Etappe 2 - zondag 8 mei Vertrekpunt: Alba - Parma Afstand: 242 km

FROM ALBA TO PARMA

Alessandria
The ancient seat of the Borsalino hat factory hosts the Borsalino Hat Museum. More than 2,000 hats make a fine show in a unique of its kind cultural itinerary. The museum tells the story of the legendary company, founded in 1857 by Giuseppe Borsalino who, when aged 16, went to France to learn the hatter work. The collection witnesses also the stylistic and social evolution of the garment: at the end of the 19th century it was a middle-class exclusive prerogative, then it carried out a real revolution in popular habits.

Piacenza
Far from the mass tourism routes, Piacenza has an elegantly beautiful old-town area, decorated with historical and artistic jewels, such as Palazzo Pubblico, known as “the Gothic” (1281), a typical example of Lombard Broletto (Broletto is a typical Lombard administrative building). The lower part, made in Verona marble is an open gallery with lancet arches; the upper part, covered with terracotta tiles, is surrounded by swallow-tailed merlons and turrets. The internal hall, with wooden decorated architraves, hosts exhibitions and cultural events.

Salsomaggiore Terme (Pr)
Salsomaggiore, located on the Parma hills, is among the most famous thermal baths in the world thanks to the salutary properties of its water. Near the beautiful Art Nouveau-style buildings the Terme Berzieri boast a spa developed on more than 4,000 square meters, with floral and geometrical Art Déco decorations, polychromatic marbles and Oriental-style mosaics. Terme Berizieri also feature ‘Mari d’Oriente’, a recently constructed aquatic area, where to bath in soft light and aromatic essences, hydromassages, Turkish-bathes and emotional showers. After relaxing there are more senses experiences: for music lovers, Busseto and the lands of Giuseppe Verdi; for art lovers, the castles of the Dukedoms of Parma and Piacenza, among which the suggesting small village of Vigoleno, surrounded by walls.