It was a cloudy morning last June and my husband, son and I were spending the weekend in Parma which is somewhat unsual for us. Normally we're off hiking, sailing or exploring another corner of Italy we haven't seen, but that weekend we were preparing for the long trip back to the States and wanted to stay close to home.
Though the morning was a little chilly, the forecast promised sun and heat by afternoon, so we set off in the direction of Langhirano in search of a swimming pool we had only just heard of from a friend - Picine Molinazzo. This little gem did not disappoint.
By the time we arrived, about 40 minutes from our apartment in the Parma city center, the day had turned hot and sunny, as promised. Though the parking area is huge, it seemed that everyone else had made other plans for the day. It was nearly empty.
We paid our entrance fee, even splurging an extra 40 euros for a private, shady pergola with 2 sunbeds that was surrounded by ankle deep water; perfect for dipping your feet or allowing little ones to splash around. The pergola has curtains on all sides providing shade throughout the day.
Nearb our little "island" was the kids pool, complete with water slides and pirate ship for climbing and playing. This area is deep enough in the middle for bigger kids to swim but shallow enough on the edges for little ones to play.
Coincidentally, we ran into a classmate of my son's and while he had a friend to play with, we were able to relax and enjoy a little peace.
The complex is very large with 3 swimming pools, including one that is adults only. There are bars and restaurants and a large grassy area that extends all around the facility with what appears to be hundreds of sunbeds.
This was a great way to spend a family day together. I can imagine that in the height of summer, it is exceptionally crowded and chaotic, but we enjoyed a peaceful afternoon and a nice respite from the heat within a reasonable drive from Parma.
If you have another pool suggestion in the Parma area, we would love to hear from you! Reach out to us a parmamiaexpats@gmail.com
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