"Parma, Salsomaggiore and Appennino" Parma by lichinga

Parma Travel Guide: 254 reviews and 741 photos

Parma is the most important centre for Italian agro-food sector: peeled tomatoes, parmesan cheese, Parma's sweet ham as weel as many other different kinds of salami (coppa, fiocco, culatello) all come from this area - though not only from there. Many people may also realise one of the most invading UHT-milk distributors in the world is from Parma, less people know their most important competitor is based a few tens kilometers away: briefly, Parma is the territorial basis for that kind of Italian food tradition which managed to become an industry, evolving from familiar style production. Please, note, I'm not saying this is always good, because most very important traditions and food habits will never be able to transform into industrial product without paying too high a price and - consequently - loosing their peculiarities.
As this is my original profession, let me also say producing for a vast number of consumers - far from the producing areas, overwhelmed by advertisements, squeezed by budget restrictions - is not at all an easy task. I am compelled to admire the fact French agro-food marketing system manages to sell French wines and cheeses all over the world, while pretending they are "genuine" and "traditional" high-class products, but they have to allow for powdered milk to be added to chees when it's necessary, or sugar to be added top wine when the alcoholic grade is too low: this is not allowed by Italian rules. The fact is you need to find teh best compromise you can, and this is still difficult for Italian food products.

Parma is also the motherland of composer Giuseppe Verdi (Aida, Nabucco, Traviata ......) and it is now one of the richest provinces in Italy.

I'm not able to write many things about the city of Parma itself, but I consider the Appennini surrounding it are very interesting to be visited, driving relaxedly.

Intro Written Jan 8, 2001
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Reviews (6)

Salsomaggiore is a very... Off The Beaten Path (4)

Salsomaggiore is a very important spa centres 30 km away from Parma, at the foot of the hills. It is not the spot... more travel advice

These pictures have been taken... - Parma

These pictures have been taken... Off The Beaten Path (4)

These pictures have been taken in the medium Taro river valley (Val di Taro), on the road from Bobbio to Salsomaggiore. more travel advice

Several rural centres still... Off The Beaten Path (4)

Several rural centres still resist the temptation of abandoning everything and move down to the city and the plain. more travel advice

The montain area South of... Off The Beaten Path (4)

The montain area South of Parma is part of the Appennini range. It is an area of ondulated hills, though the highest... more travel advice

Transportation (1)
Param has its own airport, but...

Restaurants (1)
This is a holy land for good...

Comments (16)

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titti Apr 15, 2004 at 6:51 AM

...a caccia di novità, mi tocca accontentarmi di un virtualgiretto ne "la grassa" e dintorni... :-)
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tamirros Jun 13, 2003 at 11:58 PM

Nice info! Thanks!
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croisbeauty Mar 17, 2003 at 5:17 PM

Barilla, parmeggiano, prosciutto crudo, Parma calcio, yes thumb up.
Bellissime foto dal Emilia
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olja1234 Feb 28, 2003 at 2:50 PM

Great job - superb page!
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lotharlerch Feb 1, 2003 at 3:14 PM

I have to do a culinary tour to this area
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kaloz Jan 12, 2003 at 2:52 AM

Looks lovely.
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maritagnes Jan 10, 2003 at 12:40 PM

Well-written and informative page!!
Will be passing on our way to Bergamo this summer.
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nighthawk Jun 2, 2002 at 3:56 PM

looks great! i might visit some day!
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DPando Sep 4, 2001 at 4:04 AM

BUEN LUGAR PARA ESCAPARSE
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rachel_sun Jul 30, 2001 at 5:55 AM

looks beautiful i will add this to my must see