A new route to the Italian city means Brits can indulge their love of cheese and even book a factory tour and tasting, as well as enjoying the historic sights in this sun-soaked destination
The city is a cultural and gastronomic destination(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
A new Ryanair route has launched from London-Stansted and it’s the perfect city break for those who love cheese, or Italian food in general.
Booking is now open for London to Parma flights, with the first of the twice-weekly flights taking off on June 4. The service will run on Thursdays and Sundays, making it the perfect route for a long weekend, and the flight time is just under two hours. Fares start from £20.95 one way.
Parma is found in northern Italy’s Emilia-Romagna region and is a major foodie city thanks to two of its most famous products that are enjoyed around the world. Firstly, the pungent Parmesan cheese comes from this city, and there are a number of factories and tours you can take which end with cheese tastings. You can even visit the Museo del Parmigiano-Reggiano just outside the city and learn about the history of cheesemaking in the area.
Prosciutto di Parma, or Parma ham as Brits tend to call it, also hails from this region. There are a few Prosciuttificio around the city where you can see the giant legs dangling from the ceiling as they go through the curing process for months on end. Some Prosciuttificio have cafes attached where you can enjoy platters of prosciutto and cheese served alongside a glass of Italian wine.
Parma is a walkable city, and many tourists start of at the old town, known as Centro Storico. Down its narrow medieval streets you’ll find impressive Romanesque architecture, colourful terraced houses, and cobbled town squares full of cafés.
At the heart of the old town is Piazza del Duomo, and here you’ll find the 900-year old gothic cathedral and 12th-century Bishop’s Palace which was built with repurposed Roman stone blocks.
Other incredible architectural sites include Teatro Farnese, one of Europe’s largest Baroque theatres, built entirely in timber. This grand auditorium dates back to the 17th century and the elaborate wood carvings are a testament to the craftsmanship of the time. Parma was the birthplace of composer Verdi, so there’s usually a packed schedule of operas and classical concerts across its historic theatres.
Music lovers can also visit the fascinating House of Sound, a museum that is focused on how technology developed for music, from the creation of the gramophone and radio to modern music devices. The museum also features 228 speakers, grouped in 64 audio channels, which allow visitors to experience ‘sound rains’ as they move around.
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Parma has a huge number of restaurants, including two with Michelin stars, making it the perfect destination for foodies. There are endless Trattoria and Osteria found down narrow streets where you can experience authentic, inexpensive Italian cuisine. Osteria dei Servi comes highly recommended, and you can dine in this cosy restaurant among the hanging prosciutto legs while choosing specials from the chalkboard.
Trattoria Corrieri has a similarly rustic Italian feel. One page of the menu is devoted to prosciutto and other cured meats, and local ingredients are the cornerstone of this cosy Italian restaurant, which has been open since the 1800s.
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