We are leaving Friday for beautiful Italy!

Thanks to you all for helping me with great information!

We are going to fly to Bologna and spend a 3 days in the area (Parma also) because we want to EAT the greatest food....we will tour the factories where they make parmigiano reggiano, prosciutto and balsamic vinegar and will go to a soccer game....Rome is soccer (football really)

Then we will drive to Chianti and spend 3 days in La Casa del Sole....visiting Florence and Siena. I am reading The Agony and Ectasy and have dreamed with Florence!

After that we are driving to Rome (and returning the car as soon as we hit the city) and will spend 3 days touring ancient Rome and the Vatican. We might fit an opera night in and plan to sit in the Spanish steps as long as we can.....it will be rainy but we will ignore the weather!!!!

Un baccio y grazie

Alba

Sounds like a wonderful trip; please tell us all about it when you return.

As for the rain, just remember the old saying: There's no such thing as bad weather, just inappropriate clothing!

Great Itinerary and I happy to see you will go to my home town...Parma a lot do and see there. Is seems you have everything cover but in case you need additional information (...restaurant or store suggestions or the name of a tour guide...) let me know

Enjoy your trip
Ciao

Oh please, by all means! Where should we eat?

We are stying at the Hotel Torino.

We are going to Parma to EAT but most of the recomendations we have are from books....we were planning to quiz people once we got there.

What should we not miss?

Alba

Buon Viaggio albita!! Think about me when you eat the prosciutto, parmesan cheese and all the wonderful Italian delicacies...
Ciao and have a great time,
Kismet

There is a lot of see and do in Parma, you will be suprised...
Here are some of the the "Do not miss" Let me know if you need more info

FOOD:
Prosciutto di Parma and salame di Felino, seved with torta fritta, Tortelli di Parma (with swisschard) and Tortelli di Zucca (Pumpkin ravioli), if you dare there is another local specialty..horsemeat served raw with lemon and olive oil (similar to a steak tartar but lighter). Try the local sparkling wine Malvasia.
You can try one of the local Trattoria on Strada Farini (Sorelli Picchi or Trattoria del tribunale) and before dinner you could stop at one of the local Vinoteca to try a glass of the local wine (there are a couple just off Via Farini). Some of the best and most expensive restaurants are "Greppia", La Filoma, Parizzi.
ART:
The Duomo and Battistero, The "Camera di San Paolo", Steccata church.
There are also so incredible museums, if you have the time and you might be interested: Galleria Nazionale and the wonderful Teatro Farnese, Museo Magnani Rocca (outside the city - a good article about this museum on Conde Nast Travel few months ago)
MONUMENTS OUTSIDE THE CITY:
You should see at least one castle, maybe Torrechiara castle or Fontnellato but you will need a car to visit these unless you get a tour guide with car.
You can find more information at the following page:
http://www.castellidelducato.it/ingl...elli/intro.htm
SHOP:
The Violet perfume shop "Borsari" close to the Piazza Garibaldi (the address in on Strada Repubblica)

I hope this helps
Ciao

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you

I will print this Parma inside info and take it with me....I know I am going to love Parma......I can't wait.

Alba

Have a great trip...I look forward to hear your report

Ciao