Lord Colliers Active Retirement Life

Fiorenzuola d’Arda to Fidenza

After a simple breakfast of coffee and a doughnut in the local square, we headed out toward our next destination: Fidenza. The temperature was noticeably cooler this morning, with a few scattered clouds overhead—a refreshing change from the relentless heat of the past few days.

Today’s hike was relatively flat and short, which was welcome news. The days ahead promise longer distances and more hills, so this was a good opportunity to take it easy and recharge both physically and mentally. I walked again with the ladies from Switzerland and Germany. It’s been nice to have some camaraderie on the trail, especially as we pass through small villages and stop for coffee along the way.

The walk from Fiorenzuola d’Arda to Fidenza is gentle and scenic, passing through a mix of farmland, small hamlets, and quiet country roads. The terrain is easy underfoot, making it a good recovery day if you’ve had harder walks before or if you’re gearing up for tougher ones ahead.

Along the way, there were charming stone churches, old farmhouses, and maybe even a few curious locals tending their gardens. It’s not a dramatic stage in terms of elevation or landmarks, but the peacefulness of the route has its own appeal. You really get a sense of the rhythm of rural Italian life here—slower, steadier, and grounded in tradition.

Thought of the day: Why do all the sunflowers point east? Every single one! It must be for the early morning sun, but it’s still amazing to see a whole field of them uniformly facing in one direction. Not a single one seems to break formation.

I also noticed that the irrigation systems have changed dramatically in this region. Instead of open canal systems, they now use networks of underground pipes. The downside is obvious—you can see how much it’s affected the water table. The rivers here are mostly dry, unlike just a few stops back where they were flowing steadily. It really makes you think about how much water agriculture consumes, and how intensely this land is being used.

Arrival in Fidenza

I arrived in Fidenza around 12:30 PM—much earlier than usual. The combination of shorter distance and cooler temperatures made today feel more like a pleasant stroll than a challenge.

Fidenza is a small but lively town in the province of Parma, known for its impressive cathedral, the Duomo di Fidenza, dedicated to Saint Domninus. The façade is a beautiful example of Romanesque architecture, with intricate carvings that tell the saint’s story. The town has a relaxed atmosphere, with wide pedestrian streets, shaded squares, and plenty of cafés to sit and people-watch.

There’s a balance here between the old and the new—history is present, but so is modern Italian life.

Another wonderful evening in Italy.
Tonight, we dined at one of the best local Italian restaurants I’ve ever been to—La Buca dei Diavoli—and what a meal it was. The seafood pasta, pizza, and gelato were absolutely top-notch. It truly doesn’t get much better than that.

Overall, it was a solid day on the road. Not quite as thrilling as the past few days, but it was exactly what I needed. Tomorrow, we head toward the coast and begin the climb into the Apennine Mountains. Should be a great adventure!