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Italy
Emilian Treasures: Castles, Mountains & the World's Largest Labyrinth
≈ 12
Days
307
Km
11
Stops
Your day-by-day itinerary
1
Day
10 photos
Discover
1
Discover Parma, a sophisticated city in the heart of Emilia-Romagna renowned for its artistic heritage and culinary excellence. The historic center features the magnificent 12th-century Romanesque cathedral with its stunning frescoes by Correggio in the dome, and the adjacent octagonal Baptistery decorated with remarkable medieval sculptures and paintings.
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Explore the Palazzo della Pilotta, a vast Renaissance complex housing the National Gallery with masterpieces by Correggio, Parmigianino, and other Italian masters. The palace also contains the Teatro Farnese, a remarkable wooden theatre built in 1618, and the Archaeological Museum displaying artifacts from the region's rich history.
Activities
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Stroll through the elegant streets of the historic center, admiring the grand palazzos and charming piazzas that reflect Parma's aristocratic past. The city that gave birth to Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese and Prosciutto di Parma offers a perfect introduction to the treasures of its surrounding province.
Next stop
Distance:
15 km
Travel time:
20min
2
Day
2 photos
Discover
1
Visit the Reggia di Colorno, often called the 'Little Versailles of Parma' for its grand French-inspired architecture. This magnificent ducal palace was transformed in the 18th century by the Bourbon rulers into an elegant residence featuring sumptuous state rooms, frescoed ceilings, and richly decorated apartments that rival the great royal palaces of Europe.
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Explore the extensive Ducal Gardens surrounding the palace, designed in the formal French style with geometric parterres, fountains, and tree-lined avenues. The gardens offer a peaceful retreat where centuries of horticultural artistry create a harmonious landscape perfect for contemplative walks.
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Discover the palace's role in regional history as a residence for the Farnese and Bourbon dynasties. The town of Colorno itself, easily accessible by public transport from Parma, offers charming streets and the authentic atmosphere of a historic Emilian settlement.
Next stop
Distance:
25 km
Travel time:
30min
3
Day
2 photos
Discover
1
Explore the Castle of Fontanellato, a perfectly preserved medieval fortress surrounded by a wide moat filled with water. This 14th-century stronghold houses an exquisite chamber decorated with frescoes by Parmigianino depicting the myth of Diana and Actaeon, considered one of the finest examples of Mannerist painting in Italy.
2
Visit the Labirinto della Masone, the world's largest green labyrinth covering over eight hectares with bamboo plants reaching heights of fifteen meters. Created by art collector Franco Maria Ricci, this extraordinary maze also houses a museum of art, a publishing archive, and offers panoramic views from the rooftop terrace over the intricate pathways below.
Activities
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Wander through the charming historic center of Fontanellato, where medieval porticoes line the main square surrounding the castle. The town has maintained its authentic character, with traditional shops and the peaceful atmosphere of a fortified village unchanged for centuries.
Next stop
Distance:
30 km
Travel time:
35min
4
Day
4 photos
Discover
1
Discover Castell'Arquato, one of Italy's most beautiful medieval villages perched on a hilltop overlooking the Val d'Arda. The remarkably preserved historic center dates from the 14th to 16th centuries, featuring the imposing Rocca Viscontea fortress, the Romanesque Collegiata church, and the elegant Palazzo del Podestà that together create an authentic medieval atmosphere.
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Explore the Rocca Viscontea, a mighty fortress built in 1342 by Luchino Visconti that dominates the village. The castle's towers offer panoramic views over the surrounding hills covered with vineyards producing the local Colli Piacentini wines, while the medieval streets below retain their original character.
Activities
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Walk through the entrance gates into the historic center, where time seems to have stopped in the Middle Ages. The village has served as a filming location for numerous historical movies thanks to its remarkably intact medieval architecture and atmospheric cobblestone streets.
Next stop
Distance:
12 km
Travel time:
20min
5
Day
Discover
1
Step into the medieval village of Vigoleno, a perfectly preserved walled borgo listed among Italy's most beautiful villages. Enclosed within intact 14th-century walls, this tiny hamlet contains just a handful of buildings including a Romanesque church, a castle, and stone houses that create an intimate glimpse into medieval Italian life.
2
Visit the Castle of Vigoleno, whose towers and ramparts have guarded this hilltop settlement since the 12th century. The fortress offers commanding views over the Arda Valley and surrounding countryside, while the village's complete medieval integrity makes it feel like a living museum of medieval architecture.
Activities
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Explore the village's narrow lanes and discover the small Romanesque oratory with its ancient frescoes. The entire settlement can be explored in an hour, but its atmospheric charm and historical authenticity make it an essential stop on any castle route through the Parma province.
Next stop
Distance:
35 km
Travel time:
45min
6
Day
Discover
1
Visit the Castle of Varano de' Melegari, a fortress of significant importance in the regional history of the Parma province. This medieval stronghold, strategically positioned at the entrance to the Ceno Valley, played a crucial role in controlling the mountain passes and trade routes through the Apennines for centuries.
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Explore the village nestled below the castle walls, where traditional stone architecture reflects centuries of mountain community life. The settlement marks the gateway to the more dramatic castle landscapes of the upper valleys, serving as a perfect transition point between the plains and the Apennine mountains.
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Take in views of the surrounding valley from the castle grounds, where the landscape begins its dramatic rise toward the Apennine peaks. The area offers the first taste of the mountain scenery that characterizes the famous castles further up the valley.
Next stop
Distance:
30 km
Travel time:
40min
7
Day
3 photos
Discover
1
Discover the Castle of Bardi, the largest and most famous fortress in the Parma province, dramatically positioned on a rocky spur overlooking the confluence of the Ceno and Noveglia rivers. This imposing stronghold, built in the 9th century and expanded over subsequent centuries, dominates the valley with its massive walls and towers, creating one of Italy's most spectacular castle panoramas.
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Explore the castle's extensive interiors, which house museums dedicated to the medieval history of the region and the wildlife of the Apennines. The fortress walls stretch for hundreds of meters around the rocky outcrop, while the towers offer breathtaking views over the mountain valleys stretching toward the distant peaks.
Activities
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Wander through the medieval village of Bardi clustered at the foot of the castle, where traditional mountain architecture and ancient churches tell the story of centuries of Apennine community life. The dramatic setting and historical importance make Bardi the essential destination for understanding the feudal history of the Parma mountains.
Next stop
Distance:
25 km
Travel time:
35min
8
Day
3 photos
Discover
1
Visit the Castle of Compiano, a fortress worthy of note for its significant role in the history of the region. Perched high in the Apennine mountains, this medieval stronghold controlled important routes through the mountains, and its well-preserved structure offers insight into military architecture adapted to the challenging mountain terrain.
2
Explore the tiny village of Compiano, one of the most remote and atmospheric settlements in the Parma Apennines. The isolation has preserved its medieval character, with stone houses clinging to the mountainside beneath the protective walls of the castle above.
Activities
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Enjoy the panoramic mountain views from the castle's elevated position, where the Apennine peaks and forested valleys create a dramatic natural backdrop. The journey to Compiano itself winds through spectacular mountain scenery, making the drive an integral part of the experience.
Next stop
Distance:
45 km
Travel time:
1h
9
Day
4 photos
Discover
1
Explore the Park of the Hundred Lakes (Parco dei Cento Laghi), a stunning natural area in the Parma Apennines featuring dozens of glacial lakes scattered across the mountain landscape. Lago Santo Parmense, the largest and most accessible, sits at over 1,500 meters altitude surrounded by forests and peaks, offering a refreshing mountain escape especially welcome on hot summer days.
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Hike through the alpine-like scenery where crystal-clear lakes mirror the surrounding peaks and forests. The park encompasses some of the highest terrain in the Parma province, with trails leading to panoramic viewpoints on Mount Aquilotto and other summits offering sweeping vistas over the lake-dotted landscape.
Activities
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Discover the diverse mountain flora and fauna protected within the park boundaries. The area offers exceptional hiking opportunities ranging from gentle lakeside walks to challenging peak ascents, all set within landscapes that feel far removed from the plains of Emilia-Romagna below.
Next stop
Distance:
40 km
Travel time:
55min
10
Day
4 photos
Discover
1
Experience the Pietra di Bismantova, a dramatic isolated rock formation rising from the Apennine foothills that inspired Dante's description of Purgatory in the Divine Comedy. This massive sandstone plateau, reaching 1,047 meters in altitude with sheer cliffs on all sides, creates one of the most distinctive natural landmarks in the entire region.
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Explore the trails leading around and atop this remarkable geological formation, where centuries of erosion have sculpted the distinctive flat-topped profile. The hermitage of Santa Maria carved into the rock face adds spiritual significance to this already awe-inspiring natural monument.
Activities
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Hike to the summit plateau for panoramic views extending across the Apennines and toward the distant Po Valley. The Pietra di Bismantova offers climbing routes on its impressive cliff faces and easier walking paths that circle the base, making it accessible to visitors of all abilities.
11
Day
Discover
1
Marvel at the Castle of Torrechiara, one of the most beautiful and best-preserved castles in Italy, rising majestically above the Parma hills. Built in the 15th century by Pier Maria Rossi for his beloved mistress Bianca Pellegrini, the fortress combines military strength with Renaissance elegance, its four corner towers connected by crenellated walls creating a fairytale silhouette against the sky.
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Explore the castle's famous Camera d'Oro (Golden Chamber), decorated with frescoes depicting the love story of Pier Maria and Bianca, making this fortress a rare example of a castle built for love rather than war. The interior preserves remarkable Renaissance decorations while the exterior walls have defended the hilltop for over five centuries.
Activities
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Admire the castle illuminated at night, when carefully placed lighting transforms this romantic fortress into a magical spectacle visible from the valley below. The strategic position on the road to the mountains makes Torrechiara the perfect castle to visit when combining a mountain excursion with cultural heritage.
Next stop
Distance:
50 km
Travel time:
1h05
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❓ Frequently asked questions
What weather should you expect?
Spring (April-June): Perfect weather, blooming landscapes, comfortable temperatures, fewer crowds, excellent value, Easter celebrations, ideal touring conditions.
Summer (July-August): Warmest weather, peak tourist season, highest prices, crowded attractions, vibrant atmosphere, beach season, festival time.
Fall (September-October): Excellent weather, harvest season, wine tourism, comfortable temperatures, fewer crowds, beautiful colors, culinary focus.
Winter (November-March): Mild southern weather, Christmas markets, lowest prices, minimal crowds, cultural focus, cozy atmosphere, indoor attractions.
How many days should I plan?
We believe you will enjoy this itinerary best by dedicating between 10 and 14 days. The next step will allow you to adjust the duration of your stay.
What to discover in Italy?
Cultural masterpiece with incredible art, cuisine, and historical heritage from Rome to Venice. Experience Renaissance treasures, regional diversity, and authentic Italian lifestyle. The country offers cultural immersion with culinary excellence and artistic heritage. Italy provides complete cultural experiences with historical significance and natural beauty.