A weekend with pancetta, pisarei pasta and tortelli “with tails”

Duration: one weekend 
Itinerary: departure from Milan, with stops in Borgonovo Valtidone, Rivalta, Bobbio, Castell'Arquato and Grazzano Visconti; return to Milan. 
Total distance: 308 kilometres 
Essentials: overnight necessities, your favourite digestivo liquor (to help with all the food!) ... and remember to leave room for your purchases

Saturday morning may just be the best moment of the week. Despite the fatigue of the week’s workload, try to wake early and head from Milan towards Castel San Giovanni, through the Lodi countryside, where, across the Po river seventy kilometres out, you can begin to discover the wonders of the Piacenza province. This area of the Emilia region is an earthly paradise for gourmets. Then, drive your faithful Vespa a few minutes away towards Borgonovo Valtidone. Here, pull up in front of the Ferrari pastry shop windows to start your tasting tour of the unmissable local specialty: “the chisola”, a flatbread with pork rinds (ciccioli). After gobbling up one or two (ok...three), make sure to leave space for the sugary option: sweet focaccia with raisins – a must.

After a quick coffee break, diligently head towards Gragnano Trebbiense, near the Trebbia valley, which Ernest Hemingway named "the most beautiful valley in the world. Continue up to Rivalta, a small town near Gazzola, known for its beautiful medieval castle, often frequented by newlyweds and their guests. Park your Vespa a safe distance away from the celebratory madness and enter the Locanda del Falco to enjoy your first meal of the weekend.

Start with a delicious, local cold-cut platter – the province of Piacenza is the only one in Italy to have three PDO charcuterie products: salame, coppa and the renowned pancetta. But there's also pisarei e fasò – dumplings made from flour and breadcrumbs with Borlotti beans – and tortelli “with tails” – braided pasta stuffed with ricotta and spinach. As a main course, Gutturnio wine glazed roast beef is another essential on local menus.

After a refreshing walk, continue your journey alongside the Trebbia River, towards Bobbio: stop to admire the views from your windshield and take some selfies that will make your friends back home jealous. Once you reach your destination, carefully chain up your Vespa and get ready to spend the night in the room you booked at Albergo Ristorante Piacentino, your base for a well-earned rest.

Before dinner, stroll along the historic alleys of this pretty town to reach the romantic Ponte Gobbio, a stone structure crossing the river Trebbia with eleven irregular arches which dates back to Roman times. Souvenir photos and surprising marriage proposals are common here. Head towards the Enoteca San Nicola for a tasting of local wines by the glass, from Gutturnio to Vin Santo, Ortrugo and Malvasia. When ready for dinner, head to the Piacentino restaurant, where the menu features original macaroni, a special type of fresh homemade pasta prepared by rolling it around a knitting needle, and when available, the famous stewed Bobbio snails, all completed with delicious wine. After a post-dinner walk, start preparing for the second day of your culinary expedition.

After breakfast, get on your Vespa and retrace the road along the Trebbia River, reaching Rivergaro and continue to Grazzano Visconti. Here, you’ll find a curious village built in the early 20th century by Duke Giuseppe Visconti di Modrone, who wanted to recreate a 14th century site in full architectural detail. A stop for a cup of coffee in this medieval town is mandatory.

Browse the village shops, before taking the road through the villages of Podenzano, San Giorgio Piacentino, and Carpaneto. Continue towards Castell'Arquato, where you’ve booked your gourmet lunch at the Da Faccini Restaurant to try the deep-fried Val d’Arda chisolini – a local version of the famous fried dumpling. Choose from other dishes like pumpkin tortelli, anolini pasta soup – fresh pasta filled with sautéed beef in broth – and fried mushrooms, roast pork and boiled mixed meats; It’s can be a challenging meal if you try it all, but definitely worth it. The choices are abundant and there are numerous gastronomic souvenirs to be purchased in the shop next to the restaurant.

Cram as many charcuterie products, mushrooms and other specialties in the top case of your Vespa before heading back to Milan. And climb to the top of Castell'Arquato, buy a postcard and enjoy the last few minutes of your gourmet weekend.