The red, the fat, and the learned—Italy's great food city under 40km of medieval porticoes.
Your on-the-ground insiders. The ones who know the enduring favourites, the quiet corners and what’s worth your time.
Amalfi, Sorrento +11
5.0(6)Born and raised in Italy's Marche region, I have explored the country from north to south during travels and study periods away from home. I have lived part of my life in amazing cities such as Venice and Bologna, and have visited Rome a lot since I have family and friends there. I am an experienced trip planner for destinations all over Italy, from the breezy Cinqueterre in Liguria down to the sun kissed Amalfi coast. If you want someone to help you with all-encompassing guidance and make the best out of your trip to Italy, I will be most happy to help you!
Bologna, Ferrara +13
Hello, I am Mauro, geologist, hiking guide and scuba dive instructor. I am Sicilian, but citizen of the world. I am a positive person with a talent to interpersonal relationships. I like meet people and show every beautiful things of my country. I like travel around Europe and discover small towns or villages where the people conserve ours traditions. I like the food and wine tour because it make a relation around the table (The Convivio) or a cooking traditions. When I'm at home, I like to cook for my family and prepare pizza, bread and fresh pasta.
Bologna, Ravenna +6
5.0(4)👋 Hi, nice to meet you! My name is Francesca, I live in a small town in the province of Ravenna. I speak English and French. 🎨 I'm an art expert because of my two degrees in Cultural Heritage and Visual Arts at the University of Bologna, where I've lived during my studies. I've lived it with a student life's eyes (pubs, restaurants, places to have fun, listen to some music, dance...) but also because I love art I've explored museums, art galleries, history, traditions, culture and more. ✈️ After University I decided to take a break and I've moved to Canada where I've lived for more than one year, then I came back to become a Travel Designer thanks to a course in Milan. 🧳 This year I got my Tour Guide certificate with the goal to guide families, groups of friends or couples during their travels to show them more than they expect!
Bologna, Naples +2
Hi, I’m Elisabeth. I live in Italy and I’ve always been deeply connected to the rhythms of everyday life here—slow walks through historic streets, good food shared without rush, and small details that most travellers might miss. I love exploring places both like a local and like a curious outsider: from hidden cafés and traditional bakeries to quiet corners where you can really feel the atmosphere of a city. I’ve spent a lot of time discovering how to enjoy Italian life in a balanced, authentic way—whether that means finding the right spot for a relaxed meal, a scenic walk, or simply a peaceful moment away from the crowds. I’m especially drawn to culture, storytelling, and traditions, particularly from southern Italy, so I naturally bring a more emotional and immersive perspective to travel. If you’re looking to experience a place beyond the typical tourist path, I’ll help you see it with different eyes.
Bologna wears three nicknames proudly: La Rossa (the red) for its terracotta buildings and leftist politics, La Grassa (the fat) for its extraordinary food culture, and La Dotta (the learned) for hosting the world's oldest university, founded in 1088. The centro storico is a medieval marvel of leaning towers, hidden canals, and UNESCO-listed porticoes stretching 40 kilometres through the city. But Bologna's real magic is edible: tortellini in brodo, ragù bolognese (never called 'spaghetti bolognese' here), mortadella, and fresh tagliatelle. The university gives the city a youthful energy, with aperitivo bars spilling into piazzas and a live music scene that rivals cities twice its size.
April to June or September to November. The Po Valley is foggy in winter and hot in summer. Autumn brings food festivals and the famous Cinema Ritrovato film festival in late June.
A sfoglina is a pasta-making master—usually a woman who's been rolling by hand for decades. A local can arrange a lesson in a real Bolognese kitchen where you'll learn the traditional pinch that shapes each tiny parcel.
The world's longest portico—almost 4km with 666 arches—climbs from the city centre to the hilltop Sanctuary of San Luca. A local will time the walk for sunset views over the terracotta rooftops.
Bologna once had a canal system rivalling Venice's. Most are now underground, but a local knows the Finestrella di Via Piella—a tiny window revealing a secret canal—and the history of the city's lost waterways.
Francesca came to Bologna to study art history and fell in love with the city through its churches. Four sacred spaces that contain art that changes how you see the world. And a city full of life around them.
As a mother and wife in Bologna, date nights are precious. Sara takes you to the three places she actually books when she and her husband want a meal that feels like a celebration. Elegant, seasonal, and unmistakably Bolognese.
