Taste Bologna: Modena Food Tour and Balsamic Tasting

The Modena Food Tour and Balsamic Tasting is a day-trip food experience run by Taste Bologna di Andrea Chierici, the same local operator behind the company's Bologna walking tours. Although it is sold from Bologna, the tour takes place in Modena, about 35 minutes away by regional train in Italy's Emilia-Romagna region. Guests travel independently to Modena and meet the guide at Piazza Grande, next to the Pietra Ringadora, in the UNESCO-listed historic centre beside the cathedral. The regional train from Bologna Centrale costs about EUR 3.50-4 (about $4-$4.60) each way, and this fare is not included in the tour price. The tour is a morning experience at 10:00AM, Monday to Saturday, and is limited to just 8 guests, giving it a more intimate pace than larger group tours. It lasts about 3.5 hours across five tasting stops focused on the specialities that made Modena famous. Highlights include more than five tastings of traditional balsamic vinegar DOP at different ages, a Parmigiano Reggiano tasting, gnocco fritto, tigelle served with Lambrusco, and a dessert such as Torta Barozzi. The balance is savoury through most stops, with the aged balsamic vinegar bridging savoury and sweet and the cake closing the tour. The price starts from EUR 99 (about $114) per person, with children aged 4 to 10 at EUR 49 (about $56). The tastings are included, and the guide explains how traditional balsamic differs from the commercial products found in supermarkets. Visitors with dietary restrictions should contact the operator at tastebologna.net before booking, since the menu is built around cheese, cured products and fried dough. The tour pairs well with an early train from Bologna, leaving the afternoon free to explore Modena's market or return to Bologna.