Experience the best of
Parma with Withlocals

"If you are looking for real information about food in the Parma region, you should take this tour. I can't recommend Francisco enough. He has studied in Parma, and is currently writing a book about the foods of this area. This tour is for people who want to understand the culture and how it relates to the food being produced, as well as foodies who want to taste great foods. He will let you know the best restaurants for each specific type of food whether it is pasta, ham or cheeses. We also took a tour out to where the cheese, ham and balsamic vinegar was produced. But, if I only had time for one, or just one day in Parma, I would choose to spend time learning from Francisco, then eating at a restaurant that he recommends. It is truly like having a local friend show you around. "

"I have worked with many guides over the years and Riccardo was one of the very best. His knowledge is expansive and he drew so many sociocultural connections for my group in such an engaging way. Few guides are so knowledgeable about both history and art history. My group absolutely adored him."

"Francisco taught us a lot about Parma and how and where locals eat and drink. We applied it immediately the same evening and felt very comfortable with it. Thanks to Francisco we found and tried great places to eat, for any time of the day. This means that we will definitely return to Parma again. It was the perfect fitting tour for us!"

"We joined Francisco on a food tour in Parma, and it was fantastic. His passion for local cuisine made the experience unforgettable. Francisco’s connections with mom-and-pop shops let us taste unique regional delicacies. His demonstration of traditional Italian dining, from antipasti to dolci, enriched our meal at a trattoria. Highly recommended for exploring Parma’s culinary heritage."

"Riccardo provided a fantastic tour and highlighted the most amazing parts of the city! The theatre in the Pillota was breathtaking along with the art hidden within. Thanks so much Riccardo! "

"Before disembarking the train, I was unsure if my half-day trip to Parma would be worth the effort. In large part thanks to Francisco, it was worth it and more! Francisco, a knowledgeable guide and resident of Parma, provided a historical overview of the city. Of course, the majority of the tour focused on Parma's unique food culture. There were several tastings along the way, from the obvious (aged Parmigiano Reggiano and pizza) to a couple surprises which I won't spoil. As stated in the description this is a walking tour, at a leisurely pace but unfortunately not appropriate for those with mobility issues. This was perfect for my needs but be aware when booking. Grazie Francisco per una ottima esperienza!"

"Francisco was outstanding. His knowledge of food was beyond compare. He related the food experience to the beautiful city of Parma. We could have spent the entire day with him. He was delightful to be with. "

"The tour was informative, enlightening and immensely enjoyable. The knowledge Riccardo shared with me on history, art, architecture, local flavor, etc… are not something one can get from tour books. Like the presbytery of San Giovanni Evangelista - I would never dare to enter myself through a half closed door. And the lunch place we went - again without his guidance I would never dare to sit down at a super local place and have a conversation with total strangers about food (even though he hates Ferrara). His enthusiasm influenced my feeling for the city, the people and the culture there. I wish we had more guides like Riccardo to show us the hidden treasure of Italy, beyond the crowded canals of Venice and over-toured towns of Tuscany. Keep up the good work!"

"Francisco führt leidenschaftlich und mitreißend durch den Stadtkern von Parma – er weiß viele interessante Details zu den wichtigsten kulinarischen Spezialitäten der Gegend und der Stadt – die Führung hat genau die richtige Länge und die Anekdoten machen das Erlebnis unvergesslich. Danke."

"Francisco was very passionate and knowledgeable about everything related to the food history and culture of Parma. He helped us gain amazing insights and context into the food culture in Parma. we visited passionate artisan food sellers and received great insider tips on where to eat. This was a very engaging tour. Could not recommend it highly enough. Este giro por las calles de Parma fue inolvidable. le recomiendo a todo aquello que quiere conocer los rincones escondidos de esta gran ciudad y donde comer platos tipicos de Parma. Francisco tiene un conoscimiento muy profundo de su ciudad adoptada. "