Discover the authentic soul of Emilia-Romagna with a refined journey through one of Italy’s most elegant and flavorful regions - where elegance, history, and culinary artistry converge. From exploring medieval towers, celebrated piazzas, and UNESCO treasures to immersive tastings of Parmigiano Reggiano and Prosciutto di Parma, this land blends art, history, and world-renowned gastronomy into an unforgettable pre-cruise experience.
Note:
•This program includes a lot of walking and is not recommended for guests with limited mobility or require use of a wheelchair or scooter.
•If you have any food intolerances or special dietary needs, please contact the Regent Reservations Team at least 95 days prior to your departure. It is important that your land program extension reflects these details so our local vendors can ensure smooth and enjoyable dining experiences.
DAY 1
Arrive at the Bologna Airport. You are met outside Customs and transferred by private vehicle to your hotel.
Check-in time is 3:00pm.
The remainder of the day is at your leisure; any meals are on your own.
Note: For couples or bookings with two or more guests, a private van will be used for the airport transfer and a sedan will be used for solo travelers. Vans hold a maximum of four large suitcases and two carry on pieces and sedans hold up to two large suitcases and a carry-on. Should you have more luggage than this, a larger vehicle may be required with a surcharge.
For guests with early arriving flights, you may wish to book an extra night to guarantee room availability upon arrival otherwise guests may leave luggage with Reception and begin to enjoy the facilities of the hotel.
Grand Hotel Majestic già Baglioni is a refined 5-star luxury hotel in the heart of the historic center of Bologna, just steps from Piazza Maggiore. Set in an 18th-century palace, it blends historic frescoes and antique elegance with modern comfort, offering a sophisticated retreat within walking distance of the city’s iconic landmarks and celebrated culinary scene.
A Regent Seven Seas hospitality desk with English-speaking staff will be set up to welcome our guests. Time and location will be advised upon check-in.
DAY 2
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before meeting your English-speaking tour guide in the hotel lobby for a guided walking tour of Bologna.
Discover the timeless charm of Bologna, where medieval towers, elegant piazzas, and UNESCO-listed porticoes create a setting of understated grandeur. Home to the oldest university in Europe and renowned for its celebrated cuisine, the city blends rich history, vibrant culture, and authentic Italian sophistication.
On your walking tour you will stroll through its historic center, admiring iconic landmarks, elegant piazzas, and magnificent architecture.
See the statue of Neptune and visit the Basilica of San Petronio one of the largest churches in Europe and a striking symbol of Bologna’s civic pride. Dominating Piazza Maggiore with its distinctive unfinished façade, the Basilica impresses visitors with its vast Gothic interior, soaring vaults, and remarkable artistic treasures.
Continue on to Piazza Santa Stefano to see the Complex of Santo Stefano known as Bologna’s “Sette Chiese” (Seven Churches), this remarkable medieval complex features a network of interconnected churches, cloisters, and courtyards.
Proceed to the ancient market in the Quadrilateral - Italy's oldest, bustling market area located in narrow medieval streets just off Piazza Maggiore. Dating back to Roman times, this historic, touristy, and local-frequented spot features traditional shops, fresh produce, cured meats, pasta, and cafes.
Don’t miss Bologna’s iconic medieval landmarks; the two towers of Bologna, Asinelli and Garisenda. Leaning dramatically over the city’s skyline, they symbolize the city’s historic ambition and offer a striking glimpse of its architectural heritage.
Following your tour of Bologna, you will be free to stay in the city center or return to the hotel with your guide. The remainder of the day is at your leisure and dinner is on your own.
DAY 3
Enjoy breakfast and then depart by motorcoach for a delightful cheese factory visit for a fascinating dive into the world of traditional Italian cheese making. Experience firsthand how local milk is transformed into Parmigiano Reggiano, one of Italy’s most famous and historically rich cheeses.
The visit will end with a tasting of the Parmigiano Reggiano paired with local specialties such as balsamic vinegar or honey.
After your visit, drive to a local Parma ham factory and enjoy an immersive journey into the authentic production of Prosciutto di Parma D.O.P., one of Emilia-Romagna’s most iconic cured meats.
After the tour, the visit continues with a sampling of the products allowing you to appreciate the rich flavors of the territory.
Your journey continues to Parma where you will explore the charm of this elegant city. The visit will focus on the Parma Cathedral, a masterpiece of Romanesque architecture, renowned for its beautiful frescoes, harmonious proportions, and serene interior that has inspired visitors for centuries. Right next door is the Baptistery of Parma, a stunning octagonal pink Verona marble building blending Romanesque and Gothic styles, famous for its intricate carvings and remarkable frescoes.
Afterwards, you will stroll through the streets of this stylish city, enjoying its elegant squares, historic buildings, and vibrant atmosphere, until you reach the Teatro Regio, one of Italy’s most prestigious opera houses, admired from the outside for its grand façade and impressive architecture.
Finally, you will return to the bus for a comfortable transfer back to your hotel in Bologna.
The remainder of the day is at your leisure and dinner is on your own.
DAY 4
After breakfast, settle any incidentals and check-out before transferring to Ravenna. Here you will have a guided walking tour of the historic city.
Your tour includes entrance to the magnificent Mausoleo di Galla Placidia and the stunning Basilica di San Vitale, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites and among the finest examples of early Christian art in Europe. Step into a world where early Christian art comes alive, and marvel at the dazzling mosaics that shimmer with gold and color, telling timeless stories across walls and ceilings in a radiant tapestry of faith and beauty.
Following the visit, re-board your motorcoach and proceed to the cruise terminal in Ravenna where you will embark the ship.
Land Program Details Step by Step:
•Please note: The order of sites visited may vary to avoid congestion. All program details including timings indicated below are approximate, given here for general reference purposes and subject to change.
•Itineraries with the most up to date details (at the time) will be issued when you are emailed your final cruise documents 21 days prior to sailing. You will then receive one last final itinerary from our ground operator with a Welcome Letter upon arrival or at your hotel. Please review that Welcome Letter and your final itinerary carefully for any further amendments.
•The hotels used for your land program will be the hotels listed in this document unless you have been advised otherwise in advance of the land program start date.
•Guests failing to arrive on Day 1 of a scheduled land program will be considered a no-show and their hotel space released.
Extra Nights
•All extra nights booked through the cruise line are confirmed at the hotel that is used on the FIRST NIGHT of your land program
•If you book extra nights through the cruise line, you will be met as per the flight details provided and transferred to your hotel. Check-in is 3:00pm (subject to change). Meals other than breakfast, as well as activities, are on your own until day 2 of the program.
•If you have an early arriving flight, you may wish to book an extra night as your room will not be ready for occupation until approximately 3:00pm
•If you book extra nights on your own, transfers are not included.
DAY 1
Arrive at the Bologna International Airport
You are met outside Customs and luggage claim and transferred by private vehicle to your hotel
3:00pm Check in time at the hotel
Although every effort will be made to have rooms available sooner, this cannot be guaranteed
Meals are on your own today
Overnight at the Grand Hotel Majestic già Baglioni or similar hotel
Meet and Greet and transfers
•Final cruise documents will be emailed 21 days prior to sailing. The local ground agent’s telephone number will be on page 1, if you can’t locate the meet-and-greet representative upon arrival. Be aware that the representative may be assisting others and may not be in sight when you first exit Customs and the luggage claim area.
•Look for someone holding a sign with the cruise line logo and possibly your name. If in doubt, ask the airport staff to direct you to the meeting area for transfers or to page our representative.
•Meet and Greet and transfers are arranged for guests arriving on Day 1 of a land program or for extra nights booked through the cruise line and are arranged based on the flight details received by guests at least 14 days before sailing. Guests arriving independently before the program start date will not have a transfer included.
•If we have not received your flight details or your flights have changed, and the Destination Services Land Team has not been notified, then a transfer cannot be provided, and guests will be responsible for getting to the land program hotel at their own expense. Please immediately contact our Reservations Department for any flight changes before departure.
DAY 2
7:30am Buffet breakfast at the hotel
9:00am Meet your English-speaking guide and begin a walking tour of Bologna
11:45am End of guided walking tour and free time
Lunch on own
Dinner on own
Overnight at the Grand Hotel Majestic già Baglioni or similar hotel
DAY 3
7:30am Buffet breakfast at your hotel
8:45am Meet your English-speaking assistant and depart for a cheese factory
10:00am Arrive at the cheese factory and visit
11:15am Re-board the motorcoach for the Parma ham factory
12:30pm Arrive the Parma ham factory for visit and light lunch
2:30pm Depart by motorcoach for Parma
3:15pm Arrive town center and meet your English-speaking guide and enjoy the visit of the Cathedral and Baptistery.
5:15pm Walk back to the bus
5:30pm Drive back to Bologna
7:15pm Return to your hotel
Dinner on own
Overnight at the Grand Hotel Majestic già Baglioni or similar hotel
DAY 4
7:30am Buffet breakfast at the hotel
8:00am Settle any incidentals and check out
8:30am Drive to Ravenna
10:00am Arrive Ravenna, meet with your English-speaking guide and enjoy the visit of the Mausoleo di Galla Placidia and Basilica of San Vitale
12:30pm Transfer to the pier
1:00pm Approximate arrival at the ship for embarkation
What to Bring:
Light, loose closing that can be layered depending on the weather, umbrella, rain jacket, good walking shoes, hat, sunscreen, bathing suit, casual elegant attire for evenings at the resort, camera, chargers
Local Currency:
The currency in Italy is the Euro
USD are not widely accepted. It’s best to exchange some money or use credit cards (which are commonly accepted). ATMs are also widely available for cash withdrawals.
Electricity
Voltage: 220V, frequency: 50Hz
Plug Type: Type C, F, and L (two or three round prongs)
Adaptors: Guests traveling from the US will need an international travel adaptor for their devices
Documents and Visa Requirements:
A passport that is valid for at least six months after travel
ETIAS Authorization:
Non-EU visitors from visa-exempt countries (including U.S. and Canada) will need an ETIAS travel authorization.
Other Nationalities: Check with the Italian Embassy or Consulate in your country for specific requirements.
The above information is subject to change and serves as a guide only. We would like to take this opportunity to remind all of our guests that it is the ultimate and sole responsibility of the guest to ensure they meet the entry requirements for each destination.
If traveling internationally, the countries you are flying to and/ or connecting through may have different document requirements and as such we encourage you to visit the government and airport websites of every country you will be traveling to throughout the journey to familiarize yourself with their requirements.
Accommodation:
Grand Hotel Majestic già Baglioni
Address: Via dell' Indipendenza, 8, 40121 Bologna BO (Italy)
Phone: +39 051 225445
*We will only source different hotels in unforeseen situations. If similar hotels are required, they will be of equal ratings and standards, and you will be notified of the change. If you are not notified of any changes before your departure, then you will be staying at the hotel listed in this program.
Program Includes for guests:
•3 nights at Grand Hotel Majestic già Baglioni or similar – Superior Run of House Room
•Touring and entrance fee as per itinerary
•Transportation as per description
•Private transfer on Day 1
•Lunch and wine tasting on Day 3
Please Note: Guests booking their own flights (independent of the cruise line) are responsible for ensuring that the cruise line has the updated arrival information, so your transfer can be arranged. If you book additional nights independently of the cruise line, an arrival transfer is not provided. If we do not receive flight details a minimum of 14 days in advance, transfers will not be provided.
Program Excludes for guests:
•Any meals not listed in the itinerary
•Optional Activities offered by the hotel
•Gratuities for drivers and guides
•Hotel incidentals including mini bar, laundry and room service
Please note: Land programs that encompass multiple days ashore customarily include extensive and prolonged activity, while those of shorter durations typically have more moderate activity levels. However, each program varies, and participants should be prepared to negotiate a mixture of surfaces which may include inclines, cobblestones, sand, and gravel or natural paths. There may also be a need to climb steps or stairs on occasion. Guests who utilize a wheelchair and those with mobility concerns are advised to check with the cruise line in advance to see if any portion of the tour program may not be considered suitable for their individual situation. Weather appropriate clothing; hats; sunglasses; and flat, comfortable walking shoes are generally recommended.
Please note: All land programs are capacity controlled and subject to availability. Programs falling under the minimum number of required participants are subject to cancellation. Pricing listed is also subject to change to meet unexpected cost increases for transportation, land arrangements or currency fluctuations. Once purchased, pricing is guaranteed and not subject to change. Land Programs must be purchased no later than 90 days prior to your sail date. Cancellations made within 90 days or less prior to the sail date are subject to 100% cancellation penalty. There are no refunds for unused portions of any program. Guests failing to arrive on Day 1 of a scheduled land program will be considered a no-show and their hotel space released.
Price: $3,399 per guest based on double occupancy.
Hotel and Land Program pricing is not combinable with FREE 1-Night Pre-Cruise Luxury Hotel Package. If applicable, please contact Regent Seven Seas Cruises or your travel agent for multi-night pre-cruise hotel pricing information. Land program promotions are subject to terms.
