six reasons to visit parma.

 

Parma. Found in the Emilia-Romagna region, this Italian city is a must-travel for foodies, adventurers and history lovers alike. Before my trip, I lost track of the people asking me what I'd be doing in Palma, Majorca. But no, this is far from it's Spanish soundalike, this lesser known Italian haven is more familiar than first thought. Remember delicious platters of thinly sliced Parma ham, boxes of Barilla pasta or that twist of Parmigiano-Reggiano to finish your dish? Well, this is where it all hails from. And I'm not surprised why they're so proud about it. 

As a guest of the official Prosciutto di Parma consortium, I spent three days exploring this lovely part of Italy. If you're keen to visit too, here are a few things to tick off your travel to-do list...

rome: my little foodie city guide.

As the saying goes, when in Rome... eat all the Italian food. So that's exactly what I did. During a three night stay at the 5* Baglioni Hotel Regina, I ate my way through the cobbled streets of the old town of Trastevere on a fantastic Rome foodie tour and dined in the fancy Ristorante Ad Hoc, famed for its luxury truffle offerings. I may not have been there for long, but I certainly ate a lot. Here are my Rome restaurant recommendations that I discovered along the way...

baglioni hotel regina, rome, italy.

Baglioni Hotel Regina is a 5 star hotel in Rome, nearby the Spanish Stairs and the Trevi Fountain. It's located in a rather swish area of the Italian city, Via Veneto, known for boutique shopping and luxury brands. A short walk away from the Spagna Metro station, you'll find the beautiful stone building with a grand entrance, black wrought iron iron detailing and well kept flower boxes. The perfect mix of grandeur, luxury and a touch of Italy.

the roman foodie: rome food tours.

During my recent trip to Rome, I was invited along on one of the foodie tours ran by The Roman Foodie and The Roman Guy. There I was, taking to Twitter to share the excitement about my upcoming break, when the lovely lot asked if I'd like to give their local Roman experience a go. Naturally, I accepted the challenge. Who wouldn't want to go on a restaurant crawl around a beautiful Italian city? I hope you aren't hungry, because this post will make you want to book a flight to Rome. Or at the very least, order a pizza.

nife is life: authentic italian produce to your door.

Stroll down the aisles packed with parmigiano reggiano and brimming with balsamic vinegar, Simply add to your shopping bag and await your Italian treasures. No you're not in a Tuscan deli or a Venetian wine shop, for this is nife is life. From pasta flour to prosciutto, this fantastic Italian delivery service stocks sweet, savoury, fresh and dry ingredients all in one place.