Why we’ll never be the biggest food tour in Italy

I’m often asked what makes Taste Bologna different from the hundreds of other tours out there.

My answer is usually a list of what we don’t do.

In an industry that often feels like a giant tourist trap, I’ve built this team around a few things we simply refuse to compromise on.

We keep our groups small so that we can walk side by side.
I want to hear how you make ragù at home or what your favorite comfort food is.

Plus, let’s be practical: how could I fit 30 people into Enrico’s small pasta lab in Parma? He’d hit me over the head with a mattarello!

No restaurant or shop pays us a commission to show up or to be recommended.
We are independent and we will stay that way.
My rule is simple: we only suggest the spots where I would take my own parents on a Sunday afternoon.

When I design a tour, I start by looking for the absolute best the city offers.

If the best pistachio gelato is tucked away in a hidden alley and costs twice as much as the "good enough" version under the Two Towers, that’s where we go.

Every single time.

We’d rather pay more for the real thing than save a few euros and serve you something average.

We aren't university professors. We won't bore you with a long list of dates or dry history.

Instead, you’ll learn the names of the sisters making your tortellini, and probably find out why they are currently arguing behind the counter.

If you leave full, happy, and feeling like you’ve made a new friend, we’ve done our job.

You won’t find a single “sponsored” star on our page.
I only want the authentic words of people who have actually walked the streets with us.
Even the tough reviews? They probably keep me awake for a couple of nights, but they are the fuel that keeps us sharp.

I know that by saying "no" to these things, we might not be the biggest tour company in Italy.

But that was never the goal.

The goal was always to be the one you can trust.

• Bologna in Australia: we made it into the Australian magazine Escape! Jade, a journalist who joined our Bologna food tour, wrote a great piece about the city. We spent some time discussing what actually makes a gelato one of the city’s best. You can read the full story here.

• A rainy day in Comacchio: I was back in Comacchio recently. It was a cold, rainy day, but the smell of roasted eel in the air made it perfect. I’ve completely updated our Comacchio guide to enjoy its vibe.

• Treasures and flea markets: if you’re in Bologna during the weekend, there is a high chance you’ll find me at a flea market, rummaging through old photography books. I’ve just updated our Bologna flea market guide so you can go hunting, too.

• My favorite museum is back: Palazzo Poggi has finally reopened. It’s perhaps my favorite museum in Bologna: weird, scientific, and beautiful. I’ve updated our guide to the University area to help you explore it.
  Note: If you want a deeper dive, you can now book a private tour with us to visit both Palazzo Poggi and the stunning Archiginnasio.

Thanks for reading this far.

And thanks for being part of this “not-the-biggest” community. It means the world to me.

See you in Bologna,

Andrea