Episode 48: Postcard from Parma, Emilia Romagna Italy Travel Share
Ciao from Italy and Welcome to Podcast #48,
I was in Parma when I recorded this share at an outdoor Cafe, O’Bistro in front of the Palazzo del Governatore on Strada Garibaldi. I was sipping a cappuccino and had a sweet moment of inspiration.
The traveling adventures culminated with time in Milan, Venice, Padua, Bologna and then over to Ravenna to see the treasures of the Byzantine Empire. Here are a few details and visual journey from the archives.
Beautiful Parma, Emilia Romagna 
Parma is not only a beautiful city but the epicentre of food and culture. If you are gastronomically inclined the region of Emilia Romagna is your destination. 
Strada Farini in Parma, a pedestrian zone full of restaurants, cafes and wonderful possibilities celebrating ‘Cucina Typica’ in regional cuisine. 
Trattoria Del Tribunale - The perfect location and ambience for a regional meal. Here is the 'Cappelletti in Brodo' and a fine Vino Rosso. 'Seconde' was the 'Ossobuco Divitello con Risotto alla Parmigiana' and yes I was in heaven. On Vitolo Politi, Parma.
A wander from the Centro Storico across the River to the 'Parco Ducale' was definitely on the cards after the perfect 'Pranzo'. This place is vey peaceful and beautiful with the Palazzo Ducale to wander by. These days the Farnese families 'palazzo' is the residence for the local Carabinieri... Rather fascinating and a lovely walking tour of the city.
In the podcast I mentioned visiting Ravenna to see the Byzantine Mosaics. Here is an image of Basilica Sam Vitale and the stunning mosaics that fill the room. In the middle of the image is Emperor Justinian and his Empire who were very busy at the time from 540 - 751 AD making this little Western post into a mirror of the east. Ravenna's location has meant strategically it could flourish with a number of interested parties from the Western Roman Empire to the Ostrogothic, the Goths to the Byzantine Empire who would leave their mark. The history is convoluted indeed, however what remains now to see is the legacy of the Byzantine. 
The beauty of Ravenna, Italy. Another wonderful location and elegant city to visit or stay for a time, just a little over an hour from Bologna on the train line.
You can purchase your ticket in a shopfront near the Basilica of San Vitale or online before hand. There are a handful of churches all within walking distance of the main piazzas. My ticket for twelve Euro gave me five destinations to visit (there are eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Ravenna). There are many restaurants and cafes and places to enjoy the ambience of the town. I found myself at Ristorante and Cocktail Bar Mr Dante and loved their food and friendliness in Piazza del Popolo. There Pizza with Prosuitto was divine, as was their Lasagne the next day when I returned. When in Ravenna you can also visit Dante Alighieri's Tomb and resting place. His final days remained in Ravenna, he died in 1321.
The Basilica of the New Sant'Apollinare Nuovo, built in the late 5th Century as a church dedicated to Arian worship and dedicated to Christ the Redeemer.... This was my last place to visit and the Basilica turned out to be quite the marvel. Fortunately it is not far from the Ravenna Railway Station and makes for wonderful walk around the city. 
Bologna the Capital of Emilia Romagna was perhaps the most social, distinctive and convivial of the places I visited. It seemed to me every one was out and about, sipping Spritz, chatting, and wandering under the kilometres of Colannades, and enjoying the historical marvels of this medieval city. The Cafes and Restaurants were all over flowing and the let me say the weather was not particularly warm and that did not matter. I loved it. Rich, regal, colourful and a warm city with red and ochre tones, and so much character. Truly, Italy never fails to impress. Each city, an hour or so either way and you are in another world. Only an hour and a half from Venice you can stop in Bologna, two hours later you are in Florence, what is not to love about that?
Bologna is another city where everyone walks or rides bicycles, certainly the foundation for Italy's Northern cities is admirable….
Lucky for me between my hotel and the Centro Storico was this restaurant that was always busy and overflowing with the locals on Via Manzoni. I had to sit outside that night because it was fully booked, but that did not matter.... Here is 'Tortellini in Brodo" and Seconde was "Polpette e Pirelli" also known as Grandma's Meatballs". And yes it was an extremely slow walk back to the Hotel because the meals were exceptionally generous. Visit: Ristorante Buca Manzoni in Bologna....
I know in Italy Lasagne al Ragu is often on the menu, however the only place to really have it is in the Province of Emilia Romagna... Here I am at Caffe del Mercato, with the traditional cuisine of Bologna, alongside a Rovo Merlot, a local grape, the Tenuta Santa Cecilia from Croara. It seems to me in Bologna you fall into these wonderful little establishments where the Vino and the food is par excellence, and you have those moments where every mouthful is quite simply perfection.
The Al Battistero D’Oro on STRADA SANT’ANNA, the Bed and Breakfast in Parma where I stayed and met the most beautiful host Patrizia. I cannot wait to go back to say the least. And that is when I will make some time to visit Piacenza and enjoy more the lifestyle in elegant Parma.
The Bapistry and Duomo is in the Piazza del Duomo. A few streets away was the "Ristorante La Forchetta", where I had a sublime meal on the first night. I mentioned this is the Podcast, this is the one with the Wine Bar across the street, where I believe you can also stop for an Apertivo too...
In Parma there is no doubt countless possibilities when it comes to Cafes, Bars and Restaurants. None dissapoint. I love this 'Gran Caffe Cavour' for its elegance and beauty just as much as the casual bars like "El Zig Cafe", a place when you order your Spritz you also get a plate of crustless sandwich and salty chips to savour alongside. The Aperitivo time of the day in Italy is such a civilised thing.
I mentioned my plan to visit one of the places I had read about before visiting Parma, "Enoteca Fontana". Unfortunately the kitchen was closed that day due to circumstances beyond their control but still no less this plate of deliciousness was one of the things on the menu that lunch time. They have an excellent wine menu and great prices too. All was definitely well. It seems to me Parma is one of those Italian cities where everything is quite wonderful.
Here is the Museo Diocensano, a wonderful Museum to visit in the Piazza Del Duomo (Closed Mondays), there are a bunch of Museums in the city of Parma. I also managed to visit the Pilotta to see the exhibit on the Farnese Family in the Piazza Pilotta....
There is no doubt that Parma has many wonderful places to visit. After recording the Podcast I went to pay for my coffee to discover that "O’Bistro" has many wonderful places you can enjoy your cappuccino or your Spritz, which is what I did later that day….. Their bathroom downstairs certainly rates a mention for taking it to the next level. Visit in the Piazza Giuseppe, Parma.