WHERE TO GO

Parma for its wonderful rich history: founded in 183 A.C. by the Romans, from its passing from Spanish to French control, being assigned to Marie Louise of Austria, second wife of Napoleon, to the annexation to Piedmont and then into the unified Kingdom of Italy….

City of Art, from its Cathedral built between 1060 and 1073 (one of the finest examples of Romanesque architecture in Italy), its octagonal Baptistery made of pink Verona marble, the most important and advanced monument of the Middle Ages in Italy, a building that shows clear evidence of the passage from Romanesque to Gothic architecture, it Diocesan Museum, the Church & Monastery of St John the Evangelist, a Renaissance construction built between 1498 and 1510, the Church of Santa Maria Della Steccata, the most splendid Renaissance church in the city, built in 1521 in order to house the image of the Madonna, said to be miraculous, the National Gallery started by Philip and Ferdinand of Bourbon and subsequently enriched by acquisitions made by Marie Louise of Austria, the collection contains works from the 13th to the 19th century. Amongst the most noticeable works are the Head of a Young Girl attributed to Leonardo da Vinci, the portrait of Erasmus of Rotterdam by Hans Holbein the Younger, the Madonna of the bowl and Madonna of Saint Jerome by Correggio, the Turkish Slave by Parmigianino and the statue of Marie Louise by Antonio Canova…. Also the birthplace and Museum of Arturo Toscanini, the Regio Theatre commissioned by Marie Louise of Austria and remains one of the most renowned Opera houses in Italy…..

fortresses/castles/stately residences: Castello di Bardi (2nd in Europe in terms of its dimensions), Castello di Corniglio, Castello di Bercetto, Castello di Felino (IX), Castello di Compiano, Castello di Torrechiara (XV), Castello di Montechiarugolo (XII), la Rocca di Sala Baganza, il Castello di Varano Melegari…

Cinque Terre

Santa Marguerita, Chiavari, Forte dei Marmi, plenty of picturesque seaside towns

a little further afield (north of Parma city) but worth a visit is the Reggio di Colorno and its Ducal Park once home to Luisa Elisabetta, the daughter of King Luigi XV who transformed the interior of the Palace and made it similar to that the duchess had left behind in Versailles. In 1807 the Palace was declared “Imperial Palace” and some new restoration works were carried out which continued after it was given to Maria Luisa d’Austria, Napoleon’s wife.

The beautiful walled town of Lucca, enjoy riding round its walls on bicycle

The famous Ferrari Museum in Maranello also offers visitors exclusive shuttle bus tours to the Fiorano track and along the Viale Enzo Ferrari boulevard in the factory complex.

Enjoy the Rally in Borgotaro every May

Labirinto della Masone - The largest labyrinth in existence, it is entirely made of bamboo plants (numbering around 200 thousand in total) between 30 centimetres and 15 metres in height, and belonging to many species. It is a maze for losing oneself in, for fantasising and reflecting

spas & baths: Terme di Salsomaggiore, Terme di Tabiano, Terme di Sant’Andrea Bagni, Terme di Monticelli

explore the local villages such as Pontremoli, Albareto, Bedonia, Compiano, Tornolo, Tarsogno, Santa Maria del Taro, and Berceto or drive/take the train to the sea, places such as Telaro, Cinque Terre.

for a little shopping try Fidenza Village outlet with many good brands and good discounts.

protected parks & woods: Parco Regionale Boschi di Carrega, Parco Fluviale Regionale del Taro, Parco Fluviale Regionale dello Stirone, Parco Reginale dei Cento Laghi, Riserva Naturale orientata Parma Morta.

The Fiere di Parma exhibition centre offers interesting exhibitions all year round, including the Mercante in Fiera which is an antique market where dealers from all over Europe exhibit and sell their antiques, collectables and memorabilia.

Book the Opera at the Teatro Regio di Parma or a classical music concert or some ballet.