A Wellness Weekend in Salsomaggiore: Wine & QC Terme
A Wellness Weekend in Salsomaggiore: Wine & QC Terme
Are they opening or not?
We had all been waiting for it and in December 2025, it finally happened.
For many, it’s just another opening by QC Terme.
For us at Cantina Il Poggio, it’s something more: a step that strengthens Salsomaggiore’s identity as a true wellness destination.
Before sharing our take, we wanted to experience it firsthand, so we could tell you exactly what it’s like.
We chose the evening entry (7:30 pm to 11:00 pm), and honestly, we recommend it. Here’s why:
- once you’re done, you head back to your hotel ready for a deeply restorative sleep
- earlier in the afternoon, you can enjoy a wine tasting at Cantina Il Poggio
The moment you walk in, you’ll find yourself standing still, looking up in awe at the walls, the frescoes, the interiors, the history surrounding you.
Because QC Terme in Salsomaggiore didn’t just open anywhere.
It chose Palazzo Berzieri, a stunning Liberty-style building, a unique Art Deco masterpiece and a true symbol of European spa culture.
Named after Lorenzo Berzieri, the doctor who first explored the healing properties of Salsomaggiore’s thermal waters, this place is a dream for anyone passionate about art and architecture.
The Experience
You can book your ticket online or buy it directly at the reception.
We recommend the evening entry, which includes an aperitivo (although, to be fair, this was the only slightly disappointing part of the experience). In winter especially, everything feels even more immersive.
Each room, each wing tells a piece of the city’s story: one rooted in care, wellbeing, and beauty.
As we walked through the corridors, from the pools to the hot air balloon room, we couldn’t help but think how essential it is, now more than ever, to carve out time for yourself. Il dolce far niente.
So—are you planning a relaxing weekend anytime soon?
The Itinerary
For your wellness weekend in Salsomaggiore: wine & QC Terme, we’ve mapped out the perfect itinerary—even if you only have 24 hours.
If you arrive around lunchtime on Saturday, book a table at Ceriati, a traditional trattoria from Emilia.
Just don’t overdo it—because another food & wine experience is coming right after.
After lunch, it’s just a 1 km drive to Cantina Il Poggio, where you’ll enjoy a guided visit and wine tasting, with breathtaking views included.
For this occasion, we recommend the Cultural Tasting: a 30-minute guided tour designed to help you understand our wines, our philosophy, and the people behind them.
After the tour, you’ll move to the tasting room—or, in spring/summer and early autumn, to our panoramic terrace overlooking the vineyards—for a guided tasting led by a certified ONAV wine taster.
What to Expect from the Cultural Tasting at Cantina Il Poggio
The experience includes 5 wines paired with 5 food selections, carefully curated by our team.
The goal is simple: to enhance the aromas of each wine through pairings with local specialties and products from our own production, right in the heart of Italy’s Food Valley.
- Our olives, marinated with citrus and spices, typically paired with a sparkling Malvasia Aromatica di Candia, Il Parmigianino
- Fire-toasted bruschette, grilled over wood from our own forests, served with our extra virgin olive oil
- A selection of aged cheeses, including Parmigiano Reggiano DOP aged over 30 months, paired with Gelasio, a still Malvasia aged in acacia barrels
- Premium cured meats from our estate cellars, such as Prosciutto di Parma (30 months) and Culatello di Zibello (40 months), matched with Vedova Nera, our bottle-fermented Barbera rosé
- Roasted hazelnuts, paired with Poggio, a Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot blend aged in French oak—with a secret we only reveal during the tasting 🤫
- Dulcis in fundo: a traditional Emilian dessert (like sbrisolona or sweet focaccia), served with Pensiero, our late-harvest Malvasia—a final indulgence, and the owner’s personal favorite
All of this, enjoyed from our panoramic terrace—especially magical in spring and early summer, or during harvest season.
And now, it’s time to…
…fully unwind at QC Terme.
We recommend starting with the pools—don’t miss the “storm corner”—then moving on to the sauna, some skincare, and slow moments between the lavender room and the hot air balloon room.
The spa closes at 11:00 pm, and they suggest allowing about 40 minutes for a shower. Don’t skip it—their body, hair, and face products are incredible. You’ll leave feeling completely renewed.
One last tip: choose a hotel in the city center for convenience. Our favorite is Villa Fiorita—and if you call, tell them we sent you 😉
So, before the summer heat kicks in, are you ready to carve out some time for yourself and blend art, relaxation, and food & wine into one perfect escape?