Modena through flowers, herbs, rose petals

Itinerary

Means of transport

KM56

This unusual excursion is designed to discover and celebrate aspects of local culture, from the most traditional to the most unusual, that are tied directly to the flowers, plants, and fruit of nature.

If you’re looking for a travel experience that’s out of the ordinary, you’re sure to appreciate this excursion.

Discovering Modena’s UNESCO World Heritage Site

The tour begins in the heart of the city with an exploration of the rare beauty of Modena’s World Heritage Site, established by UNESCO in 1997: the Modena Cathedral, the Ghirlandina Tower, and Piazza Grande.

During your visit, be sure to give yourself time to take in the small details. They may not always be immediate, but they will enrich your experience immeasurably.

In the afternoon, visit a local vinegar cellar and learn all about PDO (protected designation of origin) and PGI (protected geographical indication) balsamic vinegar of Modena.

Your first day is organized around Modena’s history, cultural heritage, and best known culinary specialties.

Itinerary

The Modena Cathedral

To get into the true spirit of this excursion, our advice would be to direct your attention to the ancient bas-reliefs and decorative sculptures on the Cathedral’s exterior. The Modena Cathedral has often been called a “book in stone” because of the Biblical stories depicted on its façade. Each portal is adorned with friezes of plants, forests, and monstrous and fantastical beings.

On the columns of the Porta Regia, which faces Piazza Grande, look for floral decorations and, on the carved jambs of the Porta della Pescheria (the Fish Market Gate), stop to admire the monthly calendar that marked the time and seasons during the Middle Ages. In the month of April, notice the elegant gentleman who holds a flower in his hand.

The Ghirlandina Tower

Alongside the Cathedral’s apse stands the agile, slender Ghirlandina Tower, the symbol of Modena. The nickname the people of Modena have given their tower comes from the marble balustrades that crown the spire, “as graceful as garlands” (ghirlanda, in Italian).

A climb to the top of the tower is a must, and the view of Modena from its eighty-nine meters of height is unforgettable!

Visit to a Vinegar Cellar

Smell the aromas and experience the flavors of Modena’s traditional PDO (protected designation of origin) balsamic vinegar. Through special techniques of decanting and many years of refinement and aging, Modena’s traditional balsamic vinegar matures in the quiet of a vinegar cellar.

Balsamic vinegar is made by cooking must (unfermented grape juice) that is then aged, allowing slow acidification through natural fermentation, and progressively concentrated in casks made from various kinds of wood. No other flavors or substances are added to the vinegar as it ages. Exploring these processes through an in-person visit to a vinegar cellar is a unique experience available only in this part of Italy, and it’s a fundamental stop in this and other area tours and excursions.

The Modena Cathedral

The Ghirlandina Tower

A climb to the top of the tower is a must, and the view of Modena from its eighty-nine meters of height is unforgettable!

Visit to a Vinegar Cellar

Explore the stops

Modena - Montagnana di Serramazzoni – Modena

The second day begins in the historical center with a typical Modena breakfast of gnocco fritto (a pastry something like a deep-fried dumpling) and a visit to the splendid Albinelli Market, the symbol of Modena’s culinary traditions.

This immersion in local colors and flavors will prepare you for your next stop in the town of Montagnana di Serramazzoni, where the Museum and Garden of Ornamental Roses is located. This delightful oasis features more than 800 varieties of ornamental roses and hosts a series of very special seasonal events.

For a truly authentic experience, try your hand at preparing dishes that make use of the herbs, plants, and flowers found in the Modena area. You can choose a cooking class or a thematic workshop on a farm in Modena Province. There’s no better way to top off your tour.

Itinerary

Cooking with Herbs and Flowers

Finish off your day with a special cooking class where you’ll learn how to make use of herbs, plants, and flowers in dishes both traditional and with a touch of the modern.
You’ll learn under the guidance of the best teachers and chefs who’ll show you the tricks of the trade. For “foodies” in particular, it’s an incomparable treat.

And what’s a better way to end the day than by tasting the dishes you’ve prepared with your own hands? This activity is organized on request and requires a group of a minimum of 8-10 people. For advice and reservations, don’t hesitate to contact us

Gnocco Fritto for Breakfast and the Albinelli Market

Begin your day like a real Modenese. This authentic experience is a typical way for many of Modena’s residents to start their day. After breakfast, continue to Piazza XX Settembre, a few steps from Modena Cathedral, where the historic Albinelli Market is located. The Albinelli Market is a shrine to Modena’s passion for good food and high-quality ingredients. Dive in for a rich experience of scents, colors, and flavors.

The Museum and Garden of Ornamental Roses

Next, leave Modena for the town of Montagnana di Serramazzoni, about thirty minutes (twenty-five kilometers) away by car. Here, set on a ridge that offers a breathtaking view of the surrounding countryside, is the huge Museum and Garden of Ornamental Roses, where more than 800 varieties of ornamental roses are cultivated.

Begin with a guided tour of the Museum and, afterward, get your energy back at a small tasting featuring local products and specialties made with roses. Depending upon the season, you could also choose one of the museum’s special activities, including the multisensory herbarium. Engage all five senses: roses to feel, to see, to touch, to smell and to taste!