Many people choose to exend their walking tour in Italy by visiting Parma.    This could be easily done if you have booked Hedonistic Hiking's Parma, Tuscany & the Cinque Terre, A Week in Tuscany or Volterra and the Tuscan Maremma.

Situated on the Western side of the region Emilia-Romagna, Parma is a prosperous and picturesque city which has given the world two of its greatest culinary inventions:  Parma ham and Parmesan cheese.    It is closely associated with the composer Giuseppe Verdi and has a busy calendar of musical, operatic and cultural events throughout the year.    It is a compact city, easily navigable on foot, and strolling through its elegant streets and piazzas gives you the perfect opportunity to admire through the shop windows its bountiful displays of local produce.

Highlights:

The Duomo

The city's cathedral is perhaps best known for the frescoed dome by Antonio Correggio.    The Assumption of the Virgin, as it is named, was executed in the 1520s and the artist led the way in his use of illusionist perspective, creating a remarkable visual upward spiral.

The Baptistry

If you are joining our Parma, Tuscany and the Cinque Terre tour, then you will visit the Baptistry with the group.    It is an eight sided, pink marble masterpiece, designed by Antelami and started in 1196.   Open 9.00 - 12.30 and 3.00 - 6.45.

Teatro Regio di Parma

This ornate theatre, famous across Italy for its top level performances, can be visited with a guide from Tuesday to Saturday (assuming there are no rehearsals or auditions) at 10.30, 11.00, 11.30 or 12.00 for €2.00.   Tel +39 0521-039393.

Palazzo della Pilotta

Situated on the Piazza della Pace and originally built for the Farnese family, this huge palace houses some of Parma's most important museums, including the Galleria Nazionale, which displays work by Correggio, Fra Angelico and Canaletto to name but a few.    Open Tuesday to Sunday 08.30 - 13.30.

Where to stay:

Some of the hotels listed below are known to Hedonistic Hiking, and others are recommendations from people who have extended their walking tour in Italy in Parma.

Century Hotel
This is a modern renovation, conveniently close to the station and is the meeting point for our Parma, Tuscany and Cinque Terre tour.    It has secure parking.

Hotel Palace Maria Luigia
Easy walking distance into the heart of Parma, this 4 star hotel offers all mod cons, a fitness club and a good restaurant.

Hotel Torino
An unpretentious 3 star but comfortable and brilliantly located right in the centre of town.

Palazzo dalla Rosa Prati
Right in the Piazza with the Baptistry and the Duomo, this has 7 elegant and luxurious suites.

Hotel Stendhal
Peaceful and tasteful four star near the cathedral and the National Gallery.

Where to eat:

€€ Gallo D'Oro
One of Parma's best trattorias,  serving consistently good Emilian cuisine.   We eat here on the Parma, Tuscany and Cinque Terre tour.    Borgo della Salina 3    Tel +39 0521 208846

€€ Trattoria Corrieri
Owned by the same team as Gallo D'Oro, this restaurant also offers top quality local fare.   Via Conservatorio 1                        Tel +39 0521 234426

€€ Il Trovatore
Another reliably good restaurant, very convenient if you are staying at the Century Hotel or the Hotel Palace Maria Luigia.          Via Affò 2   Tel +39 0521.23.69.05

€€ Trattoria del Tribunale
Top quality local ingredients are used in the typical dishes of this trattoria.   Home-made pasta and excellent cured meats on offer.  Vicolo Politi 5  Tel +39 0521 285527

€€ Parma Trattoria Ai Due Platani
A little way outside the city but worth the journey.  Classic Emilian dishes but with a contemporary twist.
Via Budellungo 104a Coloreto    Tel +39 0521 645626    Closed Monday for dinner and Tuesday

€€ La Greppia
Authentic and unusual regional recipes made from the best local ingredients. 
Via Garibaldi 39.   Tel +39 0521 233686    Closed Monday and Tuesday                                                                                                                                                                                

What to order:

You cannot miss the fine selection of cured hams and salamis in Parma.  Look out not only for the prosciutto but also for culatello which is cured pork filet.   Parmesan cheese is another must - either grated on pasta or eaten as a table cheese.   Stuffed pasta like tortellini are popular, sometimes served in a delicious "brodo" or thin stock-like soup.    Two other specialities of Emilia Romagna are mortadella from Bologna, and balsamic vinegar from Modena.

Try some chilled sparkling red Lambrusco with ham and cured meats.   The Colli di Parma region is well-known for it Sauvignon Blanc whites, and another good regional white is made from the Ortrugo grape.

Transport:

Parma does not have its own airport but is easily accessible by train from both Milan and Bologna which do have airports.    Changing trains at either of these stations would give you a wide access to all other major Italian cities.

For all train information visit www.trenitalia.com which has an English version.
Train travel in Italy is inexpensive and comfortable.    Major cities are served by non-stop fast trains known as the Eurostar.

If you are making plans for wider Europe then www.raileurope-world.com is a useful site.