Emilia Romagna Bike Tours with Bravo’s Top Chefs

Tourissimo, an expert in Italian soft adventure tourism, is thrilled to announce two June 2018 culinary biking vacations in the Emilia Romagna region of Italy 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.

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. Tourissimo is co-hosting this tour with Brooke Williamson and Nick Roberts, spouses, chefs and business partners.  They co-own several culinary venues that include restaurants, a culinary-focused retail store, and a small-batch ice cream shop. Chef Williamson is also a sommelier and the winner of Bravo’s Top Chef season 14.

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. Tourissimo is co-hosting this tour with food/travel writer Larry Olmsted who published the best-selling book, “Real Food Fake Food” and talented Chef Claudette Zepeda Wilkins, Executive Chef of El Jardín in San Diego and contestant on Bravo's Top Chef season 15.

About Tourissimo: Founded in 2015 by Beppe Salerno and Heather Dowd, Tourissimo designs and leads active vacations in Italy, providing turnkey, fully-supported programs primarily serving small (8-14pp) private groups through outbound tour operators, travel agents, and private organizations. All tours are designed to provide extraordinary educational hiking and bicycling experiences in regions where Tourissimo has outstanding expertise.

These carefully crafted programs are active immersions into the local culture and cuisine for energetic, highly curious, young-at-heart travelers of all abilities that love the outdoors and seek fun, educational experiences with like-minded individuals. In 2018 they will run four Chef Bike Tours in Emilia Romagna, Piedmont, and Sicily. 

Rates start at US$3,995 per person double occupancy. Bianchi carbon road bikes with GPS navigation are included as well as all tour transfers. E-bikes are available at an additional cost. For additional information and reservations visit https://www.tourissimo.travel/chef-bike-tours or call (857) 997-0051.