The route starts in Parma, a city of art and taste recognised by UNESCO as a Creative City for Gastronomy.

It is about a 10-minute walk from the station to the city centre, making visiting Parma convenient and accessible (discover our 10-stop walking itinerary).

In Parma, a visit to the Cathedral with frescoes by Correggio, the medieval Baptistery and the Monastery of San Giovanni Evangelista with frescoes by Parmigianino and Correggio is a must.

Also not to be missed is the spectacular wooden Teatro Farnese, inside the Pilotta Monumental Complex, which also includes the National Gallery, the Archaeological Museum, the Bodoniano Museum and the Palatine Library.

Before leaving, be sure to make one (or more) culinary stops to taste not only Prosciutto di Parma and Parmigiano Reggiano, but also traditional fresh pasta, such as anolini in broth and tortelli di erbette, and local main courses, such as pesto di cavallo and rosa di Parma. Find out more about the typical dishes of the Parma tradition.

From Parma, a short 15-minute train ride takes you to Fidenza, a city of art and culture located along the Via Francigena.

It is only a 5-minute walk from the station to the heart of the historic centre, Piazza Garibaldi.

The town is best known for its splendid cathedral dedicated to San Donnino, whose majestic façade is carved with biblical and pilgrimage themes. Designed by Benedetto Antelami and built by his school between the 11th and 12th centuries, this cathedral is one of the most important examples of Emilian Romanesque architecture.

Strolling through the centre, you will come across streets bustling with shops and cafés, ideal for a break before setting off again.

From Fidenza, in about 15 minutes by train, you can reach Busseto, a village inextricably linked to Giuseppe Verdi.

The station is about a 10-minute walk from the historic centre. Along the promenade on Via Roma, among historic taverns and delicatessens, you can breathe in the atmosphere of Verdi in every corner.

Here you can visit the Verdi museum at Casa Barezzi, whose historic hall – home to the Filarmonica Bussetana – hosted Giuseppe Verdi’s first public performances. Antonio Barezzi was in fact the discoverer and supporter of the young maestro’s talent, financing him and becoming his father-in-law when Verdi married Barezzi’s daughter, Margherita.

The walk through Busseto ends in Piazza Giuseppe Verdi, in the shadow of the statue dedicated to him and opposite the Teatro Verdi (located inside the Rocca Pallavicino), where, by a strange twist of fate, the Maestro never performed.

In about 15-20 minutes by train from Busseto, you arrive at Salsomaggiore Terme, a spa town surrounded by the green hills of Parma.

From the station square, it takes about 15 minutes on foot to reach the town centre, passing through Parco Mazzini, a historic urban garden declared a Cultural Heritage Site of Emilia Romagna.

The heart of the town is represented by the spectacular Terme Berzieri, a Liberty-Deco style building that is unique in the world. The Palace is the work of Tuscan architects Ugo Giusti and Giulio Bernardini and features decorations by the internationally renowned Florentine master Galileo Chini.

What better way to end this tour of Parma and its surroundings than by treating yourself to some relaxation at the spa, surrounded by beautiful art?