3 days in Parma and surroundings for a long weekend of wellness and relaxation

The journey can only begin in Salsomaggiore Terme, the queen of thermal centers in Emilia Romagna, famous for its baths and thermal muds. Here, in fact, is the Berzieri spa, a true temple of health that has always been synonymous with excellence but also elegance thanks to its dazzling Liberty style.

Before you even enter, take a seat in one of the bars located on the other side of the square from the spa building and enjoy the ​​view.
Stop by the tourist information office located in the beautiful Warowland Palace where you will also find a shop selling thermal water products and a pretty inner courtyard with garden.

And if the main activity to do in Salsomaggiore Terme is to relax between swimming pools and thermal baths, do not fail to plan a tour of the center. What to see in Salsomaggiore? In fact, there are several Art Deco and Liberty buildings that are worth looking at and that constitute a pleasant walking itinerary through the city.

Also enjoy a walk in the green and silence of the Mazzini Park, a large green space full of trees, paths, flowerbeds, children's playground and a pond.

Salsomaggiore Terme will also prove to be a strategic point of support for the whole weekend thanks to its proximity to Parma and to numerous nearby towns, castles and interesting medieval villages that can be easily visited during day trips.

On the hills of Salsomaggiore there are some splendid castles that deserve a day to themselves. We start from the Castle of Contignaco, also called Aldighieri Fortress and built at the beginning of the century. XI  by Adalberto Pallavicino. According to legend, during the two years of exile, Dante Alighieri himself stayed there.
The Castle can only be accessed by reservation. The Castle is also renowned for its wines, which can be tasted during the visit.

After a visit and a tasting, leave for the Castle of Scipione, the oldest in the province of Parma and only 8 kilometers from the previous one.
Also nicknamed Castello del Sale because of its strategic position in defense of the numerous wells for the extraction of this product, the Castle of Scipione has remained over the centuries almost always in the hands of the Pallavicino family. For those who want to stay within these historic walls, there are two suites with independent entrances and private garden.

Just like Salsomaggiore, Tabiano Terme also has its own magical water, with a high sulfur concentration, and extremely beneficial for breathing, metabolism and skin. This is where you will spend the last day of your Parma weekend.
Among the famous baths of Tabiano Terme, a must are the Respighi Baths, also called Terme del Respiro, inside which the T-Spatium center was born, a spa equipped with a sulphurous water pool at 32°-35°, sauna, biosauna and Turkish bath, Kneipp path, jacuzzi and flavoured showers.

Among his illustrious guests, Giuseppe Verdi with his second wife, Giuseppina Strepponi and tenor Enrico Caruso.

And after a few hours of relaxation, find time for one last trip. The Castle of Tabiano, between ancient cellars and vaulted ceilings is absolutely worth a visit. Here, you can also stay at the Antico Borgo on the slopes of the Castle, enjoying the authentic charm of the medieval houses, enriched with all the comforts.