Trattoria del meloncello

Heading to Bologna, for the first step in our tour we stopped at this traditional restaurant near the Arco del Meloncello. Here we rested a bit after the 2.5h drive and tasted some of the localRead more
Arco del meloncello

After lunch, we took a moment to look at the historic Arco del Meloncello which is also the starting point of a long path walk that goes up to the Santuario di San Luca.
Santuario di San Luca

We walked up along the devotional path to reach the Santuario di San Luca. From there you can see a beautiful view of the city and the holy complex itself it's amazing, with a special sacredRead more
Agriturismo Podere Casino

After the visit to the sanctuary, we drove into the fields around Bologna to reach this nice agriturismo were we are going to spend the next three days. Time for a little rest before dinner!
Alma mater area

We started our tour of Bologna looking for one of the city's secret that is a hidden motto on one of the university bench. We used this occasion to walk around the university area
La piccola venezia

Our second stop in Bologna was at la Piccola Venezia, another of the city's secrets. The small river passing through the city and the small window are an unexpected view in the city center.
The canabis secret

Another of the city's secret of Bologna is a sentence on the use of wine and cannabis written on the ceil of a gallery near the main square.
Basilica di S.Petronio

This beautiful old Basilica face the main square and has very interesting interior decorations.
Piazza Maggiore

We reached the big square in the city center. Here we walked around to take a look at the various amazing monuments surrounding the square. A nice atmosphere with lot of people enjoying the niceRead more
The Neptune fountain

Next to the central Piazza Maggiore you can see the Neptune fountain, a monumental fountain that represent one of the major symbols of Bologna.
Osteria del Sole

We decided to have a typical lunch at the Osteria del Sole. So we first took some nice local cured meat at the Simoni's shop and some tigelle and then we had some rest at the Osteria del Sole whereRead more
The secret of the 3 arrows

The legend says that 3 assassins were waiting for a rich man under this porch when a lady appeared naked at the window. Distracted by the view the 3 men thrown the arrows in the wooden ceil where theyRead more
Basilica S.Stefano

After the arrows secret, we visited this church where you can look at a precise reconstruction of Jesus mausoleum in Jerusalem. The garden outside is also nice to visit.
The 2 towers

We also stopped quickly to admire the 2 towers of Bologna. One is the famous inclined Asinelli tower and the other it's the Garisenda tower. Unfortunately, we didn't book so we were unable to climb toRead more
Mercatini di Natale in Bologna

Before leaving Bologna, we had a stop at the nice Christmas markets organized in the city center where we bought some sweets and vin brulé to fight the cold and get some energy to continue the day
Trattoria Vito

We stopped at this typical Osteria for our dinner in Bologna before heading back to the hotel. A really friendly place with the typical atmosphere of a true osteria. Generous local dishes full ofRead more
Tomba di Dante

First stop in Ravenna was the tomb of Dante Alighieri. Here the body of the poet was hidden by the monks to avoid it got stolen during war and then a proper commemorative monument was built.
Museo arcivescovile

This little museum near the battistero neoniano contains nice examples of ancient stone inscriptions and an amazing chapel were the arci-bishops used to pray. Another cool piece is the Easter stoneRead more
Cattedrale della resurrezione

This cathedral is near the battistero neoniano with nice examples of sacred art and stone carvings
Battistero neoniano

Battistero neoniano is one of the amazing mosaic arts of Ravenna. The inside is dominated by the central water tank for baptism and all around and on the ceil you can see the stunning mosaic art. TheRead more
Basilica di Sant'Apollinare Nuovo

This is another amazing church of Ravenna. The interior has stunning decorations and ceiling depicting various moments of Jesus life and the saints
Cattedrale S.Vitale

The S.Vitale chatedral is another amazing example of mosaic art with vivid colours and golden drawings. The sacred atmosphere is enhanced by the peculiar architecture and the images around you.
Mausoleo di Galla Placidia

The Mausoleo is an amazing example of mosaic cited in all art textbooks. The interior is a stunning example of fine mosaic, with the night sky and starts represented on the ceiling. The area inside isRead more
Trattoria ai Canaletti

On the way back to the hotel we stopped for dinner at this restaurant that is popular in the area for bollito and local cousine. We enjoyed a generous taste of local products. Especially the bollitoRead more
Prato della Valle

On our way back home, we visited Padua and take a long walk in the city center to visit the famous Prato della Valle Square and the Xmas markets around the town