Parma

Parma lies about 95 km (59 miles) north-west of Bologna in Emilia-Romagna and is reached by regional train in about an hour for roughly EUR 8-9 one way, or in 35-40 minutes by Frecciarossa or Italo at a higher fare. The station is around 15 minutes on foot from the centre, so a day trip needs no onward transport. The city is known for Parma ham (prosciutto di Parma), Parmigiano-Reggiano and a refined, relaxed old town. Piazza Duomo holds the Romanesque cathedral and the octagonal pink marble Baptistery, begun in 1196, whose interior frescoes and sculpture are among the great works of the period. Nearby, the Pilotta complex houses the National Gallery and the wooden Teatro Farnese, a 17th-century theatre that is a highlight for architecture fans. The Parco Ducale, a former ducal garden, offers a shaded rest in the afternoon. For food, many visitors book a tour of a Parmigiano-Reggiano dairy or a prosciutto producer in the surrounding countryside, but these need a car or an organised excursion and are normally reserved in advance. In the city itself, delicatessens and trattorie serve tortelli d'erbetta, anolini in brodo and platters of salumi, with torta fritta a local favourite. A practical one-day arc is an arrival by mid-morning, the Baptistery and cathedral before lunch, a long lunch, then the Pilotta and Teatro Farnese and a walk in the park before an evening train home. Spring and autumn offer the best weather, while winter fog is common on the plain. Churches close for a midday break, and many shops and museums close on Mondays, so opening hours should be checked before travelling. The centre has a ZTL, so a train is the easier choice than driving.