Visit the city known as ‘Primogenita d’Italia’ (Italy’s firstborn), as it was the first city to vote in favour of annexation to the Kingdom of Sardinia, which would then become the Italian Kingdom. Named 'pleasant place' (Placentia) by the Romans, Piacenza soon proved itself to be an important strategic location as well. Its picturesque centre reveals a beautiful Gothic town hall and a couple of august churches. Historical tours of Piacenza in English, recommended by Alberto's family friends: - Eliana Dragoni +39 327 034 5085 - Cinzia Cassinari +39 328 958 9700
The Civic Museums are housed in a building with 500 years of history. It is possible to reconstruct the vicissitudes of the city from its foundation through ten collections: from the carriages to the Pinacoteca with the "Tondo" by Botticelli; from the Fasti of the Farnese family to the archaeological section with the famous "Liver of Piacenza".
Coffee favorite since 1881 > Pasticceria Confetteria Galetti (Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, 62, 29121 Piacenza PC) Alberto’s pizza slice spot > Pizza del Sole (Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, 301, 29121 Piacenza PC) Alberto's family favourite for focaccia > Panificio DalPistinár (Via Alessandro Bolzoni, 35, 29122 Piacenza PC) For local Piacentino favorites > Tre Ganasce (Via S. Bartolomeo, 62, 29121 Piacenza PC) Again, local Piacentino favorites > Trattoria La Pireina (Via Borghetto, 137, 29121 Piacenza PC) Some friends joined us in Piacenza over Christmas and tried some restaurants in Piacenza. Below are the top recommendations: - Taverna Rabarbaro - Trattoria San Giovani - Ristorante Vecchia Piacenza - La Dispensa de i Balocchi
Piacenza and it’s area is known for agriculture and local food including meats, cheese, and local pastas. - L'Ostreria Fratelli Pavesi > Overlooking a 20C courtyard typical of the Bassa Padana area > SS45, 8, 29027 Gariga, Podenzano - Mil Sabores > Viale L. da Vinci, 15, 29010 Pontenure PC - Il Mattarello di Carpaneto Piacentino > Contestabili family favorite for lasagna > Via Scotti da Vigoleno, 24, 29013 Carpaneto piacentino
Splendid village with medieval charm and the result of the creativity and ingenuity of a noble Milanese of the early twentieth century. Its characteristic lies in the white alleys, frescoed facades, elegant porticoes and statues inspired by the medieval era. Among the points of interest of the village there are the Castle, with the annexed park and the Parish Church of Saints Cosma and Damiano.
Castell'Arquato, nestled on the hills of the Val d'Arda, is a medieval village, very well preserved, of rare beauty and of great scenographic impact. Visit for an experience of a traditional structure which has maintained its appearance as it was in the early 10th century.
Certified among the Most Beautiful Villages in Italy, Vigoleno is a perfect example of the housing of the Middle Ages. From the main square, where the sixteenth-century fountain is located, going east you reach the Romanesque church of San Giorgio, dating back to the second half of the twelfth century.
Jump in the river of “the most beautiful valley in the world” according to Ernest Hemingway. Good spots include: - Rivergaro - Bobbio Beach - San Salvatore - Spiaggia la Chiesetta
Bobbio is one of the most beautiful villages in Italy: it is defined as the masterpiece of the Irish monk. The village of Bobbio owes its fame to San Colombano who, in 614, decided to build a monastery in Bobbio.
If you’re interested in shopping European brands at outlet prices. Close by you can visit Agrinascente for local food delicacies and treats; parma ham, cheese, oils, balsamic, and more! Agrinascente > https://agrinascente.it Via San Michele Campagna 22/b, 43036 Fidenza PR
The Spa town with its exquisite Liberty and Art Deco style is an ideal destination for those looking for a place to relax and is particularly recommended for recovering from the stressful times of the city thanks to the stillness of the places, to the wide green areas and to its wellness centre where you can have regenerating treatments done. Moreover, the several routes dedicated to road bikes, mountain bikes and hiking are an irresistible attraction for sports enthusiasts and for those who love doing outdoor activities in the middle of nature. Recommendations Castle > Castello di Scipione dei Marchesi Pallavicino > http://www.castellodiscipione.it/ Spa > Centro Benessere Berzieri > http://spa.termedisalsomaggiore.it/it-IT/home.aspx
Oltrepo Pavese DOC is a wine region in the North of Italy, west of Milan. It is the most traditional wine zone in this region, with a strong tradition of wine production that dates back to Roman times. This area is located near Milan and borders the regions of Emilia-Romagna and Piedmont. Most of its vineyards sit on the foothills and produce high-quality wines. Recommended wineries from locals. Many offer wine tasting in English: - Travaglino > www.travaglino.it - Frecciarossa > www.frecciarossa.com - Calatronivini > www.calatronivini.com - Torti Winery > www.tortiwines.com - Picchioni Andrea > www.picchioniandrea.it
Best known for its incredibly edible contributions to world gastronomy (especially parmigiano cheese and Parma ham), Parma has also been revered by opera lovers (who flock to its Teatro Regio) since the days of Verdi, who was born in nearby Roncole, Parma's many historic sights include the llth-century cathedral and its baptistry. Begun in the 12th century, it's considered one of medieval Europe's most important buildings for its straddling of the Romanesque and Gothic architecture periods.
Culatello is one of Italy’s best known and most prized salumi. It comes from the province of Parma and is made by curing only the rear muscle of the haunch of pigs born, raised and butchered in Lombardy and Emilia Romagna. The Museum of Culatello di Zibello and “Masalen” (butcher, in dialect) is located in Polesine Parmense in an ancient 13th-century fortification called Corte Pallavicina. The building was bought in 1991 by two brothers of the Spigaroli family. They restored it in homage to their family, that had been working on the farm for three generations, being also Giuseppe Verdi composer’s land-holders. Then the Corte Pallavicina has become again a rich of charm building in that special area of “Lower Parma” area where the Great Po River flows and the fog seems an essential ingredient of taste. And where Culatello reigns, not just any cured meat, but as the “King of cured meats”.
Franco Maria Ricci’s Labyrinth, covering over 8 hectares of land in his estate in the countryside near Parma, was grown out with a variety of bamboo species. The largest labyrinth in existence, it is entirely made of bamboo plants (numbering around 200 thousand in total) between 30 centimetres and 15 metres in height, and belonging to many species. It is a maze for losing oneself in, for fantasising and reflecting.