San Giovanni in Persiceto

Day Trips

Start your day with a cappuccino and sfogliata at a cozy café near Piazza Garibaldi. Wander through medieval alleyways, admiring the pastel facades and elegant porticoes that line the narrow streets. Pause at the Basilica di San Giovanni Battista to appreciate its baroque façade and intricate stone carvings.

Enjoy a light lunch of handmade tagliatelle al ragù at an intimate osteria, savoring authentic Emilia-Romagna flavors. Visit the Museo Civico to uncover archaeological finds and Renaissance paintings that tell the story of the town’s past. Stroll along the ancient town walls for panoramic views of terracotta rooftops against the surrounding green fields.

Sip on a chilled Pignoletto wine during aperitivo time in Piazza dei Caduti, mingling with friendly locals. Sample ciccioli and mortadella in a traditional enoteca while live folk music drifts through the square. End the day with a moonlit riverside walk along the Navile canal, enjoying the reflections of street lamps in the water.

Climb the Torrione di San Pietro bell tower at dawn to watch the sunrise paint the countryside in warm hues. Descend to explore the Museo Internazionale e Biblioteca della Musica, delving into the town’s centuries-old horn-making tradition. Admire ancient musical instruments and historical manuscripts on display in the quiet galleries.

Relish a picnic of local crescenza cheese and freshly baked bread in Giardino Margherita. Wander through the market stalls in Piazza Garibaldi, chatting with vendors offering seasonal produce from nearby farms. Visit the 16th-century Palazzo Comunale to see its frescoed rooms and learn about civic life in past centuries.

Gather at a trattoria for a plate of passatelli in brodo paired with a glass of Albana. Enjoy an impromptu horn concert in a historic courtyard as the sun dips below the rooftops. Conclude the evening with gelato from a renowned artisanal gelateria while strolling under the illuminated porticoes.

Arrive early at Piazza dei Caduti to browse colorful stalls brimming with fresh fruits, cured meats, and handmade ceramics. Chat with local producers about their olives, honey, and seasonal specialties. Sample freshly sliced prosciutto di Parma and tangy Parmigiano-Reggiano straight from the wheel.

Join a cooking demonstration in a family-run kitchen, learning to prepare tortellini and ragu from scratch. Enjoy your own creations alongside a crisp glass of Lambrusco. Take a leisurely walk through the gardens of Villa Veneri, marveling at its ornamental fountains and shaded pathways.

Head to a cozy wine bar for a guided tasting of Pignoletto and Sangiovese varietals. Pair each pour with small plates of local salumi and bruschette topped with sun-ripened tomatoes. Cap off the night with a stroll back through the softly lit streets, listening to the distant chime of church bells.

Rent bicycles and set off along the historic Navile canal towpath amidst shady poplars and wildflowers. Pause at scenic overlooks to photograph tugboats and rustic watermills from centuries past. Listen to the gentle lapping of water as swans glide past.

Stop at a family-run agriturismo for a light lunch of crostini topped with local lardo and fresh herbs. Explore the farm’s vegetable garden and meet friendly goats and chickens. Savor homemade panna cotta with berry compote under a pergola laden with vines.

Return to town for an aperitivo on a terrace overlooking the canal, toasting to a day of exploration. Indulge in a plate of tagliolini al tartufo nero, celebrating the region’s famed truffles. Close the evening with a nighttime canal-side concert if available, or simply relax under the stars.

Visit the tourist office to check the schedule of local sagre—village food festivals celebrating chestnuts, pumpkin flowers, or porcini. Head to a nearby hamlet to join a chestnut-gathering demonstration in the woods. Taste roasted chestnuts paired with a steaming mug of Vin Brulé.

Return for a communal lunch at the festival grounds, feasting on pumpkin flower fritters and rabbit stew cooked over open flames. Listen to live folk bands playing traditional Emilia-Romagna tunes as you mingle with villagers. Participate in a dance workshop to learn the saltarello steps handed down through generations.

Dine under strings of festive lights, sampling platters of grilled sausages and polenta. Sip on a locally brewed ale or sparkling Pignoletto while watching children chase lanterns. End the evening around a bonfire, joining in communal singing and applause.

Venture to an agriturismo on the outskirts for a farm-to-table breakfast featuring fresh eggs, yogurt, and homemade jams. Walk through sunflower fields and olive groves as the morning sun warms the dew. Meet the owners and help feed the resident pigs and goats.

Learn the art of pasta making in a rustic farmhouse kitchen, rolling tagliatelle with a rolling pin inherited from great-grandparents. Enjoy a leisurely lunch of your handcrafted pasta beside a bubbling brook. Take a guided nature walk through wooded trails, spotting wild orchids and native birds.

Return to the agriturismo for a hearty ragù dinner served family-style in the dining hall. Trade stories with fellow travelers by candlelight as lanterns flicker overhead. Retreat to your cozy room to the soundtrack of crickets and distant church bells.

Catch the early train to Bologna and start with coffee and a pastry at a historic café beneath the Two Towers. Climb the Asinelli Tower for sweeping views of red-roofed streets and distant Apennines. Wander through Piazza Maggiore, admiring the Fountain of Neptune and the Basilica di San Petronio.

Sample Bolognese specialties like tortellini in brodo and mortadella at a local trattoria. Explore the Santo Stefano complex, a ‘seven churches’ labyrinth rich in art and history. Stroll along the Portico di San Luca, counting its 666 arches on the way toward the hilltop sanctuary if time allows.

Return to San Giovanni in Persiceto for an aperitivo in Piazza Garibaldi, reminiscing about Bologna’s grandeur. Choose a family-run osteria for a dinner of tagliatelle al ragù and crescentine with nutella dip. Unwind with a leisurely gelato stroll under the moonlit arcades.

Depart for the gentle hills of Colli Bolognesi, home to Pignoletto and Sangiovese vineyards. Tour two family-run wineries, learning traditional vine cultivation and cellar aging methods. Taste crisp white Pignoletto frizzante as you overlook vine-lined terraces.

Enjoy a vineyard picnic featuring local salumi, cheeses, and freshly baked crescentine. Meet the winemaker’s family dog and cat as you discuss grape harvest stories. Visit a nearby historic castle perched atop the hill, exploring its gardens and towers.

Return to town for an al fresco dinner of risotto with local mushrooms paired with a glass of Sangiovese. Share tasting notes with new friends in a lively enoteca. Conclude the night with a stroll through Piazza dei Caduti, illuminated by twinkling lights and soft laughter.

Join a cheesemaker for a hands-on session producing squacquerone and robiola from fresh morning milk. Learn the kneading, molding, and aging steps passed down through generations. Sample the creamy cheese straight from the vat, savoring its tangy freshness.

Head to a nearby workshop to try your hand at traditional pottery or basket weaving. Mingle with local artisans as you shape clay or reed into functional art. Take home your handcrafted souvenir as a memento of this immersive experience.

Enjoy a casual dinner at a small family trattoria, featuring a cheese-centric menu paired with local honey and fruit preserves. Discuss your day’s creations over glasses of fortified Albana. End the evening by wandering through moonlit streets, spotting hidden frescoes on ancient walls.

Treat yourself to a leisurely breakfast at a riverside café, enjoying freshly squeezed orange juice and pastries. Wander one last time through the town’s charming alleys, picking up souvenirs from artisan shops. Sit by the canal to reflect on your favorite moments over a cappuccino.

Book a relaxing massage or wellness treatment at a nearby spa or agriturismo with thermal baths. Rejuvenate with aromatherapy oils sourced from local lavender fields. Rest in a sunlit lounge sipping herbal tea before heading back into town.

Gather for a farewell feast at a historic osteria in Piazza Garibaldi, celebrating with a multi-course Emilia-Romagna dinner. Raise a final toast with Lambrusco, sharing laughter and memories with newfound friends. Conclude the evening under the porticoes, savoring the gentle night breeze before bidding arrivederci to San Giovanni in Persiceto.