We've traveled the world together, but there's something about Parma that caught us completely off guard. It's become our secret obsession, the place we find ourselves planning excuses to return to. Picture this: it's a late spring morning, we're cycling through streets that feel like they haven't changed in centuries, and Tommaso turns to me and says, "This is what Italy feels like when it can still breathe." Parma exists blissfully beyond the chaos of overtourism. Sure, everyone knows Parma as the world's food capital – birthplace of Parmigiano-Reggiano and Prosciutto di Parma. But here's what they don't tell you: the culinary fame is just the beginning. This city harbors Renaissance treasures, architectural gems, and cultural secrets that rival any Italian destination. This is slow living at its most refined, where bold flavors meet quiet masterpieces around every cobblestone corner.

You can see all our experience in Parma at this link.

Beyond the legendary cuisine lies a cultural treasure trove. Yes, the food heritage here spans centuries, but so do the frescoed domes, Renaissance castles, and world-class opera houses. Authentic experiences without the tourist circus. Imagine wandering through Italy's most beautiful castle without fighting for photo angles, or having UNESCO sites practically to yourself.

The pace here will recalibrate your soul. Café tables spilling into sun-drenched piazzas, the aroma of good food, locals who still believe in proper conversations.

• Ai Due Platani – We watched them roll our pasta by hand, and their gelato? They churn it right there. Francesca almost cried over the crema flavor. Almost.

• Pepèn – This is where locals eat, and they welcomed us like old friends. The Carciofa – this incredible savory pie with artichokes and prosciutto – made us understand why Italians are so passionate about their food.

• Limonaia Roncolo – When you want to get fancy, this is your spot. Contemporary cuisine with views over the Emilian plains that made us forget we weren't in Tuscany.

• Parma Menù at Fidenza Village – This place serves the full Emilian soul on a plate: culatello, tortafritta, a carbonara with culatello crumble that sounds crazy but tastes like genius.

• Signorvino at Fidenza Village – Aperitivo is… Italian teatime, but with wine. We spent a golden hour here with focaccia and cured meats, watching the world slow down around us.

• Verolatte at Fidenza Village – Real “crema” that reminds you why Italian gelato is legendary. Simple ingredients, no shortcuts, just pure flavor that speaks to your soul. And it was awarded as one of the best ice creams in Europe!

pssst! In Emilia, wherever you stop, you eat well — here’s the full list of restaurants at Fidenza Village..

• Torrechiara Castle – We're not exaggerating: this might be Italy's most beautiful castle. Perched in vineyards, the Camera d'Oro inside is Renaissance perfection. Tommaso spent an hour just staring at the frescoes.

• Teatro Farnese – An all-wooden theater that literally dropped our jaws. It's one of those moments where you walk in and time stops.

• Galleria Nazionale – Parma's answer to the Uffizi, minus the crowds. They have Leonardo's "La Scapigliata" – arguably his most beautiful drawing – and you can actually get close enough to see every delicate line.

• Biblioteca Palatina – For fellow book lovers, this centuries-old library filled with rare manuscripts feels like stepping into another era.

• Teatro Regio – a true temple of Italian Opera amidst golden stuccoes and red velvet tapestries. Every year it hosts the prestigious Festival Verdi.

• Reggia di Colorno – "Little Versailles" they call it, and honestly? The gardens alone justify the journey.

• Parma's Old Town – We spent an entire afternoon getting lost here. Antique shops, vintage boutiques, bookshops where time disappears. Pure wandering magic.

• Parma Cathedral and Baptistery – UNESCO sites that fill you with wonder. The spiritual and artistic energy here is palpable.

• The Masone Labyrinth – The world's largest bamboo maze hiding an eccentric art collection. Because who doesn't want to solve a puzzle to discover art?

Venturini Baldini – You know those movie scenes with the long cypress-lined driveway leading to a dream estate? This is that, but real. Boutique luxury in the Emilian countryside where silence becomes golden. Their balsamic vinegar tasting in a centuries-old acetaia isn't just a tasting – it's a sensory journey through time.

Here's what nobody tells you: Parma rewards curiosity. It's a city that unfolds slowly, revealing layers far beyond its culinary fame. Spring and summer here feel magical – morning light hitting Renaissance palazzi, jasmine-scented air, bikes gliding past perfectly imperfect facades.

You won't be rushed. You won't fight crowds. You'll just... exist. In the most beautiful way possible.

• Best time to visit: Late spring through early fall for that perfect golden light
• Getting there: Easy train connections from major Italian cities
• How long: Give yourself at least 3-4 days to truly soak it in
• Language: Italian helpful but not essential – locals appreciate any effort