We had an interesting train ride to Bologna on Sunday, 29 September. There was an older gentleman who wouldn't stop talking to Bridget, he only spoke Italian and at times I had no idea what he was saying. He asked if he could take us around Bologna tomorrow....I was like NO way. Thankfully the lady sitting next to me could see what was going on so as we arrived into Bologna she said she would walk us out. She put us on the main road we needed to be in, gave us a map and set us off on our merry way. What a huge savior that was, in more ways than one!
We finally located the B&B after a long walk, why on why is my hotel/B&B never close to the train station??! We checked in and within a few minutes got a recommendation for dinner and were off. The hotel is a small hotel with only 5 rooms, and is on the first floor of a normal apartment building. There are no large signs outside so unless you knew where it was you wouldn't realise a B&B was located there.
The restaurant was just around the corner and was definitely nothing too look at from the outside, this I well know doesn't mean anything at all. We both went with Bologna specialities, tornellini, which were super yummy. We decided a digestive was needed to end the evening and went with a recommendation from the waiter (who potientially was the owner as well). It was made with herbs and on look seemed to be ok, the smell was something else so I wasn't looking forward to the taste. Definitely won't be ordering this drink ever ever again. I believe I can go to the dentist right now and have all of my teeth pullen out and I wouldn't feel a thing......After what seemed like forever the drink was all gone, time to go to sleep.
Monday morning Bridget's alarm went at 6am. We had breakfast then headed out to explore, for the first time we were out of the B&B by 10am. We headed into the centre, and straight to the information centre. I had been to Bologna before but it was 7 years ago and I'm sure opening/closing hours of places have changed since my good old Lonely Planet was printed plus there is more to see than I saw last time.
After getting info and maps we set off in search of a coffee place, came across a small alleyway with a few people standing outside a cafe so decided to give it a go. The manager/owner was unbelievable rude, definitely the rudest person I've come across in Italia. After getting assistance from another customer we had our coffees.
We discovered the alleyway we were on led us directly to a larger alleyway with market stalls and shops, lots of cheese, fruit/veges, meat, Parma ham for Africa handing up as well as the odd normal shop (kitchen and shoe) in between.
We looked into a few shops and I decided I needed to add to my luggage, I had gone over a month with no wine knife so it was well time to invest in one. After looking in a couple of shops near the market stalls we headed towards San Stefano Church and came across a store which had over 20 wine knives to choose from. Rather a lot but hey ho people obviously like the different options. Now that I had my purchase we were set.
San Stefano is a complex of 4 of the original 7 Churches, I had visited before but enjoyed wandering around it again. We were politely told to leave at 12.30pm as they were closing for lunch.
After leaving the Church we wandered back towards the market stalls and purchased cheese, olives, tomatoes, Parma ham, bread and wine for our lunch. The walk back to our B&B seemed to take make longer than we both remembered....never good when you are hungry. We had a delicious lunch then a couple of hours just chilling out.
Early evening we headed back into the city centre and got onto internet, we had to decide our next port of call and arrange accommodation for the two nights. I had decided on San Gimignano so the battle was half done, now to find somewhere to stay. Bologna has free internet for every person for 3 hours a day, which I think is a great thing.
Internet time used up we headed off in search of a place to have a drink, Bridget had found in one of our travel books but unfortunately it was no longer there so the search started again. Finally choose one, ordered due Spritz and was presented with lots of nibble food. A nice touch.
The nibbles were definitely enough for dinner so we headed back to our B&B and had a relaxing evening, I choose to use up one of the many face masks I'd brought with me.
Tuesday (31 August) we woke with no alarm, bliss! Had breakfast then headed back to the centre for more internet time. Neither of us were successful yesterday in securing accommodation and with the fact we are leaving Bologna tomorrow we needed to work out where we were staying tomorrow night. After a couple of hours we returned to the B&B, dropped off the laptop and headed to the train station - we decided a little trip was needed! Was lovely walking to the train station without our bags, I'm hoping tomorrow we get dropped off after the tour.
We had a short wait before the train left to Sasso Marconi, and in less than 30 minutes were there. Not exactly a big place!! After looking at a couple of places for a late lunch we selected one, ate and then took the next train back to Bologna. A nice break though for a late lunch.
On arrival into Bologna the first stop was an Apple store to fix my Iphone, thankfully after lots of playing around it seemed fixed and we were off wandering. Headed in the direction of the city centre, however took a different route from the previous trips.
On returning to the B&B we noticed a place to have a pedicure and decided to book in, so 30 minutes later we were back. It definitely didn't go as planned and I ended up not having one. Lots of laughter - but we definitely will NOT be returning!
We had to go back to the B&B to get the laptop to head back into the centre for more searching. I decided to try once more to see if we could get on at the B&B and bingo it works - ye ha! Saves us the hassle, plus allows us unlimited time to be online. Had a yummy (and super cheap!) takeaway pizza for a late dinner along with the wine we brought last night. Nice and easy!
Wednesday morning we were up early for the food tour (http://www.italiandays.it), we were told yesterday pick-up was going to be at 7.20am so no time for coffee or breakfast before leaving the B&B.
What an amazing day! First stop was a Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese Factory. Here we saw all the working steps in the production of the famous Parmesan Cheese. At the end of the tour we had a cheese tasting (two different Parmigiano Reggiano Cheeses and warm Ricotta cheese) which was accompanied by two Lambrusco Wines. A great way to start the day!!!!
From here we went to a traditional Aceto Balsamico house, we learnt how Aceto Balsamico Tradizionale di Modena D.O.P is made and tasted four different years followed by ice-cream made with balsamic vinegar tradizionale. Yummo.
The owners have a mansion on the property (which they live in) and for some strange reason the tour included looking in a few of the rooms - rather strange and differently not my cup of tea for when I own a mansion......
Bridget and I were in desperate need of coffee and thankfully were able to make a quick stop to get our daily caffeine fix.
We now headed for the hills for our wine tasting and "light" lunch. After looking around the organic winery we sat down for a delicious lunch and wine tasting. A great way to spend a couple of hours.
Now that we are all completely full, and our sense of smell slightly gone, we headed off to a Prosciutto di Modena D.O.P. factory. On walking in the smell hit me, now I understand why we are here after drinking wine! There were hams for Africa and at all different stages of production.
We were dropped off at the train station which was brilliant, saved us having to walk with our heavy bags and now 4 bottles of wine. What on earth were we thinking?!!
Purchased our tickets (nice and easy), we are taking the fast train to Florence then changing onto a regional train to Poggibonsi. Then a bus to San Gimignano. It had been a wonderful day but boy I'm looking forward to some shut eye - shame the first train is only 40 minutes.
No comments:
Post a Comment