Blogs from Emilia-Romagna, Italy, Europe - page 10

The Fountain of Neptune is one of Bologna most known attractions. I see lots of people admiring it, taking pictures of it, listening to their guides, reading about it, as real tourists do. It is a a very unusual monument presenting, in addition to naked giant Neptune, some sexy nymphs. From Wiki: Its bronze figure of Neptune, extending his reach in a lordly gesture of stilling and controlling the waters, is an early work by Giambologna, completed about 1567. Recently I see that less and less people take pictures from the right location, representing Neptune's story: The s... read more

We have been enjoying one of the better “foodie” areas of Italy around Bologna and Parma. As yet this area isn’t on everyone’s itinerary but well worth visiting. One of the highlights was our visit to Bologna which has stunning arcades, arched walkways right through the city centre. Think: kilometres of buildings with covered walkways. It did have an important church, San Stefano, with 7 inner connected chapels. Architecturally, very interesting. However, it was the crowded laneways with delightful little restaurants and delis which really were fun. We snacked on, perhaps an underestimation, ham, fresh ricotta cheese and fig jam! A great combination especially with a glass of red wine to wash it down. We were staying in the hills about 45 minutes from Bologna and were treated to a visit to the local Parmigiano Reggiano ... read more

Where is the world is Suzy Sundance ? She is parked up in a motorcaravan club sosta in the town of Modena. After another relatively peaceful night on the sosta only disturbed by the gentle trundle of the train, a lorry driver running his engine and a family with three year old in tow . She played football on the empty car park until the witching hour . Had she been mine she would be long gone to the land of nod. And we did what we never do which is set our van alarm off waking us but the rest of the town slumbered and did not bat an eyelid. Today was going to be Parma day. Parma Violets those lovely dragees that smell of perfume, taste like perfume and are pure perfume. Beloved of ... read more

You’ll remember my posts from 2013 when within one month I decided to visit Hungary and Italy. Scorching hot yet laced with the winds of change that were to reveal themselves through the months that were to come. And so this year, when life found me visiting those same two countries again, amidst a mild European winter, I reflect on just how much has happened since my last visit. My inner journey has taken me farther than any passport ever will and for that I am grateful. First stop: Italy. A place so passionate about food will never fail to lure me to its land over and over. So this time I went to Bologna, armed with a couple of foodie friends and carefully drawn out maps marking the best eateries in the city. I also ... read more

Italians don't understand queueing. Having arrived in Italy on very little sleep it was a challenge to make it to our train from Ancon to Bologna on time. We hadn't anticipated that the queue to get off the ferry and through passport control would be quite so chaotic. However, with 20 minutes before our train was due to leave we made it through and attempted to find the bus stop which would take us there (we knew it was a 20 minute walk so had given up on that idea), but without success. We finally jumped into a taxi and, for once in my life, I'm grateful that Italians are such crazy drivers. After a slightly hair - raising but oh - so - smooth ride, we got to the station with time to spare. Amazing! ... read more