Ok. A 36 hour entry to cover arrival and settling in to Milano. Our train was slightly delayed despite having reached the magic 300 kph for some stretches of the run from Bologna. We found our way through the crowd at Milano Centrale to Bar Alemagna across the road to be met by Giancarlo Sacripanti (Giancarlo 2) our landlord, who drove us to our new place at Viale Piave 5, (buzzer 12). The drive across made it clear that we are now in a big city with all the tra...

A day in two parts, so two entries. Sadly, our last in Bologna, a city which, in a very short time, we have come to love. For the people, for the food, for the sense of style, for the history, for the colonnades. For our lovely little apartment, so close to everything, and yet so quiet. For once Rick Steves - who doesn't even include Bologna in his book- got it completely and absolutely wrong. And maybe that is a good thing, because while there were tourists in ...

Thought the patron of Bologna - St Petronius - should get a cover today as his feast is in a week. Also, the photos added to the blog today have feminism, dogs and dissent in common, so thought Marthese and Beth may like them. A slower day in many ways- and goodness knows we needed it after yesterday's eating adventures. What else to start with then but a cooking course at Scuola Di Cucina with Davide as our teacher? We were a small group - joined by 2 young Ame...

What a day! Let us say it again unless you missed it: what a day! But first, just a note that we had a jazz concert literally outside our windows last night as the Jewish Museum had a function. We just opened the windows and tuned in. Very cool. Back to Wednesday. On the advice of our good friend Trip Adviser we had committed to a food tour of the region out to Modena with a group called Italian Days Food Experience. Let's be clear- this is NOT to be missed, and...

Tuesday already, and we are falling in love with this town. The people are its great asset - we have yet to be treated in anything but a warm way by anyone. The large population of students means it is literally full of bookshops. Unlike Rome, much of the Roman and Etruscan history is hidden, allowing you to focus on the medieval years. Despite some pretty savage demolitions and some war damage, there is a lot to charm the visitor, and in particular the literally...