Balsamic Vinegar Tour HighlightsYour delicious Balsamic Vinegar and Parmesan Tour tour begins when your English-speaking driver picks you up from your hotel. Your first stop will be Modena, the town of aceto balsamico, balsamic vinegar in English. Unknown even to Italians outside this small city until around 20 years ago, authentic balsamic vinegar is made from local grapes and aged for at least 12 years in special wooden barrels (but often much longer, even more than 25 years!). The secrets of this precious elixir have been passed down by women in this area for generations, and the aging barrels were so valuable they were included as part of a woman's dowry. After visiting an acetaia (balsamic vinegar maker) and tasting the delicious, sweet and tangy flavors, you will move on to Parma. Renowned for its high quality Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese and prosciutto di Parma ham, Parma boasts a thriving old city center. In a local restaurant in or nearby Parma, you will enjoy traditional, local recipes like fresh pasta and cured meats for which the area is famous. It will then be time to visit a small Parmigiano Reggiano producer to discover the real secrets of Parmigiano-Reggiano, known as Parmesan in English. In addition to understanding this delicious, complex cheese, you will also learn about the local salt-cured hams special aging process that has been perfected over the centuries. A tasting of these savory specialties will complete your day.

Learn more about Balsamic Vinegar at Traditional Balsamic Vinegar from Modena