FOOD TOUR REVIEW: MY EXPERIENCE EATING IN BOLOGNA

Bologna is considered to be one of the major food cities in Italy. This is a big deal because Bologna is, well, Italy can be an international food destination. It is home to some of the most coveted classifications in the country and is quickly becoming an essential destination for food tourism.

Food is what attracted me to Bologna. I had been there for a meal. Through time I’d heard of it from my friends, so while traveling between Prague and Rome, I decided it was time to go to the restaurant and See if I eat to myself.

Since I am a big food tour enthusiast, I signed up through Find Your Guide. The walks will help you understand the distinctive cuisine of a particular region and its past, all with the help of an individual who will inform you about the top restaurants to dine at.

Get Your Guide is an activity and experience booking site. You can name an experience, and it’s got it. Imagine it as Expedia but with tours and other activities.

There are plenty of food tours on Get Your Guide. I chose The 3-Hour Secret Food Tour as it received several favorable reviews and was available during lunchtime (at high levels of hungry). It also seemed to last long (value for the price).

Was it a good experience? Was it worth the effort? I’ll tell you.

It began with a stop at Piazza di Porta Ravegnana, where we received traditional pastries and an explanation of our tour. Then, it was an excursion through the market close to Via degli Orefici, an area that, although it is located in a popular part of town (right close to Piazza degli Orefici, the city’s main square), remains a favorite by residents.

It was here that we went to Osteria del Sole. This wine bar with a reasonable price was suggested to me by a friend known for being there for hundreds of years and letting patrons bring food from outside. It’s extremely popular with people who live nearby. I’d been there earlier in the evening, and revisiting and learning more about the place was fascinating. (Many food tours go at the restaurant, so it’s not a secret.)

Our guide crossed the street to pick up an abundance of cheese and meat from shops across the street (as it is the only wine shop that does not serve food items). We tasted some mortadella, one of the most famous regional sausages, along with Parma Ham, a light cheese, a parmigiana cheese, and a different type of cheese I’m not sure of. We got off to a great beginning!

After, we walked through the back streets to an eatery, where we enjoyed a glass of wine and the traditional tortelloni. Then we discovered the distinction between tortelloni versus tortellini did not realize that there was a distinction. It turns out that tortelloni is made primarily of cheeses, herbs, and other vegetables, whereas tortelloni is made with meat.

We also discovered that the area serves its pasta al dente (cooked in a way that allows it to keep a soft texture). I’m not a fan of this method, partly because I lived in suburban suburbia of the middle class and became used to cooking overcooked pasta. However, it was good. We also tried some red wine, and since certain people on the tour were not drinking, I happily completed their glass.

It was also the place where we got to chat with our extremely knowledgeable guide. He moved to Bologna about ten years ago and was extremely enthusiastic about Bologna’s cuisine scene. He was also a pleasure to talk to about his life living in Bologna and the growing tourism (he wasn’t an Airbnb fan).

Then we returned to the market, where we began the trip to enjoy the balsamic vinegar tasting. Nearby, Modena is the best location for balsamic vinegar, as no tour of food can be complete without it. We sampled three varieties: five years, 15, and a 25-year. As balsamic matures, it becomes more dense and much more delicious. I enjoyed the 15-year best. It had more consistency and flavor. I found the 25 years to be too excessively sweet.

After that, it became time for gelato and saying goodbyes. (Frankly, I think desserts should accompany every goodbye.)

Was this the most memorable food tour I’ve been on? No. It was pretty normal. There was much walking between stops. Perhaps If they were a bit closer, going to more locations would have been possible. We also ended at the exact spot we began, which was like walking circularly.

It gave me everything I needed and more, even if it did not surprise me.

I was full after the tour, which is the most important part of an experience with food. Our guide understood what he was talking about and was extremely committed to food. He wasn’t just going around in circles. He was a foodie!

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