Parma
A touch of Violet and a Verdi's Aria
In Parma, it is not difficult to live, as long as you know how to agree with the interlocutor in a musical or gastronomic discussion.
Marie-Louise de Habsburg
Parma 110 km (one hour and 10 minutes) from Bologna is a very pleasant city for its walks along the "Parma" river, its gardens, the pedestrian streets ... Behind this aristocratic and peaceful atmosphere the city is very rich in stimuli to visit and satisfy all palates ...
Walking through the elegant streets, we discover pretty places with monuments: The square of the archdiocese which seduces by the beauty of the facade of the cathedral and the proportions of the baptistery. The Piazza Garibaldi where everyday life is going on : cafes and shops mixed with historic town hall buildings.
Everywhere there are extraordinary churches with works by great painters such as Correggio, but music and gastronomy have the lion's share and many windows display rare delicacies or old partitions.
Some treasures are sought inside such as the Farnese Theater, or the abbess' room ...
At any time, we are immersed in history, from Roman antiquity with testimonies of great importance to partisan resistance.
By visiting the countryside of the plains or in the hills, like painted pictures, between rivers and castles, it will be impossible to resist the charisma of Giuseppe Verdi in the region of Bussetto or the delicate taste of Parma ham in Langhirano….
If I have confused you, I suggest a must-see itinerary to see the essentials in Parma and some itineraries in depth in or around the city to discover the province. With calm and pleasure, Adagio, as in the past.
Itineraries in Parma and surroundings
Parma Best seller
Must-see 2,5 hours
this easy guided walking tour of Parma allows you to discover and understand the history and artistic excellences of the old town: Piazza del Duomo, the beautiful Romanesque facade of the cathedral. Inside , you will be speechless for the richness of the decoration and the famous dome painted by Correggio.
The baptistery of extraordinary proportions on the outside presents a perfect fusion of painting, sculpture and architecture inside.
The pedestrian streets have elegant windows and lead us to Piazza Garibaldi with the Palazzo Comunale and the Palazzo del Governatore on Via Emilia.
Nearby we can admire the neoclassical Teatro Regio and the Church of Santa Maria della Steccata.
Finally, we will visit the Pilotta building with the wooden Farnese theatre inside and a selection from the National painting gallery to admire Leonardo da Vinci, Correggio, Parmigianino, Canova and many others…
Parma and music
In depth 2,5 hours
During this guided walking tour of Parma and music, I will show you the most significant places, of the musical tradition. Verdi will be the protagonist but there will be other stories, theatres, monuments, places of seduction or quarrels, the house of music and crossing the Parma river, we will visit the house of Arturo Toscanini the great composer.
Parma duchy of Farnese
In depth 2,5 hours
From the history of Pope Paul III Farnese we will discover with this historical guided of Parma tour the power strategies for the creation of a Duchy and its actors. We will follow the evolution, alliances, monuments built or transformed: the heritage of the Duchy inscribed on Palaces, churches, art collections and gardens.
Maria Luigia Duchess of Parma
In depth 2,5 hours
Austrian, French or Parmense? what color was the heart of this woman who reigned over the duchy in the classical era? During this guided walking tour of the Duchess in Parma, We will visit together her favorite places, the museum dedicated to her, her activities in Parma and we will discover that her favorite color and fragrance was: Parma violet!
Painters in Parma
In depth 2,5 hours
With this guided walking tour about painters in Parma, we will compare three important churches and an ancient monastery, we will walk in the footsteps of the cursed painters of Parma: Correggio and Parmigianino to admire their accomplished (or abandoned unfinished) masterpieces. In the National Gallery, we can admire other local works, from the XII Century, but also some foreign masterpieces: Leonardo da Vinci, Carracci ..
In the surroundings with your own vehicle or driver
Viva Verdi!
In depth 3 to 5 hours
During this guided tour around Busseto we visit together the places of the Maestro Verdi: from the house where he was born to the church of his baptism, the places of youth, the house of the father in law, the theatre of the first successes and the house of the celebrity today house-museum ... Almost the entire biography of the Maestro in one visit.
Don Camillo and the Culatello
In depth 3 hours
This guided tour in the surroundings of Parma takes us to the banks of the PO river where there is the production of a rare and expensive product: Culatello. We can visit to learn and taste this delicatessen of the nobles in a wonderful setting. We will finally visit the village of Don Camillo and Peppone to relive their vicissitudes with a smile and have a coffee as good friends ... between the town hall and the church!
Parma ham and castle
In depth 3 hours
Going west, we can visit around Parma with your tour guide, the magnificent Torrechiara Castle with breathtaking views and refined frescoes. Admiring the vineyards we continue to the capital of Parma ham: Langhirano to visit a producer and admire the thousands of cured ham. We will taste in a lovely setting. (for Parmigiano cheese and other possibilities see our Food section )