Join Us!
Travel through Emilia-Romagna alongside longtime friend and guest chef Nicholas Elmi, for an unforgettable journey into one of Italy’s most celebrated culinary regions.
Having traveled and cooked together for years, Jeff and Nick share a natural camaraderie and mutual respect that shape the spirit of this experience. Their combined perspectives—one rooted in Italy’s culinary heritage, the other in modern fine dining—offer a rare and dynamic lens through which to explore Emilia-Romagna.
Discover Traditions
Modena Balsamic Vinegar
The most precious of condiments from the methods of processing and aging to its uses in regional recipes that we will prepare together
The King of Cheeses
Time-honored traditions to create a cheese like no other—Parmigiano-Reggiano. Inimitable. Irreplaceable. Unmistakably Italian.
Cured meats Excellence
The Spigaroli Family is so serious about their Culatello di Zibello that has created a Museum where they age this valuable prosciutto
Your Experience
Feel at home in Modena and savor la dolce vita as you wander cobblestone streets and lively piazzas surrounded by Baroque palazzos
Learn the traditional art of pasta making with the master sfogline, the local women who practice the pasta rolling ritual
Meet the Mongiorgi Family for a delicious adventure of truffle hunting, lasagna making, artisanal steaks, and live music
Experience Parma’s rich food culture, local lifestyle, and mouthwatering street eats
Itinerary
Day One
After meeting Jeff and Nick at the Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport, we kick off our week with a visit to a farm stay just outside Parma. Antica Corte Pallavicina is a magical place where the Spigaroli family, makers of culatello (literally "Little Ass”), supplies the world's most prestigious kitchens with their prized cousin of prosciutto.
We’ll enjoy an aperitif in the aging caves or The Cellars of the Corte, built in 1320, before a communal lunch at their Michelin-star restaurant, dedicated to the culinary heritage and ingredients of the Po River territory.
After lunch, we settle in at Rua Frati 48, a sixteenth-century building that is part of the historic Italian houses in the heart of Modena. A 5* small luxury hotel with elegantly appointed rooms, a spa, a gym, a vibrant bar, and a restaurant.
We gather early in the evening for an aperitivo before heading to Antica Moka for our first dive into Modena's culinary heritage. A unique testing menu by chef Anna Maria Barbieri featuring traditional dishes like gnocco fritto, tortellini in brodo, and erbazzone, a flavorful spinach pie with a light, almost cracker-like crust.
Day Two
Today, we drive a few miles out of town to Sestola and Acetaia Paltrinieri. Here, for over 200 years, the finest condiments have been produced with passion. Our visit is truly a fascinating experience that often involves digging deep into ancient family traditions… and into those barrels of Modena Balsamic Vinegar!
Later at the family's Osteria, we will prepare dishes to highlight this black liquid gold in a fun cooking class under the guidance of our chefs and learn how to use balsamic in delicious regional recipes like Parmigiano flan with chanterelle mushrooms, balsamic risotto, and lamb loin with fava beans & spring onion ragu.
Back downtown Modena, we meet our local guide for a stroll through the narrow streets and admire the City's monumental treasures, such as the Cathedral, one of the finest European Romanesque masterpieces, Piazza Grande, the Ghirlandina Tower, and the Pavarotti Theatre.
Following our afternoon break, the evening begins with a classic Italian aperitif at Caffetteria Giusti, a historic bar facing the stunning Baroque Palazzo Ducale.
Tonight's dinner is in Maranello at Il Cavallino, where Massimo Bottura's creative cuisine pays tribute to Ferrari's legacy, which hovers fully in the air, thanks to the photos and the engines arranged like sculptures.
Now, that's our kind of Monday night dinner!
Day Three
After a delicious breakfast, let's head to Parma for a walk through the elegant and typical shops of the center that will fascinate and engage your senses. A journey that will delight eyes, nose, and palate by discovering the gastronomic delicacies that have made the City famous worldwide. We'll savor the most delicious street food and visit the landmarks of the City. We also discover the scents of Parma, starting with the unmistakable Violetta di Parma, a symbol of an era, and the origins of the first Italian cologne, Acqua di Parma.
When we return to the Hotel, leisurely spend the rest of the afternoon relaxing or follow Jeff and Nick at the Enzo Ferrari Museum to learn about Italy's iconic racing automobile. Classic models are housed in a colossal yellow aluminum-hooded car space, a breakthrough structure of modern architectural design, and take a look into the life of the founder and visionary himself, Enzo Ferrari.
Later, we head out to our Michelin-starred dinner at L'Erba del Re. We reserve a private space in this multi-award-winning gourmet restaurant, just a short walk away from Piazza della Pomposa, the most beautiful piazza of Modena. The Expression menu is a journey designed by talented chef Luca Marchini to accompany our taste buds on an experience of different and interesting sensations. His dishes are interpretations that start from a solid base in Emilia Romagna cuisine, and the "substance" remains at the center of every one of his preparations.
Day Four
Enjoy your breakfast and a slow start to your day. In one of the nearby piazzas, you can engage in shopping or people-watching.
For lunch today, we meet Jeff and Nick at the legendary Mercato Albinelli and mingle with the locals. This vibrant place keeps alive the tradition and heritage of the ancient market that, since the Middle Ages, has spiced up the streets and squares of Modena, safeguarding the City’s cultural and nutritional values and personal and close customer relationships. We meet the many food artisans behind the counters, and led by our chefs, we feast on the most delicious bites of the market!
This afternoon, we reach the tiny hillside village of Savigno, where life is slow, simple, and filled with a deep sense of connection to the land. Here, the artisans proudly carry on family traditions, like Guidoof Bottega del Macellaio, raising a local Mora pig breed and truffle hunting in the hills of Bologna for three generations. Venture into the enchanting woods in search of the elusive jewels, uncovering the secrets behind one of the country's most sought-after delicacies. At Guido's wife's kitchen, put your apron on, have fun, and join the chefs in preparing simple and delicious dishes highlighted by truffles and a curated selection of fresh-cut meats. This is home cooking at its best and a source of inspiration for your family dinners back at home!
Day Five
Today we travel a little further down south, to the City of Bologna. After exploring the many stands featuring regional specialties inside the legendary Mercato delle Erbe, we enjoy genuine and straightforward foods like handmade tigelle, mortadella mousse, and squacquerone, a local decadent and creamy cheese.
We meet our local expert for a walk to burn off some calories. Succinctly described by the three words La Rossa (the red), La Dotta (the learned), and La Grassa (the fat), Bologna is famous for its unique red color, its excellent gastronomy, and the seat of the oldest university in Europe.
Enjoy some free time and a generous scoop of gelato before our Bolognese evening begins with a very serious class in the traditional art of pasta making with the master sfogline. These local women practice the pasta rolling ritual. Assisted by chefs Nick Elmi and Jeff Michaud, you'll learn how to roll out the yolk-rich dough until it is thin enough to see through. Shape regional specialties like Tortellini, Tortelloni, and Tagliatelle before sitting down to feast on your creations.
Day Six
This Friday morning, we set out for Sestola, a small village in the Apennine mountains outside Modena, to discover all the secrets of Parmigiano Reggiano production. During our visit, we closely observed the cheesemaker's careful work at each phase of processing to understand how the milk—which comes directly from 4 nearby family-run stables—is transformed into Parmigiano Reggiano.
Getting hungry? Our lunch today is in the charming tasting room of a Prosciuttificio in Manaro sul Panaro. At 500 feet above sea level and near a river, it creates climate conditions ideal for naturally curing meat over time. Here, artisans can use less salt to preserve the meat and still follow the traditions handed down over the centuries in local farming families. We discover how the legacy of prosciutto making is a masterful balance between tradition and innovation. We were impressed by the flavor of their Modena prosciutto, culatta, and fiocco dolce: rich and savory flavors with a wonderfully tender mouthfeel.
Back in Modena, you have free time to shop, enjoy a coffee in the piazza, or simply relax at the Hotel.
Our last supper of the week is a private dining experience at Hosteria Giusti, a piece of Modena's gastronomic history that will be reserved for us for the evening. Situated in a retro-style room to the rear of an elegant delicatessen, it feels like being at your Nonna's home. Chef Morandi's menu highlights quintessential Modena flavors like Fried cotechino with Lambrusco Zabaglione, crispy eggplants millefoglie with balsamic vinegar, and freshly made tagliatelle with pork cheek ragu. We promise to be a dinner you won't forget.
Day Seven
Our journey together through Emilia Romagna has come to an end. Between eating and drinking, the magnificent cities of Modena, Bologna, and Parma, we hope this trip left you with wonderful memories and newfound friends.
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What You Need To Know
Read our FAQs below. Or email us at travel@laviagaia.com.
What does the price include?
Six nights accommodation in a Deluxe room at the 5-star Hotel Rua Frati 48 in the heart of Modena (in double occupancy); private van with driver for all trips and excursions in itinerary; airport group transfer at arrival and departure (see arrival & departure details below); private tours with local guides and cultural experts; exclusive VIP access and tastings; guided activities; entrance fees; daily breakfasts, lunches and dinners with wine; gratuities.
What does the price not include?
International roundtrip airfare; travel insurance; transportation to the trip’s starting point; activities not included in the trip itinerary; hotel incidentals including room service, laundry service, and personal hotel bar tabs; food and beverages not included in the itinerary.
What are the arrival & departure details?
The trip starting and ending point is the Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport. We recommend that you arrive, on or before Saturday, April 10, 2027. On April 11, we’ll meet as a group at 9am at the Airport. The last day of our culinary trip is Saturday, April 17, 2027. You should schedule flights home after 11 am from Bologna Guglielmo Marconi.
Who is going on this trip?
We limit the group to no more than 16 travelers, your host Jeff Michaud, and our dear friend Chef Nicholas Elmi. In our culinary trips, you can expect to be joined by a group of like-minded people who share your passion for Italian food and traditions - including solo travelers, couples, and friends traveling together. This trip is not recommended for people with mobility issues, as the location features steps and old cobblestone streets.
Who is leading this trip?
This journey is led by our founder, Chef Jeff Michaud, who has lived and trained extensively in Northern Italy and has personally crafted the week's itinerary. Joining him as our culinary guest is Chef Nicholas Elmi, a James Beard Award nominee and partner of BEHospitality, whose projects include Lark, The Landing Kitchen, and The Pump House in Philadelphia. Throughout the trip, we’ll also be joined by local artisans and expert guides who bring a deep knowledge of the region’s culture, traditions, and history—along with a genuine passion for sharing it with us.
What is the cancellation policy?
You may cancel on or before November 12, 2026 and receive a full refund minus the $1,500 per person non-refundable initial deposit. If you cancel on or after November 13, 2026, a 50% cancellation fee will apply. Cancellations made on or after January 11, 2027 are non-refundable (100% cancellation fee). We highly recommend purchasing travel insurance, as we are not able to make exceptions to this policy for family or medical emergencies or trip cancellations. Please see our Terms and Conditions for full details.
What Travel documents are needed?
U.S. citizens are required to show a valid US passport. It is recommended that your passport is valid for six months after your travels are over. Starting soon, U.S. travelers will also be required to obtain an ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System) travel authorization before entering most European countries, including Italy. This is a simple online application linked to your passport and should be completed before departure. More information can be found here: ETIAS.
Can this itinerary be booked for a private group?
Yes! We can customize this trip and itinerary at a time that is most convenient for you and your friends. The minimum number of participants for a private trip is 10. For more information contact us at travel@laviagaia.com.
Do I need to pay a solo traveler supplement?
Yes, there is a $1,900 supplement for solo travelers, to be paid at the time of booking to secure a private room. Single spots are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. (See our Terms and Conditions for full details).
Still have questions?
Email us at travel@laviagaia.com
