Week end in Parma 🌰- A Complete Guide

Weekend in Parma in Autumn 🌰- A Complete Guide

 

Looking for a mini getaway among the hills of Parma, filled with vibrant fall colors?

Whether you’re a fan of wine, history, art,🎭 or just curious about new experiences in nature and fine dining, this itinerary is crafted for a relaxing weekend surrounded by nature, art, and gastronomy🍝.

 

Emilia-Romagna is renowned for its charming villages and gastronomic delights, including wine and food that will fully immerse you in this experience. Autumn is the perfect season to enjoy these activities and marvel at the stunning foliage from a comfortable bench.

 

 

 

Before we start this journey together, let me introduce myself. I’m Alice, an intern at Cantina il Poggio, where I work with the marketing, communication, and hospitality team. I’ll guide you step by step and take you to the coziest spots of this autumn season.

 

 

For any questions or if you’d like more information, you can find us on our Instagram page, give us a call at +39 0524574200, or email us at info@cantinailpoggio.it.

Now, let’s get back to your itinerary. Your experience will be spread over three days, exploring the wonders of our region, from castles and vineyard hikes to art museums.

 

Before You Go: Essentials

• Booking: Reserve a room at Ca’ del Passero B&B, either by phone or online.
• Gear: Bring comfortable clothing and shoes for hiking, a water bottle, and a notebook if you’d like to jot down any notes.

With everything packed and ready, it’s time to set off. Let’s go! 🚘

 

FRIDAY

🏰 Autumn Week end in Parma – Discovering One of Italy’s Most Beautiful Villages

Once you’ve set off, head to Vigoleno, a charming hamlet in the Vernasca municipality, Piacenza. Here, you’ll find the picturesque Vigoleno Castle.

 

 

Just three minutes away from Vigoleno, you’ll find a delightful B&B called Ca’ del Passero. This place offers private parking, a continental breakfast buffet, a bar, river views, a shared lounge, a garden, and a terrace for relaxation. After unpacking, take some time to enjoy the scenery before heading into Vigoleno.

Vigoleno is renowned for its beauty and elegance, recognized as one of Italy’s Most Beautiful Villages and awarded the Orange Flag by the Touring Club Italiano. Strolling through its streets will make you feel as if you’ve stepped back into a rustic and picturesque medieval era.

 

Despite its small size, Vigoleno has a lot to offer.

Your visit begins at the fortified gate, the only entrance to the village. From there, after a few narrow alleys, you’ll reach the main square. Here, you can admire the ancient fountain in the center and the facade of the Church of San Giorgio.

 

 

You’ll also find charming little shops and wine bars, like Al Borgo Incantato di Vigoleno, where you can grab a sandwich and enjoy the stunning views of the surrounding hills from the village walls.😍

 

But the true highlight is the Castle, which dates back to the 10th century. It has been owned by various families over the centuries, from the Scotti to the Pallavicino and finally the Farnese, and has been destroyed and rebuilt several times.

 

Don’t forget to visit the Museo degli Orsanti as well, which features works by artists from various genres. For more information or to check out the available packages and hours, you can find everything on their website.

 

 

After you’ve had a chance to relax and enjoy your day, if you’re looking for a place to have dinner, I recommend a cozy trattoria just outside the castle walls called “Bollicine e Torta Fritta.” It’s open for lunch and dinner, except on Mondays and Wednesdays.

Here, you can savor house specialties like charcuterie and cheese platters, accompanied by their famous Torta Fritta, all while enjoying a charming view of Vigoleno Castle.

 

SATURDAY

🍇 Autumn Week end in Parma  – Vineyard Trekking at Cantina Il Poggio

 

It’s time for vineyard trekking, so make sure you have a change of clothes and your sneakers ready, grab your backpack, and let’s go! 🎒 It takes about 20 minutes to get from B&B Ca’ del Passero to Cantina Il Poggio. Once you arrive, we’ll welcome you and guide you through the history of our winery and vineyards, revealing all the wonders this place has to offer.

 

The experience includes a 4-kilometer walk through the estate, exploring woods, vineyards, olive groves, and the lake. You’ll fully immerse yourself in nature and learn about the local grape varieties used to produce our wines.

 

After the trek, you’ll enjoy a Cultural Tasting 🍷:
5 glasses of our wines paired with the finest products from the Food Valley, along with warm bruschetta topped with our own EVO oil.

 

 

All this while you take in the breathtaking views from our terrace (weather permitting).

 

The total cost is €45 per person and includes:

• 2 hours of vineyard trekking – starting at 10:00 AM
• Insights into the vineyards, agronomy, and winemaking
• Cultural Tasting of Cantina Il Poggio wines with gourmet pairings

If you’re interested in other tastings or events, we recommend:

• The VIP Experience Tasting with 9 wines and 9 gourmet pairings
• The Brunch at the Winery on the last Saturday of the month at 11:00 AM, featuring 6 wines paired with 14 sweet and savory dishes.

 

Just a reminder…

Also, if you need transportation (Taxi 🚖) from Parma or elsewhere, please contact us via email or phone to arrange it.

 

 

 

In the afternoon…

if you’d like to relax or grab a warm drink, I recommend taking a stroll through the center of Salsomaggiore Terme.

 

 

Here, you can explore charming little shops, cafes, and various gardens like Parco Mazzini. You’ll also find a small lake with a fountain and a little bridge, home to ducks and geese.

As you walk, you can sit on a bench and enjoy the peaceful surroundings 🌄.

 

 

For dinner near Salsomaggiore, I suggest the restaurant/pizzeria Rendez Vous Des Artistes on Via Cleofonte Campanini. It’s well-known for its traditional dishes, both pasta and main courses, as well as a variety of pizzas.

 

SUNDAY

🌲 Autumn Weekend in Parma – Discovering the Historic Park and the Luigi Magnani Collection

Unfortunately, it’s time to head home, but not before visiting the villa of masterpieces, home to the Magnani Rocca Foundation, located in Mamiano, a hamlet of Traversetolo in the province of Parma.

 

The villa houses a prestigious private collection of ancient and modern art, established in 1978 by Luigi Magnani, an art critic and collector. Inside, you’ll find renowned paintings such as Monet’s “Falaises à Pourville” and Goya’s “The Family of the Infante Don Luis”.

Surrounding the villa is a beautiful English-style historic park, where you can spot colorful peacocks and a small pond with numerous plants and shrubs—perfect for a leisurely walk or enjoying a good book on a comfortable bench 🦚.

Additionally, the villa features the Bstrò restaurant, which offers some of the region’s best gastronomic specialties.

 

It’s time to say goodbye…

Your journey is coming to an end, but don’t worry! More itineraries will be offered in the coming seasons, and I hope this one has been useful to you. Remember that Cantina Il Poggio is open Monday to Saturday from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM. For more information, visit our website at https://cantinailpoggio.it/ or email us at info@cantinailpoggio.it.

We hope you enjoyed our itinerary and look forward to seeing you again soon! 😊