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5 good reasons to visit Grand Tour Italia

Updated on 18 February 2025 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, March 20: Andrea Gori will present his book "Sotto il segno del vino. Come sopravvivere (e divertirsi) nell’universo eno-zodiacale", written with contributions from Giulia Graglia (published by Trenata Editore). The book revolves around zodiac signs: based on their characteristics, it suggests a selection of Italian wines and producers for each. The narrative is infused with the author’s signature ironic style, complemented by technical advice and intriguing insights.
    • Thursday, March 27: Giulia Caminito will present her latest book "Il male che non c’è" (published by Bompiani), a novel about the invisible evil that resides within us and the goodness that, if we do not give up, can be brought back to light. A story about the power of childhood and imagination, the unseen darkness that surrounds us, and the possibility of reclaiming our freedom. It all begins in childhood, where Loris spends time in Grandpa Tempesta’s garden.

    • Thursday, April 3 : Enrico Vanzina will present 'Noblesse Oblige' (HarperCollins publishing house), his first comic novel, which recounts the misadventures of Ascanio della Scaletta, a fallen nobleman, and his wily butler Gegè. Set in the 1980s, the novel mixes irony and nostalgia, following the protagonists on a daring treasure hunt between Italy and the United States. It is an entertaining work that evokes the spirit of Italian-style comedy, between velleities and hopes, in the style of Guareschi and Campanile. 
      Enrico Vanzina, active since 1976, has written screenplays collaborating with leading figures in Italian cinema. Together with his brother Carlo, he has signed numerous box-office hits over the past four decades.
    • Thursday, April 10: Alessia Gazzola will present her new book 'Miss Bee & the Embassy Ghost,' the third adventure in the series, due out March 18. Set in London in 1925, the story follows Beatrice Bernabò, a clerk at the Italian embassy, as she manages rivalries, prestigious events and unrequited feelings, while also dealing with a mysterious unwelcome guest. A mix of Agatha Christie-esque suspense and Downton Abbey and Bridgerton atmospheres.
      Alessia Gazzola, a specialist in Forensic Medicine, made her debut in 2011 with L'allieva, spawning a saga that inspired a TV series. In 2024, she published Miss Bee and the Corpse in the Library, the first chapter in a new series.
    • Thursday, April 17: Nevio Casadio, professional journalist, will present 'The Rooms of the Secret Gardens,' (Vallecchi Publishing House Florence) an on-the-road journey through Romagna, between true and imagined stories. The book explores a dreamlike and global Romagna, interweaving characters such as the Professor, Annà and Dario in a search for themselves. An adventure that challenges the linear plot, inviting the reader to continually rewrite their own story through emotions and sensations.
    • Thursday, April 24: Paolo Ruffini will present 'Benito, present!” - If I went back in time and became the elementary school teacher of a future dictator?'  (Baldini+Castoldi publishing house), in which gruff teacher Edoardo Meucci is catapulted back to 1890, into the classroom of young Benito Mussolini. Between education and political ideals, he finds himself deciding whether to stop the future dictator or try to educate him. A novel that mixes history, irony and temporal paradoxes, posing a reflection on educational responsibility and the importance of love in life.
      Paolo Ruffini, actor, host, director and producer, made his debut with Ovosodo and starred in successful films such as Natale a Miami and La prima cosa bella. In 2022 he directed the docufilm Perduta-Mente, which inspired his book Posso solo amare, published in 2024.

    Prior booking is recommended at the following link

    -> It will be possible to purchase the book at the proprietary bookstore “I Capolavori” of Grand Tour Italia and it will be possible to have copies of the book autographed (with dedication).

     

    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

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