To Bologna

Sun-Ling writes:

Saturday morning we happened to eat breakfast at the same time as our neighbors; had a very nice chat. The young couple was having a short trip in Tuscany from Trieste. Once they learned of our travel plans they offered to drive us to Bologna (150km) on their way home, they happened to be returning that day. Seeing how they are basically poor graduate students, we offered 20 euros for gas, they adamantly declined. "Pay it forward" they said. After less than two convivial hours, we were dropped off at our guesthouse in Bologna. I keep having the feeling the Italians have something the rest of us don't or they have different parameters. Since it was my birthday, I took the ride as a birthday present, the kindest and most unexpected.

Bologna itself exceeded my expectations too. Rick Steves strongly discourages Bologna, not that I hadn't outgrown him 15+ years ago. Bologna was lively, loads of restaurants (food capital of Italy), lots of students (home of oldest university), lots of arcades (20+km!). Bologna seemed the epitome of civilization.

On the weekends, many of the streets in Bologna's city center are closed to motorized vehicles.










The arcaded streets are great for strolling.


Our first evening in Bologna we had a tasty dinner at Centro Natura vegetarian/vegan restaurant in city center at Via degli Albari, 4A.


Some night views. First the Duomo.








The second day we followed the Modern Architecture and the Canal self-guided walking tours provided by the Tourist Office.


The history of Natural Gas.






This Art Deco building from 1935 was our favorite; with a sundial and Latin inscription.




At one time Bologna had many canals. Now, only a few are visible.


For hundreds of years, there has been a market in front of Santo Stefano; today it's an antique market.


Inside the octagon.