The Culture of Food in Parma with Elizabeth Minchilli
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Parma
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October 11-17, 2026
While Italy’s culinary treasures come from every corner of the country, nowhere is the pantry richer than in Emilia-Romagna. When most non-Italians dream of Italian food, it’s the iconic dishes of this region – lasagna, ravioli, tortellini, tagliatelle – that come to mind. All of them were born here. It’s no accident that Emilia-Romagna boasts more DOP and IGP (officially protected) foods than any other region in Italy.
Our home base will be Parma, where we’ll spend six nights and five immersive days diving deep into the flavors, traditions, and culture that make this region a paradise for food lovers. Each day, we’ll visit bustling markets and passionate food producers, cook, feast, and explore different corners of Emilia-Romagna. And don’t worry — you’ll have your late afternoons and evenings free to wander Parma at your own pace. Since our days will be filled with generous tastings, we’ve kept most evenings open so you can discover the city’s culinary delights as your appetite allows.
I hope you’ll join me in one of Italy’s most mouthwatering regions to savor some of its most cherished ingredients. – Elizabeth
Day 1: Arrival & Introductions
Hotel
We’ll be based in one of Italy’s great culinary capitals: Parma. Our home for the week is Palazzo Dalla Rosa Prati, a charming, family-owned hotel in the center of town. You’ll have time to settle in and relax before meeting the group in the evening.
In your room, you’ll find a welcome package: a selection of local snacks and fresh fruit, a bottle of wine, a tote bag for treasures gathered during the week, and our guide to Parma, with recommendations for where to eat, shop, and explore during your free time.
Welcome Drinks & Dinner
At 6:30 pm, we’ll gather at the hotel for welcome drinks in a beautiful apartment overlooking the rose-colored Romanesque Baptistery. Over a glass of wine and chunks of Parmigiano Reggiano, you’ll meet Elizabeth along with your fellow participants.
We’ll then take a short walk to a trattoria run by three women where the menu changes daily. This will be our first shared meal of the week.
Day 2: Parma & Culatello
Parma
Today we’ll meet our friend Alice, our favorite ‘know it all’ in the region. She is from Parma and will join us for many of our delicious adventures, sharing her knowledge and enthusiasm.
This morning, Alice will take us on a walk through the historic center of Parma, stopping at key landmarks and sharing stories along the way. We’ll pause for a mid-morning coffee before heading out of town.
Culatello
If you haven’t heard of Culatello, it’s because this precious little ham rarely makes its way outside of Italy. Today, we’ll see firsthand how it’s made. Produced in just eight small towns along the banks of the Po River, Culatello owes its unique texture and flavor to the area’s famously foggy climate, which helps transform it into something truly silky and special.
We’ll visit one of the few historic producers, whose stately villa has been home to Culatello-making for over 700 years. We’ll enjoy a delicious three-course lunch, beginning with the finest cured meats, including Culatello, followed by their famous lasagna, made from a family recipe.
After lunch, we’ll tour the aging cellar, where more than 4,000 hams hang from the rafters.
Dinner
Tonight is yours to relax or explore Parma. You’ll find our favorite restaurant recommendations in your room, and the hotel concierge is available to assist with reservations.
Day 3: Parmigiano Reggiano
Parmigiano Reggiano
Today, we’ll get an early start and head just outside Parma for a deep dive into one of the region’s most iconic ingredients: Parmigiano Reggiano. We’ll visit a local farm and learn what makes this cheese so special—the strict rules that govern its production, the animals that provide the milk, and the traditional methods used to make and age it.
After the visit, we’ll taste our way through three different ages of Parmigiano: 12, 24, and 36 months.
Lunch
For lunch, we are invited into the private home of Antonia, who was raised in Parma. Her free-standing house sits within a private park built by her grandfather. We’ll sip Prosecco and enjoy some nibbles before heading into the kitchen to prepare lunch: Pollo alla Duchessa and pumpkin Sformato, two classic regional dishes.
Dinner
This evening, we’ll grab a casual bite at Tra L’Uss e L’Asa, a tiny spot beloved by locals. The food is among the best in Parma, and the natural wine list is equally exciting.
Day 4: Pasta & Balsamico
Modena
Today we’ll explore nearby Modena. Like Parma, it has a rich food history. Our first stop is one of the oldest bakeries in town, where we’ll enjoy a sweet treat to start the day.
Next, we’ll visit Mercato Albinelli. Considered one of Italy’s most beautiful markets, this turn-of-the-century wrought-iron building is filled with stalls offering produce, cheeses, cured meats, and pasta. You’ll have some free time to shop for goodies.
Making Pasta
Some of the market’s most famous stands are dedicated to pasta, and now it’s time for us to make our own. At a local cooking school, we’ll roll up our sleeves and learn to create tagliatelle, rosette, and tortellini. After the lesson, we’ll enjoy the fruits of our labor for lunch, followed by a decadent local chocolate cake, Torta Barozzi.
Balsamico di Modena
Next, we’ll learn about one of the region’s most iconic ingredients: Aceto Balsamico Tradizionale di Modena. We’ll visit a local producer in his home, explore the aging attic, and taste balsamico at various stages of maturity, including 12- and 25-year-aged versions, each developed in different types of wooden barrels.
Dinner
This evening is free to relax and enjoy Parma at your own pace.
Day 5: Villages & Wine
Vigoleno
Today we head to the hills north of Parma, where time seems to stand still. Our first stop is Castello di Vigoleno, so perfectly preserved that it looks like a movie set. We’ll stroll through the medieval town and visit the Romanesque church, San Giorgio, and then enjoy a coffee at the local bar while soaking in the atmosphere.
Winery
Our next stop is a very special winery, one of the smallest in Italy to hold a DOC label, and the only one making this particular vin santo. We’ll learn how their award-winning passito dessert wine is made.
Lunch
Lunch is at one of the oldest restaurants in Castell’Arquato, owned by the same family for over 85 years. Here we will indulge in an extremely local dish: pisarei e fasò (a local version of pasta e fagioli), and enjoy their signature roast pork, a dish they’re famous for.
Castell’Arquato
We’ll walk off lunch in Castell’Arquato, another perfectly preserved medieval village with sweeping views of the surrounding valley.
Dinner
Evening at leisure in Parma.
Day 6: Castles & Prosciutto
Prosciutto
This morning, we’ll head south to visit one of the best prosciutto di Parma producers in the area. At this family-run business, we’ll learn what makes this ham so special, see how it’s made and aged, and enjoy a guided tasting of various ages of prosciutto.
Torrechiara
Next, we’ll visit the spectacular Castle of Torrechiara, built in the 15th century as a fort for Count de Rossi and home to his beloved mistress, Bianca. We’ll explore its Renaissance rooms and the remarkably preserved kitchen, one of the few of its kind remaining.
Lunch
Lunch is at Ai Due Platani, a historic trattoria located just outside Parma, which is beloved by locals and notoriously difficult to book. We’ll enjoy antipasti followed by their famous homemade tortelli, smothered in butter and Parmigiano. Dessert is their one-of-a-kind gelato. Churned in a vintage 1940’s gelato maker, and served from their rolling cart loaded with all the toppings, it’s a magnificent and delicious sight to behold..
Afternoon
Free time to relax, shop, or stroll the streets of Parma.
Dinner
We’ll close our journey with a festive farewell dinner at one of Parma’s most exciting new restaurants. Owned by one of the region’s top prosciutto makers, it’s the perfect place to sample their signature product. And if you’re in the mood to go beyond wine, their cocktails are not to be missed. We’ll toast to an incredible week and savor one final, unforgettable meal together, a spread of small plates for our last feast.
Day 7: Departure
Check-out
The tour has concluded, and you’ll be checking out of the hotel.
Is This Tour For You?
The Culture of Food
All of our tours are designed around experiencing a place through its food culture. Nearly all activities are food-focused, with generous meals and often snacks in between. If you have a small appetite, significant dietary restrictions, are squeamish, or a particularly selective eater, this tour may not be the right fit. Our trips are best suited for those who are excited to eat adventurously, try new things, and fully engage with the local culinary traditions.
Food Intolerances
This tour takes place in Emilia-Romagna, a region known for its rich and hearty cuisine. Many of our meals are centered around local food traditions and will include meat, cheese, and pasta. If you are vegetarian, lactose intolerant, or gluten-free, this particular tour may not be the right fit. (While we’re often able to offer substitutions on our other tours, that won’t be possible on this one.)
Activity Level
To participate in our group tours, it’s important that you feel confident in your mobility. Our days are often long and include up to an hour or more of walking, often on uneven terrain, cobblestones, and stairs. You’ll also need to be able to get on and off vehicles and navigate multi-story buildings, which may not have elevators. While the pace is relaxed and never strenuous, it’s essential that all guests are able to comfortably keep up with the group so that the schedule can run smoothly for everyone.
Travel Companions
Many of our guests find us through social media and know what to expect: a full week centered around food, with visits to farms, markets, and rustic kitchens. If you’re bringing a companion, make sure they’re equally enthusiastic. If they’re not interested in food or rural experiences, they likely won’t enjoy the trip, and that can affect everyone’s experience.
Pricing:
Pricing:
Double occupancy (2 people in 1 room): €7100 per person
Single occupancy (1 person in 1 room): €8200 per person
The fee includes:
- 6 nights at Palazzo Dalla Rosa Prati, Parma
- Daily breakfast
- All of the meals, activities and transportation outlined above
- Gratuities
Not included:
- Transportation to and from Italy
- Transportation to and from hotel
Itinerary:
Our tours focus on small, family-run businesses, so we reserve the right to adjust the itinerary as needed. Days may be switched, activities added or changed, and locations substituted. A final itinerary will be sent 30 days before the tour begins.
Group Size:
This tour is limited to 12 participants.
Concierge service:
The hotel can help you arrange restaurant reservations, taxis, and cars for your free time, airport, or train transfer. We also have a trusted tour agent if you would like to extend your stay in Italy before or after our week.
A million thanks for an absolutely amazing and truly memorable tour. We loved every minute of it and so appreciate all of the time and effort you put into your tours. They are perfection! We can’t wait for the next one!
Kirby
Your Hosts for the Week
Elizabeth Minchilli
Elizabeth is one of the founders and owners of Via Rosa Tours. She has been writing about the joys of Italian life for 35 years. She is the author of 9 books on Italy, including her most recent, The Italian Table, Eating My Way Through Italy, and Eating Rome. She has written for over 40 publications, including Bon Appetit, Travel & Leisure, Food & Wine, and The New York Times. Her award-winning blog is where she has shared her passion for Italian food, writing about recipes, meals, and restaurants for the past 15 years. She now publishes one of the best-selling travel newsletters on Substack. She has been leading food tours since 2011, and you can read about them in magazines and in this article from the New York Times. You can follow Elizabeth on her very active Instagram and TikTok accounts, where she shares scenes from daily life, including her tours.
Alice Rossi
Born and raised in Parma, Alice has a natural warmth and an infectious enthusiasm for the food and traditions of her homeland. A graduate in Gastronomic Sciences, she has built her career around what she loves most: bringing people together through food and sharing the stories, flavours and people behind it.
After beginning her career with Academia Barilla, Alice became a licensed tour guide and tour leader, combining her knowledge of Italian food with her love of meeting people. She delights in introducing guests to the producers, traditions and flavours of her region, believing that the best way to understand a place is to experience it with curiosity, good company and, of course, something delicious to eat.