A new attraction offers visitors the chance to immerse themselves in the cultural and gastronomic richness of the European country.
Grand Tour Italia , the brainchild of visionary Italian entrepreneur Oscar Farinetti , is the successor to FICO Eataly World , occupying the same space as the latter, which opened in 2017. Farinetti is also the founder of the successful Eataly chain , which has 27 branches worldwide.
Although FICO was preceded by other iconic theme parks (such as Graceland , Dollywood , Legoland , and Walt Disney Parks ), Farinetti’s concept of a $106 million agri-food park dedicated to food and agriculture was novel and ambitious.
Although the park received 2.8 million visitors during its first year, attendance dropped significantly after that, and the company never fully achieved its goals. FICO closed in February 2024.
Turning a disappointing setback into an opportunity for success, Farinetti invested an additional €15 million to reconceptualise the project and took responsibility for its renovation, appointing his colleague Piero Bagnasco as CEO . The project hopes to attract 1.5 million visitors in its first year, with projected revenues of €30 million by 2025.
What to expect?
The vast 50,000 square metre park (roughly the size of five football pitches side by side) is a complete departure from its predecessor. Of course, food remains a key pillar of Italian tourism and remains at the heart of Grand Tour Italia.
Although the term “Italian food” is commonly used around the world, Italian cuisine is far from monolithic. Each region has its own ingredients, recipes, and wines, influenced by its unique geography, history, and cultural heritage. Even pasta, a staple of the Italian diet, comes in some 350 different shapes, reflecting the diverse traditions of cities, towns, and regions.
Similarly, the revitalisation of Grand Tour Italia encompasses a broader focus on regional biodiversity, beyond food. Visitors will be able to discover and learn about unique historical and architectural treasures, customs and traditions, and religious and folkloric celebrations associated with each region.
The tour takes place along a route that includes twenty-three porticoes (portici, in Italian), arcades that serve as the entrance to each region. This design element was a wise choice, given that Bologna is known for its 25 miles of well-preserved, one-of-a-kind medieval porticoes, which have been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site .
In each dedicated space, visitors will find a typical tavern serving traditional food and wine, a market with local products, an educational area and information on how to visit the region. Environmental sustainability is key throughout the project, and products are mainly sourced from organic or sustainable sources.
Three porticos have been reserved for renowned partners who will help narrate the Grand Tour: Scuola Holden (a Turin -based writing and storytelling school ), Coldiretti (an agricultural organization of 1.6 million farmers) and Slow Food (an organization founded by Carlo Petrini that focuses on preserving local food traditions).
Designed for the entire family, this destination will also feature a bookstore (with the 1,200 most influential books in history), a children’s amusement park, an outdoor Adventure Park and daily programming that includes music, games, cooking classes, wine tastings and educational workshops on gastronomy.
Why a Grand Tour?
The concept of the Grand Tour was inspired by the journey described in Wolfgang von Goethe ‘s classic work , Italian Journey . Goethe’s two-year stay in Italy, between 1786 and 1788, occurred at a time when wealthy young men were taking the Grand Tour of Northern Europe to refine their education. In his travel diary, Goethe recounted his life-changing experience.
Now, in one place, travelers will be able to embark on a journey that will transport them to Italy’s iconic big cities, small towns and charming villages, a prelude to their own exploration of the country’s rich history and culture. It also adds yet another attraction to Bologna.
» Grand Tour Italia is more than a tourist destination,» said founder Oscar Farinetti in a press release announcing the opening. «It is a tribute to the extraordinary diversity and cultural richness of our country, an invitation to explore, taste and experience Italy in all its splendor.»
If you go
Grand Tour Italia is open Thursday through Sunday, 11 AM to 11 PM. Admission and parking are free.
Access to Grand Tour Italia is about 30 minutes by car or taxi from Bologna’s historic centre, and 30-40 minutes by bus from Bologna train station. On Saturdays and Sundays, a free shuttle bus service connects the nearby train station to the park.
