Private tour in Parma Catia C
5.0
(3) reviews
8 hours
1
8 hours
1
Catia C.
5.0
Guide rating
4
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Tours delivered
36 hrs
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Hi, I'm Catia, and I live in the very heart of Emilia Romagna, Italy's most gastronomic region. I've worked as a professional tour guide here since 2014 and as a tour manager across Italy and Europe since 1990. My mission is to give those spending free time in my country their most memorable stay ever, by customizing the visit according to their interests and inclinations in order to maximize their enjoyment and fun. I love answering questions, surprising visitors with unexpected sights and stories, and seeking out connections to things they've already seen and learned. I have a strong visual sense and I believe I can present a certain site to its best attributes. I'm keen on culture and anthropology, and I aim to place the locations we visit and their associated stories in the proper context. I'm versatile and have a wide range of interests: history and mythology, language, art and architecture, cuisine, fashion and music. Art and foreign languages were my favorite subjects when I studied in college to become a Tour Operator. I began my carreer in tourism when I was still young, while pursuing my studies in Social Sciences at the University of Bologna (the oldest university in Europe). I was raised by my grandmother, from whom I learned our local dialect and also the arts of using rolling pin and folding tortellini. I've lived abroad for both study and work, and I still often travel myself. However, I feel I am part of this region, which is so famous for its gastronomy, civic pride and artistic masterpieces. Let me introduce you to it. . . I have been a licensed tour guide since 2014 and a licensed tour manager since 1989 in French and English. Beside working as a tour guide in Emilia Romagna I also accompany groups all over Italy. I thus have a broad knowledge of the country. I hold a degree in Social Sciences and in Foreign Languages, and a Tour Operator's diploma. I can't drive you myself in my tours. However, I'm able to get in touch with a professional driver to get us around in his vehicle.
Have a question or want to customize this tour? Message Catia C.
Although Parmigiano Reggiano is produced in an area across the provinces of Parma, Reggio Emilia, Modena, Bologna and Mantua, it is in fact between the first 2 provinces that it all started. And it's there where we'll go. Between these 2 provinces we'll be at a short driving distance from the production area of the famous balsamic vinegar. Although balsamic is usually linked to Modena, in this tour you'll learn and experience real balsamic, the one with a D. O. P label, rooted in the province of Reggio Emilia. The 3rd D. O. P labelled product of the tour will be our prosciutto in the village of Langhirano, where you'll also admire, either from the outside or the inside (your choice), a very well preserved medieval castle.
I could say all the usual things about Catia, her knowledge, personality, and experience. They are all true. But, what I appreciate most is that she chose producers who kept their business in the family and limit quantity to ensure quality. Given the temptation to scale everything these days, I appreciate the commitment and craftsmanship of those who decide “No. Let’s just do this one thing, very well. This is our heritage.”
Catia proved to be a very friendly, efficient and knowledgeable guide. She was incredibly well-informed. on the prosciutto, parmesan cheese and balsamic vinegar production processes. As a bonus, she also has an amazing knowledge of art history which is of interest to me and of intense interest to my wife. Catia's discussion with my wife on this subject particularly doing a short visit to Parma at the end of the tour significantly enhanced my wife's love of the tour. The tour was truly wonderful.
-Starting from Parma, we'll leave town to reach a real diary in time to see part of the production process of Parmigiano Reggiano (which we'll taste!) that starts early every single morning of the year. -After this, we'll continue driving to the nearby province of Reggio Emilia to visit a producer of traditional balsamic vinegar and educate our tastebuds by tasting both real and "fake" balsamics. -Then, we'll go back to the province of Parma, reaching its hills where all prosciuttos are manufactured. -We'll then give a visit to a Parma prosciutto producer and taste one of his fresh creations. -On our way back, I'll tell you about a medieval love affair set in a beautiful castle that you can admire in our path. We could even stop for pictures. For those who wish so, we could also properly enter and visit the castle, its frescoes, and see the portraits of Bianca and Pier Maria. -We will finish our tour return to the starting spot in Parma. *This itinerary can be customized to best meet your preferences.
Tell your guide which places matter to you, skip what doesn't, and tailor the experience for your group's needs. Not finding what you want? Message your guide to build something unique.
Transportation is not included. We could use your own vehicle to get us around, or I can book a car/van by a professional driver which would cost approximately 300 Euros total. Message me directly and I'll send you a customized link with the specifics.
Parma, Emilia-Romagna, Italy
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