Ferrara or Parma

Old Jul 12th, 2008, 06:22 AM
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Ferrara or Parma

We are staying in Rimini this summer and planning some daytrips by public transport (no car):
for sure: Urbino, Bologna and San Marino and a day in Rimini.
Both Ferrara and Parma are more than a 2 hour voyage on train, so we have to pick one.
Which would you prefer?

Thanks a lot!

Cheers
Serge
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Old Jul 12th, 2008, 06:27 AM
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We stayed in Ferrara and visited Parma as a day trip. Parma is a lovely pedestrian-friendly town--we wish we had stayed there instead of Ferrara.


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Old Jul 12th, 2008, 06:40 AM
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I recently spent the night in Parma on my way back from Bologna (I live in Liguria) and the minute I get a chance, I'm going back to Parma! In fact, even in the one night I spent there, I went back into the middle of town to see the duomo again. Why Parma isn't as overrun with tourists as most of Tuscany is a mystery, because the food is better, for one thing, and the place is gorgeous.

I've never been to Ferrara, but I would think that while it is more peaceful than bustling Bologna, it is not all that different culturally.

May I make a suggestion? If you can possibly get to San Leo instead of San Marino, thinking about going there instead (or doing both in a long day?)

You might also do some research on towns further down the train line from Rimini, in particular Cesanatico and Santarcangelo di Romogna and see if daytripping there appeals to you.

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Old Jul 12th, 2008, 06:48 AM
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Between Parma and Ferrara, absolutely I suggest Ferrara, because it is a back jump in a particular season of Renaissance and its atmosphere is unique. A warning: very hot in summer and, again and again, without spending there at least the late evening, part of the charm will be missing.
About the suggestion of Zeppole to replace San Marino with San Leo, I absolutely agree, including, as a must, to visit its very interesting Rocca and trying to spend there at least the sunset time.
About Santarcangelo di Romagna, it is a very cute small town. I live here and today it is going to begin the Theatre Festival so that for eleven days, every evening there is a theatre piece in the main square.
If you want to come here in Santarcangelo di Romagna, feel free to e-mail me and I can help you to discover the best of this lovely part of Romagna.

Vincenzo
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Old Jul 12th, 2008, 06:54 AM
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vicenzod,

Sorry for misspelling the name of your town. I do know better!

Is it possible to leave Rimini early in the morning by train, get to Parma, see the duomo and bapistery, have lunch, take a train to Ferrara, experience the town, have apertivi, and take the train back to Rimini eating food you bought in the market?

Too long a day? Too little time in Ferrara?
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Old Jul 12th, 2008, 06:55 AM
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I'd actually skip both of them (too far for a day trip for me) and choose Ravenna for its beautiful mosaics--it's only an hour away.
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Old Jul 12th, 2008, 06:56 AM
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By the way everybody, this is what passes for "cute small town" in Emilia-Romagna:

http://images.google.com/images?clie...-8&sa=N&tab=wi
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Old Jul 12th, 2008, 07:22 AM
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Parma's OK. Its cathedral's got an unbelievably wonderful baptistery, and the cathedral itself is spectacular from outside, but its best-known work inside - the Correggio cupola - couldn't be seen the other week, and the restoration work obscuring it looks set to be there for a pretty long time.

Other than that: the city's interesting, but hardly in the first division, unless eating (and buying food) is your thing. It's also central and quiet (the centre has almost been taken over by bikes) so it'd make a great base for exploring central Italy, but that's irrelevant to your question.

Like ellenem, I'm puzzled you're not bothering with Ravenna, which most certainly IS first division. Unless you're attracted by mass-tourism beaches, the Tempio Maltestiano or the early life of Fellini, surely visiting Ravenna's the whole point of staying in Rimini?
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Old Jul 12th, 2008, 07:59 AM
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the centre has almost been taken over by bikes

That's one of the things we liked about human-scale Parma after staying in bustling Bologna and Ferrara. Parma was a treat even on a rainy day in May, 2008. In Parma we had lunch at Enoteca Fontana--an very special experience.

The mosaics in Ravenna trump either Ferrara or Parma.
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Old Jul 13th, 2008, 01:41 AM
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No, Zeppole, IMO it is almost impossible to visit in one day both Parma and Ferrara.
Anyway, smart idea is Ravenna.
Do not miss Santarcangelo di Romagna; did you see the photos ?!

Vincenzo

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Old Jul 13th, 2008, 02:07 AM
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I agree with Ellen and otgher and think that Ravenna should not be missed. The mosaics there are unique.

I did not visit Parma, but we loved Ferrara.
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Old Jul 13th, 2008, 06:29 AM
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Thanks vicenzod! Hope the sun is shining where you are.
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Old Jul 21st, 2008, 12:42 PM
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my husband and i are in love with parma-- the incredible baptistery , pinotecca, and the amazing Convent of San Paolo. also, it's worth the trip just to have the torteli at alcorsaro... a fairly inexpensive restaurant right by the sights with the most delicious homemade torteli erbetta . we are fans. however, i hear that parma is miserably hot in late summer... not sure when you're going.
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Old Jul 21st, 2008, 09:09 PM
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In the surrounding area of Parma, three very unusual Museums:
at Soragna, Museo del Parmigiano-Reggiano;
at Langhirano, Museo del Prosciutto di Parma;
at Felino, Museo del Salame di Felino.
They deserve a visit, believe me !


Vincenzo.
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Old Jul 21st, 2008, 09:53 PM
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We were so glad we went to Ravenna on our trip a couple of weeks ago. Not only wonderful mosaics, but a very walkable and pleasant and untouristed main town area, along with excellent cuisine.
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Old Aug 9th, 2008, 10:07 AM
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Is there a way to get to Santarcangelo di Romagna by public transport from Rimini?
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Old Oct 2nd, 2008, 09:22 AM
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bm
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Old Oct 3rd, 2008, 04:38 AM
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from Santarcangelo to Rimini bus or train, both no longer than 15 minutes.
Santarcangelo deserves a trip, I am sure, altough there is the risk to meet me !!!

Vincenzo
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Old Oct 3rd, 2008, 04:44 AM
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Hi Vicenzo: Do you by any chance have a link to the schedule of the Teatro Regio in Parma..I am interested in the opera schedule and cannot find anything after this month.
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Old Oct 3rd, 2008, 08:39 AM
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The best choice, IMO, is to visit this website:
www.turismo.parma.it with its English version.
Ciao.

Vincenzo
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