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
| 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) | |
| 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. | |
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
Getting to Parma
Car Hire VERSUS Train
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
| Venue | ||
|---|---|---|
| TBC | Booked for 50 people from 6pm on Saturday, August 30th | |
| The plan is: | ||
| 18:30 Aperitivi | ||
| 20:00 Dinner – I will check re Vegan/Vegetarian/Coeliac etc closer to the date | ||
| 21:30-23:45 Dancing (collaborative playlist to follow) | ||
| https://www.booking.com/Share-ZFjZN0 |
Bits and Pieces - Watch this space!! Jan 2025
Taxis
provide.Taxi Phone Number –
Airport Taxi Service – there is a man who has an 8-12 seater van. He can be prebooked :
Tipping
There is typically little or no tipping in Italy. The usual is to round up or leave a small cash tip on the table eg 5%.
