Parma

The second city in Emilia-Romagna after Bologna, and one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, Parma is nestled in the valley of the Po River. A city with almost 200,000 inhabitants (and just as many in the surrounding provinces), Parma is split from west to east by Via Emilia.

The heart of the city is Piazza Garibaldi, which stands on the site of the former Roman court.

With splendid churches, artworks, and grand opera, Parma is also one of Italy's great art cities. The city's 12th-century Duomo, whose magnificent frescoed dome was painted by Correggio, is flanked by a 13th century Gothic bell tower and an exquisite Parma pink marble baptistery. You can see the masterpieces of Benedetto Antelami (1177-1233), the great sculptor who created the statues and reliefs at the baptistery and has been called "the greatest and most original work of the Italian Romanesque."

Capital of Italy's famous "food valley" Parma reigns supreme for its culinary delights: Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese and Parma ham, Balsamic vinegar, white truffles, and porcini mushroom.

You'll find this reason enough to visit and return again and again.