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04/10/2002 Archived Entry: "How To Visit a Parmigiano Factory"

Recently, a caller asked how she could get to tour a Parmigiano-Reggiano factory during her upcoming visit to Parma, Italy. Last year, I took a WOR group, and I was very gratified to see how much everyone enjoyed the experience, and gained a new appreciation for this very special cheese.

Here are some things to keep in mind:
1) Tours are given by reservation only, Monday through Friday, but are dependant on English Speaking personnel being available.
2) Tour guides pick you up at your hotel or at a pre-arranged spot at 7:30 or 8 AM, because cheese is only made in the early morning.
3) Plan on being in Parma the night before your tour.
4) Tours usually last 1 1/2 hours. If you would like to also see a dairy and/or aging warehouse containing as many as 250,000 forms, please specify (this will add time to your tour)

For a tour appointment, contact:
Consorzio del Formaggio Parmigiano-Reggiano
Cristiana Clerici
Consorzio del Formaggio Parmigiano-Reggiano
Sezione di Parma
Viale Gramsci, 26-C
43100 Parma
Italy

telephone: 011-39/0521.292700
fax: 011-39/0521.293441
e-mail: sezionepr@parmigiano-reggiano.it

Give Cristiana several weeks notice before your visit, and let her know the following:
1) Date or choice of dates to visit cheese house
2) Number in your party
3) For groups over 4, if you have your own transportation.
4) Language for your tour (Italian or English)
5) Your hotel and name and address
6) Things regarding cheese production you’d like to see
7) Your name address, phone and fax numbers as well as e-mail (if you use it)
8) Your departure date for Italy