Parma & Modena

Parma

After leaving the beautiful and calm Santa Margarita, we journeyed to Parma. Emily and her blooming useful hotel booking ensured we reserved a cheap hotel near the town, only a short bus ride away. 

The drive to Parma was hairy to say the least...and when I asked 'What's that smell mum?' She simply replied 'Its fear darling' which pretty much sums up the drive. 

We arrived in one piece and although it was  in the more industrial part, the hotel was clean but had only one member of staff. We dumped our bags and left to explore the city which was beautiful yet not overly busy. Luckily for us, there was also a bustling deli opposite our hotel 'Degusteria Romani'. Asking in my best italian if he knew of any parmesan or parma ham producers in the area that offered  tours, he walked off, only to arrive back with a tasting platter of parmesan and parma ham! He was extremely helpful and the deli was an aladins cave of Italian treats. 

After an aperitivo with some rather old men who spoke to us only in Italian, (naturally), we headed for the main town once again. We hadn't been recommended anywhere to eat but we noticed a glow of light from a side street. This hidden gem was  'Gallo d' Oro'. We had a plate or parma ham, veal, fresh pasta and the speciality tortellini in broth. It was extremely reasonably priced and the busy atmosphere complemented the food perfectly. 

We had our itinerary planned for the next day; head to Bologna via The tomato museum, the prosciutto museum and finally drive to Modena for a balsamic vinegar tasting tour. 

The website for the tomato museum was unhelpful. It didnt tell you if it was open. So we decided to wing it and drive there anyway. We arrived in the beautiful countryside and it was closed. However, the Italians being Italians opened it up specially for us with a free coffee thrown in. We were ready for the next stop. 

The prosciutto museum was informative ...but we were now hungry. So we sped off to the balsamic tour in Modena which we had booked the day before. 

Modena 

I had never seen or smelt anything like it. There were barrels and barrels of this sweetly scented black gold. What I hadn't realised was a new set of barrels was set up when a new child was born into the family and therefore some barrels have names on.

This tradition still happens today. 

We were shown around the old building where the barrels were left to mature. The smells were overwhelmingly delicious. Thank god we were allowed to taste everything as by this time wehadn't  eaten a thing all day and we were starving! From tasting vanilla ice cream with balsamic vinegar delicately poured over it to sipping spoonfuls of over £100 extra vecchio balsamic we were in balsamic heaven and to top it off, the whole tour was free. We paid for some vinegar but that was it. An unforgettable free tour - Well done Ems! Next stop... Bologna.