A city of near 200,000, Parma is located about 125km (77 miles) south of Milan in the Emilia-Romagna region, the area of the Motor Valley (Ferrari, Lamborghini, Ducati and others well-known brands were born here) and of the Italian Food Valley. 

Read also: 10 Reasons you should travel to Emilia-Romagna

The concept of regions – in a way comparable to the German Lands, French Départements, and the British Shires – often sounds strange to people coming from overseas. I bet that many tourists from the USA, Australia, New Zealand, wonder “what’s all the fuss they do in Europe about small areas?”. The answer is rather simple: it’s part of Europe’s historical and cultural heritage dating back thousands of years. 

As a nation, Italy is a little more than 150 years old. Before, the county was divided into areas which have been invaded and dominated over the centuries by Normans, Germans, French, Spanish, Austrian, Saracens and more. That’s the reason every region is so culturally different from the other. And then, there’s geography: shaped like a boot stretching from North to South, Italy has a wide variety of landscapes and climates. 

All this is reflected in art, architecture, and – of course – food.

Emilia-Romagna is the Italian region with the highest number of protected food products.

Every Italian region is proud of its traditional products and local dishes, and Emilia-Romagna is no exception. The region boasts 43 PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) and PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) products, the highest number in Italy. These range from Parma ham to Parmigiano Reggiano, Modena traditional balsamic vinegar, and Culatello, to mention a few, and they are concentrated in a small area that was appropriately named the Food Valley of Emilia-Romagna.

Thanks to very specific microclimates and a longstanding savoir-faire, the Italian Food Valley is a goldmine of outstanding culinary products, and Parma is considered the heart of this incredible area.

The making of the typical culinary delicacies still follows centuries-old traditions and is based on local ingredients: that’s what makes the food of Emilia-Romagna unique. Not surprisingly, Emilia-Romagna hosts Alma, the prestigious International School of Italian Cuisine located in the magnificent Ducal Palace of Colorno.

I love good food (being Italian, how could that not be?) no matter the context: a good shop with selected quality specialties, the local market, a simple trattoria or a high-end restaurant. And as a food lover, I am fascinated by the way products are made.

At a Parmigiano-Reggiano factory, I saw the cheese master preparing the cheese following the 900 years old recipe and technique.

I was mesmerized by the skills of the expert checking the quality of the Parma ham from the smell, using a long and tiny horse bone introduced in specific areas of every single ham at the speed of light. And then there’s the Fossa cheese, Mortadella Bologna IGP, and more.

After seeing how much care is dedicated to local products, I grew to like them even more, and I highly recommend one of these experience to everyone who is a gourmet.

Parma, the heart of the Italian Food Valley.

Elegant houses, stunning landmarks (must-see include the octagonal baptistry, the Pilotta Palace, the Farnese theater among others) and excellent restaurants make Parma a lovely destination mixing relax, culture and fantastic food. 

I like roaming in the pretty streets, sitting at a café and watching the many locals riding bicycles, elderly meeting for a chat, kids joyfully playing in the squares. When I go, I crave to eat the delicious home-made pasta, wonderful Parma ham and other specialties. And whenever I get the chance, I go and discover more of the Food Valley and its outstanding products.