Private Parmigiano Balsamic Parma Ham And Wine Tasting Tour

Great tour. I would highly recommend this tour, Michelle was an excellent guide and very informative not only about the cheese, balsamic vinegar, and wine, but also about the history of Parma and the region. We had a wonderful day that we ill remember always.

We cannot have had a better experience with Michelle! From the cheese factory to the intimate balsamic tour, she was so thoughtful and knowledgeable. We cannot speak more highly of the experience and will definitely be back!

We had the best time with Michelle! From touring the cheese factory to an intimate balsamic tasting, she was so thoughtful and incredibly knowledgeable - we could not have had a better experience!

Michelle was absolutely amazing! Super knowledgeable and passionate about the region. She taught us so much about the food, we have a new appreciation for it. We even stopped by a castle and took pictures! Highly recommend this tour and will be booking with Michelle again in the future. -Travelers from Anchorage, Alaska.

Michelle was fabulous! So knowledgeable of history, culture, food/wine processing. Enjoyed full day of parmigiana dairy farm, balsamic vinegar making, organic wine vineyard, and prosciutto house. Highly recommend!!

An Amazing Day in Parma! My wife, daughter and I spent 10 hours exploring the Parma region with Michelle, and we couldn’t have been happier with the experience. Everything went perfectly from beginning to end. We were picked up at our hotel and dropped back off at the end of the day, so it was completely easy and stress-free. The best part was getting a real behind-the-scenes look at the region. We went off the beaten path, traveling along back roads and winding roads through some beautiful countryside and visiting small local producers that most tourists would never get to see. There were very few tourists around, which made it feel like we were seeing the real Parma. Michelle was fantastic. She knew so much about the area and was happy to answer all of our questions. We learned about the long traditions of making Parmigiano Reggiano, Parma ham, and balsamic, along with so much history about the region and the people who live there. The lunch break while trying local organic wine was a wonderful refreshing time in the middle. What really made the day special was that Michelle gave us a local’s perspective. It felt like we were seeing Parma through the eyes of someone who truly knows and loves the area. We are so glad we took this tour and would highly recommend it to anyone who wants to get beyond the typical tourist experience and see the real Parma. Michelle was informative, personable, and a wonderful guide. A fantastic day in Italy that we’ll remember for a long time!❤️

How can a tour to see some cheese and ham be life changing? Well, have Michelle as your tour guide! She has completely changed my experience in Italy. She toured us around a Parmigiano factory, where somehow she went into such incredible, and eye opening detail about the handmade painstaking craft of making cheese wheels. We were allowed to walk and experience every part of the factory from the on-site dairy farm, the giant vats where the cheese was first formed and the several rooms afterwards where the cheese is aged. Through her eyes, we are able to experience the passion and dedication these cheese experts have passed down for generations, taking pride in everything they do. From there we went to a balsamic vinegar tasting, where the owner himself works every part of the process. She showed us the rooms he ages the vinegar, original to his grandfather and those that came before him. Next we went to a vineyard, where we saw the natural wine making process, and had a delicious lunch- no one was hungry! Finally we went to a Parma ham factory where we saw the process of salting and curing the meat, met with the owner and her two sons who run the factory. It was truly a special day, to see entire lives dedicated to something that you mindlessly might pick up at a grocery store. No pesticides or chemicals all day- just like they made it originally- using regenerative farming as always intended. Michelle and the places she chose were truly unique. If you are the fence and want to experience something, message her- you will not be disappointed.

This was one of the most informative tours I’ve ever taken. My friends and I learned so much about Italian food culture, which made us appreciate Italian cuisine even more. Michelle was not only a wonderful guide but also an incredibly warm and welcoming person. I was amazed by the depth of her knowledge and her willingness to share it with all of us. The entire day was perfectly organized—from the 7:30 a.m. pickup to the 4:00 p.m. drop-off at our Airbnb. Everything exceeded our expectations. Highly recommended!

This tour was exceptional! Michele is like a walking encyclopedia of knowledge about the region and is so passionate and has so much pride in the treasures of Parma, Modena and Reggio Emilia. Each stop was fascinating and gave us a new appreciation for the labor and craftsmanship that go into the products they produce. The people behind the products were so kind and gracious with their space, knowledge and expertise. Lunch was at a beautiful winery. This has been our favorite tour of our 17 day Italy trip. It's one we will not forget!

We travel quite frequently and have completed many private and group tours. Michelle is "hands-down" the best guide we have ever had in any country. Having done a few walking food tours as well as a cooking class in other Italian regions, we were ready to dive deeper into the history and the "why" of the Emilia-Romagna region and its world famous specialty foods. We wanted a private day with a knowledgeable local (who spoke fluent English) and after a bit of research found Michelle (Artemilia Tours). We were in Milan for work so we popped on the 1.5 hr. train to Parma early one morning. Michelle and Guido (the wonderful driver) picked us up in a beautiful Mercedes sedan. Michelle who grew up in the area, filled us in on the history of the Emilia-Romagna area as we drove. Her passion for the generational producers of the areas was magnetic. We went first to a small (30 wheels a day) Parmigiano Reggiano producer. We were THE ONLY guests in the facility and got to experience actual production at all stages of the cheese and I can't even begin to detail the knowledge we took away. We ended our time with a tasting and the purchase of several different chunks of 1-3 year aged cheese (they even provided special storage bags so that the cheese will keep after opened). After the PR maker, we drove through the lovely countryside,learning more about the area, to what looked like a large home. In fact, this was one of the very few generational artisanal balsamic producers left in the region. This man's entire three-story, childhood home was filled with balsamic vinegar at different stages of processing. He and Michelle, took us through the home and explained the very regulated and stringent process of producing true balsamic vinegar. We sampled both 10 and 25 year vinegars and left with several certified bottles. From the balsamic maker we went on to Barbaterre to sample their full array of organic wine paired with local charcuterie, cheeses, breads and salads. The wine was so incredibly lovely that we ordered a case sent to the US. We each had 5-6 very good glasses of their wines which Michelle was able to explain in detail and to walk us through the notes of the tastings. After our 8 hour day of eating and drinking, Michelle brought us back to Parma where we then explored on our own for a few hours visiting her recommended places including the fantastic Galleria Nazionale di Parma museum which has AMAZING archeological artifacts and art. Michelle had more than "tour guide relationships" with each of these places: she clearly knew them all and revered their artistry. Her knowledge was deep and her excitement was contagious. Additionally, she had higher education in the history of the area as well as sommelier and balsamic vinegar tasting education. We highly recommend Michelle and her company Artemilia.

We did the Parmigiano Reggiano, Balsamic Vinegar and Parma Ham Tasting private Tour (7hrs) and we had a fantastic time with Guido our driver and Roberta our guide. First, the car is very spacious and extremely clean and Guido is an excellent driver. We were offered complimentary bottles of water which were appreciated since it was 36 degrees on the day of the visit. Roberta is a passionate guide, her knowledge seems infinite and she is very sympathetic. We started with a private visit of a dairy farm to see all the operations from milk to parmigiano regiano followed by a tasting of 4 different ages of parmigiano regiano as well as fresh ricotta, still warm ( far better than anything we can find in the grocery stores). We then proceeded to a producer of authentic balsamic vinegar. Again Roberta was able to explain all aspects of the production clearly and included little known facts and stories that made it fun. We tasted different ages of balsamic vinegar and condiments. Our last stop was to visit a family owned company that produces prosciutto di Parma where we were offered a tasting plate of 3 different meats. This tour lasted 7 hours but it went by very fast because it was so interesting. If you are curious about food and tradition, this is just the tour that you need. We appreciated the fact that it was private ( just Roberta and us) every place we visited, the fact that we did not have to drive ourselves, the fact that we got to taste everything and did not feel pressured to buy anything and most of all the fact that we learned so much about 3 of Emilia-Romagna specialties. We highly recommend this tour.

My husband and I had an incredible day with Michell as we traveled to farms and winery’s near Parma. Michelle is so knowledgeable and passionate about the local foods. She has long established relationships with premier producers that we could never have discovered on our own. And she is also great company. The perfect person to spent the day in the beautiful Parma countryside, visiting some of the world’s most delicious food providers.

Definitely a highlight of our stay in Italy. Our party of two participated in the Private Parmigiano, Balsamic, Parma Ham and Wine Tasting Tour. We were staying in Bologna, and were transported to Parma for the start of the tour and then transported back at the end of the tour. It was fun, delicious and informative. Our guide, Michelle, was impressively knowledgeable about the food, history and culture of the region. Her established relationships with the local dairies, acetaie (balsamic manufacturers) and salumifici (ham curers) enabled us to seamlessly go behind the scenes and see how all of these products of Parma and Reggio Emilia are created. It was obvious to us how much she cared about the products and the processes of their creation. My favorite portion of the tour was the visit to the dairy to watch the morning processing of the milk in the production of Parmigiano Reggiano (and ricotta too!). This is a full day experience, jam-packed with information, but well-paced. Including travel time to and from Bologna (~1hr each way) it was approximately 12 hours. We definitely recommend including the lunch option. The food and conversation was great and we were introduced to a number of regional wines that we, sadly, are unlikely to see in the US anytime soon (all the more reason for a return visit!) The tour was easy to arrange, and Michelle was very responsive to questions during the booking process. We intend to return to the region and look forward to our next tour with Artemilia. We wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this tour to anyone who is looking to deep dive into the food of Parma and Reggio Emilia.

This tour was the highlight of our trip. We decided to do the full day tour with the dairy, ham and balsamic tours plus a vineyard tour with lunch. The lunch was the best meal we had in Italy. Michelle was an excellent host and, since she has relationships with the owners at all of the stops, we were really able to get close up and ask questions. Since it was private, we never felt rushed anywhere and we never had to deal with crowds. Everything was presented perfectly and we learned so much. We definitely have a new respect for all the work that goes into these special products from Parma. We would definitely recommend the tour and wouldn't hesitate to use this company again if we were back in the area.

This was truly a once in a lifetime experience of many culinary delights of Emilia-Romagna region. We had a private tour with transportation that took us to local producers of Prosciutto, Balsamic Vinegar, Wine, and Parmigiano Reggiano cheese. Not only did we get to see the intricate process of production, we also had an opportunity to taste all these wonderful products. Michelle, our tour guide, was excellent and very knowledgeable. Our whole family was well taken care of and we would highly recommend this tour to anyone who would like to have an amazing hustle free experience in Emilia-Romagna!

This was an absolutely amazing experience with Michelle and Guido through the Parma region enjoying the sights, tastes and company of true local culture and families. Michelle organized an amazing day seeing the intimate and beautiful workings of four different communities. We began with a dairy tour that showed in depth the intricate art form of Parmigiano Reggiano cheese! We were amazed while observing the Cheese Master artfully care for each vat kettle watch his temperatures, groom his curds and then beautifully and skillfully drain and cut the “twins” for aging. The experience being inside during this process was beyond anything we had experienced before. Thank you to all who generously allowed us to join them. We toured the entire process inside and enjoyed a fantastic variety of aged Parmigiano Reggiano. We were able to go outside to see all the different cows as well as have a special treat of seeing their newest arrival that was just born that morning. It was spectacular! Our next destination took us to the most beautiful home of an amazing balsamic vinegar master! The establishment was most impressive with how calm and how deep the history and contributions to the community this business was. He and his family were richly blessed to be able to have all the successes of his mastery and his father’s culinary gifts. He produces some outstanding balsamic that we can not wait to take home and enjoy on our dishes. His wife introduced me to a beautiful lemon custard with the Balsamic Masters 25 year balsamic accompaniment that was to die for! Grazie Mille! We then visited the most beautiful winery that was on top of a hill overlooking beautiful vineyards. The lunch served to us was nothing short of perfection! With local meats and pasta to beautiful delicious wines and amazing simple desserts were all Parma specialties and favorites. It made us feel so welcomed and we just loved experiencing the food and wine of Parma. We finished our experience at a local pig farm where we learned all about Procuitto and how they prepare the ham. The family was onsite and welcomed us late into the afternoon! The operation and tour included an in depth look at how the legs were prepared after coming back from the production warehouses. The care they take for their meat and the patience they need to make such a quality product really shows and tastes in the final product! We were again given a tasting menu so we could enjoy each of their products that were masterfully made. Michelle taught us so much along the way and we really only scratched the surface of all that was in Parma. We will definitely be revisiting and asking Michelle to give us many more experiences along the way. Do not hesitate to book this tour it is an experience worth a million memories and more! Thank you Michelle and Guido! Until next time!

This was an absolutely amazing experience with Michelle and Guido through the Parma region enjoying the sights, tastes and company of true local culture and families. Michelle organized an amazing day seeing the intimate and beautiful workings of four different communities. We began with a dairy tour that showed in depth the intricate art form of Parmigiano Reggiano cheese! We were amazed while observing the Cheese Master artfully care for each vat kettle watch his temperatures, groom his curds and then beautifully and skillfully drain and cut the “twins” for aging. The experience being inside during this process was beyond anything we had experienced before. Thank you to all who generously allowed us to join them. We toured the entire process inside and enjoyed a fantastic variety of aged Parmigiano Reggiano. We were able to go outside to see all the different cows as well as have a special treat of seeing their newest arrival that was just born that morning. It was spectacular! Our next destination took us to the most beautiful home of an amazing balsamic vinegar master! The establishment was most impressive with how calm and how deep the history and contributions to the community this business was. He and his family were richly blessed to be able to have all the successes of his mastery and his father’s culinary gifts. He produces some outstanding balsamic that we can not wait to take home and enjoy on our dishes. His wife introduced me to a beautiful lemon custard with the Balsamic Masters 25 year balsamic accompaniment that was to die for! Grazie Mille! We then visited the most beautiful winery that was on top of a hill overlooking beautiful vineyards. The lunch served to us was nothing short of perfection! With local meats and pasta to beautiful delicious wines and amazing simple desserts were all Parma specialties and favorites. It made us feel so welcomed and we just loved experiencing the food and wine of Parma. We finished our experience at a local pig farm where we learned all about Procuitto and how they prepare the ham. The family was onsite and welcomed us late into the afternoon! The operation and tour included an in depth look at how the legs were prepared after coming back from the production warehouses. The care they take for their meat and the patience they need to make such a quality product really shows and tastes in the final product! We were again given a tasting menu so we could enjoy each of their products that were masterfully made. Michelle taught us so much along the way and we really only scratched the surface of all that was in Parma. We will definitely be revisiting and asking Michelle to give us many more experiences along the way. Do not hesitate to book this tour it is an experience worth a million memories and more! Thank you Michelle and Guido! Until next time!

We absolutely loved the parmigiano reggiano, balsamic vinegar, Parma ham, and wine tasting tour! Michelle was a phenomenal guide. Her knowledge of and passion for the region, products, and traditions made the experience very enjoyable. The tour is truly private—it was just us and Michelle—so we had ample opportunity to ask questions. We were staying in Bologna and opted for the option with a driver. That was definitely the right choice for us, as it allowed us to really focus on the experience and not worry about driving in an unfamiliar area. If we find ourselves in Emilia-Romagna, we would absolutely book another tour with this company. Highly recommend!

What a terrific experience! Loris and Daniela are excellent group leaders - knowledgeable, entertaining, and attentive. The places we visited were charming and engaging. We learned a lot about the making of Parmigiano Reggiano, Proscuitto, and Aceto Balsamico. I highly recommend this tour. Worth every penny.

It was a very thorough tour of excellent artisan small producers of traditional Emilia Romagna products. Michelle is a wealth of knowledge and so friendly.

Michelle’s passion and knowledge for her region came through and she was very friendly and informative in her explanation of everything we were experiencing. The tastings were amazing as well as the delicious lunch and wine served at a beautiful organic winery. If you appreciate tradition, craftsmanship and the purity of your food I would highly recommend.

Unforgettable Day in Parma - A Must-Do Food Tour! My father and I booked a 10-hour private tour in Parma, and wow, what an experience! We visited a Parmigiano-Reggiano farm and cheese factory, an organic winery, a balsamic vinegar producer, and a Parma Ham factory. Each stop was amazing—seeing how these iconic foods are made was such a treat. Our guide, Michelle, made the day truly special. She was so knowledgeable, explaining everything in a way that was easy to understand and super interesting. She listened to what we wanted and went out of her way to make it perfect. Honestly, I can’t say enough good things about this tour. If you’re in Parma and love food, you’ve got to do this! 5 stars all the way!

Enjoyed a full day private tour with Michelle - she went above and beyond to make our Parmigiano Reggiano, Balsamic Vinegar and Wine Tasting Tour an unforgettable experience. Her knowledge is extensive . We were immersed in each area of our tour. She had all of our senses engaged. The businesses we visited were top notch and authentic. Highly recommend this company and its tours. Bravo!!!

I can not say enough good things about this experience. Michelle was our private guide and Guido was our driver and they were both amazing. We have never experienced a tour like this and it was a highlight of our entire trip in Italy. Our first stop seeing the entire process of Parmigiano Reggiano and the Cheese Masters at work was amazing. We learned so much and it all tasted so delicous. We than had the most amazing lunch and tasting at an organic winery with the most beatiful views. We finished the tour at an Acetia and was great. Our only regret was that we didn't buy more local products to bring home! We will be back for sure and can't recommend this tour enough. It is worth the money and this tour has set very high expecations for us for any future tours. Thank you so much!!

A highlight of our visit to Italy. Michelle was very gracious accommodating our schedule when planning our tour. Our tour guide Roberta was charming and so full of interesting details about the region. We thoroughly enjoyed our day with her and would love to come back try another tour with Roberta.

My husband and I had the absolute pleasure of experiencing this tour with Michelle from Artemilia at the end of April, what a day it was -- truly unforgettable! Michelle is the ideal guide: deeply knowledgeable in history, cuisine, and local culture, yet incredibly warm and engaging. As a native of the region, her passion for the area shines through in every moment, making the experience both enriching and enjoyable. Plus, she's a delight to spend time with! This intimate tour offers exclusive, behind-the-scenes access to some of Emilia-Romagna's finest traditions -- from witnessing the meticulous process of crafting Parmigiano Reggiano, to enjoying an introduction to traditional balsamic vinegar. You'll soak in the breathtaking landscapes of an organic winery and wrap up the day with an insider's look at a Parma Ham facility. Every stop is thoughtfully curated, creating a perfect balance of education, culture, and pure enjoyment. We can't recommend this tour enough...it exceeded our expectations!

I can’t imagine a better guide in Parma. Michelle is one of the most intelligent and knowledgeable guides I have ever met. She is a wealth of knowledge and our tour was spectacular. Everything was perfect and she knows it all!

This was a fascinating tour from start to finish. Michelle is an energetic, upbeat tour guide with a wealth of knowledge about art history and local food production. She provided just the right balance of educational information about food production in the Parma area and practical information about recommended restaurants and interesting attractions to visit. She took us to a local dairy farm where we watched the production of Parmesan cheese from the cows and baby calves in the sheds to the huge copper vats where the milk is heated and fermented, to the lifting (by hand) of heavy wheels of cheese wrapped in muslin and then taken to the drying rooms for shaping and aging. We got to taste and appreciate 24-month, 36-month, and 60-month cheese, as well as the fresh ricotta cheese which is a byproduct of the cheese-making process. The farm she selected was a small, family-owned farm where the cheese master has lived and worked for many years. Following the cheese tasting, we went to a small farmhouse where the time-consuming process of producing Balsamic vinegar was explained before we tasted and appreciated the difference between newly fermented, 5 year, 12 year, and 25 year-old Balsamic vinegar. The Balsamic sommelier (Marco) has won two regional competitions and he explained the process of production to us in careful detail and in excellent English. The final experience was a visit to a small, family-owned Prosciutto ham processing plant where we tasted Prosciutto of various ages and Culotte (a shoulder cut of ham) with a nice glass of regional organic white wine. Delicious! Our driver and Michelle arrived to pick us up at our B&B at 7:30 exactly and dropped us back at our hotel around 3:00, making for a full, very enjoyable day. I should also mention that the driver Michelle selected had a beautiful Mercedes sedan and was a very careful, excellent driver so we could relax completely while we listened to Michelle's travelogue and looked at the beautiful Emilia-Romagna scenery. This day trip was undoubtedly our best experience in Italy. If you're lucky enough to get to tour with her, we think you'll agree with us that the price of this experience is a real bargain. Book with confidence--you won't regret it. Sylvia & Hal A. Cleveland Heights, Ohio

This experience was just what we’d hoped for, and Michelle was a great guide. Seeing the Parmigiano Reggiano-making process was amazing, and the cheese tasting was fabulous. So interesting and informative, and same with the traditional balsamic vinegar production process. The views from the winery were breathtaking, and lunch was delicious (and filling, no surprise). The omnivores in our group really enjoyed the Prosciutto di Parma tasting, too. Michelle did a nice job arranging vegetarian options for me throughout the day. I highly recommend this tour to anyone interested in food and traditional food production in Emilia-Romagna.

My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed our tour with Michelle! She has an immense depth of knowledge about all things Emilia-Romagna and is a great teacher of both tasting and history. Her passion for the regional processes and products is infectious and she does a fantastic job sharing the culture and history of the Emilia-Romagna. If you are trying to figure out how to spend a half or full day in Emilia-Romagna, I highly recommend booking a tour with Michelle!

Tour guides Michele and Cecilia were outstanding, friendly, and super knowledgeable. They took their time to explain everything in great detail. This tour exceeded our expectations in every way. A special thank you to Marco and Alex for their hospitality. Lisa and Tonino

Today, my husband and I capped our two week Italy vacation with a full day tour with Michelle. What a way to end our beautiful trip! She was outstanding! She is from Parma and incredibly knowledgeable about the region. We visited a Parmigiano Reggiano cheese dairy where for almost three hours we learned about the entire process! We had absolutely no idea about his complex process. We got to taste 12, 24,30 and 36 months old Parmigiano Reggiano cheese and fresh ricotta cheese, all outstanding. The star for my husband was the incredibly creamy and still warm ricotta. I’m sure we will never have anything quite like it again unless we return. We even got to meet the cows. We then went on to a Traditional Balsamic Vinegar tour followed by tasting of 12, 20 and 25 year old Traditional Balsamic Vinegar and 3 and 10 year old balsamic condiments. Words cannot describe these tastes! We then visited an organic winery followed by tasting of different regional wines with an outstanding lunch. We had a sampling of prosciutto and other hams, cheese, fried bread that was to die for, followed by spinach talgialone and dessert. This was billed as a “light lunch”! Wonderful. We ended the day with a Parma Ham Plant visit followed by tasting of Prosciutto di Parma, Culatta and Fiocco di Prosciutto. A truly remarkable experience that we highly recommend! Thank you Michelle! And Guido our driver, too!

Michelle is an incredible tour guide, super knowledgeable, kind, fun and thoughtful. The tour took us to one of the best cheese factory’s in Parma as well as a magical Balsamic tasting and tour and winery experience! The whole day was perfect and an incredible value. Michelle was super flexible and accommodating because we had kids with us and she was able to customize the whole experience based on our needs. If you want to have a wonderful experience call Michelle and let her curate it for you based on her wealth of experience, expertise and approach. Everyone had the best day.

This was our second time touring with Michelle. We enjoyed our food tour of Parma with her so much a few years ago, we had to return to the area during this trip to see (and taste) more! Each stop on this tour was unique and delicious and really encompassed what the region has to offer. Michelle is such a wonderful guide, a wealth of knowledge and able to cater to each persons interests. We also appreciated the relationships she has with the local business owners. She is obviously very well respected in the area. Because of this, you truly feel like a welcome guest getting insider access to each of the productions. We wouldn’t hesitate to return to Parma and book with Michelle again and hope to do so soon!

A tremendously educational and fun tour. Michelle, our guide, was exceptionally knowledgeable of not only the history of the region but also the processes of producing the "BIG THREE" products of the region. We watched Parmigiano cheese wheels being made from start to finish as well as ricotta cheese. The Balsamica process of 12, 20 and 25 years was amazing - who knew! Topped it off with a delightful and delicious regional lunch and extraordinary wine tasting at a local winery and then a tour of a Parma Ham plant. All round, a long day but a memorable one thanks to Michelle.

We toured with Michelle. She is very knowledgeable in all things culinary as well as the history of Italy and social characteristics of Italians. She is witty, funny, friendly and engaging. The places she selected for us to visit were each unique and special. We saw the full process for each day’s parmesan production, savored award winning basalmic vinegars (a must do for all foreigners visiting this region as it is NOTHING like what you toss on a salad), savored organic wines with great food and a stupendous view, walked among aging Parma hams (prosciutto). We have taken other foodie tours on previous trips to Italy. This was the best!

Michele led our tour and she was amazing. Our tour could not have been better. Her knowledge of the region and products was incredible and each business we visited was so friendly. A very fine winery even opened up just for our visit.

What a fabulous tour!! We thoroughly enjoyed our day with Michelle as she shared her vast knowledge about Parmigano, Balsamic and Prosciutto, plus the beautiful region of Emilia - Romagna. Visiting the factories (and homes) of these producers gave us such a full immersive experience and we highly recommend this tour to all. Michelle was a wonderful guide and we must also complement Marco, the Balsamic producer, an absolute unexpected highlight. The product was incredible and his tasting was extremely enjoyable. A+

We had a fabulous time on this tour. Michelle was enthusiastic, knowledgeable and a brilliant tour guide. I’d recommend this tour to anyone, we were a group of 8, 4 children, my husband and myself and parents. Everyone from small to older enjoyed themselves. A side note, definitely include the tour with all 3, the vinegar was an unexpected highlight.

This tour with Michelle was the highlight of our vacation and we could not recommend it more! It was so incredible to see the entire parmigiano process from start to finish, especially with a guide as knowledgeable and passionate as Michelle. She cares so deeply about the food produced in the region and is constantly going out of her way to become a more informed expert. It was so clear to us how much she loves the region and the produce created here and it made our experience that much more special. The balsamic vinegar portion of the tour absolutely blew us away and we haven’t stopped thinking about it. Thank you Michelle for such a wonderful experience!

I have a travel business hooking up clients with guides/tours so I have experience working with guides. Michelle was very helpful and prompt in her responses during tour setup. And she was the guide for my client's private tour. I usually following up with clients after they get back from their trip but these clients sent me an email THAT NIGHT saying, "It was the best thing we've ever done. Michelle was amazing!" So you can't get higher praise than that! I will definitely use this company in the future.

My husband and I spent 2 weeks touring Italy and this was by far the highlight of our trip(don’t tell our children and grandchildren with whom we were visiting). We initially thought that a 7 hour tour would be too long, but because of Michelle’s level of professionalism and expertise we easily could have spent another 7 hours in her company. We had a lovely day filled with a whole new appreciation for the making and tasting of cheese, vinegar and ham. Highly recommend and encourage you to book this tour, you will only be sorry if you don’t.

We had a fantastic day with Michelle . She was very knowledgeable and entertaining. The tour was very impressive and educational. We went from one experience to the next seamlessly. That tour gives you a great overview of where the main delicious food items of Emilia come from. We would highly recommend this experience.

We did a similar tour 10 years ago, which we loved so much, we decided to repeat this experience with friends who had not. This one was FAR SUPERIOR to the other (highly rated on T.A.). For me it was about the authenticity of the producers and the deep knowledge of our guide, Michelle, who clearly had great passion for the region and its food. I love this type of tour where I can learn so much! I am usually reluctant to spend when there are less expensive alternatives, but in this case, I am so glad that we decided to do a private tour (we were 4 in our party) and I can’t imagine a better choice. I like to cook Italian food at home and for company, and this food experience will forever elevate my sourcing of ingredients and spoil my guests! Kudos to our driver, Guido as well! (Get the driver because you have all that extra time with your guide). SO worth it.

From the moment our delightful tour commenced in the charming city of Parma, it was evident that we were in for an EXCEPTIONAL experience, thanks to our guide, Michelle. Her passion for the region's culinary heritage is evident! Our first stop was a traditional Parmigiano Reggiano cheese farm and factory. Michelle's expertise was unparalleled! She guided us through EACH STEP of the cheese-making process. Her ability to communicate complex processes in an easy-to-understand manner made the experience educational and enjoyable. Next, Michelle led us to a hidden gem "Acetaia" where Modena's famed Balsamic Vinegar is produced. This off-the-beaten-path venue was a delightful surprise, offering an intimate glimpse into the art of balsamic vinegar from an awarded "Acetaia." They transformed what could have been a simple tasting into a fascinating journey through the history and culture of this product and the region. The final leg of our tour was a Parma ham factory. She explained the intricate curing process with such detail and enthusiasm that we could almost taste the care and tradition in each slice of ham. Throughout the tour, Michelle's communication skills were excellent. She answered our myriad of questions with patience and an evident joy in sharing her knowledge. Her choice of smaller, less touristy venues provided a more authentic and intimate experience, allowing us to truly immerse ourselves in the local food culture. ARTEMILIA's tour is a must-do for any food enthusiast visiting the region. Her deep knowledge, excellent communication skills, and selection of unique venues combine to create an unforgettable culinary adventure. I recommend them and their customized tour options to anyone see seeking an authentic and enriching experience in the heart of Italy's food country.

The experience with Artemilia and Michelle was amazing. My wife and I did the gastronomic tour around Parma, Reggio Emilia and Modena. Michelle makes you travel to the past and brings you back to present continuously. She's very knowledgeable, professional and passionate. She took care of every single detail during the whole tour and had the patience to explain and answer all your questions (and I made a lot). The Parmigiano Reggiano cheese factory tour was impressive, then the traditional Balsamic acetaia (vinegar factory) was mind blowing how they keep this tradition and making a delicious unique and bursting fully rich flavored balsamic, the wine tasting was simply fantastic on a breathtaking scenery through the Reggio Emilia and Parma hills, and the Prosciutto di Parma factory visit was incredible how a family and a few workers can produce such a delicious Prosciutto following the old traditions. Best money spent. Do it, you won't regret it. We're planning our next tour with Michelle and Artemilia.

First, Michelle our guide was one of the best guides my husband and I have ever had and we travel a lot! She was so knowledgeable about the food and the culture/history. Not to mention she is fun and somebody you want to spend the day with in Italy. I would give this tour TEN stars. Second, the 3 stops to learn about cheese, ham and balsamic vinegar felt off the beaten path and we were able to discover the taste and views of Italy you only see on TV. (Think Stanley Tucci) Her knowledge, education and certifications were amazing. Lastly, the wine pairing lunch on top of the hills in the countryside was the highlight. The food was delicious and the wine was great. Seriously, do not miss this tour!

We had a group of three couples who like to think of themselves as "foodies" and factory tour "nerds." This experience was tailor made for us! Michelle Costa was our guide for the day-long, three-stop tour. We began at a facility that produces 30 wheels of Parmigiano Reggiano cheese each and every day. Seeing the process close up was astounding. The experience of the master cheesemaker, the coordination he has with the other workers at critical times in the process, and the seeing the various stages in the aging process was educational and kind of overwhelming. Then...we walked into the aging room (see pictures below) to marvel at the storage, maintenance, and inspection of the wheels. We tasted four different ages of the Parmigiano Reggiano and Michelle introduced us to the steps in critically smelling and tasting the cheese with all our senses. Then...we got to taste the fresh ricotta that had just been skimmed from the whey that had been syphoned off the daily cheese production and simmered in a vat on the production floor (see picture). That, my friends, was the most delicious and sensuous food product I have ever tasted. Nothing--and I mean nothing--in the US even comes close to the flavor and texture of the fresh ricotta. Oh, to live in the Parma area and come to the mother lode of cheese to pick up fresh, artisanal products whenever I wanted! Our next stop was Acetaia Picci, a third-generation, family-run artisanal maker of balsamic vinegar, close to Reggio Emilia. Michelle gave us the tour of the production floor that included "batteries" of barrels of vinegar (see picture) and the process used to mature the vinegar through each barrel for the finest taste and aroma. Marco, the owner, then presented samples of each age of vinegar for us to taste. The finest, oldest version comes with a special dropper--if you use this vinegar for a salad dressing, I think the balsamic vinegar "cops" would hunt you down. Marco served it on a lovely spoonful of custard. Magic! Of course, we had to bring some home with us! Our final stop of the day was at Barbaterre--a winery outside Reggio Emilia. It was located on a hillside overlooking a lovely valley and taking your eye to the distant hills. They produce four types of wine, including a tasty lambrusco. We were treated to a lovely lunch with wine pairings on the open deck behind the main area of the villa. It felt like every Italian movie scene you've ever watched--light curtains wafting on the breeze, exceptional hospitality, and delicious food from the region. Grazia was our host and gave us a tour of the wine-making facility, as well as a description of the wine we were offered with each lunch course. By her side was Mambo, a rescue pup who was obviously thriving at Grazia's heels and with her care. Michelle is an excellent tour guide! She is from Parma and is knowledgeable about the food and wines of the region, as well as the history of the area. We took her food tour of Parma the day before this tour and had a wonderful time. We would highly recommend planning ahead and booking your tour(s) of the Parma and Reggio Emilia regions through artemilia!

During our recent trip to Parma, we were fortunate to spend the day with Michelle from artemilia guided tours. Michelle is a fountain of information. We learned so much about how Parmesan Cheese is made. We got to see up close and personal every step in the process… it was fascinating! From seeing the cows who produce the milk for the cheese, to a tasting, the tour was perfect! We also learned how balsamic vinegar is produced through a tour at a real balsamic factory with Michelle. She explained and showed us the entire process. It was so informative! Our special day ended with a tour of a winery followed by a wine tasting, & incredible lunch showcasing the food specialties of the region. It was our favorite day in the Parma region. If you are lucky enough to spend some time with Michelle on one of her tours, you will be happy you did!