What to do and see in Province of Parma, Emilia-Romagna: The Best Cultural Tours

Highlights of the experience: • unique tour of the city center of Parma that mixes the main monuments and attractions with the local food exploring the hidden places where only the locals go.    

Inclusions: Food & wine tasting, Professional guide, Bottled water, Coffee and/or Tea, Alcoholic Beverages

Exclusions: Gratuities, Entrance fees (optional)

The visit includes the exterior of the Palazzo Ducale, Palazzo della Pilotta, Teatro Farnese (visitable only during the afternoon visit), Piazza Ghiaia, Ponte Romano, exterior of the oratory of San Quirino, exterior of the University Palace, exterior of the Music Conservatory "Arrigo Boito", outside the Palazzo delle Orsoline and the Church of San Rocco, Piazza Garibaldi, entrance inside the Church of Santa Maria della Steccata, outside the Teatro Regio, exterior of the Palazzo di Riserva, Piazza Duomo, entrance to the Cathedral and outside of the Baptistery. The meeting is in front of the entrance to the Ducal Park (Via Farnese - Strada delle Fonderie, intersection with Ponte Verdi).

Inclusions: authorized guide

Exclusions: Gratuities

Parma the City of Perfume is an exclusive opportunity to immerse yourself in the history of the city and discover, through an olfactory journey, the tradition of perfume and the protagonists of its supply chain in Parma from 1816 to 2020. The greenhouses of the Ducal Park introduce us to the discovery of the famous Violetta di Parma. Numerous traces of Maria Luigia of Austria’s predilection for the violet can be found inside the Glauco Lombardi Museum. The visit to Violetta di Parma 1930 shop allows us to retrace the life of Ludovico Borsari and the birth of the perfume that later became a symbol of the city and the Duchess. We will visit an Acqua di Parma Flagship Store to get to know the brand from its origins to new variations and discover the history of the companies of the Parma perfume supply chain, which arose many years ago in small laboratories, to grow to the point to have become some of the major references worldwide for perfumery packaging, bottles, caps and labels.

Inclusions: Professional local guide

Exclusions: Eventual purchase of products at the shops and perfumeries

Two architectural wonders lie in the middle of Parma countryside, a few kilometers distant from each other. The first is Rocca Sanvitale, a fortress standing in the middle of the village of Fontanellato, gradually become a pleasure residence for the ancient family who has owned it for more than six centuries. The latter is the largest labyrinth in the world, dreamed and constructed by Franco Maria Ricci, a publisher and philanthropist whose astonishing art collection is kept in a gallery, at ht heart of the labyrinth itself. A whole day, to find your own path through beauty.

Inclusions: Entrance ticket and private tour of Rocca Sanvitale, Entrance ticket and private tour of the Labyrinth and the inner art collection

Exclusions: Breakfast, Lunch, Gratuities

Highlights of the experience: • Historical family owned Parmigiano-Reggiano Cheese dairy with tasting, • Traditional family owned Balsamic Vinegar producer with tasting, • Local family owned producer of Prosciutto di Parma with tasting/lunch, • All the visits made directly by the producers for a deeper experience, • English speaking professional driver with comfortable 9 seats minivan.

Inclusions: All taxes, fees and handling charges, Landing and facility fees, Bottled water, Food tasting, Snacks, Transport by air-conditioned minivan, Alcoholic Beverages, Tasting light lunch

Exclusions: Gratuities

Join this private walking tour led by a local guide to discover the beautiful city of Parma and get to know the different nuances that history, art, culture and tradition have left in the so-called "small capital".

Inclusions: expert local guide

Exclusions: entrance fees for museums, churches and palaces (although some of them are free, for the others you can decide on the spot whether you want to visit them - and buy the ticket - or not), food and drinks

Come and join us in the company of a very knowledgeable local guide to sample the delights of the wonderful city of Parma.  Located in the centre of Emilia-Romagna this city of beautiful piazzas and quaint cobbled streets has something for everyone.   There is history, art and of course the delicious local food – a true feast for all the senses. The tour takes you on a journey from Parma’s Roman times up to the middle ages.  You will discover the beauty of Romanesque design and the rich tapestry of the Renaissance era.  You will learn something of the history of Parma’s two great families,  the Farnese and Bourbon’s and you will in particular learn of the celebrated Maria Luigia D’Austria

Inclusions: Local guide, Professional art historian guide, Professional guide, Private tour

Exclusions: Gratuities, Hotel pickup and drop-off, Transportation to/from attractions

Parma, refined emilian city, has been shaped through the centuries by great architects and painters such as Antelami, Parmigianino and Correggio. Great master Correggio painted illusionistic frescoes inside the Chamber of Saint Paul, the Church of Saint John and the Cathedral, while Benedetto Antelami projected and decorated the amazing medieval Baptistry in the religious area. Other outstanding landmarks in Parma not to be missed are the Opera theatre Teatro Regio (Royal Theatre) and Teatro Farnese, the latter hosted inside the imposing Palazzo Pilotta.

Inclusions: Guide

Exclusions: Private transportation, Optional entrance tickets to Parma museums, Baptistery, Teatro Regio,Teatro Farnese, Pilotta Palace

A day to discover the "lower Parma area", the area where the presence of the Po river and the lowland fog influence the seasoning of the king of cured meats: the Culatello. During the tour we will visit an ancient Renaissance castle, transformed into the seat of taste par excellence by a Michelin-starred chef. From the visit of some rooms rich in furniture and elegant furnishings, you will go to the vegetable garden, to the suggestive underground cellars, where the seasoning of thousands of culatelli takes place, many of which are reserved for V.I.P. and political and entertainment figures. From the museum dedicated to the pig, where you will learn the history of breeding and production, you will go to the kitchens, for a private lesson, "with a rolling pin" to learn the art of the typical fresh Emilian pasta. Following tasting and lunch.

Inclusions: Private transportation, Priivized tourist guide enabled, Private cooking lesson, Private guided tour of the Culatello and Parmigiano Reggiano ripening cellars, Entrance ticket to the Museum of Culatello and pork, Lunch

Exclusions: Tip

Parma hillside is a sweet and harmonious landscape, dotted by ancient and charming castles. Torrechiara is the jewel of this collection, outstanding for its location and its appearance, both a fortress and a leisure residence. A quick and pleasant walk joins the main court to a winery, which takes advantage of the soil quality and exposure to produce excellent wines, to be enjoyed chilling out with an amazing view.

Inclusions: Qualified private guide, Entrance ticket to Torrechiara castle, Guided tasting oft three varieties of wine, cold cuts and cheese

Exclusions: Lunch, Gratuities