Parma is a delightful town and has a broad range of cultural interest. The rose-coloured Baptistery, with its 13th-century sculpture, is considered one of the finest buildings in Italy. The cathedral has an astonishing cupola by Corregio and the Teatro Farnese is a wooden theatre styled after Palladio. In the early 19th century, Parma was given as a Ducy to Maria Liugia, wife of the exiled Napoleon. From that time Parma has had a significant musical tradition. Toscanini was born here, and Verdi was born and lived nearby. Nowadays the town is most famous for its agricultural produce - dry-cured Parma ham and Parmesan cheese. Our tour includes a day outside Parma exploring places associated with Verdi, as well as Fontanellato, one of the many castles. This tour is accompanied by Dr Trevor Joscelyne, who appreciates all three aspects of the region.
Hotel: We stay at a 3-star Hotel in Parma.
Itinerary
Day 1 – We fly to Parma and transfer to our hotel. There will be a short early evening walk in the town, followed by dinner.
Day 2 – We visit the Baptistery, a Gothic campanile, which is built in rose-coloured stone from Verona. The outstanding sculptures are by Antelami. The Cathedral is famous for its cupola by Correggio. We also visit the delightful Camera di san Paolo. In the afternoon we visit the Chiesa di San Giovanni Evangelista, with important frescoes by Correggio.
Day 3 – Today we explore the places particularly associated with Verdi. He was born in a small house next to the church in Roncole, where he became organist at the age of nine. In nearby Busseto is the house of his patron Barezzi, which still has the piano on which Verdi composed. There is also a delightful small theatre. We then visit the castle of Rocca Sanvitale, which dominates the town of Fontanellato. It contains an important fresco of Diana and Actaeon by Parmigianino.
Day 4 – We visit the Palazzo della Pilotta, which contains the astonishing wooden Teatro Farnese and the Galleria Nazionale, with great masterworks by Correggio and Parmigianino. We then visit Santa Maria della Steccata with frescoes by Parmigianino. Later, we walk to Toscanini’s House, which as an extensive collection of memorabilia. On the way we pass places associated with Maria Liugia.
Day 5 – After a free morning, we transfer to the airport for our return flight to London.
Note: A concert performance will be inlcuded at one of the many possible venues.
Tour Leader: Dr Trevor Joscelyne is a specialist in Renaissance literature and culture. He holds Masters degrees from the universities of Cambridge and London and his doctorate from the University of York. He has also undertaken research at the University of Pavia in Italy and in Venice. He has held senior positions at the University of North London and London Metropolitan University.
Parma
Price: £1,075 per person
Single Supplement: from £250
Deposit: £250 per person
Departure date:
07 Jun - 11 Jun 2010 Tour Code: PAR10
Price Includes: 4 nights bed and breakfast accommodation at a 3-star Hotel in Parma, two dinners, one concert performance, transfers to and from the airport for the suggested flights, excursions and guided visits as listed.
Travel: Please note that flights are not included in our price. You can make your own arrangements, or we can book them for you.
Suggested Ryanair scheduled flights.
| FR4214 |
Departs Stansted |
11:55 |
Arrives Parma |
14:55 |
| FR4215 |
Departs Parma |
15:20 |
Arrives Gatwick |
16:20 |
