Basic Information
Eileen's Birthday celebration will be in Parma, Italy in August.
Friends and relatives will be coming from 8 countries and 3 continents!
NB Eileen’s actual birthday is the 27th but the party is on the Saturday 30th
*** Parma football club have a home match at 17:30 on the day of the party. Expect some disruption.
**** SEE NOTES BELOW ABOUT TAXIS *** SUGGEST THAT YOU SORT THIS OUT WELL IN ADVANCE *** BUSY TIME FOR THEM ***
Location and Time
The Party will start with Aperitivi at 18:00 at
Ca'Pina, Strada Provinciale Traversetolo, 200 Parma 43123, Botteghino PR (CaPina.it)
Dinner will be at 19:30 followed by dancing until 12:30-01:00
Venue is 15 minute drive from center of Parma: https://www.capina.it/
Location: https://tinyurl.com/5dyh95e7
Getting there
By Car: You can park at Ca'Pina if you are driving.
By Bus: #11 from Piazza Ghiaia City Centre drops you directly in front of the venue. Departs from Piazza Ghiaia (Piazza side heading North) at 17:57 and takes 26 minutes.
By Taxi: Radio Taxi Parma 0521 252562 or UBER in App. (Consider asking your hotel for taxi guidance)
Bus journey (number 11 bus) on google maps (unconfirmed):
| Airport | Don't arrive too late in the day into airport. You will need to ensure that you have sufficient time to take train/bus to Parma | |
|---|---|---|
| Bologna Airport | Less frequent flights but closest airport to Parma. Take "Marconi express" 20-minute monorail from Bologna airport to Bologna Centrale train station. Then take train to Parma (1 hour). Bologna Centrale train station can be confusing. A key fact to know is that there are 3 platform 1's. They reuse platform numbers in 3 areas of the station: the main one plus Est (East) and Ovest (West). Trains to Parma usually go from either 1 or 1 Ovest for mainline and regionale trains respectively. | |
| Malpensa Airport - Milan | Take train from airport to Milano Centrale Train station (approx 1 hour).Then train from Milano Centrale to Parma (approx 1 hour 15 min). Duration of journey varies based on local or intercity. | |
| Bergamo Airport - Milan | Take bus from Bergamo airport to Milano Centrale Train Station (approx. 45 mins). Buses are very frequent and you pay-the-driver. Exit station from Piazza Luigi di Savoia and buses will be visible. Bus fare is about 12 euros. Then take train from Milano Centrale train station to Parma | |
| Linate Airport - Milan | Take buses (or taxi) Milano Centrale train station. Then train from Milano Centrale Train station to Parma | |
| Verona or Venice Airports | These airports are also possibilities but ground transport to and from Parma is a little more complicated – unless you have a rental car. |
Getting to Parma
Car Hire VERSUS Train
ZTL - Permit to drive in Parma city centre :
Trains to Parma are fairly frequent, reasonably priced and reliable. It is a pedestrian friendly, "compact", city with a population of about 200,000 (fairly densely populated).
If you do decide to hire a car then be aware that there are significant restrictions/charges when driving in central Parma (Zona Traffico Limitato ZTL). The walk from Parma Train station to Piazza Garibaldi (town Centre) is about 15 mins. The hotels listed on this website and generally less than a 20 minute walk from Parma train station (but please verify this for yourself!)
Buses:
There are buses from Parma train station to Piazza Ghiaia (City Centre). You pay about €1 and can tap with your phone or credit card on the bus. There are taxis too but they are not always easily available. Bear in mind that your hotel may be fairly short walk.
Taxis:
Taxis are available but there is not a big taxi "culture" in Parma. Can you waive one down on the street??
ZTL - Restricted driving in Parma centre
https://urbanaccessregulations.eu/countries-mainmenu-147/italy-mainmenu-81/emilia-romagna/parma-ar
Italian Train Link - Note that the "TrenItalia" phone app is often easier to navigate than signs in the stations!
https://www.trenitalia.com/en.html
Local Map of Central Parma and Eileen's Gaffe
https://app.screencast.com/tZ4yainnscRLd
Wining , Dining and shopping.
1: Aperitivi Recommendations
Botanic for Cocktails
O BISTROT for sitting in the Piazza Garibaldi
Vineria Giramondo for excellent wine
Rivamancina for oltretorrente young vibe
Also any of the outdoor cafes if you can get a table
2: Dinner Recommendations
Trattoria del Tribunale
Trattoria Corrieri
Ristorante Gallo D'Oro
Pizzeria & Cucina 432
Osteria Dello Zingaro
La Piadineria for sandwiches
Bar Bistro Mama Bottega e Piaceri for Tigelle sandwiches
Ciacco for Ice Cream (they do savoury flavours!)
3: Shopping:
Saturday Market in Piazza Ghiaia 08:00-13:00
Supermarket (Conad) is underground in Piazza Ghiaia
Deli La Prosciuteria Silvano Romani for ham and cheese
Strada Cavour and Strada della Repubblica - some shops close for lunch but most are open Saturday and Sunday
In Trend - Max Mara outlet is 30-40 mins drive away on Boretto
Some Good Local Hotels - It's not a big city
Hotel Torino great central location
www.hotel-torino.it
Palazzo Dalla Rosa Prati - Elegant in prime location - Not cheap
https://www.palazzodallarosaprati.it/
Hotel Mercure Parma Centro Stendhal -Traditional Italian
https://all.accor.com/hotel/9093/index.en.shtml?utm_campaign=seo+maps&utm_medium=seo+maps&utm_source=google+Maps
Hotel Starhotel du Parc - 1920's Business Hotel
www.starhotels.com
Restaurants
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Trattoria+Del+Tribunale/@44.7995559,10.3270972,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x47806ae6b92ae18b:0x986ab9e4ee9d3461!8m2!3d44.7995559!4d10.3270972!16s%2Fg%2F1v3dqzzn?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDgwNC4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D