PIACENZA marks the end of the Via Emilia and the border with Lombardy. It’s a small, unassuming city, its attractions often passed over in favour of Parma or Modena , and, despite a small industrial district across the Po, there’s a definite feeling of grass growing between the tracks. Travellers are scarce enough to attract a few stares as they cross the main square, and although it’s interesting enough to merit perhaps half a day of your time, you’d probably be better off staying in one of the Via Emilia’s more animated centres, if not pressing on to Milan.