Parma: What to Do?
 

I'll be flying into Milan on 9/21 and have reservations to see the Last Supper at 9:00 am on 9/22.

After the Last Supper - which lasts only 15 minutes - my wife and I wanted to take the train to Parma, spend the rest of the day there and take a prosciutto and cheese tour.

However, the tours seem to start at 9:00 am, which won't work with our Last Supper reservation. On the 23rd we leave for Venice, so we don't have the option of waiting another day.

We still like our plan of the Last Supper followed by Parma but are kind of bummed on not being able to do the tour. Does it matter? Are the tours worth it or would we be better off just exploring what Parma has to offer on its own? I'm sure the town is stuffed with great food anyway!

I think I've figured out we are doing the Last Supper at 8:30 am and going to Parma to start the tour at 11-11:30. Cant wait!

Parma is a nice town. I stayed a night there (taking the train from Milan) in 2009, at the Hotel Button right in the center of town. I didn't do any tours, just walked around the town, took pictures, and ate.

Parma is very small. I was there in 2009 for a week, but mostly with excursions outside of the city. Tremendous food, but I didn't think there were any sights other than Duomo that were a must see.

Baptistery is a must see sight.

Where is the tour in relation to the Parma train station? Assuming you catch the 9:20 train from Milan and assuming it arrives Parma at 10:56, you still have to get to the tour point. Is that IN Parma or at a factory or farm outside of the town?

BTW, although your time to view the Last Supper is limited to 15 minutes, the entire 'process' takes more time. You need to arrive 20-30 minutes before your reservation time and will be asked to show ID. (It bears mentioning that you'll be in a church, so appropriate attire is required.) When your reservation time is called, your reservation group will be moved into/through two separate dehumidification rooms before being moved as a group to the dining hall to view the fresco for 15 minutes. You can't move at your own pace, and you can't leave the viewing area before your reservation group is ushered out.

we really love parma. it's a lovely town to just walk around-- and the 'camera di san paolo' is a lovely sight to see-- as is the baptistery and their little museum plenty to do... not the least of which is...

go to "al corsaro" to have lunch or dinner. (not far from the baptisery.) one of our favorites.

the tortelli d'erbetta is beyond!!! pizza is good-- but don't miss the tortelli. i dream of it.

Food Food Food!!