Heather and I had never been to this huge and varied fair before. We decided to spend a day in Bologna first — to see the sights and walk the streets, but most importantly to eat the food.

The next day we picked up our hire car for the short drive to Parma. We stayed just outside the town at the Novotel, close enough for easy access to the fair and near enough to walk into the centre.

The following morning we duly arrived before 8am and, armed with our trade passes, entered the vast halls of the Fiera di Parma. We concentrated on Hall 3. It was freezing, but the hall is enormous and pieces were being unloaded everywhere (vendors are not allowed to set up earlier).

With antiques arriving from every direction and some dealers setting up faster than others, it is difficult to be methodical at the beginning, so we simply wandered. For seven hours. Without being able to sit down. Though we did manage coffee and a sandwich.

The fair is very well organised, with plenty of space for vehicles and antiques. Prices are somewhat all over the place and taste is variable, but we were able to buy. Among our finds were three mirrors - one almost new, one around 120 years old and one closer to 300 years old - as well as a chandelier that we may not be able to get through the door, and several smaller items.

Was it worth it? Yes — for the variety it adds to our stock. But after expenses and the four days it took out of the week… well, still yes. We had great food.