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The Treasures of Emilia Romagna

Food,  Music,  Architecture and Art

with Paola Bianco and Ersi Chatzidimitriou

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January 14 - 23,  2027
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Trip Status:  Open
​Tour Cost:  $ 4,900.​
​Single Supplement: $795
Activity Level:  Medium

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Ok.   You might be sweltering from the summer heat now, but soon you'll be in the doldrums of winter.    The holidays will be over, but the world is still waiting to show you exciting things to touch, smell, hear, see and taste.

 

Come to Bologna  and join Paola Bianco to delve into the treasurers of Emilia Romagna – in Bologna, Modena, Ravenna,  and Ferrara.

 

Bologna has the oldest European university and some fine Roman ruins, music , keyboard collections, cinemas, architecture and a sanctuary outside of town on a high hill.    And I forgot the food!!  Bologna is known as the food capital of Italy, at least by some.  I don’t want to offend anyone.

 

Ravenna is known for its breathtaking mosaics, beautiful relics from the Byzantine empire.  They are gorgeous.

 

Modena is known for its cars (think Ferraris) but also for one of the most lauded chefs in Europe:  Massimo Bottura.  We’ll have lunch at one of his restaurants there.

Ferrara  takes us back to the Renaissance with its elegant castles built by the Este family.  This will be a first for me and I’m really looking forward to it.

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We have other ideas, which at this time, are not solidified, but we are working on brining a wonderful cultural experience.

 

I hope you’ll join Paola and me.  I met Paola 12 years ago when I took my granddaughter Annika on her 12-year old trip.  She was into cooking and baking, so we had to center the trip around food.  Paola just happened to be the Cesarina we chose to visit for a wonderful lunch.    Since that lunch, we’ve done a food trip in Bologna and a photography trip in the Dolomites together since then, and whenever I’m in the area, we connect.   Perhaps some of you remember her zoom tours through Bologna during Covid. Paola’s an architect and a Slow Food follower. 

 

Depart from the US on Jan 14, arrive Bologna on January 15 and be transported to the Hotel Brun, smack in the center of the city.  January 23 brings us to the day of farewell, unless you care to extend your stay.

iTINERARY

The cost of this 8-day trip is $4900, which includes accommodation, all meals, transportation in Italy, excursions,  guides and administration fees.  Not included are your flight to Italy, tips and gratuities, and personal purchases and pampering.

Journey Cost

Your Hosts

Hosts
Cost

Gorgeous Ravenna mosaics!

Bologna porticoes and statue of Neptune

Paola Bianco

Paola graduated in Architecture in Venice in 1997,  and afterward pursued a Master of Science in the UK in 1998 and did training at the European Commission in year 2000.  She currently works as architect in Bologna for both the public and private sectors. Paola is very passionate about design, art, ceramics, calligraphy and food.

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Joan Hill
Owner, Host, & Director

In 2008, the seed of Artful Journeys was planted in her brain, when Joan brought together all of her life's passions, her love of music, an affinity for the beautiful things in life, and an ability to organize events to give birth to Artful Journeys, a program of art education trips for the soul.​

Joan was born and raised in the apple country of the Hudson River Valley in New York; her father was a gentle, very tolerant, educated land surveyor, and her mother was the efficient business administrator and home engineer. The youngest of four children, Joan was encouraged to pursue anything she wanted, but also to do her best. Sometimes that was very difficult, especially succeeding three very accomplished siblings.

"I have been a tour guide in Bologna since 2009, a job I love immensely because it allows me to share my enthusiasm for the territory and the history of Emilia-Romagna – the region where I grew up – with others.

I am the daughter of a Greek student and a Bolognese mother, which explains my rather difficult-to-pronounce surname, but my maternal roots are here in Italy, where I've always lived.

I attended the University of Bologna, where I graduated with a degree in art history and communication – a combination that enabled me to work in exhibition organisation and later as a creative and copywriter in an advertising agency.

During the 1991–92 academic year, I won a scholarship to spend two semesters at Berkeley (CA). This experience gave me the chance to broaden my cultural horizons, improve my English and gain a better understanding of the United States. At the end of the second semester, two friends and I drove across the country from east to west in an old car: a real adventure! From San Francisco to New York, a month on the road.

Ersi Chatzidimitriou 
Guida Turistica di Bologna e dell’Emilia Romagna
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As a tour guide, I can put some of my skills to good use: my knowledge of foreign languages, my love of art and tradition, and my communication skills.

I’m sociable and curious, and I love enjoying good food in good company.

I look forward to seeing you!"

Registration

'Basilica di San Petronio

Este Castle, Ferrara

The red area is Emilia Romagna.

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