Discovering the Heart of Italy: Grand Tour Italia Reimagines the Culinary and Cultural Odyssey

In a bold move to revitalize Italy's beloved FICO Eataly World, visionary entrepreneur Oscar Farinetti has unveiled a captivating new concept that promises to whisk visitors on a comprehensive journey through the country's diverse regional traditions. Grand Tour Italia, a reimagined theme park, has taken center stage in Bologna, the capital of the Emilia Romagna region, offering an immersive, bird's-eye view of Italy's culinary and cultural tapestry.

An Invitation to Explore the Richness of Italy

Transforming Setbacks into Opportunities

FICO Eataly World, Farinetti's ambitious 6 million agri-food park, had initially drawn 2.8 million visitors during its first year. However, the enterprise failed to fully realize its goals, and attendance dropped markedly after that initial surge. In a bold move, Farinetti saw the closure of FICO in 2024 as a stepping stone for potential success. He invested an additional 15 million euros to reconceptualize the project and assumed management responsibility for its overhaul, naming his colleague Piero Bagnasco as CEO. The project now aims to attract 1.5 million visitors in the first year, with a projected revenue of 30 million euros by 2025.

Embracing Italy's Diverse Culinary and Cultural Tapestry

Grand Tour Italia is a far cry from its predecessor, FICO Eataly World. While food remains a central focus, the new concept embraces a broader emphasis on regional biodiversity, historical and architectural treasures, customs and traditions, and religious and folklore celebrations associated with each of Italy's 20 regions. Visitors will embark on a journey that transports them to iconic large cities, small towns, and quaint villages, offering a prelude to their own exploration of Italy's rich history and culture.

A Navigable Journey Through Italy's Regions

The massive 50,000-square-meter park, about the size of five football fields side-by-side, is designed to immerse visitors in the unique characteristics of each Italian region. Visitors access the journey through a route along twenty-three porticoes (portici, in Italian), arcades that serve as the entrance to each region. This design element is a nod to Bologna's 25 miles of well-preserved, one-of-a-kind Medieval porticoes, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.Within each dedicated regional space, visitors will find a typical osteria (tavern) serving traditional foods and wines, a market with local food products, an educational area, and information on visiting the region. Environmental sustainability is a key focus, with products primarily sourced from organic or sustainable sources.

Enriching the Experience with Partnerships

Grand Tour Italia has forged partnerships with respected organizations to help narrate the grand tour. Three porticoes have been set aside for Scuola Holden (a school of writing and storytelling from Torino), Coldiretti (an agricultural organization of 1.6 million farmers), and Slow Food (an organization by Carlo Petrini that focuses on the preservation of local food traditions). These partnerships aim to provide visitors with a deeper understanding and appreciation of the diverse cultural and culinary landscapes of Italy.

A Multifaceted Destination for All

In addition to the immersive regional experiences, Grand Tour Italia offers a diverse array of family-friendly amenities. Visitors can explore a bookstore stocked with the 1200 most influential books in history, an amusement park for children, an outdoor Adventure Park, and a changing daily schedule that includes music, games, cooking lessons, wine tastings, and food education workshops. The park's versatility caters to a wide range of interests, ensuring that every visitor can find something to pique their curiosity and satiate their senses.

Honoring the Legacy of the Grand Tour

The "Grand Tour" concept at the heart of this reimagined theme park is a nod to the voyage described in Wolfgang von Goethe's classic work, "Italian Journey." Goethe's two-year sojourn in Italy from 1786 to 1788 occurred when wealthy young men embarked on the Grand Tour of northern Europe to refine their education. Now, in one location, travelers can embark on a journey that will transport them to Italy's iconic destinations, serving as a prelude to their own exploration of the country's rich history and culture."Grand Tour Italy is more than just a tourist destination," said founder Oscar Farinetti. "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 splendors."