We will be spending 4 days near Zibello and wish to visit Cremona or Mantova. I am having a hard time deciding which to see. I wish I had time to see both, but that is not possible. I will have been to Parma by the time of this visit. Architecture and food are my big interests.

If you had to pick between these two, which would it be? Thanks.

Both a wonderful small cities but my preference would be Mantova unless you are particularly interested in the work of luthiers - makers of violins, violas etc.

Mantova is all on the flat and is a very compact city so everything is a short walk away. The wonderful Palazzo Te is less than a kilometre walk from the centre.

Mantova is/was famous for the Gonzaga family and the Palazzo Ducale is well worth a visit.

Food-wise Mantova is a foodie heaven very well known for its tortelli (ravioli) di zucca (pumpkin - different to American pumpkins), cheeses (try the primo sale and the un-mature grana padano), mostarda (the more famous mostarda of Cremona is based on fruit whereas that of Mantova is based more on various vegetables) etc.

Mantova is truly one of the world's capitals of genuine agriculture as the rich earth surrounding the city testifies. Mantova is also famous for the world's oldest (or one of the oldest) newspapers in continuous edition - La Gazzetta di Mantova. The links with agriculture are obvious as the edition of Thursday (if I recall correctly) sets out the prices established by the Mantova agricultural exchange. There are prices of everything form corn, to pork, to milk, to animal feed (including field cuttings such as erba medica), etc as well as prices for certain types of wood including pioppo (poplar) which is frequently grown along the banks of the Po river and matures after about 15 years.

Mantova is also unique for having launched one of the most unique initiatives. Farmer's markets are well known around the world but have become often a life-style choice with prices to match. Throughout Italy there is an initiative called GAS which works on the principal of consumers working directly with farmers so both benefit price wise. Consumers get local produce at fair prices and the farmers also get fair prices compared with what the supermarkets pay. Carrots are not always perfect in shape but does this matter?

However, Mantova has taken this one step further with an initiative called GAT. In part due to the despicable losses inflicted on Italian investors over the years (Argentinian and to a lesser extent Brazilian bonds, Cirio (famous for its agriculture produce - especially tomato sauce etc - but to me similar name wise to Cheerio i.e. goodbye to your investment!), Parmalat etc etc and in part due to an Italian attachment to the land, a lawyer and accountant launched an investment in land. For someone with 10 or 20 thousand Euros or dollars to invest an investment in agricultural land does not make sense. But their rationale is to gather together a sum of between 1 to 1.5 million which enables the purchase of a reasonable property. I know that there are agricultural funds available but they are just funds. A GAT allows the investment in land with a small number of investors who not only are looking for a solid investment but also an opportunity to meet up together (all GATs to date include a property where meet ups are possible). GATs are also very into km-zero sales as well as bio/eco solutions.

I prefer Mantova

Thanks to both of you.

Nochblad, your reply is really helpful. Thanks.

Yes Nochblad says it all - I thought Cremona a so-so city which for Italy means nice old town center but Mantua something exceptional, largely because of the lakes it is on.

Yes PalenQ - approaching Mantova from the north when the city is illuminated and reflected in the lakes is something quite special.

Thanks again. Any suggestions for a parking garage or a convenient place to park?

I
ve only been to Mantova and loved it.
Probably, in your case, I would choose the nearest one to reduce travel time and give you more feet on the gound time.

You might like to look at my blog from our 3 night stay there in 2016:
Modena to Mantova (Mantua) ? Keep Your Feet in the Street

Thanks jangita. I enjoyed reading your blog!

Many people suggest Mantova as a quick day trip but we stayed three nights and loved it. Very few tourists. It's a little off the main Venice-Bologna-Rome train line so that may be a factor. Loaded with Renaissance architecture and art from the Gonzaga dynasty.
Here's my trip report:

Mantova, Ravenna, Brisighella, Bologna

Thank you EYBandBTV! I enjoyed reading about your trip. I am guessing that on a day trip there wouldn't be enough time to see both Palazzo Ducale and Palazzo Te?

IMO you can do both Palazzo Ducale and Palazzo Te in a day

Yes, you can see both in one day. Palazzo Te is an easy walk, about 20 minutes or so, from Palazzo Ducale.

Glad you enjoyed it!

Great. Thanks again EYW.