Modena to Bologna and Parma: Private day trip

Bologna is the capital of the Emilia-Romagna region and dates back to almost a thousand years B.C. A center of university life, Bologna is also home to the oldest university in Europe. The city has a rich culinary history with many creamy pasta sauces and hearty meat dishes. When visiting Bologna, you’ll notice plenty of arcaded streets. The town center is one of the best preserved in Europe. Piazza Maggiore, the heart of the city, is lively and entertaining with many outdoor dining and drinking establishments. It’s surrounded by the Basilica of San Petronio, the city hall building, and the Neptune fountain (among other buildings). Don’t forget to check out the Asinelli Tower, the city’s largest tower. This slightly leaning tower is actually larger than the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa and can be reached to the top in 498 steps. After enjoying some Italian cuisine, stroll along city’s arcaded streets and explore all that Bologna has to offer.

One of Italy’s most prosperous cities, Parma was founded by the Romans in 183 BC. The distinguished city has many important art galleries, museums, old churches and buildings to explore in this compact city. Three delectable foods are associated with the city of Parma: parmesan cheese, prosciutto, and handmade pasta. This, of course, means that there’s also a wide range of restaurants serving local delicious cuisine to choose from. In the heart of Parma lies its cathedral square, Piazza Duomo, with its attractive cobblestone. Located within the piazza is the renowned city cathedral. This 13th century cathedral is a prominent example of Romanesque style of the Po Valley. Another notable attraction located in the heart of town is the baptistery, or Battistero. This striking octagon-shaped building dates back to the 12th century and features pink Verona marble decorated with medieval carvings. Inside, many colorful frescoes are waiting to be discovered. Sample some parmesan cheese and prosciutto as you make your way through this colorful city.