5 good reasons to visit Grand Tour Italia
Updated on 13 September 2024 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.
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.
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.
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.
- 3 October: Barbara Nappini, President of Slow Food Italy, will present her new book La natura bella delle cose (Slow Food Editore), an essay-memoir that invites us to action by recounting how our daily choices can help improve the world and make it more beautiful and authentic.
- 10 October: Gabriella Morini, researcher at the University of Gastronomic Sciences in Pollenzo (CN) since 2004, will guide us to discover our fifth sense with her book De Gustibus. A brilliant essay exploring the role of taste in humans and animals, and how it is fundamental to understanding the connections between nutrition and culture, between science and cuisine.
- 17 October: Matteo Bassetti, infectiologist and Full Professor of Infectious Diseases at the University of Genoa and Director of the Infectious Diseases Department at the San Martino Hospital in Genoa, will present his new book Pinocchi in camice (Pinocchios in the Lab Coat). A highly topical text denouncing the danger of false beliefs in the medical field and stressing the importance of the scientific method.
- 24 October: Emiliano Poddi, writer, theatre and radio author, and teacher at the prestigious Holden School in Turin will lead a series of literary encounters with the great classics of literature. We start with Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert.
- 31 October: In perfect harmony with the Halloween evening, Emiliano Poddi will present Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, offering a reinterpretation of the Gothic classic that shaped the myth of the artificial creature.
- 7 November: Emiliano Poddi will conclude the cycle with Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness.
Prior booking is recommended at the following link
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.
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