The European Adventures of G & A

The best gelato place - right around the corner from our hotel

Some nice looking eggplants at the produce market

The Nutelleria - why didn't we think of this ??

The terrace of our hotel

We enjoyed a wonderful five days in Bologna. I had recently read in a travel magazine that Bologna rated as one of the most underrated European cities to visit. I would agree, as it was a wonderfully authentic place with a friendly, international vibe. The University of Bologna is reportedly the oldest University in all of Europe. The students definitely help to make the city vibrant and contemporary. Our hotel shared an alleyway with the law school, and was located on one of the piazzas that are surrounded by bars and café’s frequented by the students. We thought about joining them after a young American student told us that everyone “drinks and parties outside in the square until dawn”. But, our pajamas start to worry about us when we are not in them by 10:30. Just like at home.

We really enjoyed our hotel, the San Donato. It was the only 4 star we stayed in during the trip, and really was noticeably a step above. The hotel itself was in a historic building with frescoe covered ceilings and a rooftop terrace with a wonderful view of the city and especially the Duo Torre - the Two Towers, a main monument in Bologna and one of the few towers from medieval Italy in astonishingly good condition. We didn’t go to any art galleries or museums, though Bologna is a premier city for opera, theater and art. We were able to see art in many of the public squares and often the bookstores would have contemporary art and photography exhibits, which we really liked. Speaking of bookstores, Bologna must have the highest per capita in Italy. There were close to ten within three blocks of our hotel. Adam was in heaven and found some rare photography books that he can’t get in the states. I bought the cheapest bag I could fine to transport our new purchases back home. It looks like a dead skunk.

We walked for hours everyday and really saw all of Bologna, which appears to be a fairly large city. It is a great central location for Italian travel as it is 2 hours from Milan or Venice, 3 hours from Rome, and only an hour from Florence or Parma. We discussed day trips, but the hotel was cushy, and the food so good we decided to stay in the big B. Let’s face it, we chose Bologna as a destination for the food and wine. We had both been to other locations in Italy, and had read that the Emilio-Romania region is undeniably the best for foodies. It is where Parma ham, balsamic vinegar and some of the best wines come from. The wine was cheap and good, and the food (pizza, pasta carbonara, Bolognese pasta and gelato...sometimes twice in one day were mainstays. Because of all of the walking we have been doing in the last 4 weeks, neither of us had felt as if we had gained any weight. That was before Italy! Now we can barely roll our fat butts out of bed to eat more bread and cheese.

The fashion and boutiques in Bologna was very high end. The men and women take fashion very seriously. The weather was starting to get a little crisp at night which was an excuse for the locals to showcase all of their new fall fashions. Very impressive. Boots, boots, and more boots. For many of the famous names (Dolce & Gabana, Louis Vittuion, Gucci, etc) the stores were entered only by appointment or with a secret code, and were always watched over by armed security. However, I was able to enter the 99 cents store without any problems, which is where all of your gifts will come from.

The architecture, of course, is fascinating, and the town’s historic sites are well preserved and maintained. One of the most interesting things was that a large number of the city sidewalks are covered by arcade ceilings, so during the twenty-minute walk from the train station to the hotel we were almost always covered by the city walls. This was helpful too as it rained a bit, but weather was still quite good. The center of the action was two blocks from the hotel, in Piazza Maggiorre, flanked by a majestic statue of Neptune, and home of the National museum. During our stay the space held a fitness fair, a world music concert and a political rally among other events.

Lastly, I’ve still got it. The Italian men are still after me. Okay, not the same ones I met ten years ago. My suitors now are octogenarians and drunk Turkish guys who hang out behind the train station. Oh well. Adam is still melting from the smiles he received from the Italian regazza. When will youth ever stop being wasted on the young?

In Paris now (arrived late Monday night, it is Thursday morning now), and flying home Sunday. Paris is Fantastique, mais oui. I will have to write a book about Paris, as a blog simply will not do. This will likely be the last blog, as we will be hurrying to consume every last almond croissant in the 72 hours we have left on our tour of Europe.

We are torn about our return. Ready to sleep in our own bed and tiring of the practicalities associated with travel. But, we have also found that we are adding more places to our list of travel destinations, and both agree that each place we have visited requires a second (or third!) visit.

We will speak to you all soon and look forward to telling more of our travelogue, and hearing your travel stories, too.

Much love,

Gretchen and Adam