After arriving in Bologna or Milan, we'll be transferred to the four-star Starhotels Du Parc, for our four-night stay, with breakfast included. The rest of the day is at leisure. Our hotel is centrally located and is close to Parco Ducale – a beautiful park with tree-lined avenues, water features and grand buildings. It’s the perfect place to stretch your legs after a day of travelling. Italian food is some of the world’s most popular, known for its simple, flavourful dishes. And in Parma it’s all about their unique products. From parmesan cheese to parma ham – both of which can only be called such if it’s produced in the provinces of Parma or nearby – you won’t find better quality produce anywhere else. And this evening is your first opportunity to get a taste of the region with an evening at leisure. In Parma, you’re spoilt for choice – there are local restaurants on many of the main streets. Look out for dishes like Tortelli d'Erbetta and Tortelli di Zucca (pumpkin Tortelli) – they're local favourites.
This morning we’ll take a sightseeing tour of Parma to fully admire this wonderfully underrated city. Welcome to Parma, synonymous the world over with wonderful Prosciutto and parmigiano reggiano (parmesan) cheese. Yet despite its immense charms, it’s almost untouched by tourism. So, if you’re looking to know what like is like in an authentic Italian city, you’re in luck. But Parma’s has so much more to offer than the - admittedly delicious - world-famous cheese. On our tour we’ll learn more about the city's eminent history from the medieval times, through the Renaissance and Austrian control through its architecture and culinary heritage. Pride of place is the impressive 12th century cathedral one of Italy’s finest Romanesque buildings – a wonder in its own right, with 900 years of religious history and art, including the bas-reliefs by Benedetto Antelami and grand frescos by Antonio Allegri da Correggio. Signature Experience: Tour a local Parmigiano Reggiano dairy and enjoy an all-encompassing sensory experience combining history, traditions, flavours and aromas of the famous cheese which has been manufactured for almost a thousand years.