Venerd� 02 Gennaio 1970
Staying in Ciato to discover the way of ham and not only
Arrived in Parma, are the usual invasion of industrialoni products, beverage and Ukrainian devilry of every kind. On the sidelines, several interesting things, many more than you could imagine. If he stays Ciato we can help. Ated between farms is the most beautiful and evocative of Parma, are at the beginning of the gentle foothills between fields of tomatoes, onions, alfalfa and a large garden where planting herbs are just further upstream rows of vines that autumn palettes are the envy of the most renowned painters, perhaps even here in Parma Correggio has left many memories and masterpieces. What in fact distinguishes this company is the passion and the tenacity with which the owners have "mastered" the environmental and cultural riches of the valley, and the ability to transmit this passion to the guests, helping them rediscover all the realities of land along an ideal tour "farm to fork". In the heart of Parma, a few miles from the center of Parma is facade, gateway to the Strada del Prosciutto and Wine Colli di Parma ham and ground homonym of some the most beautiful castles in the region, lying on top of gentle sloping hills of Parma. The route length of about two hundred kilometers is marked by warning signs and tourist can find in a single weekend, even though seven days allow you to investigate your knowledge. You are immersed in unspoiled nature, dotted with tiny villages, farmhouses, churches and majesty votive viewpoints and sometimes meetings that invite you to stop. The car and the bike are the best means to travel itinerary, but for those who have more time also allows a bike to enjoy landscapes and architecture with unique perspectives, enjoying all the charm of the two wheels. From the two exits from the city center or, as the airport just follow the signs for Panocchia or simply to provide navigators who enter "strada Pilastro 8 Parma" to be in the heart of food-valley. Once in Ciato and acquired information, recovered maps, you're ready to discover the "must" in this area. Already ahead of you is clearly visible from the courtyard a stone's throw to the manor of Pier Maria Rossi, lord of these lands, the castle Torrechiara, a massive building with four towers that watch over Parma River that cuts down the valley in two cities of the same name. Castles, fortresses and churches, lush woods and along the heights from which the view plunges into soft waves of green, following your nose leads into strange oblong windows of the factories where the famous ham matures. But this is not just the land of Ham, the hills and foothills near Parma is a real food Walley, here come some of the most representative of the cuisine of Emilia, Parmigiano Reggiano and Wine Colli di Parma, along with a rich basket of products of excellence among which the Felino salami and black truffle Fragno without fail to mention the famous Cappelletti born in the splendor of the court or the kitchens of ravioli of herbs born from the imagination and poverty of affairs of a shepherdess. The way the ham and wines of the Colli di Parma follows part of the ancient Via Francigena and leads through the Val d'Enza, Val Parma, Val and Val Taro Baganza, inviting tourists and the excursion naturalistic is to visit small villages that still preserve intact its medieval charm while remaining in the top national enogastronomy.