Things to do in Province of Parma, Emilia-Romagna: The Best Food Tours

Visit an artisan culatello producer in Emilia-Romagna, and learn how the king of the cured meat is produced. You’ll learn about the origins of the Italian ham, the curing that is done by hand, and the aging process that gives the meat its robust flavor. Finish with a lunch of local delicacies, wine, and culatello, of course. Transport from Parma is not included.

Inclusions: Food tasting, Lunch, Wine

Exclusions: Hotel pickup and drop-off

Visit a traditional Parmigiano Reggiano cheese factory in the countryside of Parma. Explore the secrets of Italy’s most famous cheese and learn how it goes through each phase. The tour starts with the pick up at the agreed location. Then you will ride to the Parmigiano Reggiano Factory. On your way, you will hear about the history of this famous product. At the factory, you will be introduced to the ingredients and the process of cheesemaking. Professional cheesemakers will explain the secrets of milk processing and you will be able to see how the artisans inside the cheese dairies work with their hands. You will find out how the experts make the famous Parmigiano Reggiano cheese. Before leaving the factory, you will enjoy a glass of wine with Parmigiano Reggiano and local products.

Inclusions: Pick-up and drop off in Parma, Professional Driving Guide, Visit to a cheese factory, Parmigiano Reggiano and wine tasting

Exclusions:

With our gastronomic tour in Parma you can immerse yourself in the local gastronomic tradition accompanied by a local expert, a person who lives in the place and who knows all the secrets and curiosities about it, with whom you can discover the restaurants/eateries and the most hidden places, frequented only by locals. Here is a list of your possible tastings! - Chopping board of cold cuts, Parmigiano cheese and glass of wine - Tortelli with “erbette”/pumkinks or anolini: Tortelli are a square-shape egg pasta filled with differents ingredients such as beet leaves and spinach, ricotta, parmesan cheese or with pumpkin. - Carciofa: this delicious and cheesy quiche will leave you speechless. - Bomba di riso - a rice timbale seasoned with a meat sauce. - Cotechino with mashed potatoes– typical sausage made with pork meat and rind and then cooked slowly for hours to make it soft and delicious. - Duchessa’s cake – a complex and refined dessert. - Caffè espresso

Inclusions: Bottled water, Lunch, Coffee, Wine tastings

Exclusions:

Don’t just visit the Parma hillside, taste it! Emilia is truly stunning! We will explore picture-postcard villages, vine-planted hillsides, rolling countryside. Parma hillside food trail is a mouthwatering showcase of artisan producers and foodies throughout the Parma hillside. We are passionate about food heritage, its artisan-producers' stories and the skill and innovation of its chefs. History, art, legend and folklore form the perfect blend of adventure in the Parma hillside. We will visit a Parmigiano Reggiano cheese dairy during the production process and taste different ageings of Parmigiano Reggiano. We will head to a Prosciutto plant crossing the amazing Parma hills region. We will discover the secrets of the sweetness of Prosciutto di Parma visiting all the rooms used during the production process and tasting it. We will end with a stroll through the gorgeous mediaeval hamlet of Torrechiara and a visit to the castle, still perfectly preserved in the imposing architecture.

Inclusions: Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese dairy admission fee , Prosciutto di Parma Plant admission fee , Tasting of 12 months, 24 months and 36 months old Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese , Tasting of Prosciutto di Parma and traditional cured meats such as Culatta and Fiocco, Castle of Torrechiara ticket, A glass of exquisite DOC Parma hills wine, Bottled water, Professional local guide, Option 1 includes Transportation

Exclusions: Option 2 does not include Transportation

Discover the traditional flavors of Emilia Romagna on this self-drive food tour. On board of your car, preceded by your food guide, go straight to the source of Parmigiano Reggiano and Prosciutto di Parma, discover how these exceptional products are made and enjoy the delicious flavours with a generous tasting. If you choose the full option (Three PDO products), you will also visit an ancient vinegar production house and savour balsamic vinegar of different ages.

Inclusions: Food tasting, Local wine, Single-use plastic set (cap, coat, shoe covers), Professional Italian/English-speaking guide

Exclusions: Transportation, Eventual purchase of products at the production factories

Have you ever wondered how the King of Italian cheeses is made? What is the feeding of Parmigiano Reggiano dairy cows, how much milk do they produce, how is it stored and delivered to the dairy? Have you ever wondered what the ingredients are, how the processing takes place? We will follow the cheese production process step by step, side by side with the expert master cheesemaker. We will see the master cheese maker’s deft movements during the breaking of the curd with the “spino” and the delicate cooking phase during which the heat is skillfully controlled to expel water from the granules. We will discover ancient tools and modern materials, method and passion, a magical combination that leads to the creation of Parmigiano Reggiano cheese every morning. At the end of this experience, Parmigiano Reggiano cheese will always be a taste which brings back memories of the passion and the marvels encountered along the way. We are waiting for you to live a truly unforgettable experience!

Inclusions: Professional local guide, Parmigiano Reggiano cheese dairy admission fee , Traditional Balsamic Vinegar House admission fee , Tasting of 12, 24 and 36 months old Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, Tasting of 12, 20 and 25 years old Traditional Balsamic Vinegar and 3 and 10 years old condiments, Bottled water, Option 1 includes Transportation

Exclusions: Option 2 does not include Transportation

Emilia Foodie Experience is an extraordinary journey through a landscape of rivers, plains and hills and the jewels of the Italian gastronomic tradition! We will discover the secrets of Parmigiano Reggiano cheese and Prosciutto di Parma, their ancient origins and unparalleled balance of knowledge, man’s passion and nature’s bounty. We will see the cheese production process in full swing and we will visit all the rooms of the cheese dairy: the production room, the shaping room, the salting room and the amazing warehouse! The dairy experience will end with a tasting of delicious Parmigiano Reggiano cheese. We will reach an authentic Prosciutto di Parma Plant, crossing the Parma Hills region. During the visit to the plant we will be able to observe the production process of this delicacy and learn about its important history and all the standards which must be complied with, to fully understand the the origins of the unique character of Parma ham: the sweetness!

Inclusions: Professional local guide, Parmigiano Reggiano cheese dairy admission fee, Parma Ham Plant admission fee, Tasting of 12 months, 24 months and 36 months old Parmigiano Reggiano cheese , Tasting of Prosciutto di Parma and traditional cured meats such as Culatta and Fiocco , Alcoholic Beverages, 1 glass of exquisite DOC Parma Hills Wine, Bottled water, Option 1 includes Transportation

Exclusions: Option 2 does not include Transportation

You will appreciate the real Parmigiano cheese production in a very traditional factory. It will be possible to see the when cheese makers pull the cheese from the milk vats. You will then be taken to the seasoning/storage rooms to see the final stages of production. At the end of the tour there will be a degustation of different aged Parmigiano Reggiano Cheeses. For Parma ham Prosciutto factory visit we will proceed to the idyllic hills of Langhirano home of Prosciutto di Parma Ham. You will move into the “environmental temperature stage”, by visiting the seasoning rooms, here characterized by the typical scents of the ham. During this stage it will be explained the method of “spillatura”, the process in which only the finest ham pasts the test, those selected by the Inspector of the Consortium will then be branded with the infamous ‘Crown of Parma’. At the end of the food tour there will be a degustation of Parma ham and a glass of Malvasia, a sparkling, white local wine.

Inclusions: This tour includes: pick up and drop off in Parma, English guide, entry fee in the factories, tastings of Parmigiano cheese (12-24-36 months + local wine) and Parma ham (24 months + local wine), Private transportation, Air-conditioned vehicle, WiFi on board, Bottled water

Exclusions:

The "must do" Food & Wine Tour in Parma or in Emilia-Romagna! A real full immersion in the flavors in just half day discovering  the secrets of the most famous typical products of the territory: "Parmigiano-Reggiano" cheese, "Prosciutto di Parma" ham, "Lambrusco" wine. If you are a foodie: unmissable! If you are not a foodie: you'll become one after this tour! 

Inclusions: Food tasting, Beverages, Professional local guide, Private tour, Bottled water, Alcoholic Beverages

Exclusions: Gratuities, Hotel pickup and drop-off (if the option "with transportation" is not selected), Lunch

Accompanied by a local guide, delve into the culinary scene of Parma by visiting food markets and family shops. Sample local specialties like anolini in brodo, culatello, Prosciutto di Parma and Parmigiano Reggiano cheese.  Deepen your knowledge of Parma culinary and cultural traditions and enjoy personalized attention from your guide on this small-group tour limited to 8 people.

Inclusions: 5 gourmet pit-stops including: Different aged Parmigiano Reggiano cheese Culatello, Prosciutto di Parma and other traditional cured meat Local pasta Wine like Lambrusco or Malvasia Typical dessert and espresso coffee, Lunch, Snacks, Coffee and/or Tea, Alcoholic Beverages

Exclusions: Hotel pickup, Hotel drop-off