The province of Parma is affectionately known as the food basket of
Italy, and for good reason. Home to parmesan cheese and parma ham, it's
undoubtedly the gastronomic capital of the great nation.
If you
take your food seriously, then you can eat your heart out. On the
outskirts of the city, where Parmigiano Reggiano cheese is made, you
can buy various products and learn the art of cheesemaking, while
further out is the Prosciutto di Parma production area (known as the
sweet hills) that boasts a museum dedicated to the thin ham. But
there's more to this region than just food.
Parma city
A European city is not complete without its own castle, and Parma has the Torrechiarra overlooking the city. Also worth checking out are the cathedral and baptistery in the heart of the city - they house amazing art by Correggio and Antelami.
The city is easy to navigate and, although it has a university, don't expect too much excitement when it comes to nightlife early in the week. Midweek through to Sunday you'll find the place abuzz with people and, of course, there is a feast of top-class restaurants.
Top tunes
Parma is home to opera legend Giuseppe Verdi -1901), who penned classics Rigoletto and La Traviata among others, and his home town of Busetto just outside Parma has a museum dedicated to the great man. His family home, Villa Verdi, is open to the public and is a must-see for music lovers.
If you want to delve into contemporary opera, Parma is the place. It's home to Teatro Regio di Parma, one of the most important opera houses in Italy.
Locals take their music seriously, so seriously that they have forced opera singers to flee their city after poor performances. Be warned, though, tickets are notoriously hard to get. Check with your hotel before you book to see if they do package deals.
Weekend leisure
As Parma is home of one of the seven deadly sins - gluttony - you will want to get some exercise after gorging yourself. Because the surrounding area is the flattest in Italy, cycling can be a waistline-friendly way to see the countryside.
If you want to ruin a good walk by chasing a little white ball (AKA golf), then Parma is your destination. Make sure you bring your caddy, though, as the courses are some of the hilliest you'll ever come across.
A little over 30 minutes out of town is the Salsomaggiore Golf and Country Club. The craggy and sometimes snow-capped mountains shadow the course, which has some of the most breathtaking holes you'll ever see. There are another three courses within a 50km radius of Parma, so it could make a great base for a golfing weekend with your mates.
Jump in the tub
After a day of chasing your balls around the golf course you'll want to relax. On your way back to Parma pop into the town of Salsomaggiore and have a bath. This is not just any bath, it's a thermal bath. There are five thermal springs in and around Parma. High in salts, iodine and bromine, they have been used for more than 150 years and their growing popularity is testament to their healing powers.
Italy escape
Located in Italy's north, Parma is the perfect place to start your Italian journey. Travelling by train is the cheapest and quickest option. Milan is just an hour away while you can get to Piacenza and Bologna in less than an hour. La Spezia, on the coast, is two hours away, Florence is two hours, Verona two and a half hours and Venice is just over three hours. A high speed train line is under construction which, on completion, will get you to Milan in less than 30 minutes.
• Juris Graney travelled to Parma with Ryanair. Flights from London Stansted to Parma start at £25.21 single and £32 return