Flavors Of The Real Italian Countryside
Flavors Of The Real Italian Countryside
This trip is eligible for our Worry-Free Booking promotion.
While Polesine Parmense is only 20 miles from the center of Parma, it feels like stepping into a whole new world, where small medieval towns of less than 1,500 inhabitants still thrive around the last Italian medieval castle near the Po River. The gorgeous famous region is also home to peacocks, who stroll freely around the rolling northern Italian countryside, as well as ancient local breeds of farm animals, sprawling vegetable gardens, and orchards full of delicious fruits. History and ancient customs also continue to thrive here, from the traditional farming techniques to the famous Palace aging cellars built in 1320, where cheeselike Parmigiano Reggianoand wine are still aged and stored. All of these tidbits of history can not only be seen but experienced in the fertile lands of Polesine Parmense.
Your home for the week is a castle originally built nearly 700 years ago, the Antica Corte Pallavicina, which the noble Spigaroli family once lived and then bought back in 1990. Over the past 20-odd years, the family has returned the castle, including the frescos and cellar, to all of its splendor through restoration. Previously home to Maria Luigia the Duchess of Parma in 1700 and farmers and craftsmen in the 19th century, today the relais features six elegant guest bedrooms as well as a suite that spans two floors in the castle towers, providing a true home away from home.
Heading the restaurant and farm is a man considered the King of Parma Hams, Massimo Spigaroli. Not just a chef, Massimo is an artisan who ages everything from his famous culatellia slowly cured boneless ham unlike any other salumi you’ve ever tastedto parmigiano-reggiano in the restored 700-year-old cellar below Antica Corte Pallavicina. With more than 40 years of experience, Massimo offers a unique and memorable experience in European food traditions. He not only runs the 2011 Michelin-rated restaurant on the castle grounds, but is also responsible for the biodynamic farming practices.
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Trip Details
Your cooking class will be taught by the legendary Chef Massimo Spigaroli or one of his valid collaborators. While Massimo does not speak English, there is a translator for this class. In the hands-on cooking class, you will learn how to make a variety of Italian pastas based on centuries-old traditions of the Emilia Romagna region. Roll ravioli by hand, and learn how to shape agnolini, tagliolini, tagliatelle, stringoni, and pasta rasa. A lunch will follow, which includes your pasta creations and a selection of Massimo’s famous cured meats.
Itinerary
Day One
- Arrival on own in the province of Parma, or transfer to the property (depending on which version of the itinerary you choose).
- Check-in at Antica Corte Pallavicina, the only castle in Italy that survived the floods of the great Po river.
- Welcome dinner at the famous one-star Michelin restaurant (drinks not included).
- Overnight.
Day Two
- Breakfast.
- Visit the farm and discover the impressive medieval aging cellars where the greatest Italian ham “Culatello di Zibello” rests.
- Full-immersion cooking class all about the traditional pasta of the region, including famous Italian specialties anolini, ravioli, tagliolini, tagliatelle, stringoni, and pasta rasa. Lunch to follow based on your efforts, paired with cured meats produced on the farm.
- Afternoon on your own for a bike ride, relaxing, or individual visits.
- Dinner on own.
- Overnight.
Day Three
- Breakfast.
- Depart for the hilly area along the Parma Ham and Colli di Parma wines road, where you will observe the production of parmigiano-reggiano cheese in an authentic cheese dairy.
- Visit a plant where the worldwide famous prosciutto di parma is produced.
- Take some spectacular pictures of the medieval village of Torrechiara, which is dominated by its romantic castle.
- Next stop is at a small, charming Colli di Parma winery where you will learn about local wines with a rich tasting of typical local products.
- Afternoon free, providing time to visit the city center of Parma or ride bicycles around the countryside.
- Dinner on own.
- Overnight.
Day Four
- Breakfast and check-out.
Trip Details
Included in the 3-Night Trip
Accommodations
3 nights in double room at Antica Corte Pallavicina
Food & Beverages
- 3 nights in double room at Antica Corte Pallavicina
- Rich breakfasts include the products of the territory, including fresh eggs, milk, cakes and jams.
- 1 lunch following cooking class
- 1 tasting lunch at the vineyard
- 1 dinner at the Michelin-star restaurant (drinks not included)
Classes & Instructors
Your cooking class will be taught by the legendary Chef Massimo Spigaroli or one of his valid collaborators. While Massimo does not speak English, there is a translator for this class. In the hands-on cooking class, you will learn how to make a variety of Italian pastas based on centuries-old traditions of the Emilia Romagna region. Roll ravioli by hand, and learn how to shape agnolini, tagliolini, tagliatelle, stringoni, and pasta rasa. A lunch will follow, which includes your pasta creations and a selection of Massimo’s famous cured meats.
Excursions
- 1 guided tour of the farm.
- 1 half-day gourmet tour with personal guide to see Parmigiano-Reggiano and prosciutto di Parma producers
Transfer Details
- Prices with transportation include round-trip to Parma train station as well as transportation for the gourmet tour. Self-driving prices do not include transfers and require that you have your own vehicle.
Accommodation Information
The Antica Corte Pallavicina has been lovingly restored by the Spigaroli family to highlight the 16th century origins alongside modern amenities. The six elegant bedrooms have coffered ceilings as well as modern furniture and period furnishings. Every room offers a beautiful view of the rolling pastures of Emilia-Romagna, as well as a working fireplace and full size bath.
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Pricing & Tour Dates
Looking for tour date information?
Pricing:
3-night Program
US$1590 per person based on double occupancy
30% deposit due to confirm booking.
This trip is eligible for our “Worry-Free Booking” promotion*, which means your deposit is fully refundable up to 31 days prior to the trip start date. Questions? Please contact us!
*See our terms & conditions for details and exclusions.
Interested in this itinerary as a self-drive option with a rental car? Please inquire for pricing.
Please inquire for single occupancy pricing.
Tour Dates
Available the following dates for a minimum of 2 people. Other start dates might be possible, please inquire.
Closed January 7-24.
2021
Sample dates:
April 17-20
April 21-24
April 25-28
April 28-May1
May 2-5
May 5-8
May 9-12
May 12-15
May 16-19
May 19-22
May 23-26
May 26-29
May 30-June 2
June 2-5
June 6-9
June 9-12
June 13-16
June 16-19
June 20-23
June 23-26
June 27-30
June 30-July 3
July 4-7
July 7-10
July 11-14
July 14-17
July 18-21
July 21-24
July 25-28
July 28-31
August 1-4
August 4-7
August 8-11
August 11-14
August 15-18
August 18-21
August 22-25
August 25-28
August 29-September 1
September 1-4
September 5-8
September 8-11
September 12-15
September 15-18
September 19-22
September 22-25
September 26-29
September 29-October 2
October 3-6
October 6-9
October 10-13
October 13-16
October 17-20
October 20-23
October 24-27
October 27-30
October 31-November 3
November 3-6
November 7-10
November 10-13
November 14-17
November 17-20
November 21-24
2022
Sample dates:
January 2-5
January 30-February 2
February 6-9
February 13-16
February 20-23
February 27-March 2
March 6-9
March 13-16
March 20-23
March 27-30
April 3-6
April 10-13
April 17-20
April 24-27
May 1-4
May 8-11
May 15-18
May 22-25
May 29-June 1
June 5-8
June 12-15
June 19-22
June 26-29
July 3-6
July 10-13
July 17-20
July 24-27
July 31-August 3
August 7-10
August 14-17
August 21-24
August 28-31
September 4-7
September 11-14
September 18-21
September 25-28
October 2-5
October 9-12
October 16-19
October 23-26
October 30-November 2
November 6-9
November 13-16
November 20-23
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