Are you planning a vacation to Italy? Make a weekend or a trip out of it in Parma! This city is brimming with gems and exudes the spirit of La Dolce Vita.
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| Monumento alla Vittoria, Parma |
With its colourful houses, alleys, dome, cathedral, and surrounding castles, Parma is a discreet and yet charming city in Northern Italy, between Milan and Bologna. But it is most notable for its flavours. Parma is located in the North of Italy, between Milan and Bologna, and is discrete but not lacking in charm. Because, in addition to being a city rich in history and culture, it is also known as the "capital of healthy food." It is in his home area of Emilia-Romagna that we find the greatest number of goods bearing the appellation contrôlée. As we all know, Italy is a treasure trove of delicacies as well as fresh, high-quality, and traditional items. Here, cooking is considered an art form. It is deserved that we stop in Parma, that we admire it and that we leave it conquered and refreshed. Parma is refined, serene and energetic at the same time, gorgeous, genuine and culinary. Whether you are on an all-inclusive vacation or travelling on a shoestring budget.
The bicycle and the pedestrian, the kings
Small, winding lanes and pedestrian-only areas characterise the ancient heart of Parma. Fiat, Alfa Romeo, Ferrari, and other Italian automobile manufacturers maintain a low profile in this area. Even though motorists are permitted to drive in a variety of locations (with certain restrictions), the vast majority of them do not do so. Residents cheerfully trade in their automobiles for bicycles, resulting in a pleasant city that is less loud, has less traffic, is densely populated by cyclists and walkers, the air is breathable, and small businesses do particularly well as a result.
Parma Prosciutto
The world-famous ham from Parma! Trying to resist the platter of prosciutto as an appetiser is almost impossible. It's also the perfect time to sample the legendary "38 months" of maturing (which you can do at the Michelin-starred restaurant al Tramezzo), which practically melts on the palette. It is guaranteed by a consortium (which verifies the quality of the product) and is recognised by over 200 manufacturing facilities. Some (like Corradi Guerrino) may be visited during the Parma Ham Festival (during the first weekend in September), only to get a sense of how natural and nutritionally balanced this product is.
Other good products
Parma is often referred to be THE capital of Italian gastronomy. If ham is the king there, then the famed parmesan cheese must be queen (parmiggiano reggiano). It is used in a variety of preparations, but it may also be enjoyed as an aperitif with a touch of honey once it has been aged for twenty-four months. Additionally, Emilia-Romagna is famous for its tomatoes, which have a flavour that is hard to describe, as well as for its black truffle, the aromatic mushrooms from Borgotaro, the salame from Felino, the coppa from Parma, the balsamic vinegar from Modena, and many other delicacies.
Gastronomy
It's not common to find fast food in Parma. On the other hand, there is no scarcity of trattorias that provide food to go. It is difficult to be dissatisfied since the whole city promotes high-quality goods. Even if there are many food shops, those who are looking for happiness will find it on Via Farini since it is filled with nice things. Regarding dining, there is no need to be in a hurry to enter a crowded restaurant. The food served in restaurants with fewer seats is often of a higher quality and more flavorful overall. And that's not even taking into account the renowned hospitality... When it comes to prepared specialties, it is difficult to leave Parma without having tried the world-famous Tortelli, which are a kind of wide-necked ravioli that may be filled with either pumpkin or spinach or chard and ricotta. We are happy to provide the traditional Italian dish of torta fritta with a mouthwatering platter of prosciutto (a kind of fried bread).
Shopping
Parma is a city that enjoys a good deal of economic success. There are the big retail places, of course, in addition to the significant businesses in the agricultural and food processing industries, like Barilla, for example. However, the best place to go shopping, particularly if you are a visitor, is in the historic centre, namely on the streets that flank and surround the strada della Repubblica. If it is the paradise of grocery stores, cheese factories, and sweets with violets, then it is also the paradise of shoes with signs that are specific to the city, perfumes with the famous perfumer Acqua di Parma, trendy Italian clothes (which cut very very small), jewellery, vintage (via Garibaldi and via d'Azeglio), antiques (around Bogo Tommasini and via Nazario Sauro), and so on.
Historical heritage of Parma
Parma is a destination that many visitors would not consider visiting in Italy if they did not first travel to Rome, Florence, or Venice; nonetheless, the city's ancient past makes it well worth the trip. Its most beautiful assets include: the octagonal Baptistery in pink marble (one of the most beautiful in the country); the Romanesque Duomo and its dome decorated with Correggio frescoes; the Episcopal Palace; the church and convent of San Giovanni Evangelista (dome painted by Correggio and chapels painted by Parmigianino); the monastery of San Paolo; the gran Teatro Farnese (one of the largest in the world); the Palazzo
It is not necessary to confine one's exploration of Parma just to the city itself. The breathtaking landscape at the foot of the mountains that surrounds it is dotted with rustic stone farmhouses of various ages. The roads pass by some spectacular tomato farms, as well as industries that make prosciutto and parmesan. The renowned "Chartreuse de Parme," which served as the basis for Stendhal's work, may be found to the north, some 6 kilometres distant. As we go on, we also come upon the towering Rocca de Fontanellato, which is encircled by moats. The formidable fortress of Torrechiara may be found atop the hill in almost no other place (inside the fortifications, a small aperitif is essential at the wine producer Giuseppe Vicari ). At its foot, not too far away, is a restaurant called Masticabrodo, where you may have a taste of authentic Tortelli.
A traveller who is worn out from the daily grind would feel rejuvenated after spending the weekend in Parma. However, it seems as if time has stopped moving at the very centre of the metropolis. It seems that the Italians are not affected by the tension since they love the sun, the wonderful stores, the bike, the terraces, and happily congregating in the squares in the evening. The aperitivo is a true tradition in Parma (much as it is in Milan), and tables include drinks such as the Spritz, spumante or prosecco, the Bellini cocktail (fresh peach juice and sparkling wine), or even a little glass of Malvasia or Lambrusco.
Parma and music
A celebration honouring Giuseppe Verdi, an Italian composer who was born and raised in the area, takes place in Parma each year in the fall. It is also the birthplace of the conductor Arturo Toscanini, who was the first conductor of La Scala in Milan. Toscanini was the one who produced La Bohème for Puccini. This particular aspect of Italian musical culture permeates the whole city.
The art of living that is exemplified by parmesan is not just celebrated on the tables or on the terraces. Tourists who are looking for peace and quiet will find it in Parma, thanks to the city's Zen ambiance, but the surrounding area also has a wealth of thermal springs. A few kilometres away, at the foot of the Emilian hills, you'll find the thermal baths of Monticelli, Salsomaggiore e Tabiano, and Sant'Andrea Bagni, which are sure to please those who are searching for stays focused on wellness. The Grand Hotel de la Ville is perfect for anyone looking for convenience, proximity to the city's historic district, and high levels of comfort (and its cuisine rather excellent).