Follow this part of the trail
5 articles
Explore the prized culatello di Zibello DOP and other Parma-area salumi. Learn what makes them unique, how to taste and serve them, and where to find them in Parma and the surrounding Bassa Parmense plain.
Every December, Parma's historic center glows with festive lights, a grand Christmas tree in Piazza Garibaldi, and open-air markets in Piazza Ghiaia. The 2026 program runs from December 8 to January 6, with markets on select Sundays and holidays. Expect concerts, family theater, an ice rink, and nativity scenes.
Parma, the heart of Italy's Food Valley, offers a year-round calendar of food festivals celebrating its iconic products, from Parmigiano-Reggiano to Prosciutto di Parma. This guide separates the city's events from those in nearby towns like Langhirano and Calestano, provides seasonal structure, and offers practical planning advice.
The Festival Verdi turns Parma into a stage each autumn, with performances at the historic Teatro Regio and satellite venues. This guide covers the festival's character, key venues, booking strategy, and how to weave in visits to Verdi's birthplace, Villa Verdi, and Busseto. Practical tips help you book early, choose tickets wisely, and pair opera with the region's food culture.
The small towns around Parma shaped Giuseppe Verdi: his birthplace in Roncole, the Casa Barezzi museum and jewel-box Teatro Verdi in Busseto, and his private Villa Verdi in Sant'Agata. Learn how to combine these sites with the Verdi Festival for a memorable pilgrimage.
