Cities of the Po

Arrive into Bologna and meet your Expert Guide Lecturer and fellow travellers at your hotel.

Meals: Dinner

Accommodation: Hotel Porta San Mamolo

The delights of Bologna await today, beginning with the Archaeological Museum. Housed in the 15th-century Palazzo Galvani, it boasts an impressive collection of artefacts, spanning from prehistoric times to the Roman age. Highlights include the Etruscan and Greek collections along with significant Egyptian items, providing a comprehensive overview of ancient civilisations as well as Bologna’s own history. Next, we head to the multimedia library of Salaborsa, a fascinating cultural space inside Palazzo d’Accursio, the former seat of the city’s government. The transparent floor allows us to admire the ancient excavations, where two main Roman streets were unearthed in the 1990s along with remnants of Etruscan and Villanovan civilisations, indicating that Bologna was a significant settlement long before Roman times. Look out for ancient wells, cisterns and parts of a Roman basilica before we have lunch in Bologna. In the afternoon we visit Basilica San Petronio, a majestic example of an Italian Gothic cathedral that dates back to 1390, before continuing to Santuario Santo Stefano. Known as sette chiese (seven churches), the complex merges multiple buildings constructed in different eras and is also home to an art museum.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Hotel Porta San Mamolo

After breakfast we drive to pretty Ferrara, where we discover a whole host of treasures. First is the defining image of the city, the medieval moated fortress of Castello Estense. Originally built for the Este family who ruled Ferrara for centuries, it features four huge towers, drawbridges, prison cells and opulent rooms, including the Ducal Apartments, adorned with frescoes and lavish decorations. The stunning 12th-century Cattedrale San Giorgio is next, decorated with intricate sculptures and reliefs depicting biblical scenes and medieval life. There are also beautiful frescoes to admire inside, as well as an impressive altar and the tombs of notable figures from Ferrara’s history. We continue to the National Archaeological Museum of Ferrara, set in Palazzo Costabili. It is renowned for its varied collection of artefacts from the Etruscan city of Spina, a significant settlement which flourished between the 6th and 3rd centuries BCE and was discovered by chance in 1922. While objects include pottery, bronzes and jewellery, the highlight of the museum is the collection of Greek vases, considered one of the most significant in the world. Following lunch, we make our last stop in Ferrara at the Renaissance Palazzo Schifanoia. Built for the Estes to ‘escape from boredom’ as the name translates to, we learn more about the powerful family here. A testament to the artistic achievements of the Este court, the Salone dei Mesi (Hall of the Months) is a sight to behold, adorned with some of Italy’s most important 15th-century frescoes that depict the activities of each month, astrological symbols and mythological figures. We explore the charming garden and several rooms showcasing Renaissance décor before making our way back to Bologna.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Hotel Porta San Mamolo

Today we head to the pretty town of Comacchio in the Emilia Romagna region, known as ‘Little Venice’ thanks to its picturesque canals and bridges. After a walk in the historic centre we visit the Museum of the Ancient Delta to learn more about the crossroads of the ancient world. The vast collection of artefacts helps to tell the stories of the civilisations that once thrived on the Po Delta, including the well-preserved Roman shipwreck from the 1st century BCE, with its cargo of amphorae and other goods, along with ancient fishing tools, pottery and household items. We enjoy lunch in Comacchio and drive back to Bologna, stopping at the 9th-century Pomposa Abbey, a Benedictine monastery famous for its Carolingian manuscripts and stunning Romanesque architecture. You can expect a tall bell tower, intricate Biblical frescoes, beautiful mosaics and ancient relics along with the cloisters, refectory, chapter house and scriptorium.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Hotel Porta San Mamolo

The lovely city of Modena is the focus today, nestled on the south side of the Po Valley. Our first stop is the impressive cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This Romanesque masterpiece, constructed in the 12th century, is famous for its stunning architecture and intricate sculptures, with the façade adorned with remarkable Biblical reliefs by Wiligelmo. Inside, the cathedral houses the relics of Saint Geminianus, the patron saint of Modena, and features a beautifully decorated crypt, impressive frescoes and a majestic rose window. The climb up to the top of Ghirlandina Tower is well worth it to see the panoramic views of the city and surrounding countryside. Next stop is the Baroque Ducal Palace, where a number of Este family members were born or died. Serving as the residence of the Este Dukes of Modena until 1859, it now houses the Military Academy of Modena. We explore the ducal apartments, decorated with exquisite frescoes, tapestries and period furniture. After lunch in Modena, we head to the Mutina Archaeological Park. Remarkable discoveries took place here during the construction of the underground car park, including the remnants of roads and buildings from the Roman period. As almost all of the structures are in the exact position as they were found, the ancient city layout and various exhibits provide a fascinating insight into one of the main roads which once connected the northern provinces of the Empire with Rome. Afterwards, we make our way back to Bologna.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Hotel Porta San Mamolo

This morning we visit Parma, known for its artistic masterpieces and culinary delights. We discover some of the city’s highlights, including the Teatro Farnese, a spectacular wooden theatre built in the early 17th century. Originally constructed for grand ducal ceremonies, it was heavily damaged during World War II and has undergone a meticulous restoration process. We also explore the stunning Baptistery, one of Europe’s most important medieval monuments as it marks a transition between Romanesque and Gothic styles. Made from pink Verona marble, the octagonal marvel was completed in the 13th century and boasts intricate bas-reliefs depicting biblical scenes, historic frescoes and a magnificent dome showcasing the Last Judgment. The adjacent cathedral is also highly impressive, dating back to 1074 as a fire destroyed the previous early Christian basilica. Notable features include beautiful Renaissance art, a large marble pulpit, centuries-old statues of lions, the ancient Bishop’s throne, the crypt and grand frescoes by Corregio, particularly the Assumption of the Virgin, which graces the dome with its dynamic and illusionistic style. After some lunch and a chance to sample Parma’s local delicacies, we head to the National Archaeological Museum, one of Italy’s oldest museums and a real treasure trove of ancient artefacts. Established in 1760 to house the items found during the excavation of Roman Veleia, the museum’s extensive collection now spans several millennia, from prehistoric times to the late Roman period. Highlights include a remarkable array of Roman sculptures, mosaics and inscriptions, Etruscan and Greek items plus the Tabula Alimentaria, a large bronze tablet that details a Roman welfare programme for children.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Hotel Porta San Mamolo

After breakfast, we drive to the Museum of Villanovan Civilisation, located in the town of Castenaso, and journey back to the early Iron Age. The museum is dedicated to the Villanovan culture and influence, considered to be the earliest phase of the Etruscan civilisation. Spanning the 8th to 6th centuries BCE, the artefacts here include pottery, bronze tools, weapons and jewellery along with funerary urns and grave objects that illuminate the burial practices of the Villanovans. Outside, there is also a fascinating reconstruction of a furnished Villanovan hut. Our second stop of the day is in Marzabotto, known for its tragic history during the Second World War and its Etruscan site, the ancient city of Kainua. Located on this site is the Pompeo Aria National Etruscan Museum, and a visit here offers a captivating glimpse into the life of Etruscans through its displays of unique artefacts and burial objects found in the necropolis, as well as ruins of temples, houses and streets. We drive to Montale after lunch and visit the Bronze Age site of Terramare di Montale. This open-air museum is a wonderful place to learn about the Terramare culture, which thrived in the Po Valley during the Middle Bronze Age. Stroll through the reconstructed village from 3,500 years ago with its defensive walls, hut and moat, based on the extensive excavations carried out in the area, and discover the tools, ornaments and other artefacts on show to further understand the technological and cultural advancements of the Terramare people. Afterwards, we return to Bologna for our final evening.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Hotel Porta San Mamolo

Depart for the airport or continue your trip at leisure.

Meals: Breakfast