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Located in Parma province, in the northern Italian region of Emilia-Romagna, Salsomaggiore Terme may be just the place to recover from the region's famously rich cuisine. Lying some 525 feet above sea level, at the foot of the Apennine mountains, Salsomaggiore is a famed spa town, finding fame at the beginning of the 19th century as people came to take the curative waters. A local doctor, Lorenzo Berzieri, discovered that the waters were heavily saline and iodine rich. The Victorians were, of course, obsessed with the therapeutic effects of salt water, and they were soon flocking to the Italian town from all over Europe - Salsomaggiore became famous and added a 'terme' (donating 'thermal spa') to its name. As well as cures for bronchial and gastric disorders, Salsomaggiore offers the delights of the Miss Italy beauty contest each September, while since 2007 it has been the home to a new European arts festival called Incontrarsi a Salsomaggiore. A pleasant town centre has some good clothes shops, a selection of gelaterie (ice cream parlours) and some fine restaurants. The cuisine of Emilia-Romagna is very good, if not for those watching their waistlines. Specialities include Parmesan cheese, Prosciutto (Parma ham), balsamic vinegar, superb handmade pastas, including tortellini stuffed with pork and pumpkin, and butter features as heavily as olive oil. Nearby towns include Piacenza, Parma, Reggio nell'Emilia and Modena, with Brescia and Milan to the north and Genoa (and the coast) to the west.
To the left you'll find a selection of hotels, to get you in the mood
- see also our full listings of Salsomaggiore Terme hotels.
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