Postcards
Parma

PC: martabn__/Instagram

Parma is lined with quaint little eateries serving lesser-known traditional Italian dishes

We’ve all pictured a leisurely walk around the sleepy lanes of one of Italy’s less populated towns for a holiday, with the balmy heat from the sun balancing out the mildly cold breeze. Now, add to that the aroma of the best salumi, swirls of wine, and warm cheese. And not just any cheese, but from the very place parmesan derives its name – Parma (Parmigiano in Italian).

Lined with quaint little eateries serving lesser-known traditional dishes like bollito misto and trippa, and bakeries putting out freshly made focaccia on display, we may as well be walking onto the set of Audrey Hepburn’s Roman Holiday. And the Parma ham (the best quality is found at the traditional salumerie shops) is renowned across the world! The food market, organised every Saturday in Strada Imbriani, is an equally good option to find certain ingredients Parma is known for – from fried wheat dough to ripened cheese – for a quintessential Italian dinner. 

But food is not the only luring (though the most enticing) part of Parma. Its stunning architecture (mostly entailing baroque buildings), the Parma River, and the tastefully done wine bars add many dimensions to the city’s charm. 

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