Culatello, Cheese, Wine and Olive Oil tour in Parma: the Food Valley Tour
Taste local wines, Parmigiano Reggiano cheese PDO, Culatello di Zibello PDO, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, visit Parma city centre, Parma Lowland and Fontanellato, one of the most beautiful villages in Italy.
A private tour between Parma and the Lowland (Bassa Parmense), the area near the Po River, home of the renowned Culatello di Zibello PDO.
Day 1: Parma and the Food Valley are the heart of Emilia-Romagna and keep precious treasures like good food, music and art. Because Parma is a unique place where you can hardly distinguish where art blends into the way food products are crafted as masterpieces to be enjoyed first with the eyes, then in the mouth.
- Spend your afternoon sightseeing, walk along the quaint street of the city, visit the masterpieces as Antelami’s Baptistery, the imposing medieval Cathedral and the impressive Farnese Theatre. Drive towards Parma Lowland, the area near to the Po river and check-in in an timeless ancient Court, dated XV century, that hosts few and luxury rooms, a Michelin starred restaurant and the stunning medieval Culatello di Zibello PDO cellar. The location is surrounded by a flower and vegetable garden, greenery, clean air and relaxing silence.
- Dinner in the nearby traditional Osteria serving local delicacies and deli-meats of course! A peaceful, rustic and authentic place where Parma and Emilia traditions are at home. Choose your favourite homemade dish prepared with locally grown products.
- Overnight stay.
Day 2: Delicious breakfast served in the medieval rooms of the Court or in your room for a special treat.
- Chance to meet the producer family who have inherited over 150 years of expertise and tradition, and visit the Culatello di Zibello and Masalèn museum and the curing cellar. The permanent exhibition is linked to a tradition excavated in the heart of the Bassa (Lowland) and the history of the family.
A path that winds inside and outside the Ancient Court among ancient maps, documents, photographs, videos, multimedia equipment and objects related to rural civilization, up to the ancient aging cellars. You will be impressed while walking along the many cellar rooms full of Culatello in their silent repose.
- Time at leisure for a stroll in the open air in Court surroundings: the Po Forest. A beautiful 1.5 km outdoor course, divided into 12 stages to discover the forest, the Po river floodplain and the wild breeding black pigs. A walk through history, culture and nature told in the audio guide and on the ad hoc brochure. Taste Culatello di Zibello PDO and other deli-meats in a timeless setting and learn about the unique flavours and fragrances of the freshly opened, sliced product paired by a local traditional bread. Chance to get your Italian picnic basket and enjoy your meal in the nature.
- In the afternoon, on top of a green hill overlooking the valley, visit to a local wine cellar producing honest and authentic wines. The owners will share the production methods behind some of Parma’s most prestigious wines. Have a walk through the countryside around the cellar, relax and toast your holiday whilst soaking up the splendid scenery of Parma Hills.
- At sunset, taste the wines on their own or have fun pairing them with other typical local products like the tasty Prosciutto di Parma – Parma Ham! The tasting could be set in the vineyards or in the peaceful terrace admiring the Po Valley till the Alps, painted with warm sunset colours.
- Dinner at leisure or in the beside Michelin-starred restaurant for a special dinner by Chef Massimo Spigaroli.
- Overnight stay.
Day 3: Exquisite breakfast served in the medieval rooms of the Court or in your room for a special treat and check-out.
- Together with your food expert private guide, visit to a Parmigiano Reggiano PDO factory in Parma Lowland.
- Meet the dairymen passing down their expertise to the next generation. Taste the product at its various maturations, surrounded by towering shelves of cheese wheels, and discover the secrets of traditional recipes. Opportunity to visit the farm encompassing the whole production chain, from rearing the animals to processing the cheese.
- Then, guided tour of the extraordinary Agorà Orsi Coppini Museum: an itinerary dedicated to the olive tree and extra virgin olive oil among secular plants, ancient oil mills and production equipment. The vast natural park of contemporary design is dotted with ancient olive trees that have become abstract and evocative sculptures, historical machinery and architectural elements. At the centre is the Agorà, an open-air theatre from which there is direct access to the Olearia Art Museum that tells the history of olive oil and hosts ancient mechanical production systems. You will become familiar with extra virgin olive oil tasting techniques and learn to appreciate its aromas, qualities, defects, cooking uses and how to choose the one you like most.
- Lunch in an Agriturismo sampling the locally produced delicacies like fresh homemade pasta (tortelli, tagliatelle, anolini, lasagne…), Km 0 vegetables and traditional desserts: healthy and delicious food!
- In the afternoon, if your return-trip allows, chance to visit the lovely little Fontanellato village, member of “Borghi più belli d’Italia” (most beautiful villages in Italy), that hosts the Rocca Sanvitale, a medieval fortress surrounded by a moat full of water. Inside the fortress you will admire the fresco masterpiece by Parmigianino and the Optical room, the only one still working in Italy.
- End of the tour.
More special activities:
- On request: extra for junior suite and suite rooms
- Extra for a Michelin-starred dinner.
- Chance to rent an electric car or a luxury one like a Tesla, experiencing a panoramic green tour in Parma Lowland.
- You can produce a Culatello of your own - it will even have your name on it - to be shipped to you or collected once cured!
- Extra for a food expert private guide on Day 1 and Day 2
The tour foresees:
Services on request: transfers, not included guided visits, entrance fees to the monuments, not included meals, tourist tax.
We offer you a private and tailor-made tour, organized in compliance with the regulations to make you live your experience in safety and serenity. Ask for your customized tour.
Safety protocols observed by our selected suppliers for this itinerary are availabl e on request.
For info and booking: click here.
