Northern Italy's Highlights & Cinque Terre

Parma, in Italy’s Emilia-Romagna region, is a city where art, history, and gastronomy intertwine. Known worldwide as the birthplace of Parmesan cheese and Parma ham, the city has long been a culinary capital, but its cultural depth extends far beyond the table. Founded in Roman times, Parma flourished during the Renaissance and Baroque periods, leaving behind an architectural legacy that still shapes its elegant streets and squares.

At the heart of the city stands the Romanesque Parma Cathedral, with its frescoed dome by Correggio, a masterpiece of High Renaissance art. Parma is also deeply tied to music, having been the home of composer Giuseppe Verdi, and today the Teatro Regio remains one of Italy’s premier opera houses, drawing audiences from around the world.

The atmosphere in Parma is refined yet welcoming, with vibrant piazzas, leafy boulevards, and a strong sense of local pride. Cafés and trattorias spill into the streets, inviting visitors to savor the city’s culinary heritage, while its cultural institutions and lively university community keep its traditions fresh and dynamic.

Parma, in Italy’s Emilia-Romagna region, is a city where art, history, and gastronomy intertwine. Known worldwide as the birthplace of Parmesan cheese and Parma ham, the city has long been a culinary capital, but its cultural depth extends far beyond the table. Founded in Roman times, Parma flourished during the Renaissance and Baroque periods, leaving behind an architectural legacy that still shapes its elegant streets and squares.

At the heart of the city stands the Romanesque Parma Cathedral, with its frescoed dome by Correggio, a masterpiece of High Renaissance art. Parma is also deeply tied to music, having been the home of composer Giuseppe Verdi, and today the Teatro Regio remains one of Italy’s premier opera houses, drawing audiences from around the world.

The atmosphere in Parma is refined yet welcoming, with vibrant piazzas, leafy boulevards, and a strong sense of local pride. Cafés and trattorias spill into the streets, inviting visitors to savor the city’s culinary heritage, while its cultural institutions and lively university community keep its traditions fresh and dynamic.

Lucca, a Tuscan city surrounded by remarkably intact Renaissance walls, offers more than just postcard views. Known for its quiet streets and grand piazzas, Lucca stands apart with its circular street layout, still following the lines of a Roman amphitheater from centuries ago. The walls, now repurposed as a 4-kilometer tree-lined park, are a favorite route for locals and visitors who explore them on foot or by bike, passing old bastions and panoramic viewpoints along the way.

The city’s historic center is filled with medieval towers, Romanesque churches, and cobblestone alleys that feel untouched by time. One of Lucca’s unique landmarks is the Guinigi Tower, topped by a small grove of holm oak trees planted in the 14th century. Visitors who climb the 230 steps are rewarded with views of red-tiled rooftops and the Apuan Alps in the distance. Nearby, the San Michele in Foro church impresses with its ornate façade and curious detail: a statue of the Archangel Michael said to have a hidden gemstone in his ring that sparkles at sunset.

Turin, the capital of Italy’s Piedmont region, is a city where baroque grandeur meets industrial innovation. Once the seat of the House of Savoy and Italy’s first capital after unification in 1861, Turin carries a regal atmosphere reflected in its palaces, wide boulevards, and arcaded streets. Its history as a political and cultural powerhouse is still evident today, while its role as the birthplace of Fiat underscores its influence on modern industry.

The city’s architecture is both elegant and imposing. Piazza Castello is framed by landmarks like Palazzo Reale and Palazzo Madama, while the Mole Antonelliana, originally designed as a synagogue and now housing the National Cinema Museum, dominates the skyline. Turin’s many museums, including the Egyptian Museum (one of the world’s most significant collections outside Cairo), make it one of Italy’s richest cultural cities.

Turin’s character also lies in its everyday pleasures. Cafés serve the city’s signature bicerin, a layered drink of espresso, chocolate, and cream, while its culinary reputation extends to truffles, wines from the surrounding Piedmont countryside, and refined chocolate traditions. The atmosphere feels distinctly different from other Italian cities: elegant, intellectual, and slightly reserved.

Turin, the capital of Italy’s Piedmont region, is a city where baroque grandeur meets industrial innovation. Once the seat of the House of Savoy and Italy’s first capital after unification in 1861, Turin carries a regal atmosphere reflected in its palaces, wide boulevards, and arcaded streets. Its history as a political and cultural powerhouse is still evident today, while its role as the birthplace of Fiat underscores its influence on modern industry.

The city’s architecture is both elegant and imposing. Piazza Castello is framed by landmarks like Palazzo Reale and Palazzo Madama, while the Mole Antonelliana, originally designed as a synagogue and now housing the National Cinema Museum, dominates the skyline. Turin’s many museums, including the Egyptian Museum (one of the world’s most significant collections outside Cairo), make it one of Italy’s richest cultural cities.

Turin’s character also lies in its everyday pleasures. Cafés serve the city’s signature bicerin, a layered drink of espresso, chocolate, and cream, while its culinary reputation extends to truffles, wines from the surrounding Piedmont countryside, and refined chocolate traditions. The atmosphere feels distinctly different from other Italian cities: elegant, intellectual, and slightly reserved.