Visitors to Italy’s Emilia-Romagna region typically visit Modena, home of the famous balsamic vinegar; or Parma, the source of the prized prosciutto and parmigiano-reggiano cheese; or Bologna, a famed “culinary capital” of Italy. But these are big cities by our standards. These foods are readily available throughout the region, and venturing out into the countryside can lead to wonderful discoveries, both historical and culinary.

One of our favorite places to visit in this area, in the middle of what used to be called the Duchy of Parma and Piacenza, is the little town of Busseto. It sits at one end of the vast Po River plains, one of the agricultural breadbaskets of Italy. This area is also, notably, the birthplace of composer Giuseppe Verdi.