Why now? Get a slice of the action at the 10th annual Parma Ham Festival (festivaldelprosciuttodiparma.com), running every weekend throughout September in 12 small towns in the parma ham production zone, south of the city. Farms and factories - dubbed Parma Ham Cathedrals - open their doors to offer tours and tastings. Getting there From Stansted with Ryanair.com. Hire a car to drive to the villages. Where to stay Hotel Daniel (hoteldaniel.biz, doubles €100 per night) has 32 contemporary rooms with a restaurant that sells, you guessed it, ham, and pasta with blizzards of parmigiano. Where to eat Local restaurants have special menus for the festival (see website, above). What to see The Museo del Prosciutto (museidelcibo.it) in Langhirano's former cattle market.