(please note this experience is available only for private bookings):

• Exclusive cultural food tour in Bologna with a specialized local tour guide to introduce you to both the region’s culinary treasure chest as well as the city’s historic monuments and key cultural sites in between tasting stops.

• Enjoy the exploring and savoring Bologna without any distractions from other travelers with this private format including tailoring the experience to your personal curiosities along with the undivided attention from our partnering stops & guides

• Min. 5 gourmet tasting pit-stops at hidden local gems hard to find on your own involving:
  

  • Bolognese sweet pastries and Italian roasted espresso at a bustling local-loved coffee bar bakery

  • *Pasta tasting with wine. Taste classics like meat-filled tortellini or ricotta-filled tortelloni for vegetarians

  • Diving into Emilia-Romagna's product pantry: cold cut meats like culatello, prosciutto di Parma, mortadella, salami (pork-based), aged parmigiano-reggiano and bakery specialties along with tasting wines from the region

  • *Understand traditional, aged balsamic vinegar from Modena at an old-fashioned family-run specialty goods shop, whose owner also produces the prized, umami-rich balsamic vinegar (*this stop not available on Sunday tours)

  • Revel in wholly artisanal gelato and Bologna's mark on the gelato world

• Stop at a 15th century landmark pub and learn about Bologna’s historical osterie

• Discover the curious origins that have formed Bologna's food culture

• **Experience the behind-the-scenes of a fresh pasta laboratory where Bologna's iconic pastas are made by skilled sfogline pasta masters (subject to availability, for morning tours ONLY Monday-Friday)

After your Curious Appetite tour, you will feel more confident to return to these shops, order at restaurants and know what defines the local food landscape. Discover the most memorable fresh pasta (and not only) in one of Italy’s most food-centric cities.

Inclusions: 5 stops min. and all food tastings (pastries, espresso, baked specialties (sweet and savory), fresh pasta tasting (2 types), local wine (2 tasting pairings), aged balsamic vinegar tasting, craft chocolates and artisanal gelato) entrance to the pasta lab and pasta demo (when avail), in-depth guided cultural food tour and personable, bilingual tour guide. 3hr guided service with a personable, knowledgeable bilingual tour guide. Vegetarian options available.

Not included: Travel insurance, transport, custom meeting point can be arranged an an extra fee, overtime due to transport delays (see note below under additional terms), additional tastings and trip cancellation insurance. 

PLEASE READ BEFORE BOOKING

PRIVATE TOUR Cost:
1-2 adults = $275 pp, 3 adults = $215 pp, 4-5 adults = $179 pp, 6 adults = $165 pp, 7-8 adults = $150 pp.

Discounted Youth Tickets (under 16): Dynamic pricing based on private group size, discounted tickets displayed at check out (min. $10min off per youth under 16y/o). Note: 2 adult ticket min. purchase required before a youth rate can be applied.

*July & August 2026 Summer PROMO pricing available, discounted pricing displayed at checkout.

Please note these are standard rates for Mon-Sat.

For groups larger than 8, please contact via “Request Custom Quote & Info” button.

START TIME:
10am or 3pm Daily

*Sunday tours are arranged upon request and at a premium rate due to extra coordination involved. Please note that some of the usual stops may be closed & alternatives provided.

We accept online bookings for up to 8 guests per private party total. For a larger group discount OR if a larger group, contact us via “request custom quote” for a special rate/quote (i.e. larger group reduction/volume discount)

Meeting point for all tours: Near Piazza Maggiore, exact location provided in confirmation letter.

Duration: 3 hours

PLEASE NOTE/READ BEFORE BOOKING: If you are coming to Bologna solely to attend this experience, we strongly advise you to arrange train tickets only after receiving a confirmation that your booking request has been accepted. If you’re arriving from outside Bologna same-day as your booked experience, please allow buffer time for delays when booking train tickets.

Weekend tours, afternoon tours and tours in August have slight variations based on availabilities of our partnering stops.

If the pasta demo is unavailable due to unexpected circumstances (holidays, closures, staffing, scheduled remodels, etc), we’ll contact you with options. Rest assured we’ll still learn (and eat) Bologna’s pasta making traditions via tastings and visiting shops.

The pasta demo with tasting for afternoon tours or in extraordinary circumstances will be held at an alternative osteria venue

For the month of August, the pasta demo is subject to availability for morning tours and unavailable for weekend tours and afternoon tours. The pasta demo is also unavailable on national Italian holidays- pasta tastings will always be included even when the laboratory is closed to visits for the demo component.

For vegetarians, please bear in mind we can offer alternative local foods to replace some of the meats otherwise included and vegetarian pastas (ricotta-filled), bearing in mind Bologna is known as a meaty city and we can’t guarantee against cross contamination or animal derived ingredients such as rennet. 

For celiacs, we would recommend partaking in a mostly cultural-focused tour with some select tasting stops that wouldn’t pose an issue. For gluten-free lifestyles/dietary restrictions (not celiac), we cannot arrange GF pasta but we can work around it as long as cross contamination does not pose any risk.

If you plan to arrive to Bologna same-day as your booked activity, you are responsible for getting to the meeting point on time and we are not responsible for delays by train or other transport method. If coming from Florence, book an early train/don’t book a train too close to our 10am morning tour start time to allow for possible train delays or consider the afternoon tour slot. Grazie!

Our online ticketing calendar will automatically program premium fees for culinary walks during certain holiday dates. The supplement is subject to the following dates (and other Italian national holidays) and will be reflected in the booking calendar.

**Between the months of November to January our usual pasta laboratory stop will be closed due to the busy holiday tortellini production, the pasta demo component and tasting will be held at an alternative osteria venue. We look forward to having you!

All Italian National Holidays
24,25,26 and 31 December
January 1st
Pasqua and Pasquetta (Easter and Easter Monday) 

We require a minimum 2-adult ticket purchase in order to buyout a private tour slot. I’m afraid we do not offer group tours at this time, however, please reach out to us and we are happy to see if we can squeeze you on another tour and/or arrange for your to join a group experience in Florence!

Yes, this experience is offered only as a private tour, so you and your party will have the guide’s full attention and can customize the experience based on your interests.

Yes! A high-speed train connects Florence to Bologna which makes it easy for a day trip, just please be sure to book your train with ample time in advance of your tour to account for any possible train delays!

Of course! Pasta is one of the biggest hitters on our tour, you will get to learn how pasta is made and try iconic stuffed pasta that Bologna is famed for.

Of course! Families and children are welcome, our tour is very food-focused with minimal alcohol involved and very family-friendly. Interactive elements like our pasta-making demonstration make it a great hit with the kids!

Yes we can arrange with some limitations. Please reach out to us for more information, as long as your aware and flexible we’ll do our best to accommodate where we can.

Yes, but one thing to note is that traditionally Bologna doesn't have an enormous variety of foods and is heavily pork-based- hence the nickname, La Grassa- the fatty city! Our tours are focused on the traditional cuisine of the region and 2 of the heavy hitters on tour are our pasta stop & cured meat stops. We can certainly arrange some vegetarian pastas and other alternatives, where we can as long as you’re flexible!

Custom start times may be possible. Please contact us when booking to discuss availability.

We’re happy to! Once you’ve booked, just reach out to us for personalized recommendations. Or check out our blog: https://thecuriousappetite.com/2023/10/10/best-food-in-bologna-italy/