Parma

Parma is an elegant city in Italy's Emilia-Romagna region, best known as the heart of the country's Food Valley and a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy. Its name is tied to two of Italy's most famous foods, Parmigiano Reggiano cheese and Prosciutto di Parma, and its refined historic centre gives the city a distinctive, unhurried atmosphere.

The city's long history stretches from Roman times through the Duchy of Parma and Piacenza under the Farnese and Bourbon families and the reign of Marie Louise of Austria. That heritage survives in landmarks such as the Romanesque cathedral in Piazza Duomo, the pink-marble Baptistery, the vast Palazzo della Pilotta complex with the Teatro Farnese and National Gallery, and the Teatro Regio opera house.

Around Piazza Garibaldi, the historic centre is easy to explore on foot, with porticoed streets, artisan food shops and cafés. Across the Parma river, the Oltretorrente district has a more local, bohemian feel, while Parco Ducale offers green space beside the 16th-century Ducal Palace. Visitors also seek out the Renaissance frescoes of the Camera di San Paolo by Correggio.

Parma is more than a food destination. The University of Parma is one of Europe's oldest, the European Food Safety Authority is based here, and companies such as Barilla anchor a strong agri-food and manufacturing economy. The annual Cibus food trade fair and the autumn Verdi Festival, honouring the composer born near Parma, draw business and cultural visitors alike.

For travellers, Parma combines gastronomy, opera, art and small-city ease in a location between Milan and Bologna, making it a rewarding stop for both leisure and business trips.