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5 good reasons to visit Grand Tour Italia

Updated on 26 March 2026 From Grand Tour Italia

Grand Tour Italia is offering a unique experience to celebrate the cultural and food and wine biodiversity of Italy's 20 regions across 50,000 square metres. Located in Bologna, Grand Tour Italia promises an extraordinary journey through food, art, traditions and entertainment, blending education, recreation and sustainability.

Each region has its own dedicated space including a landscape and tourism promotion area, a typical osteria, a market with regional products and an educational area. Important partners such as the Holden School, Coldiretti and Slow Food have been entrusted with the narration of history, culture, agriculture and food and wine biodiversity.

Admission to the park and parking are free of charge. Grand Tour Italia, open Thursday to Sunday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., offers entertainment of all kinds, with music, shows and events for adults and children. A free shuttle service is also available at weekends (Saturday and Sunday) subject to availability.

The daily schedule, full of activities, cooking and food education classes, workshops and events, is designed to ensure an exciting journey through the traditions and excellence of Italy.

Here are 5 good reasons why you shouldn't miss a visit to Grand Tour Italia

1. A journey through italian culture

The centrepiece of the experience is the extraordinary gastronomic variety of the Italian regions. Each area of the park is dedicated to a region, with typical taverns and markets where you can taste and buy local products. From the robust flavours of Sicilian cuisine to the refined dishes of Trentino, Grand Tour Italia is offering you the chance to taste Italy in one go.


2. Immersive experiences - cooking classes and workshops

If you'd love to get your hands on pasta, Grand Tour Italia is the right place for you. Join the cooking classes and workshops organised by Slow Food, to learn the secrets of homemade pasta, Neapolitan pizza and the Italian wine tradition thanks to the Italian Sommelier Association. Each experience is designed to bring visitors closer to the richness of Italian cuisine, both interactively and entertainingly.

Free courses for seniors and workshops for children and teens promote food education and conscious shopping, with sessions dedicated to the over-65s every Thursday and Friday at 11.30 am and 5 pm, and to the younger visitors (5-13 years old) on Thursdays and Fridays at 6.30 pm.


3. Literary thursdays: a salon of culture and aperitifs

Every Thursday at 7 p.m. Grand Tour Italia is hosting the Giovedì Letterari (Literary Thursdays), a special (and free) opportunity to meet renowned authors and writers over an aperitif. Between a glass of wine and a bite of typical products, you will be able engage in conversations on literature, philosophy and current affairs.

  • Thursday 9 April at 7.00 pm, Valentina Mastroianni will present É stata tutta vita (published by DeAgostini). Time sounds different when you know it is coming to an end. A mother knows this; she feels it. The last few months have flown by, punctuated by medical appointments, new challenges and precious moments: Cesare listens to his favourite songs on repeat and makes wishes.
    The discussion will be moderated by Patrizia Finucci Gallo, the Salottiera of Bologna
  • Thursday 16 April at 7.00 pm, parenting expert and psychologist Francesca Cardini will present her book “Una bussola per genitori imperfetti. Cura le ferite del passato, scrivi il tuo futuro e cresci figli autonomi e felici” (published by Vallardi). An indispensable resource for anyone wishing to build more harmonious family relationships, offering parents practical tools both to understand children’s minds and to manage their relationships with them in a mindful way.
    Moderated by Elisa Giusti, an educationalist specialising in Gentle Discipline and founder of the early childhood education project A Piedi Liberi.
  • Thursday 23 April at 7.00 pm, Andrea Vitali, the great chronicler of authentic Italy, will present “I rimedi del dottor Aiace Debouché” (published by Garzanti). Locked away in the back room of the pharmacy he has recently bought in Bellano, Dr Aiace Debouché is taking stock and weighing up his options. It is a February evening in 1920, muffled by the heavy snow that has blanketed the lake’s shores and covered the village in a pristine blanket. The results of the doctor’s analysis are as clear as day, but the cause is somewhat less so.
    The session will be moderated by Matteo Bortolotti, a story editor and trainer with many years’ experience
  • Thursday 30 April at 7.00 pm, Federica Angeli will present her latest book “40 seconds. Willy Monteiro Duarte: the light of courage and the darkness of violence” (published by Baldini+Castoldi). Almost everyone is leaving; it is now past midnight, and it is whilst a group of young people are returning to their car that a comment one step too far towards a girl lights the fuse. There are many people moving about the scene; there is a staircase leading away from the nightlife of Colleferro – it all starts there, but ends further down, near a closed kiosk.
    The discussion will be moderated by Patrizia Finucci Gallo, the Salottiera of Bologna.

Prior booking is recommended at the following link

 

4. Fun for the whole family

Grand Tour Italia is something special for young and old alike. From the adventure offered by the Urban Tree Experience Adventure Park, with its suspended courses and ziplines, to the fun-filled Luna Farm, a children's playground with rides and attractions, the Park will provide fun for the whole family. Whether you want to challenge yourself on the track with the electric go-karts or relax in one of the many green areas, every corner of the Park is designed to give you unforgettable moments

Not to mention the ‘Capolavori’ bookshop, with a selection of the 1200 most important books in history, available for free consultation or purchase as second-hand. A large assortment of books for children and young readers is also available.


5. A Commitment to Sustainability and Biodiversity

Grand Tour Italia is not just a showplace, but a project that promotes sustainability and food awareness. Biodiversity is the focus of every activity, from the EARTH Foundation's art exhibitions exploring the link between food and visual culture, to educational workshops promoting the value of a sustainable food supply chain. This commitment makes a visit to the park not only fun, but also highly educational, encouraging everyone to think about a greener, health-conscious future.


Grand Tour Italia takes you on a journey into the heart of Italian traditions, a place where culture, food and fun come together. Whether you are a food enthusiast, a culture lover, or just looking for a fun day out with family and friends, Grand Tour Italia won't disappoint you. Don't miss the chance to come and enjoy a unique experience!

For all information and details on individual experiences, workshops and events visit the website

Edited by
Grand Tour Italy Press Office
The Grand Tour Italia food and wine park is a journey into the biodiversity of Italy's 20 regions, offering an immersive experience into their cultural, historical, food and wine and landscape richness.
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