Saturday
As a first visit we recommend the medieval village of Grazzano Visconti, 10 km from Piacenza.
Characteristic of the village are the stores selling antiques and Renaissance-related items.
There you can buy antique or restored furniture, wrought iron objects or simply souvenirs of the place.
Leaving Best Western Park Hotel Piacenza can be reached in 15 minutes by following the Valnure Provincial Road.
Grazzano Visconti is an inhabited town; those who live there have always kept the characteristics of the place as faithful to the original as possible.
After the visit, dinner at "La Veranda" Restaurant inside Park Hotel Piacenza, typical Piacenza menu related to local tradition.
Sunday
For Sunday morning, a visit to Gropparello Castle, located in the middle of the Piacenza hills, time to reach it 35/45 minutes.
Gropparello Castle, located in the verdant Vezzeno Valley, is built on a rocky peak of volcanic origin and overlooks a "gorge" of great geological and scenic interest.
The castle also has a tavern, where on Sundays and Holidays (March to November), tasting menus served by costumed waiters are offered in a charming atmosphere.
Leaving the village of Gropparello, we descend to the
provincial road and follow to Castell'Arquato, perhaps the most renowned place in the province of Piacenza.
Starting from the lower town, beginning your visit from Viale delle Rimembranze, you will find the imposing Torrione Farnesiano. Next to it stands the Duke's Palace with the fountain of the same name. Continuing uphill and taking the street called "Solata" the majestic Rocca Viscontea appears. Arriving in front of the Rocca, the eye is enchanted by the Monumental Square in which the three powers of the Middle Ages are represented: religious power (the Collegiate Church), military power (the Rocca), and political power (the Palazzo del Podestà).
You can then end the day with dinner at Taverna del Falconiere, a restaurant located in the upper square at the foot of the main fortress.