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FAQ for your trip to Italy

Gourmet Tours and Cooking Classes

 Frequently Asked Questions

Travel to Italy


Do I need a visa for Italy? How do I apply for a visa to Italy?

Please access http://www.esteri.it/MAE/EN/Ministero/Rappresentanze/  for a list of Italian embassies, permanent missions and consulates worldwide for information on:

  • Do I need a visa for Italy?
  • If so, what kind of visa and for how long?
  • How do I apply for such a visa?

If you need an attestation letter for obtaining your visa to Italy, we can provide you with such a letter only after we have received payment for the course you have enrolled in.
Please note that we have no influence on how long the Italian authorities in your respective countries will take to process your visa application, much less the decision of the visa grant.

Do I need travel insurance?

During your activities inside Academia Barilla facility you are covered by insurance.
However, we strongly recommend you purchase before travelling, additional travel insurance as additional security in case of cancellation or interruption of travel plan, lost or damage luggage, travel delays, illness or accident.

Travel to Parma

How do I get to Parma?

Parma is easily accessible via air, train or car.
By air: The closest airports are Milano Malpensa, Milano Linate or Bologna Gugliemo Marconi airports.
By train: Parma is about 1h 30min from Milano train station “Stazione Centrale” and about 1h from Bologna train station.

You can consult the official web site of the Italian Railway – useful for searching train routes and schedules.

Do you have directions to Academia Barilla?

Please follow the link below to get a map and driving instructions to Academia Barilla.


View Enlarged Map

Where can I park my car?

You can park in the underground parking lot of the Barilla Center, which contains over 600 spaces.

How far is Parma from other Italian cities?

In Emilia Romagna:
Bologna: 1h15min - South
Modena: 1h - South
In Liguria:
Cinque Terre: 2h - West
Portofino: 2h15min - West
In Lombardy:
Lake Como: 2h - North
Milan: 1h30min - North
In Piedmont: 
Alba: 2h15min - Northwest
Turin: 2h30min - Northwest
In Tuscany:
Florence: 2h15min - South
Siena: 3h - South
In Veneto:
Venice: 3h - Northeast
Verona: 1h45min - Northeast

What are some other attractions in the Parma area?

Please find below some useful links for organizing your visits and stay in Parma. Academia Barilla staff can also provide you with brochures and help you in planning your visits.

What is the average temperature in Parma?

Spring Temperature:
Spring temperatures usually range between 13°-23°C / 55°-73° F.
In Spring climate is very variable and can range from heavy rain to warm sunshine days.

Summer Temperature:
Summer temperatures usually range between 27°-30°C/ 80°- 86°F.
Summer in Parma is very hot and humid. Occasional showers may occur.

Fall Temperature:
Fall temperatures usually range between 25°-10°C/ 77°-50°F.
Fall in Parma might be quite warm in September, cold and rainy in Late October/November.

Winter Temperature:
Winter temperatures usually range between 0°-10°C/ 32°-50°F.
During winter season occasional snow and ice might occur.

Accomodation

Do I have to book the hotel accommodation myself?

Academia Barilla staff will assist you with reservation of accommodation, if not already included in the selected package/activity.

How can I find accommodation near the airport?

Academia Barilla staff can provide you with a list of suggested hotels near the Malpensa airport.

Academia Barilla Tours and Classes

How can I check availability of cooking classes or gourmet tour?

Please contact directly Academia Barilla culinary specialist at info@academiabarilla.com to ask for information about availability and cost for custom-made cooking activity and gourmet tours.

Are the cooking classes taught in English?
Yes. All of our cooking classes are taught in English by our Italian chefs. Upon request it is also possible to teach lesson in other European languages.

I am travelling on my own. Can I join an existing group?

Academia Barilla does not have a calendar of pre-scheduled group classes or tour.
All our activities are customized and tailor-made.
If you are interested in a week long group activity of both amateur cooking classes and gourmet tours, you might want to ask Academia Barilla whether there are reserved groups you could possibly join.
Please note that this opportunity is not likely to happen for one day cooking classes and/or gourmet tour.

What happens if I should, for any reasons, decide to withdraw my participation?

Any revocation shall be communicated in writing, by fax to n° (+39) 0521 264050 or by email to: info@academiabarilla.it. ACADEMIA BARILLA S.p.A  will be confirm the revocation.
For reimbursement please refer to your contract/application form in the section “Revocation deadline/Procedure policy”.

What is the dress code for cooking class in Academia Barilla?

Please wear comfortable casual clothing (we will provide you with an apron) and flat, closed toe non-skid shoes. For your safety, please do not wear high heels, “flip –flops” or open sandals.

What is the dress code for Gourmet Tours?

Please wear comfortable casual clothing and shoes. During the visit of the Parmigiano-Reggiano producer the floor may be slippery. If dinner in the Modena area is included, please consider that you will not return to hotel before dinner.

Dietary Restriction

Can you make special arrangements to accommodate food allergies?

Academia Barilla’s facilities may contain dairy, eggs, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, and soybeans which account for most known allergens. Be aware that cross contamination may occur among food products and we cannot guarantee that our food will be safe for customers with food allergies.
However, if you let us know prior your visit, we will do our best to accommodate your needs.

Do you offer vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free classes?

Many of our classes contain vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free dishes. Please contact the Academia Barilla consultant for more information on a class that may be suitable for you. We encourage you to learn skills and techniques in our classes then modify at home to suit your needs.

Are your kitchens Kosher?

No, Academia Barilla facilities are not kosher. However, for private events or tours we may be able to make special arrangements to meet your needs.