what to do

Situated in one of the beautiful valleys of the Apennines you can expect unpolluted, natural forests as well as a patchwork of worked fields with gentle winding roads from one village to the next. This is not an area of discotheques, but for those who enjoy nature and its pleasures.

• photography….www.focustrapper.com…. a local who can help you learn the techniques of nature/wild life photography

• mountain biking… there is a local shop that hires bicycles….

• riding….along the Valtaro bridleways…..

• fishing….local trout, permits apply

• hunting for mushrooms in season…permits apply, bought locally

• walking, trekking… along many of the ancient pilgrim paths to Rome…. there are at least 10 well signaled circuits or nature trails marked by the CAI (Club Alpino Italiano; Italian Alpine Club). Other walks include Monte Pena or Monte Molinatico 1550mt, or visit the Marmite Dei Giganti, a scenic walk through gently mountainside to an area of huge basins formed by the erosion of water over hundreds of years ‘The Giant’s Kettles’. You can also hire environmental guides from the Ghirardi Nature Reserve to take you trekking, bird watching, hiking, etc. DO BRING WALKING BOOTS!

• visit local attractions…. castles, old villages, historical cities……

• shopping…. choose elegant Parma or Fidenza Village outlet ….

• pamper yourself at the spas and baths…. Salsomaggiore Terme….

• just lounge by the pool, sunbathe, admire the view, read a book, paint….

• meander through the lovely countryside….and see where it takes you, there is always something to discover…..

• enjoy local fairs. Each village celebrates different events during the year; Borgo val di Taro is famous for its Fiera dei Funghi Porcini in September and the Sagra della Castagna (chestnuts) in October. Every Monday there is a local market in Borgo Val di Taro and every last Sunday of the month during the summer there is a small bric a brac market, Mercatino dell’Antiquariato.

Other fairs include the Fiera di San Lorenzo in August, Fiera del cioccolato in November in Bedonia, Fiera del Tartufo in November in Albareto, Sagra della Marmellata di Montagna in Tarsogno in June.

• Enjoy the local food! This is an area where food is taken very seriously…. Emiglia Romagna boasts many centres of food excellence…..