Culinary Holiday in Italy - Let's Eat Parma: A Culinary Delight in the Heart of Italy

An Italian culinary vacation! Indulge your senses in the flavors of Parma, Italy with our Let's Eat Parma culinary tour. Immerse yourself in a week-long gastronomic adventure, where each day brings a delectable new experience. From exploring biodynamic farms and cooking up traditional recipes to visiting Parmigiano Reggiano factories and savoring aged cheeses, this tour will take you on a mouthwatering journey through the heart of Italian cuisine. With expert guidance from our instructor and guide, Ilaria, you'll discover the secrets behind authentic Italian dishes and delight in the finest food and wine pairings. Don't miss this opportunity to taste, learn, and savor your way through Parma, a true paradise for food lovers. Book your spot on Let's Eat Parma and let your taste buds rejoice!

From 4754€ /person

Food & Wine Holiday in Italy- Parma food tours – Let’s Eat Parma!

Tour Duration:  approximately 7 days (6 nights accommodations)
Price per person: from 4754€ based on double occupancy
Single Occupancy Supplement: from 578€
Non-participating guests: This tour can not accommodate non-participating guests
Payment Options: We accept payment by credit card or by bank transfer. New! We now offer a 0% interest payment plan. To find out more, click here.
Schedule: Our 7-day program weeks run generally from Monday to Sunday

Inclusions & Highlights

  • 6 nights accommodations in 3-star boutique & 4-star hotels in Sala Baganza & Parma respectively
  • Visiting local producers and experiencing a behind-the-scenes look at the artisanal production of renowned Parma ham, real Balsamic Vinegar & Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
  • Sampling the famous wines of Emilia-Romagna, such as Lambrusco, and learning about the region’s wine-making traditions
  • Creating delicious traditional dishes in 5 hands-on cooking classes with an experienced Italian cook & instructor in English
  • Exploring the cultural heritage of Parma, including visits to historic Rocca Sanvitale di Sala Baganza & its wine museum
  • Indulging in the authentic cuisine of Emilia-Romagna and tasting local specialties such as Prosciutto di Parma and Parmesan cheese
  • 6 breakfasts; 9 total lunches & dinners (including tastings)
  • Building new relationships and creating memories with fellow travelers

Exclusions

  • Flights & any other transportation not detailed in the itinerary
  • Any food and drinks outside those specified in the itinerary
  • Travel Insurance
  • Tours, events, and activities outside those noted in the itinerary
  • Personal items and expenses

2024 Tour dates:

  •  Monday-Sunday 2-8 September 2024 (BOOKINGS CLOSED)
  • Monday-Sunday 14-20 October 2024 (4 spaces remaining)

2025 Tour dates:

  • 3-9 June, 2025 (TBC)
  • 1-7 June, 2025 (TBC)
  • 13-19 October, 2025 (TBC)

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A minimum of 6 registered participants are needed to confirm the tour. Exceptions may be made, if so we will inform you as soon as possible. We will review your request and confirm your booking once 6 participants have booked. No payment is required until the dates are confirmed. Once we have 6 participants, subsequent participants can book directly. You will only be able to book this tour for 2 people maximum at a time. Please email us if you need to book more participants (alternatively, you can submit a second request).

Privatize a Let’s Eat Parma Culinary Holiday

Want to privatize the Let’s Eat Parma tour for your family or group? You can email us about privatizing this program.

Book Now!

Culinary Vacation in Italy – Let’s Eat Parma!

Savor the Flavors of Emilia-Romagna with a Culinary and Cultural Journey in Parma

Activity Level

Moderate 60%

Discover the authentic flavors of Italian cuisine on a culinary adventure in the heart of Emilia-Romagna, exploring the charming city of Parma. This 6-day, 6-night tour is the perfect opportunity for travelers of all ages passionate about food, wine, culture, and travel.

With a small group of like-minded travel enthusiasts, you’ll immerse yourself in a journey filled with culinary delights, cultural exploration, and unforgettable experiences. Your guide on your Parma adventure, Ilaria Bertinelli, will share her passion and expertise in preparing classic Italian recipes in hands-on cooking classes: from fresh pasta to delectable desserts. Learn about the process of making the regional parmesan cheese, Balsamic vinegar in Modena, Proscuitto, coppa, & salami, and round out your Italian gastronomic immersion by tasting fine wines and enjoying a spritz.

Let’s Eat Parma is a feast for any food and travel lover but especially for those who appreciate Italian cuisine, its culture, and that dolce vita.

This tour promises to be a fun, convivial, and delicious adventure, showcasing the best of Italian cuisine and culture. Join us on this exciting journey and immerse yourself in the flavors, aromas, and traditions of Emilia-Romagna.

Book now and experience a culinary holiday that offers something new, even for those familiar with Italian cuisine!

CLICK AND BOOK!

Chef Ilaria

Chef/Guide

Ilaria Bertinelli joins Let's Eat Parma culinary adventure. Discover the inspiring woman behind A Chef for Gaia, renowned for her passion for Italian cuisine and inclusive cooking, making delicious Italian food accessible to everyone, regardless of dietary needs.

The following is a sample program for our Let’s Eat Parma food & wine holiday – an Italian culinary holiday in Parma, Italy. The program is subject to change due to weather or the availability of our partners. A more definitive program will be given to you on the day of your arrival. Barring any changes in weather and the desires of the group, this final program will be what you can expect for the week. We ask that you try to be understanding about any slight modifications that will not affect your overall enjoyment of the program.

Approximately 7 days, 6 nights in Parma, Italy

Activity Level: Moderate

The Let’s Eat Parma tour involves a moderate level of physical activity, with daily activities including farm walks, factory visits, guided tours, food tours, and cooking classes that require walking and standing. Participants should be comfortable with these activities and be prepared for leisurely physical activity throughout the tour.

Monday arrival

Day 1 – Monday – Welcome to Parma 
Mid-afternoon: Private minivan from Parma train station to Sala Baganza 3:30 PM
Check-in at Cortaccia Sanvitale Hotel*** in Sala Baganza.
Meeting with Instructor & guide, Ilaria for an introductory presentation of the tour.
Welcome food & wine tasting dinner at the Wine bar under the Rocca Sanvitale di Sala Baganza. Wine tasting guided by the wine bar owner.
Overnight stay
Day 2 – Tuesday – Biodynamic farm
Breakfast.
Meeting with Ilaria at the hotel and transfer by private minivan at the Agriturismo Acqua Terra Sole. Walk in the biodynamic farm and Ilaria’s cooking class preparing a vegetable recipe: tortelli d’erbetta (tortelli pasta filled with a combination of ricotta, eggs, nutmeg, grated Parmigiano-Reggiano, and beet spinach (or ordinary spinach) + vegetable side dishes.
Lunch
Return transfer to the hotel
Afternoon guided visit to Rocca Sanvitale di Sala Baganza castle and to Wine Museum
Free evening
Overnight stay
Day 3 – Wednesday – Parmigiano Reggiano and Aperitivo cooking class 
Breakfast.
Lead by Ilaria, private transfer by minivan and guided visit to:
7.30 am Parmigiano Reggiano PDO factory to experience the whole production process.
Cooking class nearby the cheese factory about Italian aperitivo and appetizers. Light lunch to follow including a guided tasting of Parmesan cheese of 3 different ages.
Return to the hotel and free time.
Evening Spritz tasting (3 kinds) and Gin tonic tasting (3 kinds) paired with local salami (Prosciutto, Coppa, Salame, etc) at local wine bar. Tasting led by the shop owner, Anna.
Overnight stay
Day 4 – Thursday – Food Tour in the city centre and pasta-making class
Breakfast and check-out from Cortaccia Sanvitale Hotel
Transfer by minivan to Parma
Leave luggage at Hotel Mercure Stendhal****
Ilaria will meet you at the hotel to start your walking food tour of Parma center visiting some of the most iconic gastronomical shops in Parma’s city center.
Lunch in a local restaurant with aperitif in the cellar of Il Trovatore Restaurant.
Free time for check-in and relaxation.
6:00 pm Cooking class with Ilaria. Stroll back to the hotel after dinner to burn off those delicious calories
Overnight stay
Day 5 – Friday – Balsamic Vinegar Tour and Italian Cooking Lesson 
Breakfast.
Private transfer by minivan and private English-speaking guide.
Guided visit to Torrechiara Castle.
Transfer to a Traditional Balsamic Vinegar loft. Guided visit by the owner with a tasting of 3 different maturation of vinegar.
Tasting lunch at the Acetaia
3:00 pm return to the hotel.
6:00 pm Lasagne or Tagliatelle al ragù Cooking class with Ilaria followed by dinner
Stroll back to the hotel after dinner
Overnight stay
Day 6 – Saturday – Culatello di Zibello PDO and Cheers and Cin-cin! 
Breakfast.
Free time after breakfast. You can enjoy lunch on your own in Parma center (be sure to check out our list of suggestions or explore your own)
Meeting with Ilaria for an afternoon transfer and guided visit to an ancient Culatello di Zibello PDO cellars and museum.
Transfer to a local wine cellar overlooking the valley. Guided visit with the sommelier. Cooking class with Ilaria (potatoes gnocchi with tomato and basil sauce).
Gnocchi dinner to follow.
Return to the hotel and overnight stay.
Day 7 – Sunday – Departure Arrivederci 
Breakfast and check-out.
The train station is within walking distance of the hotel.

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    FAQs

    Our frequently asked questions about our Culinary holiday in Italy – Let’s Eat Parma

    Ciao! Certo, Italian is the spoken language in Italy but rest assured that your guide (and chef) speaks fluent English and will be able to assist you along the way. It never hurts to pick up a few handy phrases. Anything that needs to be translated during the tour for your comprehension will be. All your cooking instructions will be in English.

    No, our tours are designed for culinary enthusiasts of all skill levels. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced cook, you will find the activities both enjoyable and educational. There is always something to learn.

    Absolutely! Our tours attract both solo travelers and groups. They are a great way to meet new people who share your passion for food and travel. Our tours are deliberately kept small for an intimate experience but you also have plenty of me time as you desire. We won’t leave anyone behind! 😉

    Yes, while we can not guarantee a shared room to our solo travelers if you choose a shared room option, we will match you with another interested solo traveler of the same gender. As stated, it is not something we can guarantee but we will do our best to accommodate your request.

    For your journey to Parma, the most convenient airports are Milan Malpensa, Milan Linate, or Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport. From these airports, you can take a train or drive to Parma​. For a more comprehensive guide to your travel to Parma, be sure to have a look at our blog post “How to get to Parma“. For discovering the best routes for your travel to Parma try using sites like Skyscanner.net and/or Rome2Rio.com.  A grouped complimentary pickup is offered from Parma train station to take you to Sala Baganza at a designated time on the tour’s starting date.

    Ensure your passport is valid for at least 6 months beyond your travel dates. Visa requirements vary by country and nationality. We recommend checking with your local embassy or consulate for the latest travel advisories.

    The currency in Italy is the Euro (€). It’s always good to have at least a little cash with you when you travel to Italy but rest assured – there are plenty of ATMs at the airports and many train stations as well as in the center of Parma that you can use should you need additional cash. As a rule of thumb, when I arrive at a destination I tend to have the equivalent of between 50-100 euros of cash in whatever the local currency. The amount of money you may spend on your trip depends on you. You may wish to purchase souvenirs to take home and while the majority of vendors accept credit and debit cards, some may prefer cash for smaller amounts.

    A deposit is typically required to secure your spot, with full payment due prior to the tour start date. Cancellations received up to a certain period may be eligible for a refund or credit, as detailed in our terms and conditions. Due to numerous upfront costs, the initial deposit is non-refundable but can be transferred to a future date if you need to postpone (based on price and availability). We also offer a payment plan to help you better budget for your trip. For the full book terms, please click here. For our cancelation policy click here.

    As you are booking with a registered Spanish travel agency, your booking is insured in the event that anything should happen to the company. However, this does not cover your personal travel or expenses related to your trip. We highly advise that you also look into comprehensive travel insurance. US and Canadian travelers can use this Insurance comparison website to find what works for their trip. For Australians, click here. For the UK, click here. Please note that we are not personally affiliated with any one insurance comparator or company. We just want you to be safe and to have peace of mind.

    Yes, we are open to collaborating with travel agents and agencies to resell our unique culinary experiences to your clients. If you are a travel agent interested in offering our tours and experiences, we would be delighted to discuss potential partnerships and how we can work together to provide exceptional travel experiences.

    Please contact us via email to explore the opportunities for collaboration. We can discuss commission structures, customized packages, and any specific needs your clients might have. Our goal is to create seamless and memorable culinary journeys that will delight your clients and enhance your travel offerings.

    By working with us, you’ll be able to offer your clients exclusive access to our carefully curated tours, workshops, and cooking classes, all designed to immerse travelers in the rich culinary traditions and cultures of our destinations. We look forward to building a successful partnership with you.


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