I had the great fortune to head to Parma in 2023 to lead a tour for my friend Elizabeth Minchilli of Via Rosa and I fell in love with the town. So much so that I looked at a couple of apartments there. It’s an elegant place and is the perfect size to get a good overview in a week. I’m grateful to be going back this fall. The region of Emilia Romagna has the greatest number of DOP and IGP (recognized and protected foods) in Italy. It’s also the region that developed and is famous for the most familiar Italian foods, think everything made with pasta sfoglia or pasta sheets i.e. lasagne, ravioli, tortellini, tagliatelle etc. Learning to make sfoglia has to be one of my favorite cooking classes to both teach and take. We’ll do that and so much more.
Parma sits at the center of some of the greatest culinary traditions in Italy. In addition to the sunny egg-based pastas, Parmigiano Reggiano, Prosciutto, Culatello and Balsamico are all made in the area, so eating our way through this delicious food culture is a focus of our travels. I experienced one of the best meals I’ve ever had in Italy on my last trip and I’m eager to eat again at the famed historic trattoria on the outskirts of Parma where we’ll lunch after our morning adventures one day. I wanted to have two stomachs last time to enjoy it all!
Photo courtesy of Via Rosa
We’re in Italy with its architectural and artistic patrimony, so you’ll have moments to wander through stunning castles filled with frescoes and dip into village churches. Parma is also a wonderful shopping town and you’ll have plenty of free time to explore the shops and dine on your own from an extensive list of suggestions we’ll have for you. As I write this I’m getting very excited about going back. Come with me!
One thing to keep in mind if you’re vegetarian, lactose intolerant or celiac. Emilia Romagna is a meat and dairy centered, gluten heavy region. Other Via Rosa tours are able to accommodate these needs more easily, while this tour, unfortunately cannot.
It's a dream of mine to food tour Parma one day
OOoooh. Love Parma. See my post on it from September. “Letters from a 300 year old Italian farmhouse.” Subscribe, if you can.