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Home » Country » Best Relais in Emilia Romagna for Foodies? Antica Corte Pallavicina is Your Dream Come True

Best Relais in Emilia Romagna for Foodies? Antica Corte Pallavicina is Your Dream Come True

September 8th, 2019 | 10 Comments

 

For the best relais in Emilia Romagna, look no further than Antica Corte Pallavicina. Read on to discover this delicious, little piece of heaven in Northern Italy.

antica corte pallavicina vines

Disclosure: my friend Cynthia (What a Girl Eats) and I were hosted for a one night stay and dinner at the Michelin star restaurant (review to be posted later) of Antica Corte Pallavicina. As always, all opinions are solely my own.

Last year, my mother and I were guests of the Emilia Romagna Tourism board and Food Valley Tours. Our wonderful tour guide, Daniela Lanfredi, took us to Antica Corte Pallavicina to see where culatello is made.

My elated mother with her culatello board!

We were absolutely in awe from the moment we stepped foot into the courtyard until we left. We were also able to sample some of the most incredible cured meats we’re ever tasted, along with some delicious handmade tortelli.

tortelli at hosteria del maiale

So when my friend, Cynthia, and I were planning our trip to Italy earlier this year, I told her I simply had to go back to the best relais in Emilia Romagna: Antica Corte Pallavicina. This time, I was able to stay and I can’t wait to share some photos with you of our room, along with the property in general. However, first I’d like to cover the term, “relais”, in case you are unfamiliar with it.

Entrance to Antica Corte Pallavicina

What is a Relais?

In French, relais means, “relay”, but the word is intended to impart the meaning of “relaxation” more than anything. Agriturismo.net explains it very well: a “relais” in Italy is a “…charming residence…located in the countryside…that focuses on attention to detail, refinement and quality of hospitality that must be exclusive.” 

antica corte pallavicina

The Best Relais in Emilia Romagna for Foodies

Why is Antica Corte Pallavicina the best relais for foodies? Of course, it’s not the incredibly beautiful grounds, cascading roses in the garden, pretty peacocks striking poses, or the attention to detail in all that the staff do. 

peacock silhouette

The accommodations are each unique, luxurious and elegant and some have rustic charm, but the standard of food that is served here is unmatched. Why stay anywhere in Italy if the food isn’t top notch? With a Michelin star chef on site (Chef Massimo Spigaroli), and Hosteria del Maiale serving the chef’s lovingly cured culatello, salami, sausages and more, it’s a foodie’s dream come true. 

culatello and wine

As I stated above, I’m going to share a separate post about our dinner at Antica Corte Pallavicina, because it absolutely deserves its’ own feature! (Sign up for my emails, if you haven’t already.)

glass of wine at sunset at Antica Corte Pallavicina

Entering Antica Corte Pallavicina

If you read last year’s post, you’ll know that Chef Massimo Spigaroli and his brother are great-grandsons of Giuseppe Verdi’s sharecropper and tenant, who used to work this very same land for the “Maestro”. The brothers were able to re-acquire the land as it had fallen into disrepair, and over 20 years, lovingly restored each and every detail.

driveway to Antica Corte Pallavicina

When you first reach the relais property, you’ll be greeted by a beautiful, tree-lined drive. If you look to your right, you’ll see a field with lovely white cows, maybe a horse, and a family of pheasants, or maybe even a heron!

animals at antica corte pallavicina

Once you reach the end, there’s another drive which leads to the courtyard and main buildings through an ivy-covered arch.

antica corte pallavicina entrance

On either side of this drive are vegetable gardens lined with lots of gorgeous rosebushes.

antica corte pallavicina roses

The Courtyard

antica corte pallavicina courtyard best relais in Emilia Romagna

This central space is where you’ll first arrive and will often see kitchen staff bustling between buildings, peacocks strutting and a resident cat (which is usually sleeping.)

antica corte pallavicina staff
Can you spot the peacock?

The Accommodations

hall at antica Corte Pallavicina
 Hallway outside the bedrooms.

Although Cynthia and I were in a standard room, which we absolutely loved, suite options are available as well as other rooms which include fireplaces and sitting areas. You can see more of them on the link I’ll leave below.

room at antica Corte Pallavicina
Our room.

Cynthia and I loved the pig-themed decor, as well as all the sieves on the wall, and the gorgeous beamed ceiling. Every guest’s room includes a welcome fruit bowl as well as water and homemade juices in the mini-fridge. A bountiful breakfast is also included with each stay.

antica corte pallavicina room best relais in Emilia Romagna

The Public Rooms of the Relais

Best relais in Emilia Romagna

There are several stunning rooms in which to pull up a chair with a book, or maybe a cup of tea or a wee tipple and relax. After all, this is a relais, right?

trunk bar at Antica Corte Pallavicina

I posed, I didn’t drink! 😂

Christina Conte at Antica Corte Pallavicina

Each room has a massive fireplace with high ceilings, ornate details, paintings and beautiful artwork. 

Best relais in Emilia Romagna

best relais in emilia romagna art

There is such a peaceful atmosphere in each room. It’s simply so relaxing.

best relais in emilia romagna room

The Restaurant at Antica Corte Pallavicina

Restaurant at Antica Corte Pallavicina
Interior of the restaurant.

The restaurant is flanked with windows on two sides of the room, so it’s light and bright during the day, but at night it has a more romantic atmosphere with the candelabras aglow.

Restaurant at Antica Corte Pallavicina

Breakfast is Served at Hosteria del Maiale

breakfast at best relais in emilia romagna

There’s a beautiful selection of freshly cut salumi, ham, cheese, and so much more. If you’d like eggs, they’re cooked to order, including a frittata if you desire. Fresh fruit, pastries, bread, homemade granola and crostata, and of course, coffee and other hot beverages are made to order. There’s is definitely something to please everyone.

homemade granola

Cynthia and I did not go hungry that morning.

breakfast at best relais in emilia romagna

We sat outside, although there are many tables inside, too. You can read more about Hosteria del Maiale HERE.

dry cured sausage
This makes me very happy: dry cured sausages!

Cynthia and I decided to have an early lunch at the Hosteria as we were leaving later (begrudgingly!) Lucky for us, Chef Spigaroli made it back from Paris in time to meet us before we left!

Chef Spigaroli with Christina and Cynthia best relais in Emilia Romagna

Around and About Antica Corte Pallavicina 

Antica Corte Pallavicina

The church and tower which is across from the field as you enter the tree-lined drive.

Cynthia at Antica Corte Pallavicina best relais in Emilia Romagna

Cynthia walking around the back of the property.

Peacock and peahen

Resident peacock and peahen.

fireplace in the lobby best relais in Emilia Romagna

Pig-themed art is everywhere.

pig painting

My favorite painting at Antica Corte Pallavicina.

Photo of Verdi

A photo of Verdi and a couple of artsy ducks.

dusk at Antica Corte Pallavicina best relais in Emilia Romagna

The sun setting at Antica Corte Pallavicina: the best relais in Emilia Romagna for foodies.

♦

I am very excited to soon share my Michelin star dining experience with you, too! Both Cynthia and I agreed that it was one of the best meals we’ve ever had. 

There is an onsite Museum of Culatello and you can take a walk behind the relais to visit the famous black pigs. Each tour includes an audio guide (nominal charge for each). More to come on this, too.

 

Click for more information on the rooms at Antica Corte Pallavicina,
or to make a reservation.
    Click to read Cynthia’s post on staying at Antica Corte Pallavicina.

antica corte pallavicina

 

best relais in Emilia Romagna

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Country, ITALY, My Rants & Recommendations, Non Sequitur · Agriturismo, Antica Corte Pallavicina, best relais, culatello, Emilia-Romagna, europe, hotel, Italy, Luxury, Northern Italy, Parma, Relais, Travel, travels

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10 Responses

  1. Romantic World Travel Destinations to Consider Visiting in Search for Love says:
    January 18, 2022 at 6:49 am

    […] Best Relais in Emilia Romagna for Foodies […]

    Reply
  2. Roz | La Bella Vita Cucina says:
    November 19, 2019 at 4:34 pm

    We are visiting my family in Emilia-Romagna in 2021 (not 2020 due to numerous other trips) and THIS is the first accomodation that I will try to reserve! Thank you for your recommendation Christina!
    Ciao,
    Roz xoxo

    Reply
  3. Cathy says:
    September 18, 2019 at 5:11 pm

    What an over-the-top hotel. Love the pig theme. The restaurant is spectacular.

    Reply
    • Christina says:
      September 18, 2019 at 9:16 pm

      You would just love it! I hope you can go one day!

      Reply
  4. David Scott Allen says:
    September 11, 2019 at 6:27 am

    So beautiful! I can see why you had to stay there! Love the photo of you at the “piano bar!” And the breakfast shot has my stomach growling! And I cannot resist taking hundreds of photos of peacocks. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
    • Christina says:
      September 11, 2019 at 8:49 am

      Thanks, I know you would love it here, David. Just wait until you see our dinner experience!

      Reply
  5. Cynthia | What A Girl Eats says:
    September 10, 2019 at 6:26 pm

    One of the best places I’ve ever had the privilege to stay! The attention to detail is just wonderful. I can’t wait to go back!

    Reply
    • Christina says:
      September 11, 2019 at 8:48 am

      Me too! It’s just all like a dream!

      Reply
  6. Marina V says:
    September 9, 2019 at 9:53 am

    Soooo beautiful!!!

    Reply
    • Christina says:
      September 9, 2019 at 3:38 pm

      Incredibly so!

      Reply

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  1. Romantic World Travel Destinations to Consider Visiting in Search for Love says:
    January 18, 2022 at 6:49 am

    […] Best Relais in Emilia Romagna for Foodies […]

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Meet Christina

A Scottish Italian cook living in Los Angeles, Christina is usually cooking, baking or (cr)eating something scrumptious. When she isn't in the kitchen, she loves to travel, near and far, as long as good food is involved. Christina is on a mission to save authentic Italian dishes from extinction, and is constantly promoting Scottish (and British) food as some of the best cuisine the world has to offer—one steak pie and sticky toffee pudding at a time.



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