Parma
Parma
Opera, fine cuisine and the good life
Think Parma and you think Parma Ham, the quintessential prosciutto – a delicate cured ham and the standard all other types of salami are measured against.
A holiday in Parma will see you descend into a graceful city famed for incredible ancient architecture, magnificent artworks and delicate cuisine. Is there a better lunch in the world than sitting in the sunshine outside a bistro, with a glass of Lambrusco, a few slices of the eponymous ham, a chunk of Parmigaino-Reggiano cheese and a basket of ciabatta?
Parma was founded as a Roman colony and has switched between French and Italian rule a handful of times, but has fallen under Italian jurisdiction since 1860.
The city is split in two by a little stream with the same name. During your Parma holiday it is worth taking in a visit to the University, which is one of the oldest and most historic seats of education in the world having been established in the 11th century.
The city is well-served by its eponymously-named airport, a mere one and a half miles north of the metropolitan area.
Your Parma holiday accommodation is dependent upon your budget. There are a large number of city centre hotels to meet all monetary requirements.
Parma is surrounded by attractive countryside, meaning there many options when it comes to bed and breakfast or farmhouse-style accommodation. You will need your own transportation to get into city. Vehicular access is limited within the centre but there are several parking garages around the outskirts and everything within the city centre is easily reachable by foot.
Sight-seeing forms an integral part of a Parma holiday, as this is a place proud of its heritage. Be sure to check out the two main city squares, the Piazza Duomo and the Piazza Giuseppe Garibaldi. You will simply be amazed when you learn the buildings here date back almost nine hundred years. You may also wish to visit the Museo Glauco Lombardi, a museum dedicated to life of Maria Luigia, second wife of Napoleon Bonaparte and the Duchess of Parma.
You can’t really experience a holiday in Parma without taking an appreciation of former Parma resident Giuseppe Verdi. The much-loved composer was born and spent most of his life in Busseto, a village north west of Parma. The Festival Verdi celebrates the composer’s life and greatest works throughout the month of October every year.
For your meals whilst on holiday in Parma you are spoilt for choice. There are countless restaurants, bistros and time-honoured eateries. Your meal will traditionally consist of a selection of cured meats for a starter, a pasta dish with liberal sprinklings of parmesan for your main and a gelato (ice cream) for dessert.
All washed down with one of Italy’s many excellent wines, of course. Eating is Italy is an intense pleasure, as you are never rushed, over-attended to or pressured into ordering more food.
Parma is a city whose citizens have established a wonderful culinary climate and a graceful way of enjoying life throughout the centuries. Take a holiday to Palma to experience the peaceful way that most Italians have chosen to live for hundreds of years.