Deli window in Bologna's central food market.

Emilia-Romagna and its capital, Bologna are renowned throughout the world as Italy's gastronomic paradise: Parmesan cheese, traditional balsamic vinegar of Modena, prosciutto in Parma, tortellini and an amazing array of other silk-like pastas, a light olive oil and a variety of very good wines.

Experience these food treasures and real Italian life first hand with a local family. With the mother, you stroll in Bologna’s market in the medieval centre, past street stalls and heavenly gastronomic shops, stuffed with eye-popping food displays--a paradise for foodies and photographers! Together you shop for the ingredients for your cooking lesson.

In the family’s home in Bologna’s historic centre, with the mother, an excellent home cook, you make an authentic, full menu meal with appetizers, pastas like tortellini in meat broth, lasagna, tagliatelle with real Bolognese ragu, vegetables with herbs, meat dishes and tantalizing desserts. You dine on your creations with the family around their dining table as you laugh or exchange stories so soon you feel like a family friend.

Next day the father, a long time cooking tour guide, takes you to experience parmesan cheese, prosciutto and balsamic vinegar making right with the producers.

Making parmesan cheese.

Near Parma, you arrive at a parmesan cheese factory just as they’re beginning the day's production to watch all the steps they go through to make parmesan---fascinating, like witnessing a birth as the cheese comes out of its liquid in the huge vats. As you step into the immense storehouse filled with thousands of rounds of cheese, you feel awed, like you’re entering a food lover’s Fort Knox.

Your family hosts

With guides and hosts, (picture right), you feel like you're cooking with your local Italian friends who are showing you their city and some of their favourite places and people. An authentic Italian experience with a Bologna family around the table, sharing simple joys of real Italian life!