Foodie paradise
If Parma is known for only two things, its Prosciutto di Parma and Parmigiano Reggiano (Parma ham and Parma cheese). Food is more than just sustenance to Italians, it's a way of life and an expression of joy, and in Parma this is perhaps more so than anywhere else in Italy. Parma even has a museum devoted to food, the Musei del Cibo.
Architecture and art
Parma is a beautiful, well-maintained city and at its heart is a delightful cobbled square, La Piazza del Duomo, around which are huddled historic buildings and Parma's Cathedral. This duomo was designed in the Lombard-Romanesque style and the interior of the dome itself is resplendent with its 16th-century fresco created by Antonio da Correggio. Close by you'll find a series of buildings that once formed a convent. Here you'll discover more frescoes - also by Correggio - considered to be some of the Italian Renaissance's greatest masterpieces.
Cultural icons
For another example of Renaissance design at its best, the Teatro Farnese is a must-see. This wooden theatre was restored after a fire during the last war and upon entering it feels like you've travelled back in time 400 years. No visit to one of Italy's great cities is complete without experiencing an opera or concert performance. And Teatro Regio, restored in 1853, is a splendid theatre whose history dates back to 1688.
Eating, drinking and Nightlife
Finding good quality eateries in Parma is not going to be a problem. There are dozens of fine restaurants, predominantly serving Italian cuisine from traditional oven-baked pizzas to a tantalising pasta dishes that range from the traditional to those with a modern twist. Parma's Nightlife is vibrant and you'll have the opportunity to let your hair down at venues like Dadaumpa, for club sounds, or Corte del Sol, for live performances.
Shopping in and around Parma
If you're looking to shop till you drop then Parma won't disappoint. Apart from an array of well-known chain stores and Italian fashion outlets there are antiques shops, arts shops, second-hand stores and much more. And one thing that is easy to locate in Parma is great food, it's sold everywhere. You'll find traditional balsamic vinegar, tasty hams, piquant cheeses and much more, including fine wines, in shops, on market stalls and at farms.