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...

my best foodie destinations in soho and chinatown, london.

I love exploring what London has to offer - especially when it involves food! One of my favourite areas for restaurants, bakeries and cafes is Chinatown, nearby the bustling atmosphere of Piccadilly Circus, Leicester Square, Covent Garden and Soho. From beautifully made bao buns to delicate dumplings, I'm in awe of anything Chinese or Japanese inspired. 

The thing is, I live in the Midlands and London isn't always on the cards. I love to visit on the Leicester to London St Pancras line but it's not always cheap - think £70 return before you've left the platform. So when Sn-ap got in touch to let me know they've started a new Leicester to London route with single fares starting from £5-7, I hopped at the chance. Hopped on a bus, that is. 

9 foodie must-dos in costa brava.

Found in Catalonia in the North East of Spain, Costa Brava is a beautiful coastal region that boasts leafy hills, colourful buildings, gorgeous views and an excellent foodie culture. Being by the sea, there are lots of fresh seafood and fish dishes to indulge in. That's not all. Think stunning wine blends, with great pairings, as well as exceptional olive oil and sweets.

marseille: my little foodie city guide.

Marseille; a beautiful mix of traditional ports, sandy beaches, rich history and colourful city life. I took my first solo trip to Marseille for five nights of exploring, reading, eating and basking in the glorious French sun. 

I've never been outside of the UK alone before, and thought a city like Marseille would be the perfect start. Not too far away from home, with varied landscapes and things to do, all within easy reach of their trains and Metro system. You may know by now about my love of macarons and seafood, with my A level French helping a little way towards not feeling totally alone. Here's a little foodie city guide of Marseille, with a few solo travel trip and tricks along the way. 

seven must-dos in malta.

From ancient, winding streets to azure blue waters, Malta is 120 square miles of pure discovery. Stretches of stunning scenery, foodie specialities and pages of history make this small European island a destination to tick off your travel to-do list. Found just south of Sicily, sun soaked Malta combines Mediterranean influences with North African culture and cuisine. So if you’re already packing your bags and looking up the weather forecast, here are 7 must-dos, must-sees and must-eats to add to that all important itinerary. `

berlin: my little foodie city guide.

A few months ago I jumped on a plane for a long weekend in Berlin. My old housemate Amelia has moved out there for a year, so it was the perfect opportunity to catch up, explore the city and of course eat lots of food. Luckily she had a long list of little gems up her sleeve, which I just had to share with you in a little Berlin foodie and restaurant city guide. Three days just wasn't long enough! Oh, and we were pretty lucky with the weather too.

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.

ad hoc restaurant, rome.

When I said I was going to Rome, Ad Hoc restaurant was one of the first recommendations to come along. You only have to glance at their online reviews to see hundreds of people from around the world think the same. As well as their fantastic service and food, Ad Hoc is also known for its specialism in truffles, hosting special tasting sessions and a small tartufo shop. We booked a table online weeks in advance, looking forward to trying their Roman inspired tasting menu, which is €79 a head with accompanying wine.