2020 forced us to stay at home, but we have big hopes for 2021. One of the first weekends away that we are planning is to the city of Parma, in the north of Italy, named Italian Capital of Culture 2021.
Italy is truly magical, every corner of it seems cut straight out of a film set, and it’s impossible to not have a good time, wherever you go, independently from the season.
If it’s true that, when talking about Italy, the first things that come to mind are stunning masserias in Puglia in the summer, the white ski resorts in the Alps or beautiful big cities like Rome or Florence – but there is so much more to visit in a country that holds secrets even for its residents.
I have grown up in Italy and, every time I visit a new place, I feel like a tourist on her first trip to the country.
The city of Parma is one great example of a smaller city that is worth a visit even more so if we consider that the UNESCO-listed Italian town has been selected to be 2021 (and 2020) Italian Capital of Culture.
Parma is situated in the north of the country, in the Emilia Romagna region, famous not only for its beauty but also for the delicious food that is made there (think Parma ham, Parmesan cheese and Lambrusco wine). During 2021, as Italian Capital of Culture, Parma will host an astonishing number of events throughout the year, including theatrical shows, cinema projections, music concerts, dance performances and food and wine fairs.
But the fun will not stop at Parma. The year-long event will also highlight other cultural activities in the region of Emilia Romagna, in cities such as Piacenza and Reggio Emilia.
Parma has a rich cultural heritage that shows in its architecture. You will be able to immerse yourself in the Roman era, as much as in the Renaissance and the Baroque thanks to the central place the city has had in Italian history.
Of course, Parma doesn’t only offer a unique cultural experience, but it’s also a gastronomic dream for all the foodies out there. National parks, castles, some of the best food in the world – the number of reasons you should put Parma at the top of your 2021 travel list is infinite.
For further information on Parma, visit https://parma2020.it/en/. You can download a new app – available for iPhone and Android devices – that allows visitors to get a glimpse of what Parma Capital of Culture will be.
For further information on Emilia Romagna, visit www.emiliaromagnaturismo.it/en www.visitviaemilia.it
Photo: Carlo Grifone / Bernard Hermant
