Grand Tour Italia in Bologna: here is the new Fico food park
The new Fico park in Bologna is called Grand Tour Italia, it is open and it is free. In fact, on September 5, 2024, the rich, mega structure conceived by Oscar Farinetti and inspired by the Grand Tours of the nineteenth century began its activities.
You will find regional pavilions with taverns and typical products, bookshops, amusement parks, even go-kart tracks, you can take part in cooking classes and much more. The good news is that there is no entrance and parking fee, and the park is equipped to accommodate disabled people. Let's find out more about this brand new adventure together.
Why Grand Tour Italia?
Starting in the 18th century, it became fashionable for rich people of the European aristocracy to take a long trip to continental Europe that was called just that: Grand Tour. It usually had Italy as its destination and indefinite duration.
In fact, wealthy Europeans considered Italy the most beautiful country in the world, so they sent their children on a (not only) educational trip, without disdaining to join them.
The main attractions were the cities of art, without forgetting the rural landscapes, mountains, hills and lakeside resorts of Italy.
Among these explorers we remember a very special one who, between 1813 and 1817, kept a diary of his trip to Italy: we are talking about Goethe, the great writer whose diary became a book that went around the world and was actually entitled Journey to Italy.
The idea of tourism and, more generally, the phenomenon of tourist travel, as we understand it today, originated precisely from the Grand Tour.
Bologna, former Fico agri-food park: what is it and what can you find
What is left of the Fico agri-food park in Bologna? Many things, enriched and expanded. Grand Tour Italia is the most recent, ambitious adventure of born in Piedmont Oscar Farinetti, former patron of Eataly and the Fico company. This recent project represents a largely “revisited and corrected” version of the previous experience.
In fact, in the same spaces of the Fico park in Bologna outskirts, there are several new elements, which go beyond the normal restaurants and markets, such as amusement parks and go-kart circuits, but also culture, with literary meetings and philosophy lessons, as well as cooking classes and more.
Grand Tour Italia a Bologna nell’ex fiera del cibo Fico: i 20 padiglioni regionali
The concept of this new project is an extraordinary journey through food, art, traditions and entertainment, in an environment that combines education, sustainability and fun.
The basic setup of Grand Tour Italia is very similar to other large national trade fair events, with a pavilion dedicated to each of the 20 Italian regions, on the Vinitaly model.
Decorated with the typical colors and references to its territory, each pavilion includes a typical tavern, a market with regional products and an educational area, whose proposal is managed in association with very important partners, such as the Scuola Holden of Turin for the culture and history sector, Coldiretti for agriculture and Slow Food for food and wine biodiversity.
In addition, there is a focus on the richness of the landscape and tourism promotion, as well as a program of literary Thursdays that includes meetings with authors and philosophical lessons. And the part relating to entertainment. Let’s find out together right away.
Beyond agri-food: adventure park, go-kart circuit, amusement park and bookshop
As we anticipated, the food sector will not be the only focus of this enormous project. In fact, in the 50 thousand square meter area, Grand Tour Italia hosts the exhibition space of Earth Foundation, the cultural foundation of the Eataly group, focused mainly on contemporary photography and the I Capolavori bookshop, with around 1,200 titles including essays and children’s books, including used ones, both for consultation and for sale.
In addition, you can find the Luna Farm, the large amusement park for families that includes rides, games and areas for private parties, and also the Tree Experience adventure park, set up in the outdoor but covered spaces, with suspended paths, ziplines and climbing walls.
In addition to all this, you can find the Grand Tour Karting, an indoor go-kart circuit half a kilometer long, with electric cars, to recall the echoes of the Emilian Motor Valley.
In short, there really is something for everyone, and for those who want to take a look and immerse themselves in this experience, it is necessary to take note of the opening days: at the moment, only from Thursday to Sunday. As we said earlier, there is no entrance fee and no parking.
Let’s recap together: a taste of what you will find at Grand Tour Italia ex Fico Bologna
Grand Tour Italia is a real journey into the biodiversity of the 20 Italian regions, each with its own food and wine traditions and folkloristic events. A park of 50 thousand square meters divided into:
- 20 typical regional taverns with management changes and new rotating menus.
- 20 sales areas of typical regional products including food, drinks and crafts.
- 20 educational areas themed around food and wine, history, culture and local traditions.
- 20 landscape and tourism promotion areas dedicated to each of the twenty Italian regions.
The structure can be reached on weekends with a free shuttle from Bologna station, subject to availability. Moments of real fun and entertainment await you!