Posted on February 24, 2010 by Fiona Hilliard

Fancy ham, flaky cheese and the passionate music of Verdi may describe a cosy evening at a nice Italian restaurant, but they also happen to be the three things that best characterise Parma. Not a bad comparison actually. Both internationally and at home in Italy, Parma has long been associated with la dolce vita – the art of enjoying the best things in life. The easiest way to dig in to Parma’s delights is with Parma car hire.

For centuries Parma was known as the Duchy of Parma, a grand title befitting a suitably majestic city. Today, visitors to Parma encounter somewhere that bears all the hallmarks of its former glory, with beautiful architecture and frequent cultural events taking place all over the city. Parma is as famous for having the best standard of living in Italy as it is for having the tastiest dishes. Does anyone else sense a connection? Parma produces two of the most famous food products in the world including more-ish Parmesan cheese and sweet cured Parma ham, as well as culatello and Felino salami. But there’s more. Not only is it regarded as the heartbeat of Italy’s food industry, but also a leading light in the world of culture and the arts. The city boasts a rich history, with an impressive range of art works and buildings, including a cathedral, baptistery, the monastery of San Giovanni Evangelista, the Pilotta Palace and the Teatro Farnese which dates back to the 17th century. Verdi, the most popular Italian composer was born in nearby Busseto. If you’re lucky, you may even catch a performance of one of his many operas in the city’s beautiful opera house.