna, and attend a grand finale event that pays homage to Federico Fellini, Italy’s most famous film director and screenwriter. This trip departs from Ferrara (UNESCO site) and ends in Rimini, a resort town on the Adriatic Sea. The tour includes a hands-on cooking class at Casa Artusi, visits to several winemakers, and attending “Al Meni”, a street food festival that brings together Chef Massimo Bottura with the best chefs from the region.

Highlights
1- Ferrara city of Renaissance
2- Destra Po and Po river delta
3- “Food and Wine trail” hills of Forli and Cesena
4- Pellegrino Artusi Restaurant-Museum with cooking class
5- Gold sandy beaches of Rimini
6- Thermal waters of Fratta Terme and Bagno di Romagna
7- Al Meni festival (Michelin-star street food)
8- Meetings with producers
9- Comacchio lagoon
10- Two UNESCO sites
11- Variety of landscapes and riding terrain
12- Superb meals and the “best home food” of Italy

Chefs
This gastronomic bike tour is co-hosted with food/travel writer Larry Olmsted who published the best-selling book “Real Food Fake Food”, and Chef Lanny Lancarte, owner of Righteous Foods, CHOMP Catering and KOOL Consulting Services.
LEARN MORE

https://vimeo.com/258982011

About Tourissimo
Founded in 2015 by Beppe Salerno and Heather Dowd, Tourissimo designs and leads active vacations in Italy.
It is about meaningful, authentic experiences that are also educational, yet fun! In designing this tour, Beppe and his guides put a strong emphasis on local productions, Slow Food, and traditional dishes. The learning, hands-on experience is at the center of this “foodie” program.

Ability Level
These rides are designed for people who are active, and willing to tackle some daily challenges. Riders can ride less or more, and take advantage of the support vehicle to skip a climb.
Tourissimo uses a 3-level scale and these tours would be rated Active, or level two.